If you want to build a website, it’s important to know what you need. At a basic level, you’ll need a domain name that pairs with a reliable host. Your web host must be able to securely store your content, manage your data, and provide a backend file management system or file transfer protocol (FTP) access. However, many web providers offer far more than just hosting — you can also opt for a content management system (CMS), search engine optimization (SEO) assistance, website design templates, and security add-ons.
There are dozens of web hosting providers available. Below, you will find my top web hosting service recommendations. These range from providers offering a quick and easy way to build your website to companies that provide full data center infrastructure capabilities.
What is the best web hosting service right now?
ZDNET has conducted extensive research and hands-on testing with many of the top web hosting services. My pick for the best web hosting service overall is Hostinger.
Hostinger offers inexpensive plans and a variety of tools suitable for individuals and small projects starting at only $3 per month with two months free. If you want to go up a level, Hostinger’s premium plan has everything you need: a website builder, WordPress integration, templates, emails, SEO, marketing help, and more.
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Alternatively, Dreamhost is an excellent option for professionals who want advanced features, a virtual private server (VPS), or dedicated hosting. Plans start at $3 per month on a shared plan.
Read on for the rest of my picks for the best web hosting services of 2025.
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Best web hosting services of 2025
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I consider Hostinger’s premium plan an excellent option for most website owners and small businesses.
Why we like it: Hostinger’s premium plan costs $3 per month with three months free. This is excellent value for money if you want to operate multiple websites under one account. Business options begin at $4 per month.
The premium plan supports up to 100 websites. It offers 100GB of storage, up to 100 email addresses and forwarders, free Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) website security, templates, unlimited bandwidth, and a free domain name.
If you need a theme, Hostinger also provides a drag-and-drop website builder and 150 templates. The plan includes Google Analytics integration, search engine optimization (SEO) tools, and standard distributed denial of service (DDoS) protection. Furthermore, you’ll be given basic e-commerce capabilities and one-click WordPress installation and migration. The same WordPress installation can be used to support multiple WordPress websites.
Who it’s for: I signed up with Hostinger last year to operate a website to provide email, and so far, I have been impressed with the service.
Review: Hostinger
Aside from a few cases of maintenance-related downtime, uptime has been spot-on, and I’ve had no problems with reliability, storage, or loading speed. As a result, I believe Hostinger will suit many smaller operators who simply need an affordable and reliable web host.
Who should look elsewhere: A downside is that you can only access more advanced features, such as daily backups and increased performance, with more expensive subscriptions. There’s no dedicated internet protocol (IP) address outside of cloud and virtual private server (VPS) hosting, for example. While this won’t bother most website owners, if you need more advanced hosting solutions, you will want to look at my other recommendations.
In addition, while many customers applaud Hostinger’s customer service, some clients operating multiple websites have reported bounce-backs and slow load times.
Hostinger features: cPanel: Yes | SSL: Some plans | SSH: Yes | Backups: Yes | E-commerce: Basic+ | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Support: 24/7 live chat support | Starting price: $3 per month
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DreamHost’s easy-to-use interface and customer support stand out to business owners and new webmasters alike, but its professional plan is where the service really shines.
Why we like it: The hosting provider offers WordPress hosting, shared hosting, virtual private servers (VPS), dedicated servers, cloud hosting, content delivery network (CDN), unmetered bandwidth, an AI website builder, and more.
I particularly like DreamHost‘s Google Workspace integration, domain integration, and Google Cloud support. The company also provides great resources and guides that can help you grow your business cost-effectively. A free secure socket layer (SSL) certificate is available on all plans.
Review: DreamHost
Nick Farnborough, the co-founder of Clavis Social, told ZDNET that he has “tried almost every host out there over the years and ultimately found DreamHost to be the best overall package, taking into account cost, performance, and ease of use.”
Who it’s for: Professionals and website owners who need more extensive plans than those offered on typical, basic plans. Shared plans and the DreamPress plan — available for $17 per month — come with more advanced business features, including unlimited email, website migration, on-demand backups, and an SSL certificate pre-installed.
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Dreamhost also provides advanced plans for larger web projects. If you want dedicated resources, you can opt for a VPS plan suitable for scaling and resource-heavy projects.
Who should look elsewhere: Customers have applauded this web host’s customer support and value for the money, but some say that reaching customer support teams can be challenging. If you think you’ll need ongoing support, you might want to look at a different solution.
DreamHost features: cPanel: No, proprietary panel | SSL: Free | SSH: Yes | Backups: Yes | E-commerce: Yes | Money-back guarantee: 97 days | Support: 24/7 chat, ticket, and call-back | Starting price: $3 per month
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Ionos is one of my top picks for affordable, long-term web hosting.
