How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Linux hosting runs most of the open web, so PHP, MySQL, and WordPress support matter more than brand names.
- Intro prices look low, but renewal prices often run two to four times higher, so check the second year cost before you sign up.
- SiteGround suits small business sites that want strong support, while Hostinger suits tight budgets with longer commitments.
- Developers who want root access and control should look at VPS plans from Liquid Web or Cloudways rather than shared plans.
- Free migration, daily backups, and a clear refund window reduce risk when you move an existing site.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 SiteGround | Small business WordPress sites | $2.99 per month (introductory, 12 months) | No |
 Hostinger | Low cost shared hosting | $2.99 per month (introductory, 48 months) | No |
 Bluehost | Beginners on WordPress | $2.95 per month (introductory) | No |
 DreamHost | Simple setup and long refunds | $2.59 per month (introductory) | No |
 A2 Hosting | Speed focused shared hosting | $2.99 per month (introductory) | No |
 InMotion Hosting | US based support and business sites | $2.29 per month (introductory) | No |
 Liquid Web | Managed VPS and dedicated servers | See website | No |
 Cloudways | Managed cloud hosting for agencies | See website | Free trial |
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The best Linux hosting company
Starting price$2.99 per month (introductory, 12 months)
Free planNo
SiteGround runs its shared plans on Linux with a custom control panel called Site Tools. WordPress installs take a few clicks, and the staging tool on higher plans lets you test changes before they go live. Support is available around the clock by chat and ticket, and public reviews often praise the speed of replies.
The catch is price over time. The entry plan starts near three dollars per month for the first year, then renews at a much higher rate, and storage sits at 10 GB on that plan. Sites with large media libraries or many visitors may need the GrowBig plan instead. Still, for a business site that needs steady uptime and help when something breaks, SiteGround remains a solid pick.
What we like- Strong support reputation
- Daily backups included
- Built in caching tools
Watch out for- Renewal prices rise sharply
- Storage limits are tight on the entry plan
#2Hostinger
Best for: Low cost shared hosting4.4/5 on
G2 (834 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit hostinger.com
Starting price$2.99 per month (introductory, 48 months)
Free planNo
Hostinger uses its own hPanel control panel rather than cPanel, and the layout is simple enough for a first time site owner. LiteSpeed servers and a content delivery network help pages load fast, and data centers in several regions let you host closer to your visitors. A free domain is included on longer plans, which cuts the first year bill further.
The trade off is commitment. The headline price applies when you prepay for four years, and the renewal rate is several times higher. Support is chat based, and complex server questions may take longer to resolve than with a premium managed host. For a personal site, a blog, or a small project with a fixed budget, the value is hard to beat.
What we like- Very low entry cost
- Global data centers
- Easy control panel
Watch out for- Lowest price needs a four year commitment
- Renewal price is much higher
#3Bluehost
Best for: Beginners on WordPress3.4/5 on
G2 (282 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit bluehost.com
Starting price$2.95 per month (introductory)
Free planNo
Bluehost has long been a default choice for new WordPress users, and the onboarding flow explains each step in plain language. The control panel groups domains, email, and site tools in one place, and one click installs cover WordPress and other common apps. Phone and chat support run around the clock, which helps when a beginner hits a snag at night.
Checkout needs care, because add ons are preselected and the renewal rate is higher than the intro rate. Performance is fine for small sites, though busy stores may outgrow shared hosting sooner than they expect. For a first site with modest traffic, Bluehost gives a gentle start and room to upgrade to VPS plans later.
What we like- WordPress recommended
- Simple onboarding
- Free domain for the first year
Watch out for- Renewal prices climb
- Upsells appear during checkout
#4DreamHost
Best for: Simple setup and long refunds4.0/5 on
G2 (153 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit dreamhost.com
Starting price$2.59 per month (introductory)
Free planNo
DreamHost stands out for its refund window, which runs far longer than the industry standard 30 days. That gives you time to build a real site and judge speed and support before the decision is final. The custom panel is clean, WordPress preinstalls are quick, and unlimited traffic is promised on shared plans, subject to fair use terms.
Users who know cPanel may need a short adjustment period, since menus and names differ. Phone support is not included on every plan, so chat and email carry most questions. For a hobby site or a small business that wants a low risk trial, the long refund window is a genuine advantage.
What we like- 97 day money back window
- Straightforward pricing
- Free domain privacy
Watch out for- Control panel differs from cPanel
- Phone support costs extra on some plans
Starting price$2.99 per month (introductory)
Free planNo
A2 Hosting, now presented under the Hosting.com brand in some comparisons, built its name on speed. Standard plans use solid state drives, while Turbo plans add LiteSpeed and extra resources for faster page loads. The familiar cPanel interface suits users who move between hosts, and free migration help takes the strain out of switching.
