4.1
Good
  • User Friendly
    4.0
  • Support
    4.2
  • Features
    3.9
  • Reliability
    4.1
  • Pricing
    4.4
Write Review Visit HostGator

HostGator Review - Expert and User Insights by Paid Customers

Pricing Range

Shared Hosting CA$3.61 - CA$19.65
VPS CA$32.78 - CA$82.05
Dedicated Server CA$123.16 - CA$191.61
Cloud Hosting CA$6.78 - CA$13.62
Website Builder CA$5.26 - CA$12.62
Resellers CA$27.31 - CA$34.15

Availability

99.9% Uptime

Data Centers

HostGator Awards

Stefka Neykova

Pinned Review

Stefka Neykova,
4.8
They have very nice support..... I love the 24/7 live chat....... Every question they answer very fast and polite. Very easy to work with them.... I recommended them..
REEM ALARMi
REEM ALARMi from Saudi Arabia,

We thank you for your interest

5.0
I thank Navanith, the owner of the wonderful method, who solved my problem with all merit and patience. I am your customer Reem from Saudi Arabia, and I will never hesitate to buy another hosting from you, and I will work hard to recommend my clients and colleagues to deal with you
Ayodeji Oyewole Oyedokun
Ayodeji Oyewole Oyedokun from Nigeria,

Great Customer Service

5.0
Thanks for your Support! Really appreciate your prompt and professional service.
My request was promptly attended to. And issue also resolve after the first contact.

Keep it up!!!
Philip H Parda

Interaction with Dixon from the Philippines

5.0
After many days of trying to get my email working Dixon methodically walked me through the settings that needed to be adjusted on my registrar account to get my email that Host Gator manages. This morning I'm very happy to report my email is working. He was excellent .
Tina Dos Reis

Great Service

5.0
Angel, my HostGator rep today, was extremely professional, friendly, and helpful. To me, that is what customer service is all about! I look forward to migrating my site to HostGator. They are quick to respond to any emails you send and are always willing to help out.
Bob "The Mortgage Coach" Mitchell
Bob "The Mortgage Coach" Mitchell from United States,

Very Happy: Especially in comparison!

4.8
When I decided to put a new website together I went back to the hosting company that I had utilized when I had my real estate and mortgage company. They had done a good job for me then and I felt like I could trust them to do a g...Read Moreood job now. Boy, was I wrong!

I won't slam them too badly other than to say that I was extremely disappointed in Fatcow and I'll leave it at that.

After being so disappointed I decided to actually research the issue and stumbled across hostgator. They had good reviews and when I messaged them I got a response in less than a minute. I asked them some pointed questions and they gave me what seemed like straight up answers. So, I signed up with them.

Since signing up they have been there through chat within a couple of minutes each time that I got stuck and their tech support people have all been knowledgeable, friendly and responsive.

The only reason that I didn't give them ALL 5's above is that I do think that it's possible for a hosting site to put together a step by step process (maybe similar to turbotax??) that could walk you through the design and setup of one of their sites. I didn't try their web builder (instead opting to go with a Word Press based site), so that might even be on me. For WP based sites, I would think that this would be an area that a hosting company could really shine??

Anyway, I"m very happy with hostgator and don't mind recommending them to anyone who needs a website and who isn't afraid to try and to figure a fairly complex task out.
Less
Samantha Gomez
Samantha Gomez from United States,

Cancel service

1.8
I couldn’t figure out how to use this so I canceled it. When I canceled on the chat line it was done quickly thanks to customer support. I wanted it for my photography business but it’s too hard to use or figure out

Expert Review

Mary Emasah
Mary Emasah
Hosting Expert

In this brand review, I will share my experience as a web developer using HostGator. This review on HostGator hosting will focus on critical parameters such as customer support, hosting features, web performance, and pricing. I will also discuss ease of use for users without a tech background.

 

HostGator Review

HostGator is one of the most popular web hosting providers promising affordable prices and top-tier hosting solutions. They offer customer support via video tutorials, live chat, and phone. As a web developer, HostGator’s best features for me are its drag-and-drop website builder and a unified dashboard.

Note: The site builder comes with limits depending on your plan. The highest plan has more features than the starter plan.

HostGator doesn’t have a BBB listing (it is not a U.S.-based company), but TrustPilot ranks it as a great web hosting company with a 4.1 rating score based on 2,939 reviews.

 

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Outstanding server performance with 99.9% uptime
  • WHM/cPanel for easier server configuration and management
  • Navigation-friendly and intuitive website builder
  • Unlimited bandwidth for shared hosting plans
  • Great for anyone learning how to build a business website
  • Free SSL certificates and email accounts

Cons

  • Security features cost extra
  • Expensive renewal cost
  • Servers are only available in the US

HostGator is an excellent choice if you are looking for a simple-to-use web hosting solution with great features at affordable prices. Sign up today.

