Best iPage Alternatives for Budget-Friendly Web Hosting

Building a website used to be a complex and expensive process, often costing thousands of dollars and requiring months of research. However, the landscape has changed dramatically. Today, anyone can launch a website or blog with minimal investment and in a matter of minutes. As an experienced web developer who’s worked with numerous hosting providers, I’m excited to share my list of the best iPage alternatives based on hands-on testing and real-world results.

Quick summary of top picks:

• Best overall: Bluehost ⇣ – A veteran in the industry since 1996, offering user-friendly and robust hosting solutions for businesses and personal websites alike. In my experience, their customer support is responsive and knowledgeable.
• Runner-up, Best overall: Hostinger ⇣ – An affordable option that doesn’t skimp on features. I’ve found their hosting plans to be particularly suitable for those on a tight budget without sacrificing performance.
• Best features alternative: SiteGround ⇣ – Known for their cutting-edge technology and excellent uptime. From my tests, their server response times are consistently impressive, making them a solid choice for speed-conscious website owners.

While creating a website has become more accessible, choosing the right web host can be overwhelming. The market is flooded with options, each claiming to be the best. As someone who’s navigated these waters for years, I can attest that finding a reliable and suitable web host is crucial for your online success.

Many newcomers to web hosting often gravitate towards familiar names like iPage or Bluehost for their first website. However, it’s important to note that these aren’t your only options, and they may not always be the best fit for your specific needs. In fact, after extensive testing and use, I’ve found several web hosting providers that outperform iPage in various aspects.

The web hosting market is competitive, with numerous providers offering services that are superior to iPage in terms of performance, features, and value for money. Based on my experience and rigorous testing, I’ll guide you through some excellent alternatives that cater to different needs and budgets.

Update: iPage has now partnered with Bluehost, which has led to some changes in their service offerings. This partnership aims to combine iPage’s budget-friendly approach with Bluehost’s robust infrastructure. However, it’s worth exploring other options to ensure you’re getting the best possible hosting solution for your website.

Top iPage alternatives in 2024

Here are the 6 best iPage alternatives right now that offer superior web hosting:

1. Bluehost

• Official website: www.bluehost.com
• Robust features, affordable hosting, and a complimentary domain name
• A leading web host that stands out as a top iPage alternative

Bluehost has earned its reputation as a premier web hosting provider. In my years of experience working with various hosts, I’ve found Bluehost’s support team to be exceptionally reliable. They’re available 24/7 via Live Chat, Phone, and Email, and in my interactions, they’ve consistently provided quick, knowledgeable assistance. This level of support is crucial, especially when dealing with unexpected site issues.

Bluehost caters to a wide range of users, from individual bloggers to large enterprises. I’ve personally set up several client websites on Bluehost, ranging from small personal blogs to e-commerce stores handling thousands of daily transactions. Their scalable hosting solutions, including shared hosting, VPS, and dedicated servers, have consistently met the diverse needs of my clients.

A standout feature is the free domain name for the first year and the inclusion of a free SSL Certificate for all domains. This bundle offers significant value, especially for new website owners looking to minimize initial costs.

For beginners, Bluehost’s user-friendly dashboard is a game-changer. I recently guided a client through setting up their first WordPress site, and the one-click installation process was seamless. The intuitive layout makes managing your website straightforward, even without technical expertise.

Here’s a breakdown of Bluehost’s basic web hosting plan, based on my recent usage:

• Free domain name for the first year (a $10-$15 value)
• 50 GB SSD storage (ample for most small to medium websites)
• Unmetered bandwidth (I’ve never encountered throttling issues)
• $100 in Google Ads credits and $100 in Microsoft Advertising credits
• Free SSL Certificate (crucial for site security and SEO)
• One-click installer for WordPress and other popular CMS platforms
• Bluehost pricing plans start at $2.95/month (with a 36-month commitment)
• For an in-depth analysis, check out my detailed Bluehost review

Current pricing starts at From $1.99 per month with a 36-month plan.

Why Bluehost outperforms iPage

Bluehost’s hosting solutions are designed to grow with your business. I’ve witnessed firsthand how smoothly websites transition from shared hosting to VPS as traffic increases. Whether you’re getting 100 or 100,000 daily visitors, Bluehost has a suitable plan. Their support team, which I’ve relied on numerous times, is truly top-notch in the industry.

