Bluehost is a popular web hosting provider, widely known for its competitive pricing and variety of hosting plans. In this article, we will delve into the details of Bluehost’s pricing structure and the features included in each plan.
As you begin to explore website options for your personal or professional needs, it’s important to understand the different hosting packages that Bluehost offers to help you make an informed decision.
Their hosting solutions cater to an extensive range of website owners, from beginners to large-scale enterprises, offering shared hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting.
We will also discuss what factors to consider when comparing hosting plans, so you can identify which package best aligns with your needs and budget.
Additionally, we’ll explore add-on services and discounts available to make your Bluehost experience even more cost-effective.
By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of Bluehost’s pricing options, allowing you to make a well-informed decision when choosing the perfect hosting plan for your website.
Quick Takeaways:
- Bluehost’s Hosting Variety:
- Bluehost offers a diverse range of hosting plans, including shared hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting, catering to a wide spectrum of website owners.
- Performance Assurance:
- Bluehost prioritizes website performance with features like SSD storage, optimized servers, and cutting-edge technology, ensuring smooth and quick loading for users.
- Security Measures:
- All Bluehost plans come with robust security measures, including a free SSL certificate, automatic backups, and 24/7 server monitoring, ensuring the safety of visitors’ sensitive information.
- Flexible Hosting Options:
- Certain Bluehost plans allow users to host unlimited websites, making them suitable for website owners managing multiple sites or businesses.
- WordPress Integration and Special Features:
- Bluehost offers specialized WordPress hosting plans with seamless integration, one-click installations, and additional features like CodeGuard Basic for enhanced site backup options.
Bluehost Pricing Overview
Bluehost Pricing – Shared Hosting
Bluehost offers affordable shared hosting plans for users who are just starting their website journey. There are four plans available: Basic, Plus, Choice Plus, and Pro.
- Basic: Starts at $2.95/month and includes 1 website, 10 GB SSD web storage, and malware scanning.
- Plus: Starts at $5.45/month and offers unlimited websites, 20G SSD web storage, and free WordPress migration.
- Choice Plus: Starts at $5.45/month and includes all features of Plus with add-ons like domain privacy and enhanced security features.
- Pro: Starts at $13.95/month and comes with all Choice Plus features, plus daily website backup and enhanced performance.
Bluehost Pricing – WordPress Hosting
Bluehost also provides managed WordPress hosting services for those looking for a streamlined platform. These plans include four options: Basic, Choice Plus, Online Store, and Pro.
- Basic: Starts at $2.95/month with 1 website, 10 GB SSD storage, free domain name, and custom WordPress theme.
- Choice Plus: Starts at $5.45/month for unlimited websites, 40 GB SSD storage, free SSL, daily website backup for the first year, domain privacy, and more.
- Online Store: Starts at $9.95, with free CDN, unlimited websites, plus premium ecommerce plugins.
- Pro: Starts at $13.95/month, featuring unlimited websites, 100 GB SSD storage, dedicated IP, and additional features.
Bluehost Pricing – VPS Hosting
For users seeking more power and customizability, Bluehost provides virtual private server (VPS) hosting plans. There are three options: Standard, Enhanced, and Ultimate.
- Standard: Starts at $29.99/month, with 2 cores, 120 GB SSD storage, 2 GB RAM, and unmetered bandwidth.
- Enhanced: Starts at $39.99/month, offering 2 cores, 160 GB SSD storage, 4 GB RAM, and unmetered bandwidth.
- Ultimate: Starts at $69.99/month and includes 4 cores, 240 GB SSD storage, 8 GB RAM, and unmetered bandwidth.
Bluehost Pricing – Dedicated Hosting
For users requiring maximum performance, Bluehost’s dedicated hosting plans provide powerful servers with complete control. Plans are available in three tiers: Standard, Enhanced, and Premium.
- Standard: Starts at a discounted rate of $89.98/month with a 4-core/ 8 thread, Intel Xeon-D CPU, 1 TB HDD storage, 8 GB RAM, and unmetered bandwidth.
- Enhanced: Starts at a discounted rate of $89.98/month, offering an 8-core / 16 thread, Intel Xeon-D CPU, 2 TB HDD storage, 16 GB RAM, and unmetered bandwidth.
- Premium: Starts at a discounted rate of $119.88/month and provides an 8-/16 thread Intel Xeon-D CPU, 2 TB HDD storage, 30 GB RAM, and unmetered bandwidth.
Bluehost Pricing – Online Store Hosting
Bluehost has merged its previous WooCommerce hosting package into the Online Store plan that comes with two enhanced options; Online Store and Online Store +Marketplace.
- Online Store: Starts at $9.95/month and comes 100 GB SSD web storage, free SSL, free CDN, ecommerce plugins, installed WooCommerce, Yoast SEO, enhanced security measures and more.