Tip: If you are hosting a WordPress website, go for the managed WordPress hosting plans. They have advanced security, WordPress-specific features, and a simplified control panel.

 

Rating Breakdown

We use a standardized methodology to guide our web hosting provider ratings. Read more about the rating here.

Parameter Score Why did we give this score?
Prices 8.0 HostGator hosting plans are affordable. The extra features such as SSL certificates, website builder, and unlimited bandwidth make these plans worth every dollar. We scored the web host 8.0 because of the higher renewal prices.
Features 9.0 HostGator offers outstanding features, including customization options, free migration, beginner-friendly website builder, email accounts,and free SSL. We remove a point because they offer only US-based servers.
Performance 7.0 Hostgator gets only 7.0 for performance because of their industry average 99.9% uptime guarantee. We wish the provider had provided at least 99.95% uptime as other web hosts within its league.
User-friendly 10 HostGator gets full points for user-friendliness. It provides an easy-to-use control panel, many tutorials, and excellent customer support to assist its customers. Creating an account, setting up domains, and installing WordPress are easy.
Support 10 HostGator gets maximum points for customer support. They offer instant live chat support round the clock and are willing to assist with customer issues even on other review websites. Their agents are polite and solution-oriented.
Overall score 8.4 HostGator is an excellent provider. Their sterling qualities are customer support, user-friendliness, and feature-rich hosting plans. However, they must work on their low uptime guarantee and higher renewal prices.

HostGator Prices & Plans – 2023

HostGator offers fabulous entry prices on all its hosting services. These include cheap shared hosting plans, optimized WordPress solutions, cloud hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated server and reseller hosting. You can pay for hosting services via credit cards, PayPal, checks, money orders, and bank wires. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on their shared WordPress, reseller, and VPS hosting plans. However, there is no money-back guarantee for dedicated hosting, setup fees, or domain name purchases.

Shared Hosting

Plan name Space Bandwidth Panel Number of sites Price
Hatchling 10 GB unmetered cPanel 1 $2.75/mo
Baby 40 GB unmetered cPanel 5 $3.50/mo
Business unlimited unmetered cPanel unlimited $5.25/mo

A shared hosting plan offers convenience and low prices. It is great for small brands, personal websites and beginners.

Tip: The Business Plan offers more security tools and Cloudflare CDN. The Cloudflare CDN is beneficial if most of your target audience is outside North America.

Cloud Hosting

Plan name Space & Bandwidth CPU RAM Number of sites Price
Hatchling unmetered 2 cores 2 GB 1 $4.95/mo
Baby unmetered 4 cores 4 GB unlimited $6.57/mo
Business unmetered 6 cores 6 GB unlimited $9.95/mo

Cloud hosting offers fast loading times, instant scalability, and better performance. It is perfect for growing websites and brands that experience regular traffic spikes.

Tip: The Business Cloud option is the best here. It offers far more hosting resources at cost-effective pricing.

WordPress Hosting

Plan name Visits per month Bandwidth Free migration Number of sites Price
Starter 100,000 unmetered 1 website 1 $5.95/mo
Standard 200,000 unmetered 2 websites 2 $7.95/mo
Business 300,000 unmetered 3 websites 3 $9.95/mo

WordPress hosting plans are for people who want optimized website hosting environments. These plans typically come with WordPress-specific tools and managed services.

Tip: The WordPress starter plan offers the same features as other plans. The only difference is you are limited to hosting one site and 100k visits per month, which are sufficient for most average sites.

Reseller Hosting

Plan name Space Bandwidth Panel Number of sites Price
Aluminum 60 GB 60 GB WHM & cPanel unlimited $19.95/mo
Copper 90 GB 90 GB WHM & cPanel unlimited $24.95/mo
Silver 140 GB 140 GB WHM & cPanel unlimited $24.95/mo

Reseller hosting is for people who want to sell web hosting services to others or operate their own web design agencies.

Tip: The Silver plan is the best option as it offers more space and bandwidth at a cost for feature bases.

VPS Hosting

Plan name Space vCPU RAM Bandwidth Price
S. 2000 120 GB 2 cores 2 GB unmetered $23.95/mo
S. 4000 165 GB 2 cores 4 GB unmetered $34.95/mo
S. 8000 240 GB 4 cores 6 GB unmetered $59.95/mo

VPS hosting offers full customization, fast performance, and isolated hosting environment. It is perfect for developers, ecommerce websites, and fast growing sites.

Tip: More resources translate to better server performance from a web developer’s perspective. However, unless you are hosting a resource-hungry website or application, you get good value for money with the Snappy 2000 plan.