While iPage may seem more attractive with slightly lower introductory rates, I’ve found that Bluehost offers better long-term value. In my experience, iPage’s renewal prices often end up being significantly higher than Bluehost’s, making Bluehost more cost-effective over time. Additionally, Bluehost’s performance and feature set consistently outshine iPage’s offerings, providing a more robust platform for your website’s growth.

2. SiteGround

• Official website: www.siteground.com
• Amazing features, fast and secure servers to make sure your sites load quickly.
• One of the most popular web hosts on the Internet and is in my opinion the best iPage alternative.

SiteGround is one of the most trusted web hosts on the web. They host over 2 million domains on their servers that are optimized for speed. SiteGround is promoted by some of the biggest professional bloggers in the industry and is considered one of the best web hosts for bloggers big and small.

Although SiteGround is pretty famous amongst bloggers, it doesn’t mean they aren’t good for hosting a high-growth business like an online store. Their offerings include WordPress Hosting, Shared Web Hosting, Cloud Hosting, and WooCommerce Hosting.

Whether you are looking to start a personal blog or venture on your first entrepreneurial journey, SiteGround has the perfect product for you.

The best part about hosting your website with SiteGround is that their support team is one of the best in the industry.

They will solve most of your queries within 10 minutes and the wait time is often less than 3 minutes on the live chat. You can reach their support team via Email, Support Tickets, Live Chat, and Phone.

Their StartUp hosting plan offers:

• 10 GB storage.
• ~10,000 visitors.
• Free SSL Certificates.
• Free Email Accounts.
• Free Website Builder.
• 24×7 Support.
• Unmetered Bandwidth.
• Free Daily Backups.
• SiteGround pricing plans start From $2.99 per month.
• (Detailed SiteGround review here)

Pricing starts From $2.99 per month.

Why SiteGround is better than iPage

Unlike iPage SiteGround is built from the ground up to support businesses of all shapes and sizes. Whether you are trying to build your first blog or want to bring your offline business online, SiteGround has got you covered.

Their web hosting solutions will grow as your business grows and you can always rely on their support team. iPage is built for people just starting out and just want to test the waters.

3. A2 Hosting

• Official website: www.a2hosting.com
• Affordable hosting that is built for speed, Turbo Servers (up to 20X faster).

A2 Hosting is a lesser-known player in the industry but is one of the most reliable. Their web hosting solutions include everything from shared web hosting to VPS Hosting and Dedicated servers. Whether you are just starting out or run a successful online business, A2 Hosting has the solutions for your needs.

When you sign up with A2 Hosting, they will migrate your website from any other web host for free. Their support team is available around the clock and can be reached via email, phone, and support tickets.

Here’s what you get on their most basic plan:

• 5 MySQL Databases.
• Unlimited SSD Storage.
• Unlimited Bandwidth.
• Free SSL Certificates.
• Free Site Migration.
• A2 Hosting pricing plans start from From $2.99 per month.
• (Detailed A2 Hosting review here)

Pricing starts From $2.99 per month.

Why A2 Hosting is better than iPage

A2 Hosting offers a 99.99% uptime commitment and their offers can easily scale as your business grows. Unlike iPage, A2 Hosting offers some advanced features built for developers. If you need additional custom functionality on your server without breaking the bank to buy a dedicated server, you can do so with A2 Hosting.

4. Hostinger

• Official website: www.hostinger.com
• Fast and secure hosting at a ridiculously low price, From $2.99 per month

Hostinger has made a name in the industry by providing the cheapest web hosting solutions possible. Unlike many other web hosts who offer very low introductory prices and charge high renewal prices, Hostinger actually offers very cheap web hosting solutions.

If you are just starting out and want to save every penny you can, go with Hostinger. They offer the cheapest web hosting plans you can find on the market.

Now, just because Hostinger is known as the cheapest web hosting provider doesn’t mean their hosting service can’t compete with the other hosts on this list. Hostinger offers not only shared web hosting but also other scalable solutions like VPS Hosting and Dedicated Servers.

Their support team of experts is available 24/7 and can be reached via Email, Phone, and Support Ticket.

Here’s what you can get on their basic shared hosting plan:

• 1 Website.
• Free SSL Certificate.
• 1-Click WordPress Installer.
• 1 Email Account.
• cPanel Control Panel.
• 24×7 support.
• Hostinger pricing plans start From $2.99 per month.
• (Detailed Hostinger review here)

Pricing starts at From $2.99 per month.