- Online Store + Marketplace: Starts at $12.95/month and comes with 200GD SSD web storage, all features from the Online Store plan plus Multi-channel Inventory Management.
Plan Features and Benefits
Bluehost offers various hosting plans catering to different needs. Each plan comes with unique benefits and features designed to provide the best performance and user experience.
Performance
The performance of a website is crucial, and Bluehost ensures that by providing SSD storage in their plans. This, along with optimized servers and cutting-edge technology, ensures that your website runs smoothly and loads quickly for users.
Storage and Bandwidth
Bluehost offers varying amounts of storage and bandwidth, depending on the hosting plan you choose. From shared hosting to dedicated servers, all plans include unmetered bandwidth so that your website can handle any amount of traffic. Most plans also feature generous storage space.
SSL and Security
All Bluehost plans include a free SSL certificate for each website, ensuring visitors’ sensitive information is encrypted and secure. Moreover, Bluehost has robust security measures in place, such as regular automatic backups and 24/7 server monitoring.
Free Domain and Domain Privacy
A free domain is available for the first year when you sign up with a Bluehost hosting plan. Additionally, certain plans include domain privacy protection, which helps to keep your personal information hidden on the WHOIS database.
Unlimited Websites
Some Bluehost plans allow you to host unlimited websites, making them perfect for website owners managing multiple sites or businesses.
Automatic Backups
Automatic backups are included with Bluehost hosting plans, ensuring your site’s data is safe and easily restorable should any issues arise.
WordPress Integration
Bluehost offers various WordPress hosting plans, specifically designed for WordPress websites. These plans provide seamless integration with the platform, one-click WordPress installations, and excellent performance.
Site Backup
Aside from automatic backups, certain Bluehost plans include additional site backup features, such as CodeGuard Basic. This provides peace of mind, knowing that your site’s files and databases are securely backed up and available for restoration if needed.
Hosting Provider
With competitive pricing and a wide range of features, Bluehost is a top choice when it comes to a hosting provider. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced website owner, there’s a plan suited to your needs.
Pros and Cons of Bluehost Hosting Plans
Pros
- Versatile Hosting Plans:
- Bluehost offers a wide range of hosting plans, including shared hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting, catering to various needs and preferences.
- Free SSL Certificates and Enhanced Security:
- All Bluehost plans come with a free SSL certificate, ensuring secure data transmission for both site owners and visitors. Enhanced security measures, such as automatic backups and 24/7 server monitoring, provide additional layers of protection.
- Automatic WordPress Updates:
- Bluehost simplifies the maintenance of WordPress websites by providing automatic WordPress updates, ensuring that sites are always running on the latest and most secure versions.
- Best Value with Billed Annually:
- Bluehost offers the best value for its hosting plans, especially when billed annually. Opting for an annual billing cycle can result in significant cost savings for users.
- Free Domain for the First Year:
- Every Bluehost hosting plan includes a free domain for the first year, making it a cost-effective choice for those starting a new website or looking to switch hosting providers.
Cons
- Limited Monthly Payment Options:
- Bluehost primarily offers one, two, or three-year plans, and does not typically provide a monthly payment option. This may require users to pay for at least one year upfront.
- Additional Costs for Some Features:
- While Bluehost discloses all costs upfront, users should be aware that some features, such as premium backup and restore services, may come with additional costs.
- Domain Privacy Not Included in All Plans:
- While Bluehost offers domain privacy protection, it’s not included in all plans. Some users may need to pay an additional fee for domain privacy to keep their personal information hidden on the WHOIS database.
Bluehost Plans Comparison
Bluehost vs A2 Hosting
Bluehost and A2 Hosting are both popular choices for various hosting needs. Bluehost is often praised for its user-friendly interface, making it an excellent choice for beginners. It also has official endorsement from WordPress, offering seamless integration and one-click WordPress installations.
On the other hand, A2 Hosting shines in terms of performance. It offers an option for turbo servers which are designed to load websites up to 20 times faster than typical non-SSD hosting. While Bluehost has a good track record for uptime, A2 Hosting boasts a 99.9% uptime commitment.
A2 Hosting also provides free website migration, a feature that Bluehost charges for. In terms of customer service, both provide 24/7 support, but A2 Hosting often gets higher marks for its helpful and responsive service.
Bluehost vs SiteGround
When comparing Bluehost and SiteGround, both providers offer similar types of hosting solutions, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting. Bluehost, with its clean and intuitive cPanel, again stands out as an excellent choice for beginners.
SiteGround, however, is renowned for its excellent customer service and high-performance hosting. It offers a unique cache system, SG Optimizer, for WordPress sites, which helps to speed up the loading time of the websites.
SiteGround also includes a free CDN (Content Delivery Network) with each hosting plan, enhancing site speed globally by caching site content on multiple servers around the world. While both providers offer a range of useful features, SiteGround’s regular prices tend to be higher than Bluehost’s.
