HostGator: Plan Tiers, Term Length and Renewal Prices Explained

HostGator is a US web host, part of Newfold Digital, selling shared hosting, managed WordPress plans, VPS and dedicated servers, along with domains, email and a drag-and-drop website builder. It is best known for low entry prices on cPanel shared hosting.

The price that decides whether a HostGator order goes well is not the one on the sales page. It is the renewal price after the first term, and the length of term you commit to at checkout.

Intro prices and renewal

HostGator advertises its hosting at an introductory monthly rate. That rate applies only to the first term, and the plan then renews at the regular price, which is noticeably higher.

The intro rate is also billed upfront for the whole term. A low monthly figure on a 36-month plan still means paying for three years at once.

Before checking out, find the renewal price in the cart or the plan terms. Budget for that figure, not the headline one, when comparing HostGator with another host.

Choosing the term length

HostGator typically offers 12, 24 and 36-month terms, with the lowest monthly rate on the longest one. A longer term keeps the intro price for more years before renewal pricing starts.

That makes 36 months good value for a site you are sure about, such as a business site or a long-running blog. For a test project, a shorter term costs more per month but puts less money at risk.

Check whether a monthly option exists for your plan and what it costs. Month-to-month hosting usually carries a higher rate than prepaid terms.

Shared, WordPress or VPS

Shared hosting is the HostGator entry tier, with plans that differ mainly in how many sites they allow and how many resources each account gets. The lowest tier suits a single small site.

The managed WordPress plans take care of more of the WordPress upkeep, such as updates and caching, at a higher price. They make sense if you want less maintenance and your site runs only on WordPress.

VPS and dedicated servers are for heavy traffic or custom software that needs root access. Most first-time HostGator buyers do not need them and can upgrade later.

Domains, SSL and add-ons

HostGator shared plans have included a free domain for the first year and a free SSL certificate. The free domain renews at the normal registration price after year one.

Watch for add-ons pre-selected in the HostGator cart, such as domain privacy, site backups or SEO tools. Each adds to the upfront bill, and some renew every year.

Email is included on most shared plans, but paid business email is often offered as an upsell. Decide whether the included mailboxes are enough before adding a paid suite.

Money-back and cancelling

HostGator has offered a 30-day money-back guarantee on hosting, but check the current terms before relying on it. Domain registration fees and some add-ons are generally not refundable.

That means a refunded hosting plan can still leave you paying for the domain. If you only want to test the service, consider pointing a domain you already own.

To avoid an unwanted renewal, check the auto-renew setting in the HostGator customer portal soon after signup. Turning it off does not shorten the current term.

Performance and support

HostGator support runs through live chat and phone, backed by a knowledge base for common tasks. Check current support hours if round-the-clock phone help matters to you.

Speed on shared hosting depends partly on your own setup. A caching plugin, compressed images and a lean theme help more than jumping to the next tier.

If a site outgrows its plan, HostGator lets you move up. Starting small and upgrading costs less than paying for room you never use.

Where the HostGator savings are

The 72% code is the deepest on this list, so try it first. Hosting discounts like this normally apply to the first term only, so they pair best with a longer term, where the saving adds up to the most dollars.

The 50% code is the fallback if the first is rejected. Either way, the renewal price stays the same, so the discount does not change what you pay from the second term on.

The $9 off code suits a small order, such as a short term or a single domain. On a $12 order, $9 off beats 72% off; above about $12.50 the 72% code saves more, and above $18 the 50% code does too.

Codes may not cover domains, add-ons or plans already at a promotional price. Check the cart's discount line before paying.

Common questions

Why is the HostGator renewal price higher?

The advertised rate is an introductory price for the first term. After that the plan renews at the regular rate.

Which HostGator term length is best?

The longest term keeps the lowest monthly rate for the longest time. Choose a shorter term if you are unsure the site will last.

Can I cancel HostGator and get a refund?

HostGator has offered a money-back period on hosting. Check the current terms, as domains and some add-ons are usually excluded.

Do I need WordPress hosting for a WordPress site?

No. Shared hosting runs WordPress too; the managed WordPress plans just handle more of the upkeep.