HostGator has served over 2.5 million websites and earns average reviews from users, including a 3.6 out of 5 star rating on G2 and a 3.8 out of 5 star rating on Capterra. With web hosting[1] plans ranging from shared hosting for small businesses to dedicated hosting for large, global enterprises, HostGator offers useful tools and services for all company sizes. However, its renewal rates can be a bit expensive for sole proprietorships. Its plans specifically cater to WordPress websites with included tools, such as one-click WordPress installation features and a WordPress hosting plan.
Here is an overview of the services and tools you can access through HostGator:
- Shared hosting
- WordPress hosting
- e-Commerce hosting
- Virtual private server (VPS) hosting
- Dedicated hosting
- Domain registration
- Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising
- Search engine optimization (SEO) services
- Web design
- An artificial intelligence (AI) website builder
- Add-on security plans and tools, such as secure sockets layer (SSL) certificates and SiteLock
HostGator
| Introductory price: | Starting at $3.75 per month (for 36 months) |
| Renewal price for same plan: | $17.99 per month |
| Discounted rates for longer terms? | Yes |
Pros
- Advanced security feature options
- Collaboration tools
- Complementary services to help companies launch a new website
- A website builder for easy do-it-yourself (DIY) website design
- 24/7 chat and phone support
Cons
- No free website hosting services
- No online store hosting plans
- Can be a bit expensive compared to some competitor hosting services
In this review, we focus on HostGator’s shared hosting plans. Here are the best use cases for its shared-hosting offerings:
- Global websites: One standout feature of its Business shared-hosting plan is its Cloudflare CDN [content delivery network] inclusion, which makes it a good option for companies with complex, even dynamic content, that must be accessible quickly to global website visitors.
- Less tech-savvy businesses: In addition to its included features, HostGator also offers complementary features, such as website design, SEO, and advertising services. These services make it a great option for less tech-savvy businesses that need professional services to help them launch, maintain, and promote a branded website.
- Collaborative companies: HostGator also offers complementary tools for companies looking for collaboration tools for content production. For example, its Google WorkSpace packages offer online chat, document collaboration, and document storage tools to help teams maintain a robust content creation and publishing calendar.
- Security-conscious companies: HostGator offers a list of complementary tools you can use to secure your website from malware and other threats. For example, its SSL certificate portfolio offers enhanced security features, warranties, and multidomain security coverage. Its SiteLock plans offer more protection against malware and other threats.
Companies that should consider an alternative to HostGator may include those that:
- Need free website hosting: HostGator does not offer free website hosting. If you need free website hosting, consider an alternative solution such as Wix.
- Are looking for plans specifically catered to online stores: Unlike HostGator, alternatives often offer online store plans with extra features, such as wishlists, promotion builders, and more.
- Have complex website design needs that require a team of specialized developers to implement: Companies, such as DreamHost, offer basic web design services in addition to advanced website coding service plans from a team of skilled developers.
- Are looking for a provider with above-average user reviews: On sites like G2 and Capterra, HostGator earns a 3.6 and 3.8 out of 5 star ratings, respectively, while some competitors earn higher user ratings on the same platforms.
HostGator pricing & plan overview
HostGator offers three shared web hosting plans ranging from $3.75 to $6.25 per month (introductory pricing). In its plans, it offers up to 50GB of solid-state-drive (SSD) storage, a free domain, a free SSL certificate, one-click WordPress installations, and customer support. Overall, its best small business plan is its Business Plan. Starting at $6.25 per month, this plan gives you all you need to create a robust and secure WordPress website and 24/7 support to troubleshoot issues that may arise.