Why we like it: The web hosting provider offers reliable, stable uptime with daily backups included on all plans. Free wildcard SSL certificates, email, one domain, and 24/7 support are also included.
Customers report great customer service, uptime, easy setup, and web hosting transitions. This web host doesn’t offer many of the more advanced features of competitors on its basic plans, but if you’re after a low-cost, long-term service, this is the best option for you.
Who it’s for: Anyone looking to run a website for around a year on a shoestring budget. The top deal is for Ionos Plus, a website hosting package suitable for larger, scalable projects and WordPress installs. On a one-year plan, you will only pay $1 per month, and you can operate unlimited websites with unlimited databases and storage.
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This plan includes one-click installations of around 70 apps, including WordPress and Drupal, and you will also receive a wildcard SSL certificate.
Alternatively, you could opt for the basic “Essential” plans supporting one website with ten databases, alongside 10GB of storage space, which will cost you $4 per month on an annual plan. A free domain name for one year and email are included. Furthermore, it’s worth taking a look at the Ionos virtual private server (VPS) hosting service if you want dedicated resources.
Who should look elsewhere: A potential price hike may occur after the one-year promotional period ends for Ionos Plus, which typically costs $12 per month. If you need a cheap host for the long term, consider the Essential plan or take a look at my other recommendations.
Ionos features: cPanel: Yes | SSL: Yes, wildcard | SSH: Yes | Backups: Daily | E-commerce: Yes | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Support: 24/7 | Starting price: $1 per month
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Hosting.com, previously known as A2 Hosting, is an excellent web hosting option for beginners who want to learn the ropes without spending a fortune.
Why we like it: Hosting.com provides a 24/7 customer team if you need help deciding on a plan or for any installation issues afterward. For $2 per month, Hosting.com’s basic shared hosting Starter package includes one website, five email accounts, 15GB of storage, an SSL certificate, and a website builder.
At the time of writing, for the same price, you can upgrade to Plus, which provides support for two websites, 30GB of storage, and 10 email accounts.
You can upgrade as your project grows. Pro and Max options start at $7 per month. These teirs include support for up to 100 websites, up to 100GB storage, and automatic backups with more computing resources. Pricing increases after your first year.
Who it’s for: Beginners who want a cheap, simple plan without being overwhelmed by different features and options. Customers applaud the firm’s 24/7 phone, email, and chat support, with assistance available during migration and beyond.
Who should look elsewhere: Anyone looking for a web host for large projects. I don’t think they are the best value for money at their normal prices due to email restrictions. You can only have up to 40 email accounts, a restriction I don’t think should be in premium hosting plans.
Hosting.com features: cPanel: Yes | SSL: Yes | SSH: Yes | Backups: Daily | E-commerce: Yes | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Support: 24/7 phone, email, live chat support | Starting price: $2 per month
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GreenGeeks is a great web hosting option if you want to sign up for a sustainable, eco-conscious hosting service to support your small business.
Why we like it: GreenGeeks has developed its marketing around the concept of being environmentally friendly, with three times the power your hosting demands replaced with wind power credits and tree planting.
It’s not just the environmental factor, GreenGeeks also prides itself on providing speedy and reliable service. Although the company’s website could use a modern overhaul, the important part is the hosting, which includes standard hosting, WordPress installs, e-commerce, virtual private server (VPS), and dedicated tiers.
Who it’s for: The environmentally conscious and anyone who wants ongoing, excellent support. GreenGeeks’ customer service is top-notch according to customer feedback.
Basic plans cost $3 per month, with options to upgrade and expand over time. The basic web hosting plan only covers one website with 25GB of storage. Once you move up a level or two, you can expect support for unlimited websites, managed WordPress installations, 50GB or 100GB of storage, and a free SSL certificate.
Who should look elsewhere: It’s an excellent option for starter projects and small businesses. I don’t think the range of services and features will suit mid-size companies, larger e-commerce stores, or beyond.
GreenGeeks features: cPanel: Yes | SSL: Free | SSH: Yes | Backups: Varies by plan | E-commerce: Yes, WooCommerce | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Support: Depends on the plan | Starting price: $3 per month
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GoDaddy has offered as wide an array of services as possible for individuals and small businesses needing an internet presence.
Why we like it: It’s widely known as a brand and many customers enjoy the service. GoDaddy is a great option if you prefer to stick with a well-known web hosting provider, or you’re looking to open an e-commerce store.
It’s also recently introduced AI-based services to help you find the right domain name and to assist you with branding. The comprehensive domain name search functions are also useful.
