⏳ Do you want to skip the read and get right to my pick in this Hostinger vs Bluehost comparison? The better web hosting provider for most people is Bluehost.
Introduction to my Hostinger vs Bluehost Comparison test:
Getting a good hosting service is one of the necessary things to do when one puts up a website. So you have to consider getting a hosting service that works: one that never seems to have any downtime, one that can scale up when you feel that your site’s horizons need expanding, and – most especially – one that’s priced just right for your budget.
In this particular review, Hostinger vs Bluehost, we will see how these two stalwarts of the online hosting sector fare against each other and which one works best for today’s site creators.
Quick Comparison Table of Hostinger vs Bluehost
Criteria | Hostinger | 🥇 Bluehost (My Pick!) |
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Type of Hosting | Shared, Cloud, WordPress, and VPS Hosting | Shared, Managed WordPress, WooCommerce, VPS, and Dedicated Hosting |
Features |
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Performance | LiteSpeed Cache, Cloudflare CDN, Custom Optimizations | Custom CDN, Built-in Caching, NGINX |
Security Features |
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Pricing and Plans | Starts at $1.39/month | Starts at $3.95/month |
Money-Back Guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Customer Support | 24/7 Live Chat, Ticketing | 24/7 Live Chat, Ticketing, Phone Support |
Scalability | Easy plan upgrades | Easy plan upgrades, VPS and Dedicated options |
User Reviews/Ratings | Generally positive | Mixed to positive |
Environment Friendliness | Efficiency-focused infrastructure | Energy-efficient data centers |
My View | Best for those looking for budget-friendly hosting with strong performance and security features. | Best for users seeking comprehensive hosting options with a balance between features and pricing. |
Official Website | Visit Hostinger | Visit Bluehost |
Hostinger vs Bluehost Overview:
Hostinger:
Founded in Lithuania in 2004 as Hosting Media and renamed to its current brand persona in 2011, Hostinger boasts of having over 29 million users in nearly 180 countries. Its constant drive for innovation and development has made it a company to watch and it is considered one of Europe’s most trusted tech brands.
Bluehost:
Since 2003, Bluehost has been considered one of the world’s top 20 hosting providers. One reason for this is because it’s a WordPress Premium Partner. Over two million sites use it to host websites and ecommerce hubs made using WordPress.org.
Hostinger vs Bluehost Ease of Use:
Hostinger:
We have to hand it to this European stalwart: Hostinger was developed with optimal ease of use in mind. The latest iteration of the platform’s user interface (UI) does away with the classic cPanel which has become pro forma for many hosting services and site builders. Instead, it relies upon its own proprietary management dashboard that has been designed to be intuitive and offers maximum accessibility for users. Plus, the learning curve on this one isn’t so hard.
Bluehost:
Simple on the outside, but not so simple on the inside is the best way we can describe Bluehost at this point in the review. Technically, it’s easy enough to set up, but running the backend of the platform may be a pain in the backside for complete novices. Customised settings for CMS, DNS, and FTP need to be set manually – and this can be challenging unless you have a reliable tech person on your team.
Winner – Bluehost! Bluehost takes this ‘Ease of Use' round in our Hostinger vs Bluehost showdown.
Hostinger vs Bluehost Features:
Let's examine what features our contenders bring in this Hostinger vs Bluehost comparison.
Types of Hosting:
Hostinger
Shared Hosting:
- Hostinger provides affordable shared hosting plans which are suitable for small websites and blogs.
- With Hostinger’s shared hosting, you get features like a free SSL certificate, managed WordPress, LiteSpeed caching, and 24/7 customer support.
- They also offer a free domain with their Premium and Business shared hosting plans.
VPS and Dedicated Hosting:
- Hostinger offers a range of VPS hosting plans with dedicated resources such as CPU, RAM, and SSD storage.
- You can choose between Linux and Windows operating systems for your VPS.
- Hostinger doesn't offer dedicated server hosting directly but has cloud hosting plans that can serve similar needs.
Specialized Hosting:
- Hostinger provides specialized WordPress hosting that comes with LiteSpeed caching, managed WordPress, and a free domain (on higher-tier plans).
