Hostinger: full review of this web hosting provider

Published on  -  24 minutes reading

Hostinger is a popular web hosting provider offering a range of services to meet the needs of users from beginners to experts.

In this test/review, we’ll rate Hostinger on several key criteria, such as technical features, ease of use, performance, security and customer support.

We’ll also give you an overview of our test results to help you decide whether Hostinger is the right choice for your online project.

Hostinger: full review of this web hosting provider Article updated on

Features and performance

It’s crucial to evaluate the technical features and performance of a web host to ensure it meets your site’s requirements. Here are some key points to consider about Hostinger.

Web hosting types and resources

Hostinger offers a variety of hosting solutions to meet specific user needs, ranging from small websites to more complex online projects. Here is a detailed overview of the different types of hosting offered by Hostinger:

  1. Shared Hosting: Shared hosting is the most economical solution and is generally suitable for small websites, personal blogs and online projects that do not need a lot of resources. With this type of hosting, several websites share the same server resources. Hostinger’s shared hosting plans offer resources such as:
    • Disk space: 10 GB to 100 GB
    • Bandwidth: unlimited
    • RAM: from 768 MB to 3 GB
  2. VPS (Virtual Private Server) Hosting: VPS hosting is an intermediate solution between shared hosting and dedicated hosting. It is suitable for medium-sized websites and online projects that require more resources and control over their hosting environment. With a VPS, your website has a dedicated portion of the resources of a physical server. Hostinger VPS plans offer resources such as:
    • Disk space: 20 GB to 160 GB
    • Bandwidth: 1 TB to 8 TB
    • RAM: from 1 GB to 8 GB
  3. Cloud Hosting: Cloud hosting is a scalable and reliable solution for high-traffic websites and demanding online applications. It is based on a cloud infrastructure composed of several interconnected servers, ensuring optimal availability and performance. Hostinger’s Cloud hosting plans offer resources such as:
    • Disk space: 20 GB to 200 GB
    • Bandwidth: unlimited
    • RAM: from 3 GB to 16 GB
  4. Dedicated Hosting: Dedicated hosting is the most powerful and customizable solution, aimed at large businesses and online projects that require dedicated resources and full control over their server. With this type of hosting, your website has a fully dedicated server. Hostinger’s dedicated hosting plans offer resources such as:
    • Disk space: 1 TB to 2 TB
    • Bandwidth: 10 TB to 16 TB
    • RAM: from 8 GB to 16 GB

Hostinger offers automatic backups for all of its hosting plans except basic shared hosting. Automatic backups are performed daily or weekly, depending on the plan chosen. Additionally, you can perform manual backups at any time via the control panel (hPanel), allowing you to protect your data and facilitate recovery when needed.

hPanel backup management interface
hPanel backup management interface

Hostinger supports various Linux based operating systems like AlmaLinux, CentOS, CloudLinuxOS, Debian, Kali Linux, Rocky Linux & Ubuntu. This compatibility allows users to develop and deploy their websites using their preferred technologies, which helps improve user experience and SEO.

hPanel OS switching interface
hPanel OS switching interface

Loading time

Loading and server response times are essential elements to ensure a pleasant user experience and good SEO. Visitors are more likely to leave a website if pages take too long to load, which can hurt your bounce rate and search rankings. Hostinger places great importance on loading speed and implements several strategies to optimize the performance of its servers.

  1. Optimized servers: Hostinger uses optimized servers to ensure fast loading times. The servers are equipped with high-performance hardware and configured to make the most of available resources. Additionally, the host regularly updates its servers to ensure that they are using the latest technology and software.
  2. Content Delivery Network (CDN): Hostinger partners with CDN providers to accelerate the delivery of your website content across the world. A CDN is a network of geographically distributed servers that cache and distribute your website content from the server closest to the user. This reduces latency and improves load times, especially for visitors located far from the main hosting server.
  3. Traffic peak management: Hostinger effectively manages traffic peaks by dynamically allocating the necessary resources to maintain site stability and speed. This flexibility makes it possible to adapt to traffic variations and avoid slowdowns or downtime, even in the event of high traffic.
  4. Optimization for popular CMS: Hostinger offers specific configurations and optimization features for popular content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress, Joomla and Drupal. These optimizations include image caching, compression, and optimization, helping to improve loading times and overall site performance.
Temporary boost during traffic peaks
Temporary boost during traffic peaks

In short, Hostinger offers solid performance in terms of speed thanks to its optimized servers, its content delivery network (CDN), and its efficient handling of traffic peaks. These factors help ensure fast loading times and a pleasant user experience, which is beneficial for SEO and visitor satisfaction.