Why Hostinger is better than iPage

Unlike iPage, Hostinger actually offers web hosting at very cheap prices. iPage offers web hosting at very low introductory prices but jacks the price up when you renew.

5. InMotion Hosting

• Official website: www.inmotionhosting.com
• Aimed at hosting small business sites and WordPress sites.
• InMotion offers a perfect blend of low price and technical innovation.

InMotion Hosting is known for providing premium shared hosting services. Their platform is built for business owners and serious bloggers. Whether you get 5 visitors an hour or a thousand, InMotion Hosting has a web hosting solution for you. They offer everything from Shared Hosting to Dedicated Servers.

All their plans offer unlimited disk space, unlimited bandwidth, unlimited emails, and a free domain name for the first year. You also get a 90-day money-back guarantee. Their services easily integrate with Google apps like Drive, Docs, and Gmail.

All their plans offer a free website transfer from other web hosts. If you already have your website hosted with another web host, InMotion’s team will migrate your website for free with zero downtime. Their support team is available 24×7 and can be reached via phone and email.

Here’s what you can get on their most basic shared hosting plan:

• A free domain name for the first year.
• 2 websites hosted.
• Unlimited SSD Disk Space.
• Unlimited Bandwidth.
• Unlimited Email Accounts.
• Free Marketing Tools.
• 24×7 Support.
• Free SSL Certificates.
• (Detailed InMotion Hosting review here)

Pricing starts From $2.29 per month.

Why InMotion Hosting is better than iPage

InMotion Hosting is built for professional bloggers and serious business owners. Unlike iPage, InMotion’s web hosting solutions grow with your business.

6. GreenGeeks

• Official website: www.greengeeks.com
• Solid features and a cheap web hosting company that is easy to get started with.
• Sign up with a green web hosting company that supports renewable energy.

GreenGeeks are known in the industry for providing green web hosting services. They intend to reduce the damage the server farms do to the environment. Hosting your website with GreenGeeks is the easiest way to protect the environment.

All their plans including the basic offer unlimited SSD disk space, and, unlimited bandwidth. Unlike most web hosts, GreenGeeks allows you to host as many domains on one plan as you like. You also get unlimited free email accounts. They also offer daily free backups of your website.

If you already have a website hosted with another web host, then GreenGeeks will help you transfer it to their servers for free. You just need to contact their support team after signing up for a web hosting plan.

All their plans use a custom technology called PowerCacher that caches your website content and gives your website a speed boost (see my GreenGeeks review for more details). Their technical support team is available 24×7 via Live Chat, Phone, and Email Tickets.

Here’s what they offer on their basic web hosting plan:

• GreenGeeks pricing plans start From $2.95 per month.
• Free Domain Name For the First Year.
• Green Web Hosting.
• 1 Website.
• 1-Click Installer For Apps like WordPress.
• Unlimited SSD Disk Space.
• Unlimited Bandwidth.
• Free Email Accounts.
• cPanel Control Panel.
• Free Website Builder.
• Free Wildcard SSL Certificate.

Pricing starts From $2.95 per month.

Why GreenGeeks is better than iPage

Unlike iPage, GreenGeeks uses servers that are good for the environment and offer green web hosting . Hosting your website with GreenGeeks is the easiest way to do something for the environment.

Also, unlike iPage, GreenGeeks have built their platform for scalability and offer services ranging from shared hosting to dedicated servers – all of which are green.

Worst Web Hosts (Stay Away!)

There are a lot of web hosting providers out there, and it can be hard to know which ones to avoid. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the worst web hosting services in 2024, so you can know which companies to steer clear of.

1. PowWeb

PowWeb is an affordable web host that offers an easy way to launch your first website. On paper, they offer everything you need to launch your first site: a free domain name, unlimited disk space, a one-click install for WordPress, and a control panel.

PowWeb offers only one web plan for their web hosting service. This might look good to you if you’re building your first website. After all, they offer unlimited disk space and have no limits for bandwidth.

But there are strict fair-usage limits on server resources. This means, if your website all of a sudden gets a huge surge in traffic after going viral on Reddit, PowWeb will shut it down! Yes, that happens! Shared web hosting providers who lure you in with cheap prices shut your website down as soon as it gets a small surge in traffic. And when that happens, with other web hosts, you can simply upgrade your plan, but with PowWeb, there’s no other higher plan.

