OVERALL RATINGS
Best for?
- Individuals
- Businesses
Price
Starting at $3.75 per month
Our Verdict
HostGator is a budget friendly web hosting choice. Boasting 1-click WordPress setup, a 99.9% uptime guarantee, and 24/7 support.
HostGator stands out as the go-to, budget-friendly choice for beginners, offering affordable plans and a reliable money-back guarantee in 2024. Established in 2002 in Florida, it gained immense success, eventually being acquired by EIG (Endurance International Group) for $225 million.
Despite EIG’s mixed reputation for overpricing, subpar support, aggressive marketing, and hidden fees, HostGator has thrived, hosting over 10 million domains. With an exclusive 62% discount on annual plans, a complimentary domain, and SSL certificate, it’s a smart choice for startups. Want to know the upsides and downsides? We’ve thoroughly explored them to help you make an informed decision.
This HostGator review will focus on their shared hosting plans, offering in-depth insights into this specific hosting option. Stay tuned for more details.
Hostgator Feature Images
Hostgator Product Offer
Diving into HostGator’s array of hosting options can feel like tackling a complex puzzle, but fear not – we’re here to unravel the details in a clear and friendly way.
Domain Names: HostGator offers domain purchases, though they’re not the most budget-friendly. A .com domain starts at $12.95 for the first year and rises to $17.99 upon renewal. If cost is a concern, alternatives like Namecheap may be more economical.
Shared Hosting: Tailored for small to medium projects, shared hosting is akin to cohabitating websites on a single server – think of it like sharing a house. Prices for shared plans at HostGator range from $8.95 to $16.95 after entry offer of $3.75 – $6.25, making it a sensible starting point for many users.
WordPress Hosting: Specifically optimized for WordPress users, plans start at $12.95 and can go up to $81.95 monthly. However, personal preference leans toward alternatives like SiteGround, and more budget-friendly WordPress hosting options can be found.
VPS (Virtual Private Server): VPS is essentially a shared hosting server divided into smaller sections through specific software. Ideal for smaller to medium-sized sites with distinct server requirements, HostGator’s VPS plans kick off at $80 per month.
Dedicated Server: If your project demands substantial resources, a dedicated server provides exclusivity. HostGator’s dedicated server plans start at around $190 per month.
Gator Website Builder: For those seeking an uncomplicated website creation experience without technical expertise, HostGator offers the Gator Website Builder. While a solid choice, it’s still in development, and some competing site builders may offer more features at similar price points.
Hostgator Pricing
HostGator offers three shared hosting plans:
Hatchling Plan – $3.75/mo:
- Ideal for individuals managing a single website.
- Users enjoy substantial discounts during the initial term.
- A complimentary domain name is included for the first year (available with yearly or longer plans).
- Important to note: Renewal costs are higher, so users should anticipate potential increases.
Baby Plan – $4.50/mo:
- Geared towards those with multiple websites.
- Similar to the Hatchling Plan, it presents significant discounts for the first term.
- Provides a free domain name for the initial year when opting for yearly or longer plans.
- Users are advised to be mindful of elevated renewal costs to avoid surprises.
Business Plan – $6.25/mo:
- Crafted to meet the needs of businesses.
- Much like the other plans, it comes with noteworthy discounts initially.
- Features a free domain name for the first year (available with yearly or longer plans).
- Users should be aware that renewal expenses are notably higher.
In making hosting decisions, it’s crucial for users to consider both the initial and renewal prices for a comprehensive understanding of their investment.
HostGator Shared Hosting Plans Comparison
When exploring HostGator’s shared hosting plans (HATCHLING, BABY, and BUSINESS), it’s crucial to consider the features, pricing, and potential surprises.
Pricing:
- HostGator’s pricing structure includes substantial discounts for the first term.
- A free domain name is included for the first year with yearly or longer plans.