Optimization for WordPress

WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS), powering over 40% of websites worldwide. Hostinger recognizes the importance of this CMS and offers hosting plans specifically optimized for WordPress, offering enhanced features and performance. Here is a detailed overview of WordPress optimization features at Hostinger:

  1. One-Click Installation: Hostinger makes installing WordPress easy by offering a one-click installation process. This allows users, even beginners, to quickly create and launch a WordPress site without having to worry about manual installation steps.
  2. Advanced Caching: Caching is an essential technique for improving the performance and loading speed of WordPress sites. Hostinger offers advanced caching solutions, such as LiteSpeed Cache and WP Super Cache, that help store site data temporarily and serve it to visitors faster.
  3. Automatic updates: To ensure the security and optimal performance of WordPress sites, it is crucial to keep the CMS and its extensions up to date. Hostinger simplifies this process by offering automatic updates for WordPress, themes and plugins, ensuring your site is always up to date and secure.
  4. Optimized environment: Hostinger has optimized its hosting infrastructure to provide optimal performance for WordPress sites. This includes using servers configured specifically for WordPress, the latest version of PHP and optimized MySQL databases.
  5. WordPress Pre-Installation: Some WordPress hosting plans from Hostinger include WordPress pre-installed, allowing users to start building their site immediately after signing up, without having to go through the installation process.
  6. Plugin and Theme Integration: Hostinger offers seamless integration with a huge selection of WordPress plugins and themes, allowing you to easily customize and extend the functionality of your site.
  7. Dedicated WordPress Support: Hostinger’s technical support team is trained and experienced in resolving WordPress-related issues, providing knowledgeable and responsive assistance to WordPress users.
hPanel WordPress management interface
hPanel WordPress management interface

In summary, Hostinger offers hosting plans specifically optimized for WordPress, with features like one-click installation, advanced caching, automatic updates, and an optimized environment. These features help improve the performance, security, and manageability of WordPress sites, making Hostinger a smart choice for users of this popular CMS.

Security (SSL, DDoS, firewall, updates)

Content Delivery Network (CDN): Hostinger partners with CDN providers to accelerate the delivery of your website content across the world. A CDN is a network of geographically distributed servers that cache and distribute your website content from the server closest to the user. This reduces latency and improves load times, especially for visitors located far from the main hosting server. Traffic peak management: Hostinger effectively manages traffic peaks by dynamically allocating the necessary resources to maintain site stability and speed. This flexibility makes it possible to adapt to traffic variations and avoid slowdowns or downtime, even in the event of high traffic. Optimization for popular CMS: Hostinger offers specific configurations and optimization features for popular content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress, Joomla and Drupal. These optimizations include image caching, compression, and optimization, helping to improve loading times and overall site performance. Temporary boost during traffic peaks In short, Hostinger offers solid performance in terms of speed thanks to its optimized servers, its content delivery network (CDN), and its efficient handling of traffic peaks. These factors help ensure fast loading times and a pleasant user experience, which is beneficial for SEO and visitor satisfaction. Optimization for WordPress WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS), powering over 40% of websites worldwide. Hostinger recognizes the importance of this CMS and offers hosting plans specifically optimized for WordPress, offering enhanced features and performance. Here is a detailed overview of WordPress optimization features at Hostinger: One-Click Installation: Hostinger makes installing WordPress easy by offering a one-click installation process. This allows users, even beginners, to quickly create and launch a WordPress site without having to worry about manual installation steps. Advanced Caching: Caching is an essential technique for improving the performance and loading speed of WordPress sites. Hostinger offers advanced caching solutions, such as LiteSpeed Cache and WP Super Cache, that help store site data temporarily and serve it to visitors faster. Automatic updates: To ensure the security and optimal performance of WordPress sites, it is crucial to keep the CMS and its extensions up to date. Hostinger simplifies this process by offering automatic updates for WordPress, themes and plugins, ensuring your site is always up to date and secure. Optimized environment: Hostinger has optimized its hosting infrastructure to provide optimal performance for WordPress sites. This includes using servers configured specifically for WordPress, the latest version of PHP and optimized MySQL databases. WordPress Pre-Installation: Some WordPress hosting plans from Hostinger include WordPress pre-installed, allowing users to start building their site immediately after signing up, without having to go through the installation process. Plugin and Theme Integration: Hostinger offers seamless integration with a huge selection of WordPress plugins and themes, allowing you to easily customize and extend the functionality of your site. Dedicated WordPress Support: Hostinger’s technical support team is trained and experienced in resolving WordPress-related issues, providing knowledgeable and responsive assistance to WordPress users. hPanel WordPress management interface In summary, Hostinger offers hosting plans specifically optimized for WordPress, with features like one-click installation, advanced caching, automatic updates, and an optimized environment. These features help improve the performance, security, and manageability of WordPress sites, making Hostinger a smart choice for users of this popular CMS. Security (SSL, DDoS, firewall, updates) Hostinger attaches great importance to the security of websites hosted on its servers and implements several measures to protect user data and prevent threats. Here is a detailed overview of the security features offered by Hostinger:

  1. Free SSL certificate: An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is essential to secure connections between the website and visitors by encrypting the data exchanged. Hostinger offers a free SSL certificate with all its hosting plans, allowing users to enjoy a secure connection and improve their SEO as search engines favor secure sites.
  2. Protection against DDoS attacks: Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks aim to make a website unavailable by overwhelming it with requests from multiple sources. Hostinger offers anti-DDoS protection to detect and block these attacks, ensuring the availability and performance of hosted websites.
  3. Firewall: A firewall is a security system that controls and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic, based on predefined rules, to protect the server and websites against unauthorized access and threats. Hostinger implements server- and application-level firewalls to enhance the security of its hosting infrastructure.
  4. Network monitoring: Hostinger performs constant monitoring of its network to detect and prevent security threats. This monitoring includes log checking, vulnerability scanning and intrusion detection, allowing you to respond quickly to problems and maintain a secure environment for hosted websites.
  5. Regular server software updates: To ensure a secure and efficient environment, Hostinger provides regular updates to server software, such as the operating system, web server, databases and programming languages. These updates fix security vulnerabilities and improve server performance.
  6. Automatic backups: Hostinger offers automatic backups to protect user data in the event of a problem, such as a server outage, human error, or hacker attack. Regular backups allow data to be recovered quickly and minimize the impact on the website in the event of an incident.
  7. Two-factor authentication: To strengthen the security of user accounts, Hostinger offers two-factor authentication (2FA). This feature adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification code, in addition to the password, to access the account.
Installing an SSL certificate from the hPanel interface
Installing an SSL certificate from the hPanel interface

In short, Hostinger implements various security measures, such as free SSL certificates, anti-DDoS protection, firewalls, network monitoring and regular server software updates, to ensure a secure and efficient environment. for hosted websites. These features help protect user data and prevent threats.

Ease of use and support

To provide an optimal user experience, it is essential to evaluate the ease of use and quality of support offered by Hostinger. Here are the key points to consider.

Registration, configuration and migration

Hostinger pays particular attention to the ease of use of its services, providing a simple and intuitive registration, configuration and migration process. Here is a detailed overview of the steps to get started with Hostinger:

  1. Registration: To create a Hostinger account, simply go to their website and click on the “Register” button. You will then be redirected to a registration form where you will need to provide your personal information, such as your email address, name and password. After completing the form, you will receive a confirmation email to activate your account.
  2. Choice of hosting plan: Once your account is activated, you will need to choose the hosting plan that best suits your needs. Hostinger offers different types of hosting (shared, VPS, cloud and dedicated) with varied resources. Take the time to compare plans and select the one that suits the size and needs of your website.
  3. Account Setup: After choosing your hosting plan, you will be prompted to set up your account by providing additional information, such as billing details and your domain address. You will also be able to choose the duration of your subscription and select additional options, such as privacy protection or daily backups.
  4. Installing a CMS: If you want to use a content management system (CMS) such as WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal, Hostinger offers one-click installation to make the process easier. Simply go to the “Auto Installer” section of your control panel and follow the instructions to install your favorite CMS.
  5. File and database management: Hostinger’s control panel (hPanel) allows you to easily manage your website’s files and databases. You can use the built-in file manager to upload, edit or delete files, and access phpMyAdmin to manage your MySQL databases.
  6. Website Migration: If you already have a website hosted with another provider, Hostinger offers a free migration service to transfer your site to their servers hassle-free. To benefit from this service, simply contact the Hostinger support team and provide them with the necessary information to complete the migration.
  7. Setting up email accounts: With Hostinger, you can create custom email accounts associated with your domain. The control panel (hPanel) allows you to easily manage your email accounts, create email addresses, configure redirects and set autoresponders.

