Your website partner. Why I’ve chosen to feature Hostinger.
I’ve done the homework
Twenty years ago, I had to choose a web hosting provider. Over that time, I’ve explored most of them — though, admittedly, there are a few I haven’t reviewed, a task I probably should have done every year.
I’ve used a wide range of hosting services over the years, including some lesser-known ones like Yola Sites. Today, I still host with Fasthosts, mainly because they’re competitive on domain pricing — in fact, most of my domains are registered through them.
It’s worth noting that Fasthosts is now owned by IONOS, another well-regarded provider known for solid pricing, reliable service, and a good range of features. Like most providers today, they offer AI-powered website builders, which can be a real time-saver. Some are easier to use than others, but building a website is just one part of the process.
You also need to consider both the front-end (what visitors see) and the back-end (what powers your site behind the scenes). The back-end includes your database, where things like subscriber details are stored, as well as the server environment itself.
That leads to a key question: Are you running on a Microsoft (Windows) platform or a Unix/Linux-based system like NGINX? NGINX is particularly fast and efficient on Linux, but it’s less performant on Windows systems. Your choice here can impact speed, reliability, and overall performance.
If I were starting today I would very possibly opt for Hostinger but in an ever changing world you can’t always be right. I use GoDaddy, Fasthosts, Hostinger, One.com and IONOS. Over the next week or so I will do the comparison. Europe and US will have differing results for service as some companies are more region focused.
Here’s a quick list in order of web popularity.
- GoDaddy
- IONOS
- Bluehost
- Namecheap
- Hostinger
- One.com
- Fasthosts
A Quick comparison of GoDaddy v Hostinger hosting and website applications.
One standout feature that makes Hostinger unique—especially for people looking for reliable, low-cost domain and hosting services—is its exceptional balance between price and performance, with a couple of key highlights:
🌟 Unique Feature: LiteSpeed Web Server (Even on Shared Hosting)
Most budget hosts use Apache or NGINX, but Hostinger uses LiteSpeed, which is significantly faster and more efficient at handling dynamic content (like WordPress). You get:
- Faster load times
- Better caching (with LSCache plugin support)
- Improved performance under traffic spikes
This is rare to find on entry-level or shared hosting plans.
💸 Other Noteworthy Benefits:
- Free Domain (with Premium plans and above) – great value for new users
- Free Email Accounts – included even in basic plans
- Free Weekly Backups – uncommon in low-cost hosting
- hPanel – Hostinger’s custom control panel is cleaner and easier for beginners than traditional cPanel
- Global Data Centers – choose from multiple locations for better regional performance
- 24/7 Chat Support – genuinely helpful and responsive, especially for a budget provider
🔍 Bottom Line:
Hostinger isn’t just cheap—it’s optimized for performance even at low prices. Ideal for:
- Beginners setting up personal sites or blogs
- Small businesses
- WordPress users who want speed without paying for premium hosting
Let’s compare Hostinger and GoDaddy side by side, focusing on what matters most to people looking for reliable, low-cost domain and hosting solutions.
🥊 Hostinger vs GoDaddy: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Hostinger | GoDaddy |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (Hosting) | ~$2.49/month (often discounted lower) | ~$5.99/month (for similar shared hosting) |
| Free Domain | ✅ Yes (on Premium plans & above) | ✅ Yes (with annual hosting) |
| Free Email | ✅ Yes (up to 100 email accounts) | ❌ Free for 3 months, then paid add-on |
| Web Server Tech | ⚡ LiteSpeed (fast & efficient) | Apache (standard) |
| Custom Control Panel | ✅ hPanel (simple, clean, beginner-friendly) | ❌ cPanel (standard, more technical) |
| WordPress Performance | 🚀 Optimized with LiteSpeed + LSCache | Decent, but not as fast out of the box |
| Website Builder | ✅ Included (Zyro/Hostinger Builder) | ✅ Included (GoDaddy Website Builder) |
| Backups | ✅ Weekly (free) | ❌ Paid add-on for regular backups |
| Customer Support | ✅ 24/7 Live Chat (fast response) | ✅ 24/7 Support, but phone-centric |
| Global Data Centers | ✅ Yes (USA, Europe, Asia, etc.) | ✅ Yes (fewer regions, but still global) |
| Upsells / Add-ons | Minimal | Aggressive upsells (esp. domains, backups, email) |
| Ease of Use (for Beginners) | ⭐ Very beginner-friendly | 👍 Beginner-friendly, but more upsell noise |
🏁 Summary:
| 🏆 Best For… | Hostinger | GoDaddy |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest Cost | ✅ YES | ❌ No – more expensive overall |
| Speed & Performance | ✅ Better (LiteSpeed tech) | ❌ Slower (standard server setup) |
| Beginner Simplicity | ✅ Clean UI, less upselling | ⚠️ OK, but more cluttered and upsell-heavy |
| All-in-One Setup | ✅ Easy start with free email, SSL, backups | ❌ Many features cost extra |
| Brand Recognition | ❌ Lesser-known (but growing) | ✅ Very well known, long-established |
💡 Recommendation:
If you’re looking for value, performance, and a hassle-free start, Hostinger is the better option—especially for personal blogs, WordPress sites, and small business websites.
GoDaddy still works well if you prefer phone support or need legacy services, but be prepared for more upsells and higher costs over time.
Finally. Here’s a comparison table for you.