Dedicated Hosting

Plan name Space CPU RAM Bandwidth Price
Value 1 TB HDD 4 core/8 thread 8 GB unmetered $89.98/mo
Power 2 TB HDD or 512 GB SSD 8 core/16 thread 16 GB unmetered $119.89/mo
Enterprise 1 TB SSD 8 core/16 thread 30 GB unmetered $139.99/mo

Dedicated hosting provides the best web hosting experience, but it is expensive in terms of cost, server setup, and maintenance. It is the only option for mission-critical sites, international ecommerce sites, and large-scale web applications.

Tip: The Enterprise Plan offers more processor power, RAM, and SSD storage for faster processing times and loading speeds.

 

Features

HostGator’s main features include a 99.9% uptime guarantee, a free SSL certificate, easy WordPress installs, and a free domain for a year. Other features include free website transfers, unmetered bandwidth, one-click installs, and 24/7 live chat support. One standout feature about HostGator is its easy-to-use website builder.

 

Learn more about HostGator:

 

Performance

HostGator offers decent speed and stability and a 99.9% uptime guarantee, which means your website will be down for about 8-9 hours in 65 days. However, real-life testing shows up to 99.99% uptime which translates to just 5 minutes of downtime. Regarding average server response time, HostGator’s response time of 525ms falls in the midrange category of 400-700 ms. You can reduce the time with server optimization tools, Cloudflare CDN, or go for the VPS or dedicated server plans.

 

Level of Support

To assist with all hosting, billing, and technical issues, HostGator offers 24/7 live chat and phone support. They also provide a comprehensive knowledge base that answers almost any question you need.

While preparing my review, I checked out HostGator customer reviews. One recurring complaint was that the web host customer agents could not handle specific issues such as data backup. However, from my findings, HostGator’s support staff are experts in different areas. If you are willing to wait a while, someone with the proper knowledge will reach out to you.

Generally, I recommend using the knowledge base to get answers to any question you have. You might eventually have to use the support channel if the articles aren’t helpful.

 

User-Friendly – Ease of Use

Let’s talk about how easy it is to set up an account and use HostGator web hosting services.

Registration

Registering an account with HostGator is straightforward. Choose the plan you want to use, and you will get a form to set up your account and hosting package.

Final: HostGator: Reviews By Customers & Web Hosting Experts

Once you’ve signed in, you will arrive at the dashboard. This dashboard provides basic features like WordPress installation and Email Accounts.

HostGator Control Panel

HostGator uses the traditional cPanel skin with minor customization.

Final: HostGator: Reviews By Customers & Web Hosting ExpertsYou can easily find all the advanced options that aren’t available on the dashboard. The cPanel provides options for setting up email accounts or managing domains and subdomains. You can also use it to install other content management systems.

Installing WordPress on HostGator

To install WordPress, click on the “Install WordPress” button in the Control Panel column and follow the prompt. You can install WordPress from cPanel, but it will redirect you to the same installation window. To install WordPress from the cPanel, click on the “WordPress” icon in the Software section.

Final: HostGator: Reviews By Customers & Web Hosting Experts

Tip: HostGator offers two ways of installing WordPress. Using the “Install WordPress” button in the Control Panel column is the best option while going through Marketplace > One-Click Installs will give you an outdated WordPress version.

Add an email account with HostGator

HostGator offers free unlimited email accounts for all shared hosting plans. Just click on the “Email Accounts” button on your HostGator dashboard or the “Email Account” icon in the Email section in your cPanel. Click on the “Create” button, fill out the form, and you’re good to go.

Final: HostGator: Reviews By Customers & Web Hosting Experts

 

Conclusion: Do We Recommend HostGator?

My experience with HostGator was pleasant all through. Their servers were straightforward to use, and the plans were well-priced. Of course, HostGator has flaws, but for basic web hosting, there is nothing to worry about. Its shared hosting plans, starting at $2.75/month, offer everything you need to create a website.

I recommend HostGator to beginners and those who want a simple-to-use hosting plan. You can set up your website and email accounts without using the cPanel. In addition, experienced users can also benefit from using HostGator. A web developer like me can carry out more advanced customizations thanks to the cPanel. Plus, customer support is available 24/7 and always eager to help.

Overall, HostGator is a reliable web hosting provider with affordable fees and an easy-to-use dashboard. The provider has no outstanding features but offers enough to complete the job.

FAQ

Is HostGator good for WordPress?

Yes, it is! HostGator is suitable for WordPress, and I highly recommend it to those who consider using WordPress as their website builder, as this web host offers a simple one-click installation that takes no time.

Where are HostGator’s servers located?