In summary, Hostinger simplifies the signup, setup, and migration process by providing clear, intuitive steps. The free migration service and user-friendly control panel make it quick and easy for users to get started with Hostinger, hassle-free.

CMS installation, file and email management

Hostinger makes it easy to install and manage content management systems (CMS), files and emails with intuitive, user-friendly tools. Here is a detailed overview of these features:

  1. One-Click CMS Installation: Hostinger offers an automatic installation tool, called Auto Installer, which provides one-click installation of popular CMS such as WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento, PrestaShop and many others. To access this tool, simply go to the “Auto Installer” section of your control panel (hPanel) and select the CMS you want to install. Next, follow the on-screen instructions to configure your website.
  2. Built-in File Manager: Hostinger’s control panel (hPanel) includes a built-in file manager, which allows you to easily manage your website files. With this tool you can download, edit, delete, move and rename files, as well as create new folders. The file manager supports bulk actions, which allows you to manage multiple files simultaneously. Additionally, you can access advanced features such as changing file permissions and code editing.
  3. Database management: Hostinger supports MySQL and PostgreSQL databases. You can create, modify and manage your databases directly from the control panel (hPanel). The phpMyAdmin tool is also integrated to allow you to easily manage your MySQL databases, by importing or exporting data, running SQL queries and modifying tables.
  4. Creating Custom Email Accounts: With Hostinger, you can create custom email accounts associated with your domain. The Control Panel (hPanel) allows you to easily manage your email accounts, create new email addresses, set passwords, and configure redirects and autoresponders. You can also access your email via a user-friendly webmail interface, compatible with IMAP and POP3 protocols, or configure your favorite email client (like Outlook or Thunderbird) to access your emails.
  5. Collaboration and sharing tools: Hostinger offers collaboration and sharing tools to make it easier to manage your website as a team. You can create additional FTP accounts to allow other users to access your website files, or assign specific roles and permissions to users to manage certain parts of your website.
File, email, database and CMS manager
File, email, database and CMS manager

In summary, Hostinger simplifies the installation and management of CMS, files and emails with intuitive and user-friendly tools. One-click installation of popular CMS, built-in file manager and comprehensive email service make building and managing your website easy, even for first-time users.

Interface du panneau de contrôle

Hostinger uses a custom control panel, hPanel, designed to provide a simple and intuitive user experience. This centralized interface makes it easy to manage all the features and settings of your web hosting. Here is a detailed overview of the different sections and features of the hPanel control panel:

  1. Dashboard: The dashboard is the home page of your control panel. It gives you a quick overview of your hosting services, domains, email accounts and invoices. You can also access your website statistics, such as the number of visitors and resource consumption.
  2. Domain Management: In this section you can manage your domains, subdomains and parked domains. You can register new domains, renew existing domains, set up redirects, and manage your domains’ DNS records.
  3. File Management: The file management section allows you to upload, edit and manage your website files. You can use the built-in file manager to perform actions on your files, such as downloading, deleting, moving, and editing. You can also access advanced tools, such as the code editor and the backup manager.
  4. Email Management: In this section, you can create and manage custom email accounts associated with your domain. You can access your email via a user-friendly webmail interface, configure redirects and autoresponders, and manage spam filters.
  5. Database Management: The database management section allows you to create, modify and manage your MySQL and PostgreSQL databases. You can access phpMyAdmin and phpPgAdmin to manage your databases, import and export data, and run SQL queries.
  6. CMS Installation: In this section, you can install popular content management systems such as WordPress, Joomla and Drupal in one click. The automatic installer tool makes setting up your website easy, even for first-time users.
  7. Development Tools: The hPanel control panel offers advanced development tools, such as the cron jobs manager, PHP version manager, and cache manager. These tools allow you to optimize and customize your hosting environment according to your needs.
  8. Security: In this section you can manage SSL certificates, configure DDoS protection, enable two-factor authentication and manage IP blacklists. These features help you secure your website and protect your data.
  9. Support: The hPanel control panel gives you access to Hostinger technical support. You can check the knowledge base, contact support via live chat, or submit support tickets to get help with any issues.
Hostinger hPanel dashboard
Hostinger hPanel dashboard