- They also have a website builder for users looking to create a website without coding knowledge.
Bluehost
Shared Hosting:
- Bluehost offers shared hosting plans which are known for their performance and reliability.
- Their shared hosting includes a free domain for the first year, free SSL certificate, and a user-friendly cPanel.
- They are also officially recommended by WordPress.org for hosting WordPress websites.
VPS and Dedicated Hosting:
- Bluehost provides VPS hosting with SSD storage, giving users dedicated resources for their websites.
- They also offer dedicated hosting servers for users who need full control and resources of a server.
Specialized Hosting:
- Bluehost specializes in WordPress hosting with plans that are optimized for performance and security on WordPress sites.
- They also offer WooCommerce hosting for those looking to build online stores with WordPress.
Domain Names:
Does Bluehost or Hostinger offer domain registration?
Hostinger:
Only one domain name comes free if you’re on either the Premium or Business web hosting plans. If you need additional domain names, it will cost you $8.99 annually.
Bluehost:
Like Hostinger Bluehost offers a similar deal: one subscriber = one domain. As above, additional domains and/or domain names will set you back by a certain amount, and the price is dependent on the base cost of your subscription package.
Email Rating:
Do either Hostinger or Bluehost offer email service?
Hostinger:
At its most basic, Hostinger allows subscribers just one email address per plan. However, if you’re on either a Premium or Business subscription, you’re allowed to create 100 email inboxes for your account. We think it’s worth the cost.
Bluehost:
Bluehost allows users on the most basic subscription plan to create five mailboxes for their accounts. Those on mid-tier and premium plans, however, have the option to create as many inboxes as necessary.
Databases:
Let's talk databases – what do Hostinger vs Bluehost bring to the table?
Hostinger:
Those on Hostinger’s Single Web Hosting subscription plan can only use one MySQL database, but those on more expensive plans can create an unlimited number of databases for their sites.
Bluehost:
Even at its most basic, Bluehost still gives users a better deal when it comes to databases. Users can create 20 databases for their accounts if they’re on the starter plan, while those on mid-tier and premium plans can create an unlimited number of databases.
Applications:
How many and what sort of applications can you install with Hostinger or Bluehost?
Hostinger:
The platform offers a one-click installer that enables users to download, install, and use a number of popular software packages and applications, including WordPress and a number of ecommerce solutions. In which case, it can be said that this will enable Hostinger subscribers to use the full range of applications and plugins available for WordPress users.
Bluehost:
Because Bluehost is a preferred partner for WordPress, you can use all 60,000 apps and plugins offered by the building platform, including the ecommerce plugin WooCommerce.
WordPress:
So which is better Hostinger vs Bluehost for WordPress?
Both of these hosting platforms do work with WordPress and they both allow you to take full advantage of the many sub-apps and plugins available for the CMS builder. However, we need to stress at this point that most of these plugins were developed by members of WordPress’ online community – which means that some have not necessarily gone through the developmental protocols of applications made by professional developers, so their reliability may come under question.
Site Staging:
Does Bluehost or Hostinger offer a staging environment?
Hostinger:
For WordPress sites, yes. Users may find that staging is only available if the default site builder used for their site is WordPress, as the building platform has its own staging tool built into its UI.
Bluehost:
This is one instance where you can be grateful that Bluehost is one of WordPress’ technical partners. The staging feature included in the WordPress interface gives users and developers a sandbox in which they can test sites for functionality and browser appeal before going live.
Website Builder:
Are either Hostinger or Bluehost capable of website creation?
Hostinger:
The good news: Hostinger does have its own website building platform called Zyro. Zyro can actually stand alone and you can have a site made with it hosted on a different platform, but why go farther? It touts that you can build a site with it in minutes: just choose a template, customise it to your liking, and then publish online.
The bad news: creative options are somewhat limited, so you may have to consider using a third-party builder like Wix and Weebly for standard websites or Squarespace and Shopify for an online store if you want maximum flexibility in terms of design and functionality.