| Plans | Introductory rate | Renewal rate | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatchling | $3.75 per month | $17.99 per month | 10 websites 10GB SSD storage 1-year free domain 1-click WordPress installation Free SSL certificate Chat support And more |
| Baby Plan | $4.50 per month | $21.99 per month | 20 websites 20GB SSD storage 1-year free domain 1-click WordPress installation Free SSL certificate Phone and chat support And more |
| Business Plan | $6.25 per month | $27.99 per month | 50 websites 50GB SSD storage 1-year free domain 1-click WordPress installation Free SSL certificate Phone and chat support And more |
| Hatchling | |
|---|---|
| $3.75 per month | |
| $17.99 per month | |
| 10 websites 10GB SSD storage 1-year free domain 1-click WordPress installation Free SSL certificate Chat support And more |
|
| Baby Plan | |
| $4.50 per month | |
| $21.99 per month | |
| 20 websites 20GB SSD storage 1-year free domain 1-click WordPress installation Free SSL certificate Phone and chat support And more |
|
| Business Plan | |
| $6.25 per month | |
| $27.99 per month | |
| 50 websites 50GB SSD storage 1-year free domain 1-click WordPress installation Free SSL certificate Phone and chat support And more |
Best HostGator plan for small businesses: Business Plan
HostGator’s Business Plan is similar to its other shared web hosting plans with a couple of standout exceptions. Starting at $6.25 per month (and renewing at $17.99 per month), it offers 50GB of storage and the ability to host up to 50 websites, compared to its midtier plan of 20GB of SSD storage and 20 hosted sites.
It also offers a Cloudflare CDN, which speeds up static and dynamic content access for website visitors (even when they access your site from a variety of global locations) and boosts security around transmitted data. In doing so, it offers a website experience that can better retain website visitors and boost conversions.
Pros
- Lots of storage (50GB SSD)
- Cloudflare CDN
- Free domain privacy for 1 year
- Malware scanning
- WordPress is preinstalled
- Email and domain included (for 1 year)
- Free daily website backups for 1 year
Cons
- No online store tools included
- The included domain must be purchased after 1 year
- Most expensive shared hosting plan offered by HostGator
Other services Bluehost offers
HostGator is primarily known for offering website hosting services, such as shared, cloud, and WordPress hosting plans. However, it also offers complementary tools and services to ensure your website’s success. Here are a few of these offerings, their pricing, and their benefits:
- SiteLock: HostGator’s SiteLock service starts at $7.99 per month and protects your site against security threats such as malware and malicious attacks.
- Website builder: This is a drag-and-drop website builder that allows you to easily create the website you desire while viewing how it will look once live even as you design.
- Website design services: To learn about pricing details for this service, you must request a custom quote. When you sign up, you get a mobile-friendly, customized, and professional WordPress website that is optimized to perform well in Google Search.
- SSL certificate options: In addition to the free SSL certificate offered with your hosting plan, HostGator offers more advanced SSL certificates starting at $39.96 per year that include encrypted data transmission capabilities, a web browser flagger that labels your site as secure and, by extension, enhanced customer trust. You can choose from various SSL certificates, such as those with enhanced protection, warranties, or multidomain security coverage.
- Google Workspace: HostGator’s Gmail and Google Workspace plans start at $6 per month and offer team collaboration tools, document storage, and professional email that match your website domain.
- PPC advertising: For this service, you must request a custom quote to learn pricing details. It offers access to a dedicated PPC manager who crafts and helps to optimize your ads to target your audience and produce conversions among them.
- SEO services: This service is also offered via a custom quote. It combines keyword research, content creation, and on-page optimization of titles and metadata to boost your website’s rankings in Google Search and attract more qualified traffic.
- CodeGuard: Starting at $1.99 per month, this service helps to safeguard your website by offering daily, automatic backups; protection against viruses, hackers, and broken code; and three website restorations per month.
- Domains: You can purchase custom domains from HostGator, such as .com, .net, and .org domains, starting at $12.99, $18.99, and $9.99, respectively.
The HostGator platform and customer support
HostGator offers 24/7 phone and chat support. However, the type of support depends on the plan you choose. Lower-tiered plans offer only live chat support while higher-tiered plans also offer phone support. HostGator also offers a robust knowledge base with how-to articles and videos. For example, its “Learn cPanel” article offers a video showing how to navigate through the offered cPanel. It then offers a list of relevant videos to learn more, including:
- How to create an FTP account in cPanel quickly
- How to set up an email forwarder in cPanel
- How to use file manager in cPanel
Overall, the HostGator website is easy to navigate on both desktop and mobile devices. Its layout ensures pertinent information is at your fingertips. For example, its landing page includes a list of its web hosting products and links to learn more about plans that may interest you. It also then lists all the ways you can contact the company with questions and a frequently asked questions (FAQs) section. In addition, its menu layout makes it easy to find what you’re looking for, including hosting plans, complementary tools and services, and contact information submenu items.
We contacted customer support using HostGator’s live chat feature during the writing of this review. A representative responded to our inquiry within 20 seconds and was patient, prompt, and knowledgeable in her responses. Overall, we were quite pleased with the quality of support we received.