Turbo speed comes at a higher monthly cost, and the renewal jump applies across the range, so budget for year two from the start. Support covers chat, ticket, and phone, and the knowledge base is detailed. Developers and bloggers who care about load times will find the Turbo tier worth a close look.
What we like- Turbo server option
- CPanel included
- Free site migration
Watch out for- Turbo plans cost more
- Renewal prices rise on every tier
Starting price$2.29 per month (introductory)
Free planNo
InMotion Hosting targets small businesses with a long 90 day money back window and support teams based in the United States. Shared plans include free SSL, email accounts, and backups, and the control panel is the standard cPanel, which keeps migration simple. WordPress, Joomla, and other apps install in a few clicks.
The entry plan fits a brochure site or a blog, but stores with heavy traffic should step up to a higher shared or VPS tier for more resources. Renewal pricing is higher than the intro rate, as with most hosts on this list. For a business that values phone support and a longer trial period, InMotion is a steady choice.
What we like- 90 day money back window
- US based support
- Free backups on many plans
Watch out for- Entry storage is limited
- Higher plans needed for busy stores
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Liquid Web is a managed host, which means its team handles server updates, security patches, and monitoring for you. VPS and dedicated plans run on Linux with root access available, and support staff are known for handling complex issues rather than passing you between departments. That level of care suits stores and agencies that cannot afford downtime.
There is no budget shared plan here, and prices reflect the managed service, so hobby sites should look elsewhere. Plan details and prices vary by configuration, so check the current pricing page for the exact server size you need. When a site earns money every hour it is online, the premium starts to make sense.
What we like- Fully managed servers
- Strong uptime record
- Expert support
Watch out for- No cheap shared tier
- Prices suit serious projects only
#8Cloudways
Best for: Managed cloud hosting for agencies4.7/5 on
G2 (1,149 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit cloudways.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Cloudways sits between shared hosting and raw cloud servers. You pick a cloud provider such as DigitalOcean, AWS, or Google Cloud, and Cloudways manages the server layer, caching, backups, and security updates. Scaling resources up takes a few clicks, and staging sites let agencies test client work safely.
Email hosting is not included, so you need a separate mail service, and domain registration must happen elsewhere. Prices depend on the provider and server size you choose, and a free trial lets you test the platform before paying. For developers and agencies that manage several client sites, Cloudways offers control without full server admin work.
What we like- Choice of cloud providers
- Pay as you go scaling
- Staging and cloning tools
Watch out for- No domain registration or email hosting
- Support tiers vary
How we chose
We compared published pricing pages, plan limits, control panels, backup and migration terms, refund windows, and public customer feedback on G2, Capterra, and Reddit. We favored hosts with clear Linux support, current PHP and database versions, and free SSL, and we noted where intro prices differ sharply from renewal prices. No hands on lab tests are claimed here, and figures come from vendor pricing pages and recent published comparisons where a vendor page did not show a single clear figure.
What to check before you buy
Start with traffic and growth. A shared plan suits a new site with modest traffic, while a VPS plan suits a store or a site with steady daily visitors. Check storage, visitor limits, and backup frequency, since those limits bite sooner than bandwidth caps. Ask whether staging, a content delivery network, and malware scanning are included or paid extras.
Read the renewal price in the cart before you pay, and set a reminder before renewal so the higher rate never surprises you. Confirm the refund window and the migration offer, especially if you move an existing site with email accounts. A host that offers free migration and a long refund window gives you a safer path if the first month does not work out.
Frequently asked questions
Is Linux hosting better than Windows hosting?
For most websites, yes, because Linux runs PHP, MySQL, and WordPress, which power a large share of sites. Windows hosting fits only when you need ASP.NET or Microsoft SQL Server. Check your app requirements first, since the wrong stack causes avoidable problems.
Do I need a VPS plan for a small site?
No, a shared plan handles a new site with modest traffic and keeps costs low. Move to VPS when page loads slow down under traffic, when you need root access, or when your host warns about resource limits. Many hosts let you upgrade without moving your files.
Why is the renewal price higher than the intro price?
Hosts discount the first term to win new customers, then charge the standard rate on renewal. The gap is common across the industry, so compare the second year cost, not just the first month. A price lock plan or a longer first term can reduce the shock.
Does Linux hosting include email accounts?
Most shared plans include email accounts, but managed cloud platforms such as Cloudways do not. Check the plan page for email limits and storage before you buy. If email matters, a separate service such as Google Workspace may be cleaner.
Can I move my site to another host later?
Yes, and several hosts on this list offer free migration help for new customers. Keep your own backups too, and test the moved site before you point your domain at the new host. A staging copy makes the switch far less risky.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.siteground.com/web-hosting.htm
- https://www.hostinger.com/web-hosting
- https://www.bluehost.com/hosting/shared
- https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/shared/
- https://www.a2hosting.com/web-hosting/
- https://www.inmotionhosting.com/shared-hosting
- https://www.liquidweb.com/vps-hosting/
- https://www.cloudways.com/en/pricing.php
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.