- However, be cautious, as renewal costs significantly rise.
| Plan | HATCHLING | BABY | BUSINESS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allowed Sites | 1 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Support | 24 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours |
| Max. Inodes | 200,000 inodes | 200,000 inodes | 200,000 inodes |
| Storage | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Database | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Backup | Weekly (1 available) | Weekly (1 available) | Weekly (1 available) |
| Backup Restore Cost | $25 per restoration | $25 per restoration | $25 per restoration |
| Dedicated IP | No | No | Yes |
| 1-Year Deals | $3.75 a month | $4.50 a month | $6.25 a month |
| Renewal Price | $8.95 a month | $11.95 a month | $16.95 a month |
Backup Policy:
- Your account won’t be backed up if your inodes count exceeds 100,000.
- Only one daily, one weekly, and one monthly backup are retained.
Deal Durations:
- Opting for longer deals, like 36 months, results in even lower first-term prices.
- However, be prepared for a significant increase during the renewal period.
Hostgator Pros and Cons
- Flexible Terms: HostGator's hosting plans offer flexibility in duration, allowing users to choose from 1- 36 months. This versatility caters to varying needs and preferences, accommodating both short-term and long-term hosting commitments.
- Plenty of Storage: HostGator stands out by offering unlimited storage across all plans, providing ample space for your website needs. It's a boon for those with content-heavy sites or numerous files.
- Multiple Programming Languages: HostGator supports a diverse range of programming languages, including PHP, Ruby On Rails, Perl, and Python. This broad language support allows users the freedom to develop and run applications in their language of choice, enhancing the platform's versatility.
- Renewal Costs: While HostGator often attracts users with competitive initial prices, the higher renewal rates can catch customers off guard.
- Customer Support Variability: There are occasional reports of variability in the quality and responsiveness of HostGator's customer support. While some users praise the 24/7 support, others mention instances of delays or less-than-ideal assistance, suggesting a potential inconsistency in service quality.
- Overcrowded Servers: A few users have voiced concerns about overcrowded servers, leading to slower website performance during peak times. This can impact the loading speed and overall user experience, particularly for websites with higher traffic.
Best Time to Use Hostgator
HostGator’s shared hosting caters to users seeking a provider with unlimited bandwidth and generous storage allowances. Additionally, it accommodates the use of diverse programming languages like Perl, Python, and Ruby On Rails, making it versatile.
In my opinion, HostGator provides one of the best hosting services under the EIG umbrella that I’ve experienced. Nevertheless, I believe there are superior alternatives available at comparable prices, such as SiteGround or DreamHost.
Worst Time to Use Hostgator
Despite boasting a user-friendly interface, it may not be the best choice for substantial projects or hosting-dependent ventures like online stores or dedicated bloggers.
The lower uptime and relatively sluggish speed could adversely impact your SEO endeavors, and the support experience might be occasionally frustrating. A notable concern is the absence of a comprehensive backup system – relying solely on a weekly backup may fall short of expectations for many users.
Hostgator Feature Ratings
EASE OF USE
In line with the common characteristics of EIG products, the registration process for HostGator is intricate, featuring expensive add-ons that may not be essential. The backend has a modern and intuitive appearance, akin to a cPanel hosting service. However, users should be cautious of numerous advertisements for add-ons and plan upgrades. A noteworthy point is that canceling an account has an immediate effect, leading to the removal of the hosting package and website, even if there are remaining months on the contract.
UPTIME
After conducting extensive uptime monitoring over several months, it can be concluded that HostGator consistently provides reliable service. Their average uptime over the past 12 months stands at an impressive 99.99%.
SECURITY FEATURES
HostGator employs a custom firewall designed to safeguard users from hacker attacks, including DDoS. While the specifics of their security measures are not extensively disclosed, this approach may be intentional to maintain the effectiveness of their security protocols. Additionally, HostGator offers free SSL certificates and SSH access to enhance overall security.
For users seeking additional security measures, there’s an external paid application called SiteLock. This tool is dedicated to scanning and monitoring files, actively identifying and addressing potential security issues to further fortify the website’s protection.
SERVER LOCATION
HostGator’s data centers are exclusively located in the United States, specifically in Texas and Utah. While this geographical concentration may be advantageous for audiences within the US, it may pose challenges for projects targeting a non-US audience.
The location of data centers is a crucial factor to consider when aiming to optimize performance and accessibility for a global user base.
SERVER SPEED
At HostGator, they utilize PHP 7, a faster alternative compared to the older PHP 5, although the adoption of PHP 8 would be preferable. Additionally, their shared hosting incorporates SSD drives, enhancing data access speeds.