Pricing begins at $6 per month for one website. Specific plans may qualify you for a free domain name and SSL certificate. If you want to purchase multiple domains, they’re pretty cheap.
GoDaddy can be configured to apply WordPress updates automatically and offers malware-scanning services. Each plan comes with a one-click WordPress installation, a cPanel, and daily backups.
Review: GoDaddy
Launching an online store won’t take you long. E-commerce plans, including secure SSL to protect customer data and inbuilt SEO tools, start at $10 per month. A free trial for this service is available.
Who it’s for: If you already have a domain name purchased through GoDaddy, adding on a hosting package will be convenient. It’s also a great option for hosting e-commerce stores.
ZDNET author David Gewirtz has decades of experience with GoDaddy and respects how this web host provides the key services most customers want. They’re not the best, but they do a good job with almost everything.
Who should look elsewhere: Beginners might find the range of services overwhelming, so they may want to look at Hosting.com or Ionos instead. Customer service is reasonable. If you need a technical lead to get something accomplished, customers say you can usually find assistance. Unfortunately, the refund policy is restrictive. Unfortunately, the host’s website is cluttered, making it difficult to find exactly what service you need and at what price.
It should also be noted that GoDaddy has recently come under fire over its security practices. In May, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ordered the company to get its act together and improve its security programs, alleging that the firm had misled customers by failing to protect customer websites and data.
GoDaddy features: cPanel: Some plans | SSL: Some plans | SSH: Some plans | Backups: Some plans | E-commerce: Yes | Money-back guarantee: 30 days for annual plans, 48 hours for monthly plans | Support: 24/7/365 US-based ticket and phone | Starting price: $6 per month
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|
Web hosting service |
Starting price per month |
Free SSL |
Money-back guarantee deadline |
|
Hostinger |
$3+ |
Yes |
30 days |
|
DreamHost |
$3+ |
Yes |
97 days |
|
Ionos |
$1+ |
Yes |
30 days |
|
Hosting.com |
$2+ |
Yes |
30 days |
|
GreenGeeks |
$3+ |
Yes |
30 days |
|
GoDaddy |
$6+ |
Specific plans |
30 days |
|
Choose this web hosting service… |
If you want… |
|
Hostinger |
A one-size-fits-all hosting provider that will accommodate multiple businesses, side gigs, and personal websites, for less. It is a great way to streamline the website build and management process quickly. |
|
DreamHost |
Shared web hosting packages and a wide array of features and services. Web designers and developers can take advantage of an over three-month money-back guarantee period. |
|
Ionos |
An affordable, long-term hosting provider. Ionos has extremely positive user reviews, with many applauding easy transitions and strong customer support. |
|
Hosting.com |
A web hosting plan for beginners. Hosting.com plans are cheap, easy to understand, scalable, and include a website builder. |
|
GreenGeeks |
A web host that is eco-conscious or suitable for small businesses. GreenGeeks provides easy-to-understand hosting packages and will plant a tree with each sign-up. |
|
GoDaddy |
A web hosting platform that tightly integrates with GoDaddy’s impressive array of services, including e-commerce. It does a good job with almost everything, including pricing and customer service. |
When selecting your new web hosting provider in 2025, consider these crucial factors:
- Reliability: I recommend you choose a web hosting provider with a long history of stable, reliable service. After all, your website could end up being the central hub of your business for promotion and customer communication, so constant downtime can harm your reputation.
- Affordability: Your budget must be based on the purpose of your web hosting package. A single, small slice of hosting real estate for a personal blog does not cost the same as running a large e-commerce store. Set a budget that you can easily afford to find the right provider.
- Contract terms: The best deals are available for longer hosting periods, but you may only want to sign up for a few months or years. Check out the plans on offer and decide if they align with your goals.
- Scalability: Consider your website’s most important functions or uses. If you expect to grow your business over time and have heavy traffic, you need to be able to scale hosting capabilities over time. Choose a provider with upgrade options.
- CMS support and templates: New website owners may want to launch their website without hiring a designer to create a custom template from scratch. See if your new host offers an easy-to-use content management system (CMS) platform for backend updates, and whether website design templates are available.
- Customer support: Customer support is extremely important when you sign up for a web hosting service. Whether you are a beginner or want to run many websites, you should choose a provider with different options and a reputation for solid support.
- AI: If you’re interested in testing out AI tools for support or taking over the entire job of building your initial website, check that your chosen web hosting provider offers these services. Many do, but not all.
When I compiled this list, I began with web hosts ZDNET authors are personally familiar with. ZDNET does extensive testing on and research into web hosting providers, taking into consideration user reviews, competitor analysis, personal usage and experiences, and more.