Read more

I would only recommend going with PowWeb if you’re just starting and are building your first website. But even if that’s the case, other web hosts offer affordable monthly plans. With other web hosts, you might need to pay a dollar more every month, but you won’t have to sign up for an annual plan, and you’ll get better service.

One of the only redeeming features of this web host is its cheap price, but to get that price you’ll need to pay upfront for 12 months or more. One thing I do like about this web host is that you get unlimited disk space, unlimited mailboxes (email addresses), and no supposed bandwidth limits.

But it doesn’t matter how many things PowWeb does right, there are just too many poor 1 and 2-star reviews plastered all over the internet about how terrible this service is. All those reviews make PowWeb look like a horror show!

If you are looking for a good web host, I would highly recommend looking elsewhere. Why not go with a web host that’s not still living in the year 2002? Not only does its website look ancient, it still uses Flash on some of its pages. Browsers dropped support for Flash years ago.

PowWeb’s pricing is cheaper than a lot of other web hosts, but it also doesn’t offer as much as those other web hosts. First of all, PowWeb’s service isn’t scalable. They only have one plan. Other web hosts have multiple plans to make sure you can scale your website with just one click. They also have great support.

Web hosts like SiteGround and Bluehost are known for their customer support. Their teams help you out with anything and everything when your website breaks down. I’ve been building websites for the last 10 years, and there’s no way I would ever recommend PowWeb to anyone for any use case. Stay away!

2. FatCow

For an affordable price of $4.08 per month, FatCow offers unlimited disk space, unlimited bandwidth, a website builder, and unlimited email addresses on your domain name. Now, of course, there are fair-usage limits. But this pricing is only available if you go for a term longer than 12 months.

Although the pricing seems affordable at a first glance, be aware that their renewal prices are much higher than the price you sign up for. FatCow charges more than twice the sign-up price when you renew your plan. If you want to save money, it would be a good idea to go for an annual plan to lock in the cheaper sign-up price for the first year.

But why would you? FatCow may not be the worst web host in the market, but they are also not the best. For the same price, you can get web hosting that offers even better support, faster server speeds, and more scalable service.

Read more

One thing I don’t like or understand about FatCow is that they only have one plan. And even though this plan seems to be enough for someone who’s just starting, it doesn’t seem like a good idea for any serious business owner.

No serious business owner would think that a plan that is suitable for a hobby site is a good idea for their business. Any web host that sells “unlimited” plans is lying. They hide behind legal jargon that enforces dozens and dozens of limits on how many resources your website can use.

So, It begs the question: who is this plan or this service designed for? If it’s not for serious business owners, then is it just for hobbyists and people building their first website? 

One good thing about FatCow is that they offer you a free domain name for the first year. The customer support may not be the best available but is better than some of their competitors. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you decide you’re done with FatCow within the first 30 days.

Another good thing about FatCow is that they offer an affordable plan for WordPress websites. If you’re a fan of WordPress, there might be something for you in FatCow’s WordPress plans. They are built on top of the regular plan but with some basic features that might be helpful for a WordPress site. Same as the regular plan, you get unlimited disk space, bandwidth, and email addresses. You also get a free domain name for the first year.

If you are looking for a reliable, scalable web host for your business, I wouldn’t recommend FatCow unless they wrote me a million-dollar check. Look, I am not saying they are the worst. Far from it! FatCow may be suitable for some use cases, but if you are serious about growing your business online, I can’t recommend this web host. Other web hosts might cost a dollar or two more every month but offer a lot more features and are much more suitable if you run a “serious” business.

3. Netfirms

Netfirms is a shared web host that caters to small businesses. They used to be a giant in the industry and were one of the highest web hosts.

If you look at their history, Netfirms used to be a great web host. But they are no longer what they used to be. They got acquired by a giant web hosting company, and now their service no longer seems competitive. And their pricing is just outrageous. You can find better web hosting services for much cheaper prices.

If you still believe for some reason that Netfirms might be worth a try, just look at all the horrible reviews about their service on the internet. According to the dozens of 1-star reviews I’ve skimmed, their support is terrible, and the service has been going downhill ever since they got acquired.

Read more

Most Netfirms reviews you’ll read all start the same way. They praise how good Netfirms was about a decade ago, and then they go on to talk about how the service is now a dumpster fire!