However, it’s worth noting that HostGator’s shared hosting currently does not appear to leverage HTTP/2 or a custom caching system, both of which are crucial elements for optimizing website speed. As indicated in our tests, the speed results were somewhat disappointing.
WEBSPACE LIMIT
HostGator offers unlimited storage, a feature that is not subject to explicit limitations. However, it’s essential to note that the storage allowance is intended for specific types of data, including web files, emails, and user-generated content. Users should be aware that HostGator does not permit the use of their hosting service as a general-purpose cloud storage solution, meaning storing extensive collections such as thousands of HD holiday pictures is not within the intended use.
MONTHLY DATA TRANSFER LIMIT
HostGator does not impose limitations on bandwidth, allowing users the freedom to accommodate varying levels of website traffic without restrictions.
FTP ACCOUNTS AND SECURE FTP
HostGator provides flexibility when it comes to file transfer options. Users can create an unlimited number of FTP (File Transfer Protocol) accounts, and secure FTPS (FTP Secure) is also supported.
SERVER FEATURES
HostGator supports a range of PHP versions, including 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3, and provides MySQL databases for users. Additionally, they allow the use of Perl, Ruby On Rails, and Python, adding to the flexibility of the hosting environment.
However, certain advanced features such as staging areas and server-side caching systems are not included. Additionally, more sophisticated features like Git-ready servers are not available. HostGator also offers Windows hosting plans for users with specific preferences or requirements
DATABASES
HostGator allows users the freedom to create as many databases as needed, without imposing any specific limitations on the size of these databases.
DOMAIN NAMES
With HostGator, the inclusion of a free domain name is applicable only for the initial year. For a .com domain, the cost is $12.95 in the first year, but notably increases to $17.99 upon renewal.
The Hatchling plan allows for one domain name (equivalent to one website), while the Baby and Business plans offer the flexibility of unlimited domain names. Regardless of the plan chosen, all three plans provide unlimited subdomains.
APPLICATIONS
HostGator provides an easy-to-use installer that allows users to install popular content management systems such as WordPress, Magento, Drupal, or Joomla with ease. This feature simplifies the process of setting up and managing websites powered by these widely used platforms.
EMAIL RATING
HostGator’s plans offer the convenience of unlimited email accounts and email storage. However, it’s important to note that the hosting service is not ideal for sending bulk emails, as there is a restriction of 500 emails per hour imposed. This limitation is in place to ensure responsible usage of email resources on the hosting platform.
BACKUPS
HostGator provides a weekly backup service for sites, but this is contingent on your account being less than 20 GB and having fewer than 100,000 inodes. Notably, they retain only one backup, which may be considered limited compared to other hosting providers with more sophisticated backup strategies.
HostGator recommends a third-party solution, specifically CodeGuard, for enhanced backup services. While users can create and download their own backups through cPanel, this method may be perceived as less convenient or user-friendly.
CDN
HostGator does not include a Content Delivery Network (CDN) in its services. Nevertheless, users have the option to integrate an external CDN solution, such as Cloudflare, to enhance content delivery and optimize the performance of their websites.
REFUNDS AND GUARANTEES
HostGator offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, applicable specifically to hosting services. It’s important to note that this refund policy does not extend to domain name purchases.
ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT
HostGator provides 24-hour support through live chat, email, and phone. However, based on personal experience, there have been instances of extended waiting times, and not all inquiries or issues were resolved satisfactorily.
This includes both technical issues and sales-related questions, suggesting potential room for improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of their customer support services.
OVERALL RATINGS
Hostgator Performance Tests
To assess HostGator’s performance, crucial tests on speed and uptime were conducted. Let’s delve into the outcomes to evaluate its effectiveness.
Hostgator Speed Test
We all want our websites to load super-fast for a great user experience and SEO boost. Learn more in our load time study! Sadly, in our recent speed tests, HostGator ranked as the slowest.
HostGator’s performance this year was subpar, with an average loading time of 2.72 seconds, over double the test winner GreenGeeks at just 1.29 seconds. As evident in the table below, this pattern has persisted over the last three years.