Bluehost:
The good news: Bluehost has its own site builder, too. Both Bluehost or Hostinger deliver on the promise of letting you create a functional site in barely any time at all.
The bad news: Like WordPress, it’s CMS-driven so it offers a whole lot less in terms of spanking-fancy templates or more advanced bells and whistles. We daresay you’re better off working with WordPress on your site.
eCommerce:
What about when you have an online store – what provisions does Hostinger vs Bluehost have?
Hostinger:
The platform offers ecommerce-specific hosting plans and these usually include applications for order, inventory, and tax management, along with provisions for monitoring shipping and delivery.
A free SSL certificate is already included across all subscription packages, but the coverage is quite basic. If you pay a little extra, Hostinger will upgrade your basic SSL to a Comodo SSL certificate which allows for ample security for ecommerce sites.
Bluehost:
Bluehost supports websites using the WooCommerce plugin, but does not offer hosting packages specific for ecommerce site creation and hosting.
Across all subscriptions, SSL certificates are already included when you sign up for a hosting plan.
Winner – Draw! We’re calling this Bluehost vs Hostinger ‘Features match a draw.
Hostinger vs Bluehost Security:
The Web has malware lurking in every corner – so how does Bluehost vs Hostinger provide you peace of mind in terms of website security? How often does Bluehost or Hostinger perform backups?
Hostinger
SSL:
- Hostinger provides free SSL certificates to ensure data encryption and secure communication between the user's browser and the server.
Backups:
- Hostinger offers automatic weekly backups for all hosting plans. The premium plans come with daily backups.
Malware Protection:
- Hostinger includes BitNinja or Imunify360 (Web Application Firewall) on its servers to protect against malware and other threats.
Additional Security Features:
- Hostinger has implemented LVE containers for account isolation, ensuring that no single account can affect others on the same server.
- They also offer two-factor authentication (2FA) for an additional layer of account security.
Bluehost
SSL:
- Bluehost also offers free SSL certificates to all users regardless of the plan, to encrypt data communication.
Backups:
- Bluehost provides courtesy daily, weekly, and monthly backups. However, it is recommended for users to create and manage their backups using cPanel.
Malware Protection:
- Bluehost offers SiteLock, which scans your website for malware and vulnerabilities. SiteLock is available as an add-on.
Additional Security Features:
- Bluehost uses CPU protection to ensure that your site is protected against heavy traffic from other websites sharing the same server.
- CodeGuard Basic for website backup and restore service is available as an add-on.
- Domain privacy protection is available to protect users’ personal information associated with their domain names.
Winner – Draw! We’re calling this Bluehost vs Hostinger ‘Features match a draw.
Hostinger vs Bluehost Performance:
Now that we've dealt with ease of use and features of our contenders – Hostinger vs Bluehost – let's talk performance. Which is faster and has better uptime – Bluehost or Hostinger?
Performance Summary Table for Hostinger vs Bluehost
Criteria | Hostinger | Bluehost |
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Server Locations |
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Speed (Load Time) | Approx. 350ms | Approx. 600ms |
Uptime | 99.99% | 99.98% |
Server Response Time (US, East Coast) | Approx. 50ms | Approx. 80ms |
Server Response Time (Europe, London) | Approx. 20ms | n/a |
Server Response Time (Asia, Singapore) | Approx. 90ms | n/a |
Bandwidth | Starts from 100GB | Unmetered |
Webspace Limits | Starts from 10GB | Starts from 50GB |
Global CDN | Yes, through Cloudflare | Yes, through Cloudflare |
Scalability | Scalable with plan upgrades | Scalable with plan upgrades |
Server Locations:
In this Hostinger vs Bluehost ciomparison, we all know that server locations and number of data centres matter. So how do Bluehost or Hostinger compare?
Hostinger:
In this Hostinger or Bluehost match-up, the former's servers are located in seven countries. Its headquarters in Lithuania, the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Indonesia.
Bluehost:
For this Bluehost or Hostinger comparison, Bluehost’s nerve center is located in Provo, Utah with an auxiliary data center in the neighbouring town of Orem. Its global servers are located in the United Kingdom, India, Hong Kong, and Mainland China.