Bluehost vs DreamHost
Both Bluehost and DreamHost offer a wide array of hosting services, including shared, VPS, dedicated, and WordPress hosting. Bluehost has a slight edge in terms of pricing, as their plans generally tend to be a bit cheaper.
However, DreamHost offers unlimited traffic and storage even on their basic plan, a feature that Bluehost reserves for their higher-tier plans. DreamHost also stands out with an impressive 97-day money-back guarantee, compared to Bluehost’s 30-day guarantee.
Bluehost provides a traditional cPanel interface, while DreamHost has its own custom control panel, which might require a learning curve but offers a clean, streamlined experience. In terms of performance, both provide reliable uptime and speed, but DreamHost’s unlimited bandwidth can be a significant advantage for websites expecting high traffic volumes.
Bluehost Pricing – Summary
We’ve thoroughly explored Bluehost’s pricing in our guide. and reviewed the range of plans on offer – shared, VPS, dedicated, and WordPress hosting – each with its unique cost structures and features, aimed at different needs and budgets.
Key takeaways? Bluehost provides a broad spectrum of hosting solutions, ensuring there’s a suitable option whether you’re a blogging newbie, an ambitious small business, or a high-traffic website.
Remember, the ‘cheapest’ plan may not always be the best fit. Factor in your specific requirements and potential growth, assessing features like storage, bandwidth, and support.
There’s plenty more to explore on our blog, so dive into our detailed comparison posts such as Bluehost vs Hostgator, SiteGround vs Bluehost, or Hostinger vs Bluehost to see how Bluehost stacks up against other hosting giants.
Web hosting is the backbone of your online presence, and choosing the right one is a pivotal decision you must never ignore.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more insightful posts!
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Bluehost Pricing – FAQs
Is Bluehost 12 months or 36 months?
Bluehost offers a variety of contract lengths for its hosting plans, including 12-month, 24-month, and 36-month contracts. The longer the contract length, the more you can save on monthly costs.
How much is Bluehost after one year?
The cost of Bluehost after one year depends on the specific plan you choose. However, keep in mind that promotional pricing typically applies only to the first term. After that, standard renewal rates apply, which are usually higher.
How does Bluehost pricing work?
Bluehost’s pricing is based on the type of hosting plan (shared, VPS, dedicated, WordPress) and the term length. Pricing is usually cheaper for longer contract lengths. The cost includes a range of features, such as domain registration, SSL certificate, and customer support.
Can I switch between Bluehost plans easily?
Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your Bluehost plan at any time through your Bluehost dashboard. If you need assistance, Bluehost’s customer support is available 24/7.
Does Bluehost charge monthly?
Bluehost primarily offers one, two, or three-year plans. They do not typically offer a monthly payment option, which means you’ll need to pay for at least one year upfront.
Are there any hidden costs with Bluehost?
While Bluehost discloses all costs upfront, it’s important to read the fine print. Keep in mind that introductory prices apply to the first term only, and renewal rates will be higher. Also, some features, like premium backup and restore services, come with additional costs.
What is Bluehost’s refund policy?
Bluehost offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you cancel within this period, you’ll receive a full refund. However, this doesn’t cover add-ons like domains.
Does Bluehost pricing include a domain name?
Yes, all Bluehost plans include a free domain name for the first year. After that, a regular renewal rate applies.
What’s the price difference between shared hosting and VPS hosting?
VPS hosting plans are typically more expensive than shared hosting plans. This is because VPS hosting offers more resources and greater flexibility, making it a good choice for larger websites and businesses.
How does Bluehost’s pricing compare to other web hosts?
Bluehost’s pricing is competitive within the market. However, the total cost will depend on the specific features and resources you need. Always compare hosting plans based on your specific requirements.
How much does Bluehost cost?
Bluehost pricing varies based on the hosting plan selected. The shared hosting plans, including the Basic, Plus, Choice Plus, and Pro, start at $2.95 per month. For detailed pricing on other hosting plans, such as WordPress, VPS, and dedicated hosting, you can refer to the specific plan details on the Bluehost website.
Is Bluehost cheaper than WordPress?
Bluehost is a web hosting provider, while WordPress is a content management system. Bluehost offers competitive pricing for its hosting plans, providing best value for users looking to host their WordPress websites. Comparatively, Bluehost’s hosting plans offer a cost-effective solution, especially when considering the included features and performance.
Which is better Bluehost or GoDaddy?
The choice between Bluehost and GoDaddy depends on individual preferences and specific hosting needs. Bluehost is often praised for its user-friendly interface, WordPress integration, and competitive pricing. On the other hand, GoDaddy is known for its domain registration services and additional business features. Consider factors like hosting plans, performance, and customer support to determine which provider best aligns with your requirements.