Below is a summary of their page load speed performance over the past three years:
| Page Load Time in Seconds | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GreenGeeks | 1.56 | 1.29 | 1.21 |
| A2 Hosting | 2.01 | 1.30 | 1.25 |
| GoDaddy | 1.94 | 1.44 | 1.28 |
| Cloudways | 1.73 | 1.46 | 1.30 |
| SiteGround | 1.54 | 1.56 | 1.35 |
| Hostinger | 1.61 | 1.63 | 1.35 |
| WP Engine | 1.65 | 1.66 | 1.37 |
| Namecheap | 1.60 | 1.69 | 1.40 |
| Dreamhost | 1.84 | 1.75 | 1.63 |
| Kinsta | 1.77 | 1.82 | 1.70 |
| Bluehost | 2.87 | 2.07 | 1.89 |
| IONOS | 1.95 | 2.32 | 2.20 |
| InMotion | 2.75 | 2.58 | 2.35 |
| iPage | 2.76 | 2.60 | 2.58 |
| HostGator | 2.78 | 2.72 | 2.70 |
While there are ways to address a slow website and enhance WordPress speed, progress can be hindered if the hosting provider is sluggish. Therefore, HostGator’s performance in this aspect is a significant concern.
Hostgator Uptime
Hosting providers experience occasional service interruptions, such as server restarts for updates. If infrequent and brief, it’s manageable. However, consistent and prolonged downtimes can harm user experiences, lowering conversions and disappointing search engines.
Ideally, your uptime should be 99.95% or higher, meaning downtime is less than 0.05% annually (approximately 4 hours). In our latest tests, HostGator displayed excellent uptime at 99.98%, establishing it as a reliable web host.
| Uptime Chart | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SiteGround | 99.97 | 100 | 100 |
| WP Engine | 99.99 | 99.99 | 100 |
| Namecheap | 99.99 | 100 | 100 |
| Kinsta | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| InMotion | 99.73 | 99.95 | 100 |
| A2 Hosting | 99.99 | 99.98 | 99.99 |
| Cloudways | 100 | 100 | 99.99 |
| HostGator | 99.91 | 99.99 | 99.98 |
| GreenGeeks | 99.98 | 99.98 | 99.97 |
| GoDaddy | 99.90 | 99.96 | 99.95 |
| Hostinger | 99.48 | 99.92 | 99.95 |
| Bluehost | 99.96 | 99.99 | 99.95 |
| iPage | 98.45 | 99.85 | 99.95 |
| Dreamhost | 99.99 | 99.96 | 99.83 |
| IONOS | 99.91 | 99.93 | 99.71 |
I utilize StatusCake, a tool that assesses each website every 5 minutes, for uptime monitoring. Their impressive uptime over the last two years is evident. Nevertheless, their performance in 2021, at 99.91%, fell short of expectations.
My Verdict on Hostgator: Do I Recommend It?
Your website should be secure with HostGator’s good uptime, but there’s room for speed improvement. It suits less critical projects. For professional endeavors, consider SiteGround, GreenGeeks, or DreamHost.
HostGator is generous with storage, email, bandwidth, and databases, making it an option for those prioritizing quantity. However, their backup features are notably inadequate, with a frustrating $25 fee for each restore.
Support can be slow, and there’s a feeling of incomplete responses. Utilize Hostgator 45-day free trial to explore the platform now. This will help you detemine if it’s the right fit for your business. Do not take my word for it but SiteGround is a better alternative worth considering.
Hostgator Alternatives
Hostgator Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many domains can you have on HostGator?
HostGator’s shared hosting plans vary. The Hatchling plan allows only one domain, while the Baby and Business plans offer unlimited domains. It’s essential to choose a plan that aligns with your website needs.
What is the daily send limit for HostGator?
HostGator restricts the number of emails you can send per hour, rather than having a strict daily limit. The exact limit may vary, but it typically ranges from 500 to 700 emails per hour. It’s advisable to check HostGator’s current email policies for the most accurate information.
How long does HostGator take to activate?
HostGator’s activation time is generally swift. In most cases, your hosting account should be set up and activated within a few hours of payment confirmation. However, it’s possible that it may take up to 24 hours, depending on various factors. The activation process is typically efficient and designed for a quick turnaround.