Speed Results:
The need for speed is a key criterion in this Bluehost vs Hostinger comparison. So which has faster loading times – Bluehost vs Hostinger?
Hostinger:
Comparing Hostinger vs Bluehost, Hostinger is faster. It is one of the fastest in the business as it clocks in at 345 milliseconds.
Bluehost:
The average loading time for sites hosted through the service is currently at 3.22 seconds.
Average Uptime, Bandwidth, and Webspace limits/Storage:
Uptime is crucial to the success of any website or blog. So how does Bluehost vs Hostinger measure up in terms of uptime? What storage capacities does Bluehost or Hostinger offer? Are there bandwidth limits in Hostinger or Bluehost we should know about?
Hostinger:
Unfortunately, for this Hostinger vs Bluehost derby, fast doesn’t always mean reliable. In Hostinger’s case, it falls short of the global standard uptime as its uptime only hits 99.91%
Likewise, while its Premium and Business subscriptions offer unlimited amounts of both bandwidth and storage, the most basic account only gives users 100GB of bandwidth and 10GB of storage.
Bluehost:
Unlimited is the keyword where Bluehost is concerned where bandwidth is concerned. Unlimited bandwidth is provided across all plans, but storage is another story. Those on the most basic plan only get 50GB; on other tiers, storage is unlimited.
Also, the service falls behind slightly in terms of uptime: Bluehost’s uptime is currently pegged at 99.98% – but that’s still considerably better than Hostinger’s.
Winner – Draw! in this Bluehost vs Hostinger ‘Performance' matchup. Hostinger may take the lead in terms of speed, but Bluehost takes the Performance round in terms of reliability.
Hostinger vs Bluehost Support and Resources:
Getting prompt and competent help is important in our Bluehost vs Hostinger comparison. How many support channels does Bluehost or Hostinger have? Do Hostinger or Bluehost have a great knowledge database?
Hostinger:
In this Hostinger or Bluehost match-up, Hostinger has multiple channel support. It is available 24/7. Moreover, it has the additional advantage of having a multilingual support team who can talk to users in their native language for clarity.
The platform’s knowledge base is also quite extensive and it is regularly updated.
Bluehost:
Comparing Bluehost or Hostinger, Bluehost offers 24/7 customer and technical service via email, LiveChat, and phone. Its knowledge base is also well-maintained.
Winner – Draw! Again, we are calling this Hostinger vs Bluehost ‘Support and Resources' showdown a draw.
Hostinger vs Bluehost Pricing :
No matter how great the features or performance may be, it won't do any good if you can't afford the web host. So in his Hostinger or Bluehost review, which has better value for money?
Quick Comparison Table for Hostinger vs Bluehost Pricing Plans and Transparency:
Criteria | Hostinger | Bluehost | ||||
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Single | Premium | Business | Basic | Plus | Choice Plus | |
Initial Price | Starts from $1.39/month | Starts from $2.59/month | Starts from $3.99/month | $2.95/month | $5.45/month | $5.45/month |
Renewal Price | $2.99/month | $3.49/month | $7.95/month | $8.99/month | $11.99/month | $16.99/month |
Free Domain | No | Yes | Yes | Yes (1 year) | Yes (1 year) | Yes (1 year) |
Free Trial | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Refund Policy | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
Check Pricing | Check Hostinger Pricing | Check Bluehost Pricing |
Plans:
Here are further pricing plan details offered by Hostinger or Bluehost:
Hostinger:
Price ranges for Hostinger's subscription plans are as follows:
- Shared web hosting: $0.99 – $3.99 per month.
- WordPress hosting: $1.99 – $11.59 per month.
- VPS hosting: $3.95 – $29.95 per month.
- Cloud hosting: $7.45 – $37 per month.
- Windows VPS hosting: $26 – $250 per month.
- Minecraft hosting: $8.95 – $29.95 per month.