If you take a look at Netfirms’ offerings, you’ll notice that they are designed for beginners who are just getting started with building their first website. But even if that’s the case, there are better web hosts that cost less and offer more features.

One good thing about Netfirms plans is how generous they all are. You get unlimited storage, unlimited bandwidth, and unlimited email accounts. You also get a free domain name. But all these features are common when it comes to Shared Hosting. Almost all shared web hosting providers offer “unlimited” plans.

Other than their Shared Web Hosting plans, Netfirms also offer Website Builder plans. It offers a simple drag-and-drop interface to build your website. But their basic starter plan limits you to only 6 pages. How generous! The templates are also really outdated.

If you’re looking for an easy website builder, I wouldn’t recommend Netfirms. Many website builders on the market are much more powerful and offer a lot more features. Some of them are even cheaper…

If you want to install WordPress, they offer an easy one-click solution to install it but they don’t have any plans that are optimized and designed specifically for WordPress sites. Their starter plan costs $4.95 a month but only allows one website. Their competitors allow unlimited websites for that same price.

The only reason I can think of to host my website with Netfirms is if I was being held hostage. Their pricing doesn’t seem real to me. It’s outdated and is much higher when compared to other web hosts. Not only that, their cheap prices are only introductory. That means you’ll need to pay much higher renewal prices after the first term. The renewal prices are twice the introductory sign-up prices. Stay away!

What is iPage

2024 update: iPage has now partnered with Bluehost

iPage is one of the most popular web hosting service providers on the Internet. They have been around for a long time.

Their web hosting plans offer a free domain name, free email addresses, free SSL Certificates, and a free website builder that offers thousands of free templates to choose from.

The best part about iPage is that their introductory plan starts at only $1.99 a month

.. if you pay for at least 12 months in advance.

Although iPage seems like a great web host if you are just starting out (and it can be in some cases), here are a few things you need to consider:

• Higher Renewal Price: Although iPage offers to host your website for only $1.99 a month. Their renewal prices are often much higher than their introductory prices.
• Not Enough Room To Grow: Web hosts like iPage offer an easy platform for beginners to start their websites.
• This becomes a problem once your business starts to grow as the platform isn’t built for and doesn’t offer solutions for high-traffic businesses.

If you need a web host just to test the waters, then iPage is more than enough. But if you want to grow an online business to thousands of customers, you will need a reliable web host that offers solutions for businesses of all sizes.

Our Verdict ⭐

While iPage may seem appealing for newcomers, it’s not the ideal choice for long-term website growth. In my experience working with various clients, I’ve found that iPage’s services are geared more towards getting businesses online quickly rather than supporting their expansion over time.

After thoroughly testing multiple hosting providers, I recommend SiteGround or Bluehost as top alternatives to iPage. For those on a tighter budget, Hostinger is also a solid option. These hosts offer scalable solutions that grow with your business, competitive pricing, and exceptional customer support.

In my years of setting up websites for clients, I’ve consistently found Bluehost and SiteGround to be user-friendly and efficient. Their intuitive interfaces and helpful documentation make the setup process smooth, even for those with limited technical knowledge.

For bloggers, these hosts shine with their one-click WordPress installations. I recently helped a client transition from a basic website to a full-fledged blog using Bluehost, and the process was remarkably straightforward. You can launch your blog quickly without diving into complex technical details.

Remember, choosing a web host is a crucial decision that impacts your site’s performance and growth potential. Consider factors like your technical skills, budget, expected traffic, and long-term goals. While we’ve provided our expert recommendations based on extensive testing and real-world use, the final choice depends on your specific needs.

How We Review Web Hosts: Our Methodology

When we review web hosts, our evaluation is based on these criteria:

1. Value for Money: What types of web hosting plans are on offer, and are they good value for money?
2. User Friendliness: How user-friendly is the signup process, the onboarding, the dashboard? and so on.
3. Customer Support: When we need help, how quickly can we get it, and is the support effective and helpful?
4. Hosting Features: What unique features does the web host provide, and how do they stack up against competitors?
5. Security: Are essential security measures like SSL certificates, DDoS protection, backup services, and malware/virus scans included?
6. Speed and Uptime: Is the hosting service fast and reliable? What types of servers do they use, and how do they perform in tests?

For more details on our review process, click here.