7 Top HostGator Alternatives of 2023
- Bluehost: Best for building new websites
- DreamHost: Best for optimized WordPress hosting services
- InMotion: Best for starting small and scaling up
- Namecheap: Best for most affordable web hosting
- MochaHost: Best for lifetime hosting discounts
- GoDaddy: Best for small business website and store solutions
- Hostwinds: Best for a range of customers with different needs
Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Small Business
The Forbes Advisor Small Business team is committed to bringing you unbiased rankings and information with full editorial independence. We use product data, strategic methodologies and expert insights to inform all of our content to guide you in making the best decisions for your business journey.
After carefully evaluating a total of 11 HostGator alternatives, we have compiled a list of our top seven service providers using a comprehensive methodology. Our assessment criteria encompassed elements, such as pricing, general features, additional features, ratings and reviews and expert scoring, all of which were conducted by our editorial staff.
How To Choose the Best HostGator Alternative
Choosing the best HostGator alternative requires weighing various factors. Here are some steps to consider:
- Determine your hosting needs: First step is to consider your hosting needs, this will help narrow down which hosting services are able to meet your criteria. Decide which type of hosting service you’ll need for your website, for example, shared hosting, VPS hosting, WordPress hosting, dedicated hosting, managed hosting or cloud hosting. Consider factors, such as website traffic, storage, bandwidth and whether you’ll need a domain name.
- Research alternative hosting providers: Look for hosting providers that offer similar services to HostGator, such as the HostGator alternatives provided in this article. Take note of their features, uptime guarantee, customer support, pricing and user interface. Take note of hosting services that include free services, such as SSL certificate, domain name, website builder and auto backups.
- Compare pricing: Compare the pricing of different hosting providers and identify which ones offer the best value for money. Consider not only the initial price but also the renewal rates and any additional fees. Some hosting platforms offer monthly, yearly and three-year plans. In addition, first-time customers usually receive a discounted rate but after the initial term, the rate is likely to increase. Make sure to account for the regular rate and cost increase per term.
- Check uptime and reliability: Look for hosting providers that offer at least 99.9% to 100% uptime. Check their uptime guarantees and read reviews from other customers to see how reliable and fast their services are. It’s important to choose a hosting service that minimizes downtime and keeps your website up and running.
- Evaluate customer support: Choose a hosting provider that offers excellent customer service. Look for providers that offer 24/7 support, multiple support channels and quick response time. In addition, some providers offer an online help center, knowledge base, courses and videos.
- Consider website migration: If you are currently using HostGator, make sure to confirm that your alternative hosting provider offers website migration services. Some providers will offer free migration services but others may offer this as a paid feature. The migration process should be relatively straightforward and seamless.
By following these suggestions as a guideline, you can feel more confident and knowledgeable in deciding which HostGator alternative is right for you.
How Much Does HostGator Cost?
HostGator offers a range of hosting plans with different pricing options. Here are some examples of its services and pricing plans.
Web Hosting:
- Shared Hosting: HostGator offers three shared hosting plans starting at $2.75 per month for the Hatchling plan, $3.50 per month for the Baby Plan and $5.25 per month for the eCommerce Plan. This price is offered at the introductory rate with a billing term of 36 months. For shorter terms, expect to notice an increase in price.
- Website Builder: HostGator also offers four website builder plans. Introductory offers start at $4.95 per month for the Website Plan, $7.95 per month for the Website and Marketing plan, $13.95 per month for the Online Store and $19.95 per month for Online Marketplaces. These rates are discounted at an annual billing rate and increase in price with the month-to-month plans.
- WordPress Hosting: HostGator offers three WordPress Hosting plans. Plans start at an introductory price of $5.95 per month for the Starter Plan, $7.95 per month for the Standard Plan and $9.95 per month for the Business Plan. Introductory rates are offered with the commitment of a 36-month billing cycle.
PRO Hosting:
- Dedicated: HostGator offers three ultimate power hosting plans. Its lowest-priced plans start at an introductory offer of $89.99 per month for the Value Server, $119.89 per month for the Power Server or $139.99 per month for the Enterprise Server. Pricing plans are based on a 36-month commitment and can increase with the option of one-month to 24-month billing cycles.
- VPS: HostGator offers more control and extra flexibility with the option of three VPS Hosting plans. Introductory offers start at a low price of $23.95 per month for the Snappy 2000 plan, $34.95 per month for the Snappy 4000 plan or $59.95 per month for the Snappy 8000 plan. These introductory pricing plans are based on a 12-month commitment and increase in price on the one- to six-month plans.
- Reseller: Make money as a reseller with HostGator’s reseller hosting plans. Introductory offers start as low as $19.95 per month with the Aluminum Plan, $24.95 per month with the Copper Plan or $24.95 per month with the Silver Plan. Pricing plans are based on the introductory offer with a 36-month billing cycle and can increase with shorter billing cycles of one month to 24 months.
Take note, all prices may vary depending on factors, such as the initial introductory offer, the length of service and any additional add-ons you may need. Make sure to also consider the regular rate after the first initial billing cycle is complete. Determine if the cost is still in your budget as you will most likely experience an increase in price.
Methodology
Forbes Advisor has actually created a rubric to examine and rack up each firm on the checklist. We reviewed an overall of 11 HostGator choices to fairly identify our leading 7. The rubric examines 5 primary locations of standards that were racked up and weighted. Each location added a details portion towards the last rating of 100%. By separating ball game right into classifications, we intend to offer a detailed assessment thinking about numerous elements that are essential to customers when picking the most effective supplier.
Prices
In our analysis to identify our leading HostGator choices, we evaluated each carrier by their beginning rate, upgrade rate and whether they provided a cost-free strategy. We likewise ranked each organizing solution according to its lowest-priced rate strategy. Strategies that had an initial rate of much less than $3 gotten a higher rating. This aspect added to 15% of the total rating.
General Features
We established racking up to basic functions by assessing which service provider provided a personalized domain, unrestricted storage space and endless data transfer. These basic attributes are vital for a site to operate appropriately as they affect the capability of the site straight. Suppliers that supplied these functions obtained the highest possible rating. This aspect added to 25% of the general heavy rating.
Added Features
Holding solutions that consisted of extra functions, such as service e-mail and a very easy installment procedure, were appointed greater ratings in our assessment. Easy configuration enables customers to set up and establish a site promptly and conveniently without technological understanding or experience. This function is partly practical for novices. Email accounts and organization e-mails consisted of in the strategies are likewise a perk as it utilizes the web sites domain offering the internet site a specialist photo. This variable added to 15% of the general heavy rating.
Testimonials and Ratings
High scores and testimonials show completely satisfied consumers and they offer important understandings right into the top quality and dependability of the solution they supply. Clients that have actually utilized the solution can share their viewpoints and experience. In our examination, scores and evaluations were established based upon details given by Trustpilot. Organizing solutions that obtained a ranking of 3.5 or greater were provided a greater rating. Those that got over 300 testimonials were likewise thought about and were ranked a greater rating. This element added to 20% of the general heavy rating.
Professional Score
Throughout our analysis, we established our specialist rating by examining any kind of standout functions of the provider, the appeal of the organizing solution and its convenience of usage. Scores were identified by splitting the webhosting solutions right into 3 classifications: exceptional, great and reasonable. This aspect added to 25% of the total rating.
Gentry