Is HostGator secure?
HostGator offers a number of security measures to safeguard user data. First, it offers highly secure server facilities with restricted access. It also protects its servers against distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and uses firewall protection to further secure data. It does not offer more information about its security measures, stating that they are confidential, but there is more.
In addition to securing its servers, HostGator offers a number of security features in its plans and as add-ons. In all plans, users receive a free SSL certificate to encrypt all information input into their websites. The hosting provider also offers separate SiteLock Security plans with automatic malware removal, DDoS protection, web application firewall, continuous malware scans, and other security tools and services.
In October 2023, dark web monitoring firm, Insecureweb[2], reported that 44.2KB of HostGator user data was leaked onto messaging platform Telegram.org. The data was mostly user emails. However, the firm also stated that, prior to this breach, HostGator maintained an impeccable security track record.
HostGator user reviews
HostGator earns a 3.6 star out of 5 star rating on G2 with around 250 user reviews and a 3.8 out of 5 star rating on Capterra with about 60 user reviews. Overall, users say the platform is easy to use, that its introductory rates are affordable, and its customer support is efficient, patient, and helpful. They also report overall excellent website uptimes when using the hosting provider.
However, some say that plan renewal rates are a bit expensive, they wish the provider didn’t engage in such heavy upselling and the dashboard could use a user experience (UX) update.
Compare HostGator alternatives
HostGator vs. Bluehost
HostGator and Bluehost both offer shared hosting plans at affordable prices. However, HostGator offers more robust services and tool options. For example, while Bluehost does not offer a Reseller plan, Bluehost does. It also offers add-on security plans, such as CodeGuard and SiteLock, plans that are missing from Bluehost’s offerings. In addition, it offers collaboration plans that Bluehost does not offer, such as its Google Workforce package.
HostGator vs. DreamHost
Both HostGator and DreamHost offer shared hosting plans and both services are somewhat comparable. For example, they both also offer complementary services, such as website design services. However, DreamHost goes a bit farther than HostGator with such offerings. In doing so, it offers services for a polished and ultrafast website UX.
For example, while HostGator offers website design services, not only does DreamHost offer these services, but it also offers website development services with a team of experienced developers who can implement any change you want to your business on an ongoing basis and AI business advisor trained by DreamHost website experts to help you ensure your website maintenance experience is on par with best practices. In addition, while HostGator offers 10GB of site storage in its basic plan, DreamHost offers 50GB.
So, for companies looking for a basic website to get the job done at an affordable price, HostGator may be a good option. However, if you want a highly polished and optimized site UX, DreamHost may have more tools and services to help you achieve that goal on an ongoing basis.
Is HostGator right for you?
HostGator may be a good option for your company if you are looking for an affordable option for website hosting and a hosting company that can grow with your needs. HostGator not only offers shared hosting plans but up to VPS and dedicated hosting plans. In addition, it may also be right for your company if you are likely to turn your website into an online store, given HostGator’s e-commerce hosting plans. Finally, it might be a good option for you if you need extra security around your website and its data.
Frequently asked questions
What are the cons of HostGator?
HostGator doesn’t have the best reviews compared to some competitors. It earns a 3.6 out of 5 star rating on G2 while competitor Hostinger earns a 4.4 out of 5 star rating. In addition, HostGator’s shared hosting plans are not the most affordable. While its first-tier shared hosting plan is $3.75 per month and renews at $17.99 per month, Bluehost’s first-tier plan is $2.95 per month for the first term and renews at $11.99 per month.
Which is better: HostGator or GoDaddy?
HostGator and GoDaddy are both suitable for different use cases. For example, unlike HostGator, GoDaddy offers tools specifically suited to project-based, client-facing companies, such as invoicing and project management software. In contrast, HostGator offers more plans for specific use cases. For example, it offers an entire plan selection for e-commerce stores and for companies that want dedicated hosting for optimum data privacy and control, plans that are not offered by GoDaddy.
What is HostGator used for?
HostGator offers website hosting services for small businesses. It also offers complementary tools and services to help small businesses launch and manage their websites, including website content transfer services; website design services; security products and services, such as SSL certificates and CodeGuard plans; domain name registrations; SEO services; and PPC advertising services.
References
- ^ web hosting (fortune.com)
- ^ Insecureweb (insecureweb.com)