Some of us have been running production websites for decades, with sites that have served millions of pages. Others have used web hosts for personal blogs, writing projects, and to help individuals launch small businesses.
I chose these providers because I believe they offer some of the best services in the market. These are the main factors I considered:
- Features offered: Deciding on the best web hosting provider requires you to decide which features to prioritize. I’ve included options for CMS implementation, e-commerce, design services, SEO services, cybersecurity functions, and more.
- Price: Naturally, the price point is a very important factor when we choose my web hosting provider recommendations. I have included options suitable for varying budgets, all the way from personal blogs to small businesses and large enterprise setups that will need to scale.
- Contracts: I have endeavored to include a range of subscriptions and plans, including flexible options suitable for different web projects.
- Stability: I have included only reputable web hosting providers that provide stable services with minimal downtime. After all, there’s no point in having a speedy, responsive website if downtime is a constant problem.
- Security: It is important that web hosting services take security seriously, so I have avoided hosts known for frequent security problems and those that lack transparency.
- Customer experiences: If you are going to sign up for a long-term web hosting service, you need to know how the company treats and supports its customers. I have examined customer reviews and feedback, with a particular focus of the support channels on offer and how responsive customer support teams are.
- The FTC has ordered GoDaddy to implement a comprehensive security program following several data breach incidents and allegations that the company misrepresented its security practices to consumers.
- Zservers, a Russia-based bulletproof hosting (BPH) provider, has been sanctioned by U.S. authorities for allegedly enabling LockBit ransomware attacks.
- In June, a Google Cloud outage caused customers to experience service disruption. The outage, which also impacted a number of other online services, is believed to have been caused by API issues.
Wix, Hosting.com, and Squarespace are among the web hosts I would recommend for beginners, although many are out there. These platforms offer an abundance of creative templates, so users can gain experience in web development with an attractive site. If you have experience with content management system (CMS) platforms, you could also look at WordPress.com.
Yes. There are many sites that allow for free hosting, but you will likely have a generic, branded domain. For example, if you were to have a free WordPress website, your domain would be [yourwebsitename].wordpress.com.
Be careful: Many free offers end after a period of time, and then you’re stuck on a service that will likely charge you a considerable additional fee to keep using it. Alternatively, the website host may allow you to have a free website on the condition that you allow ads to be displayed.
Web hosting can cost as little as a few dollars per month. Large-scale projects that require vast storage space and those that expect heavy volumes of traffic may need more support and resources, which will bump up the price. Enterprise-grade hosting can exceed hundreds of dollars per month, but this is overkill for many website owners.
No. A web host is the space you rent or own that stores files, whereas a web domain, such as www.mywebsite.com, is the address visitors need to find your website. You need both for a functioning website.
If we’re talking web hosts, we have to talk about WordPress. About 61% of websites with content management systems use the open-source CMS.
The WordPress ecosystem is huge, and finding the right WordPress host is a challenge on its own. Beyond WordPress.com, the service offered by the creators of the CMS, there are numerous managed hosting providers. There are even more hosting providers that specialize in providing a WordPress-optimized server for your website. Nearly every hosting provider will allow a WordPress install, considering its popularity.
A website builder is a type of software that lets you craft your business website, generally without programming knowledge or experience. Many allow you to choose from templates and then modify those templates to suit your look and layout.
Nearly all web hosting providers include some kind of website-building software, but for most hosting plans, it’s often an afterthought. By contrast, the website builders listed in this section are provided by web hosting companies that have made point-and-click website building tools with excellent customer support and solid up-time.
You do sacrifice some control when choosing a website builder solution, but if you’ve never done any web development, and you want a beautiful, usable website quickly, these services are for you. One warning: There are a lot of lock-ins here. You won’t be able to transfer the look of your site, and sometimes the content, to another hosting provider easily. Keep that in mind when you choose a website builder.
A web host is a service provider, such as Wix or GoDaddy, that provides the space, storage, and resources required to keep a website online, typically under a rental agreement. A web server is a computer system that stores files and shares them to become accessible to the web.
Shared web hosting is often very affordable and easy to set up, but it does come with a few disadvantages compared to dedicated or VPS hosting. Shared hosting plans pool computing resources between users, which means their web projects will share resources, including RAM and bandwidth. You will also likely be limited in terms of storage.
Are there alternative web hosting services to consider?
There are countless web hosting providers out there, but not all of them can make the list of my top recommendations, despite offering excellent service. Below, you will find other hosts to consider:
- In ZDNET’s June update, we performed minor editorial and layout changes. We also refreshed our web hosting FAQs.
- In ZDNET’s May update, we performed substantial copy changes. A2 is now Hosting.com, and we have updated our recommendations to reflect the brand change.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
