Hosting & Cloud · Review · Updated 17 October 2026
HostGator reviewLow-cost shared hosting with unmetered bandwidth and a free first-year domain
Good
Brent score, out of 5
HostGator offers one of the cheapest ways into shared hosting, with unmetered bandwidth, a free first-year domain, free SSL and a Cloudflare CDN even on the entry plan. The real value starts at Business, which adds phone support, staging, SSH and object caching. Watch the renewal jump: every plan roughly triples after the 36-month intro term.
Price
From US$3.75/month (36-month term), renews at US$10.99/month
Free option
Paid only
Best for
Budget-conscious beginners launching a first site
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Best for
- Budget-conscious beginners launching a first site
- Small businesses hosting several simple WordPress sites
- Freelancers who want staging and SSH on the Business plan
- Site owners who want a security bundle (WAF, DDoS) on every plan
Skip it if
- Anyone who needs free professional email included
- Sites that need guaranteed resources or root access
- Buyers who want the low price without a three-year prepay
You need a website up without spending much: a side project, a local business site or a blog. You also want to avoid a host that adds a surprise fee for every visitor spike or charges extra for the basic security you assumed was included.
HostGator's shared hosting keeps the entry price low while bundling unmetered bandwidth, free SSL, a CDN, a web application firewall and DDoS protection on every plan, plus a free domain for the first year.
The catch is the long-term cost. Intro prices need a 36-month term and renew at about three times the rate. Here is what each plan includes and where the sensible upgrade point is.
What is HostGator?
HostGator is a shared web hosting provider owned by Newfold Digital, the same group as Bluehost. Its four shared plans (Hatchling, Baby, Business and Pro) run on SSD storage with unmetered bandwidth and managed WordPress updates. You pick a plan, claim a free first-year domain on a 12, 24 or 36-month term, install WordPress, and manage everything from HostGator's dashboard. Higher plans add more sites and storage, phone support, staging, SSH and caching.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Low entry price: US$3.75/month on a 36-month term
- Unmetered bandwidth, free SSL and Cloudflare CDN on all plans
- Web application firewall and DDoS protection included even on Hatchling
- Business adds phone support, staging, SSH, WP-CLI and object caching
- 30-day money-back guarantee on hosting fees
What could be better
- Renewals jump sharply: Hatchling US$3.75 to US$10.99/month, Business US$6.25 to US$21.99/month
- Professional email is only a one-month trial, then US$2.99/month
- Hatchling and Baby include chat support only; phone support starts at Business
- Refunds exclude domain fees, renewals and add-ons
Overall
Good
- Features4.0
- Ease of use4.2
- Value3.7
- Support3.8
Key features of HostGator
Unmetered bandwidth and free CDN
All plans include unmetered bandwidth and a free Cloudflare CDN with Argo routing, which helps sites handle traffic spikes without bandwidth fees.
Security bundle on every plan
Free Let's Encrypt SSL, malware scanning, malware detection and removal, a web application firewall and DDoS protection are listed on all four plans.
Developer tools on Business and Pro
Business adds SSH and WP-CLI, a WordPress staging site, static content caching and object caching, plus free first-year domain privacy.
Managed WordPress updates
WordPress core updates are handled for you, and a free site migration tool helps move an existing site across.
Clear scaling path
Plans step from 10 sites and 10 GB up to 100 sites and 100 GB, with Pro adding more speed and processing power.
HostGator pricing
Checked 2026-10. Prices can change; confirm on HostGator (Newfold Digital)’s site.
Hatchling
US$3.75/month intro, then US$10.99/month
36-month term
- 10 websites, 10 GB SSD
- About 40,000 visits/month
- 24/7 chat support
Baby
US$4.50/month intro, then US$16.49/month
36-month term
- 20 websites, 20 GB SSD
- About 50,000 visits/month
- Unmetered bandwidth
Business
US$6.25/month intro, then US$21.99/month
36-month term
- 50 websites, 50 GB SSD
- About 200,000 visits/month
- Phone support, staging, SSH, object caching
Pro
US$13.95/month intro, then US$29.69/month
36-month term
- 100 websites, 100 GB SSD
- About 400,000 visits/month
- More speed and processing power
Watch out: Prices are in USD for a 36-month term and renew at the regular rate shown; professional email costs US$2.99/month after a one-month trial, and the 30-day guarantee excludes domain fees and add-ons.
See current HostGator pricing →What people use HostGator for
A local business brochure site
A cafe owner launches a simple WordPress site on Hatchling with a free first-year domain, SSL and CDN for a few dollars a month.
A freelancer testing changes safely
A freelance developer uses Business for its staging site and SSH, testing plugin updates before pushing them to client sites.
A small network of niche sites
A publisher runs 20 small content sites on Baby, relying on unmetered bandwidth for traffic spikes.
How to get started with HostGator
- 1
Choose a plan; Business is the best value if you want phone support and staging.
- 2
Pick a 36-month term for the lowest price and claim your free domain.
- 3
Install WordPress and run the free migration tool if you have an existing site.
- 4
Set up email with the Pro Email trial or a separate provider.
- 5
Note your renewal date and compare prices before it arrives.
HostGator alternatives
| Product | Choose it when |
|---|---|
| HostGator 3.9 | Budget-conscious beginners launching a first site |
| Bluehost4.0 | Choose it for a similar Newfold platform with NVMe storage and smaller renewal jumps. |
| InMotion Hosting4.2 | Choose it if you want free cPanel email, far more storage and a 90-day money-back guarantee. |
| SiteGround4.2 | Choose it if daily backups, free email and premium support matter more than the lowest price. |
HostGator: frequently asked questions
Is HostGator good for WordPress?+
Yes for small and medium sites. All plans include managed WordPress updates, free SSL and a CDN, and Business adds staging and WP-CLI.
What does HostGator cost after the intro period?+
Hatchling renews at US$10.99/month, Baby at US$16.49/month, Business at US$21.99/month and Pro at US$29.69/month on the 36-month term.
Does HostGator include email?+
Plans include a one-month Professional Email trial that renews at US$2.99/month unless cancelled. Plan any business email budget accordingly.
Does HostGator have a money-back guarantee?+
Yes. Hosting fees are refundable within the first 30 days. Renewals, domain fees, setup fees and add-ons are not covered.
Which HostGator plan should I choose?+
Hatchling suits one small site or a few test sites. Business is the sweet spot for most small businesses because it adds phone support, staging, SSH and caching.
Final verdict
Is HostGator worth it?
If you want hosting with a low entry price and the basics (SSL, CDN, firewall, free domain) already included, HostGator is an easy place to start. Choose Business for the tools you will want later, launch your site today and use the 30-day guarantee to confirm it fits.
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Reviewed by
Amjid Ali, Founder and editor
Amjid Ali is a Melbourne-based AI and automation lead, author of five books on infrastructure, automation and digital transformation, and a corporate trainer whose courses on n8n, Proxmox, firewalls and ERP have taught thousands of IT professionals.
Last updated 17 October 2026 · How we review
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HostGator 3.9
From US$3.75/month (36-month term), renews at US$10.99/month