>> Check for our latest Hostinger discount code pricing plans <<
Bluehost:
Comparing Bluehost or Hostinger, this hosting service’s subscription plans will set users back between $3.95 and $13.95 every month. Take note, however, that key security features are only offered for all plans except for Basic Hosting.
WordPress Pro plans start from $19.95;
Scalable corporate or enterprise plans can cost up to $119.99 per month.
>> Check for our latest Bluehost discount code pricing plans <<
Hostinger vs Bluehost Free trial, refund policy, and money-back guarantee:
Please also check the legal page for Hostinger and legal page for Bluehost for detailed information on Free trial, refund policy, and money-back guarantee.
Hostinger:
Like many of its contemporaries, Hostinger no longer offers a trial period. It does, however, have a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can ask for a refund within the first 30 days if you aren't satisfied with the service.
Bluehost:
Bluehost offers a thirty-day free trial; after which, users must commit to a paid subscription plan. If you aren’t satisfied with the service, you may cancel your paid subscription within the first thirty days for a refund.
Winner – Hostinger! In terms of value for money, we’re giving this Hostinger vs Bluehost ‘Pricing' round to Hostinger.
Hostinger vs Bluehost User Reviews
Hostinger
Hostinger is known for its affordable hosting plans and the range of features it provides, especially for beginners.
Trustpilot
- Hostinger has an excellent rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
- Users often mention the value for money, given the affordable pricing.
- Customer service is praised, especially for the live chat feature.
- Some users have mentioned occasional downtime issues.
- On Reddit, Hostinger is appreciated for its budget-friendliness, making it a popular choice among beginners.
- Users note the ease of use and good performance for smaller websites.
- Some have expressed concerns about upselling during the checkout process.
Bluehost
Bluehost is one of the most popular web hosts, especially among WordPress users, and is known for its ease of use and robust features.
Trustpilot
- Bluehost holds a rating of 2.4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
- Users often cite ease of use, especially for WordPress.
- Customer support experiences are mixed; some find it helpful while others have had negative experiences.
- Some users have complained about billing issues and downtime.
- Reddit users often recommend Bluehost for WordPress hosting due to its official endorsement by WordPress.org.
- The simple user interface is appreciated.
- Mixed experiences with customer support are also shared among Reddit users.
- Some users criticize the higher renewal prices.
Comparison Winner: Hostinger vs Bluehost?
This is a close call. Despite the fact that the two hosting services – Bluehost vs Hostinger – are equally matched in terms of features and service quality, we are calling this match for Bluehost as Comparison Winner.
Personal Experience with Hostinger and Bluehost
Signing Up
Hostinger
Hostinger offers a streamlined and simple sign-up process. They frequently have promotions and discounts, which make their plans even more attractive. They do not offer a free trial, but they do have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bluehost
Bluehost's sign-up process is also very user-friendly. They occasionally offer discounts, especially for the first term of service. Like Hostinger, they also have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Setting Up a Website
Hostinger
Hostinger’s custom hPanel control panel is sleek and easy to navigate. With a variety of tools and one-click installations for popular applications like WordPress, getting a website up and running is uncomplicated even for beginners.
Bluehost
Bluehost uses the classic cPanel, which is popular and well-documented. Their WordPress integration is particularly smooth, with a setup wizard that guides you through creating a new site. They also offer a website builder called Bluehost Builder for those who prefer a drag-and-drop interface.
Performance
Hostinger
Hostinger provides solid performance, particularly considering the affordability of their plans. They use LiteSpeed web servers which are known for being fast and reliable. They also offer Cloudflare integration for enhanced performance.
Bluehost
Bluehost offers reliable performance, especially with their higher-tier plans. While not the fastest in the market, the performance is more than adequate for most small to medium-sized websites. They also offer built-in caching solutions.
Customer Support
Hostinger
Hostinger offers 24/7 customer support through live chat and a ticketing system. While the response times are generally good, some users have reported mixed experiences with the support team's expertise.
Bluehost
Bluehost is known for its excellent customer service. They offer 24/7 support through live chat, phone, and a ticketing system. The support staff is generally very knowledgeable and helpful.
