Disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
If you want to buy web hosting for a new site, a shared plan from Hostinger, Bluehost, SiteGround or DreamHost costs about $3 a month at the promo rate, but $10–$18 a month at renewal. Compare the total cost over your first 3 years, not the headline price. Below are current plans, true costs and a step-by-step checkout guide.
Last updated: October 2026 · How we researched this: we collected plan prices, terms and renewal rates from the official Hostinger, Bluehost, SiteGround and DreamHost pages in October 2026 and calculated multi-year totals.
Key takeaways
- The lowest promo prices need a long prepaid term (up to 48 months).
- Renewal prices are roughly 2.5–6 times the promo rate.
- Untick paid add-ons at checkout unless you really need them.
- The “free domain” is usually free for the first year only.
Web hosting plans you can buy right now (October 2026)
| Host / plan | Promo price | Term for promo | Renewal | Websites | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hostinger Premium | $2.99/mo | 48 months | $10.99/mo | 3 | 20 GB SSD |
| Hostinger Unlimited | $3.99/mo | 48 months | $16.99/mo | Unlimited | 50 GB NVMe |
| Bluehost Starter | $3.99/mo | 36 months | $9.99/mo | 10 | 10 GB NVMe |
| Bluehost Business | $6.99/mo | 36 months | $13.99/mo | 50 | 50 GB NVMe |
| SiteGround StartUp | $2.99/mo | 12 months | $17.99/mo | 1 | 10 GB |
| SiteGround GrowBig | $4.99/mo | 12 months | $29.99/mo | Unlimited | 50 GB |
| DreamHost Launch | $2.89/mo | First year | $10.99/mo | 25 | See plan page |
Prices exclude taxes and change often. Always confirm on the official pages: Hostinger, Bluehost, SiteGround and DreamHost.
The true 3-year cost when you buy web hosting
We added up the promo period plus renewal months for each entry plan, using the prices above. Taxes and add-ons are not included.
| Entry plan | How 36 months are billed | Approx. 3-year total | Upfront payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hostinger Premium | All at promo (48-month prepaid term) | About $108 (36 × $2.99) | $143.52 for 48 months |
| Bluehost Starter | 36 months at promo | About $144 | About $144 |
| DreamHost Launch | 12 at promo + 24 at renewal | About $298 | About $35 for year one |
| SiteGround StartUp | 12 at promo + 24 at renewal | About $468 | About $36 for year one |
The cheapest-looking plan is not always the cheapest. SiteGround costs more over time but is often chosen for its speed tools and support. Long prepaid terms lower the price but lock in your money.
Which hosting plan should you buy?
- One blog or portfolio, lowest cost: Hostinger Premium or Bluehost Starter.
- Several small sites: Bluehost Starter (10 sites) or DreamHost Launch (25 sites).
- WordPress site where speed and support matter: SiteGround StartUp or GrowBig.
- An online store with real traffic: a cloud plan or a hosted store builder. See our best ecommerce website builder guide.
Not sure which type of hosting you need? Read our guide to choosing a hosting service for website projects first.
How to buy web hosting: step-by-step checkout
- Pick the plan that fits your site count today, not in three years. Upgrading later is easy.
- Choose the term. Longer terms lower the monthly price. Only prepay what you are willing to lose if you switch.
- Claim the free domain if offered. Bluehost, for example, asks you to redeem it within 90 days.
- Review add-ons. Untick paid extras you do not need, such as premium SSL (free SSL is included), SEO tools or extra backups if daily backups are already included.
- Check the total including tax before you pay.
- Set a calendar reminder one month before renewal to review the price or move hosts.
Downsides and gotchas to know before you buy
- Renewal shock is the most common complaint in user reviews of budget hosts.
- Refund windows often exclude domain fees and some add-ons.
- Email may be free for the first year only (Hostinger lists free mailboxes for 1 year).
- Visit estimates (like SiteGround’s ~10,000 monthly visits on StartUp) are guides, not hard caps, but heavy sites will be asked to upgrade.
FAQ: buying web hosting
How much should I pay for web hosting?
For a small site, expect about $3 a month at promo prices and around $10 to $18 a month at renewal for entry shared plans in 2026. Busy stores and apps on cloud hosting cost more.
Can I buy web hosting for one month only?
Some hosts offer monthly billing, but it costs much more per month and may add a setup fee. The low advertised prices almost always require a 12 to 48 month prepaid term.
Should I buy my domain and hosting from the same company?
It is simpler, and many hosts give the domain free for the first year. Keeping them separate makes switching hosts easier later. Either way, check the domain renewal price.
Can I switch hosts after I buy?
Yes. Many hosts offer free migration for WordPress sites. Within the money-back window you can usually cancel and get the hosting fee back.
Conclusion
When you buy web hosting, look past the promo price. Compare the 3-year cost, check renewal rates, untick unneeded add-ons and set a renewal reminder. For most new sites, an entry shared plan is all you need. Once your site is live, grow it with email marketing. Our MailerLite guide is a good starting point.