HostGator servers are mainly located in Provo, Utah, and Houston, Texas, but they do have data centers in other locations worldwide.

Does HostGator have a cPanel?

We’re happy to say that HostGator does come with a cPanel, which is organized and easy to use. You will find many features that can only improve your websites.

Is HostGator the right choice for eCommerce?

HostGator is good for many things, and one of them is eCommerce. You can efficiently run an eCommerce or a WooCommerce platform store. However, if your business grows in terms of page traffic, using the VPS hosting plan is a better option.

Is the discount valid throughout the lifetime purchases made on HostGator?

Unfortunately, the discount is only valid for the initial purchase. But, if you are on a budget, or you simply want to save as much money as you can, it would be best if you purchase the most extended plan, as you won’t have to pay for renewals pretty quickly.

Is HostGator reliable?

HostGator is 100% reliable in both performance and overall as a company. Speaking of performance, the users will get an uptime of 99.98%, a website speed of 431 ms, and a page loading speed of an average of 660 ms. In terms of company, HostGator hosting is pretty reliable as it has been on the market for two decades, and it still ranks high.

Can I try HostGator for free?

HostGator doesn’t come with a free trial, but it does provide a 45-day money-back guarantee. Due to this, you can purchase some of their services, and if you aren’t satisfied with them, you can contact their friendly support team and ask for a refund. However, remember that the domain is non-refundable.

Is HostGator a good web host?

Yes, HostGator is a good web hosting provider. Their servers offer >99.9% uptime, and the company ensures ease of use, excellent customer support, and affordable pricing.

Can I transfer my website and domain to HostGator?

Yes. HostGator offers free website and domain migrations. Contact customer support or check the knowledge base for a complete guide on transferring your domain.

HostGator Prices, Plans & Features - 2023

Shared Hosting Plans

Plan Name Space Bandwidth Panel Number of Sites Price Score
Hatchling (Everything Unlimited) Unlimited Unlimited cPanel 1 CA$3.61 4.0 Details
Baby (Everything Unlimited) Unlimited Unlimited cPanel Unlimited CA$4.63 4.0 Details
Business (Everything Unlimited) Unlimited Unlimited cPanel Unlimited CA$6.95 3.4 Details
Personal (Windows) Unlimited Unlimited cPanel 1 CA$6.52 3.7 Details
Enterprise (Windows) Unlimited Unlimited cPanel 5 CA$19.65 3.1 Details
Starter Plan WP Unlimited Unlimited cPanel 1 CA$8.14 3.8 Details
Standard Plan WP Unlimited Unlimited cPanel 2 CA$10.88 4.5 Details
Business Plan WP Unlimited Unlimited cPanel 3 CA$13.62 3.6 Details

VPS Hosting Plans

Plan Name Space CPU RAM OS Price Score
Snappy 2000 120 GB 2 cores 2 GB CA$32.78 2.3 Details
Snappy 4000 165 GB 2 cores 4 GB CA$47.84 2.5 Details
Snappy 8000 240 GB 4 cores 8 GB CA$82.05 2.5 Details

Dedicated Server Plans

Plan Name Space CPU RAM OS Price Score
Value Server 1 TB 4 cores 8 GB CA$123.16 3.0 Details
Power Server 512 GB 8 cores 16 GB CA$164.09 4.1 Details
Enterprise Server 1 TB 8 cores 30 GB CA$191.61 4.1 Details

Cloud Hosting Plans

Plan Name Space CPU RAM Bandwidth Price Score
Hatchling Cloud Unlimited 2 cores 2 GB Unlimited CA$6.78 4.3 Details
Baby Cloud Unlimited 4 cores 4 GB Unlimited CA$8.99 3.4 Details
Business Cloud Unlimited 6 cores 6 GB Unlimited CA$13.62 2.0 Details

Website Builder Plans

Plan Name Space Bandwidth Features Price Score
Express Start Unlimited
Intelligent site builder
Free domain Free SSL certificate
3 email campaigns per month
3-product online store
CA$5.26 5.0 Details
Express Site Unlimited
Intelligent site builder
Free domain
Free SSL certificate
5 email campaigns per month
10-product online store
Appointment booking
Priority support
CA$8.20 1.6 Details
Express Store Unlimited
Intelligent site builder
Free domain
Free SSL certificate
10 email campaigns per month
Unlimited product online store
Appointment booking
Priority support
No transaction fees
CA$12.62 1.8 Details

Resellers Plans

Plan Name Space Bandwidth Panel Price Score
Aluminum Plan 60 GB 599.96 GB cPanel CA$27.31 3.0 Details
Copper Plan 90 GB 899.99 GB cPanel CA$34.15 2.4 Details
Silver plan 140 GB 1.4 TB cPanel CA$34.15 5.0 Details

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