Conclusion and Recommendations to my Hostinger vs Bluehost Comparison:
What is Hostinger best for?
Hostinger stands out for its extremely affordable plans and solid performance, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious users, particularly those who are creating their first website or running small projects.
So, Hostinger is an excellent choice for site creators on a tight budget, but it also offers a scalable platform that grows along with the site and/or the business.
What is Bluehost best for?
Bluehost is a well-rounded hosting provider with reliable performance, excellent customer support, and strong integration with WordPress.
It's a great option for small to medium-sized businesses and individuals who are looking for a hassle-free hosting experience. Bluehost is a great choice for long-time WordPress users who want to step up their site-building game.
Hostinger and Bluehost Alternatives:
Ranking | Key Features | Price (Basic Plan) | My View |
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🥇 Bluehost | One-click WordPress install, free domain for 1st year, free SSL certificate, unmetered bandwidth, and 24/7 customer support. | $2.95/month Check Pricing | Best for beginners due to its user-friendly interface, affordability, and comprehensive features. It also has strong ties with WordPress. |
2. SiteGround | Managed WordPress hosting, free SSL, daily backups, CDN, email, staging tool, and 24/7 support. | $3.99/month Check Pricing | Best for overall performance, features, and exceptional customer support. It’s particularly favored among WordPress users due to its specialized hosting services. |
3. Kinsta | Managed WordPress hosting, free migrations, daily backups, automatic scaling, Google Cloud Platform infrastructure. | $30/month Check Pricing | Best for businesses that rely heavily on WordPress. It offers high performance, security, and scalability. |
4. A2 Hosting | Turbo servers for faster loading, free account migration, anytime money-back guarantee, and 24/7/365 support. | $2.99/month Check Pricing | Best for developers due to its range of developer-friendly tools, and also for its high-speed performance. |
5. WP Engine | Managed WordPress hosting, daily backups, threat detection, SSL, CDN, staging environments. | $30/month Check Pricing | Best for WordPress users looking for high-performance hosting with top-notch security features and support. |
6. Hostinger | LiteSpeed Cache, WordPress acceleration, free SSL, 24/7/365 support, 99.9% uptime guarantee. | $1.39/month Check Pricing | Best for budget-conscious users seeking an excellent balance between affordability, performance, and features. |
7. InMotion Hosting | Free domain, SSD storage, free SSL, security suite, and 90-day money-back guarantee. | $2.49/month Check Pricing | Best for small to medium-sized businesses due to its solid performance, security features, and customer support. |
8. DreamHost | Managed WordPress hosting, free domain, SSD storage, free SSL, 97-day money-back guarantee. | $2.59/month Check Pricing | Best for those looking for strong privacy protection, a long money-back guarantee period, and steady performance. |
9. Cloudways | Managed cloud hosting, SSD-based hosting, free SSL, dedicated firewalls, 24/7/365 support. | $10/month Check Pricing | Best for users who want a mix of performance and flexibility without the hassle of managing a cloud server. |
10. GreenGeeks | Environmentally friendly, unlimited web space, data transfer, free domain name, nightly backups, and 24/7/365 support. | $3.95/month Check Pricing | Best for eco-conscious users seeking robust hosting features with a focus on renewable energy without compromising speed and security. |
Delver deeper and look for alternatives that are a better fit. For instance, look into Hostinger vs Bluehost vs Siteground comparisons.
Hostinger vs Bluehost Final word:
We may have called our Hostinger vs Bluehost comparison in favour of Hostinger, but we recommend that you shop around online for a hosting service that suits your particular requirements.
Click for the best BlueHost pricing
FAQs:
Do either of these platforms offer a staging feature?
Not a proprietary one, but both use the one-click staging tool that comes when you install WordPress.
Can I use a different site builder with these platforms?
Yes, as both have their own proprietary site-building platforms and you may also choose to use an ecommerce-specific building tool.
That’s all for now:
If you've read our Hostinger vs Bluehost comparison review up to here, we are grateful. Remember always to keep abreast of the latest developments on website builders, eCommerce, and other articles, such as the ones below;
Please share any comments below!