In summary, Hostinger’s hPanel control panel interface is designed to be easy to use and intuitive. It allows you to manage all the features and settings of your web hosting, such as domains, databases, email accounts and SSL certificates, from one place.

Technical support and knowledge base

Hostinger places great importance on customer satisfaction and the rapid resolution of their problems. For this, the host offers several technical assistance channels and provides a complete knowledge base.

  1. 24/7 Technical Support: Hostinger’s support team is available 24/7 to answer questions and resolve issues encountered by users. You can contact technical support via live chat, email, or by submitting a support ticket from your hPanel control panel. The support team is renowned for its responsiveness and competence, offering valuable assistance when needed.
  2. Multilingual Support: To meet the needs of users around the world, Hostinger offers technical support in multiple languages. This allows you to get help in your native language, making communication and problem solving easier.
  3. Knowledge Base: Hostinger has a rich and well-organized knowledge base, containing tutorials, guides and articles to help users get the most out of their web hosting. These resources cover a variety of topics, such as account setup, CMS installation, file and database management, and troubleshooting common issues. The knowledge base is regularly updated and improved to meet user needs.
  4. Website Migration Assistance: If you want to transfer your existing website to Hostinger, the host offers migration assistance. Their technical support team will take care of transferring your website, files and databases to their servers at no additional cost. This support makes the transition to Hostinger easier and saves you from the hassle of migrating.
  5. Community and Blog: Hostinger also has an online community and blog where you can find useful information, tips and advice for optimizing your website and hosting. You can interact with other users, share your experiences and ask questions to the community.
Support contact via chatbot
Support contact via chatbot

In summary, Hostinger stands out for its ease of use, responsive and knowledgeable technical support, and comprehensive knowledge base. The 24/7 technical support, multilingual support, and well-organized knowledge base make Hostinger a smart choice for users of all levels, whether beginners or experienced.

Prices

Hostinger offers hosting plans at competitive prices, tailored to everyone’s needs and budgets. Here is an overview of the different plans and their prices:

  1. Shared Hosting: Starting at $0.99/month, this plan is ideal for small websites, personal blogs, and online projects that don’t need a lot of resources. Shared hosting plans offer basic features for beginner users.
  2. VPS Hosting: Starting at $3.95/month, this plan is suitable for mid-sized websites and online projects that require more resources and control over their hosting environment. Hostinger VPS plans offer dedicated resources, increased scalability and customization.
  3. Cloud Hosting: Starting at $9.99/month, this scalable and reliable hosting solution is for high-traffic websites and demanding online applications. Hostinger’s Cloud hosting is based on a powerful cloud infrastructure, offering optimal availability and performance.
  4. Dedicated Hosting: Starting at $79.99/month, this plan is aimed at large businesses and online projects that require dedicated resources and full control over their server. Hostinger’s dedicated hosting plans offer powerful servers, maximum scalability and customization.

It is important to note that Hostinger regularly offers promotions and discounts for its hosting plans. Additionally, the host offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to test their services risk-free.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Fast loading times: Hostinger offers competitive loading times, contributing to a better user experience and SEO.
  • Enhanced Security: With features like DDoS protection, free SSL certificates, and automatic backups, Hostinger keeps your website secure.
  • Ease of Use: The user-friendly control panel interface, one-click installation of popular CMS, and easy website migration make Hostinger a suitable choice for beginners and experienced users alike.
  • Responsive Customer Support: Hostinger’s technical support team is available 24/7 and known for its responsiveness and efficiency.
  • Competitive pricing: Hostinger offers affordable hosting plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Cons

  • Limited Resources for Shared Hosting: Hostinger’s shared hosting plans may not be suitable for high-traffic websites or projects requiring significant resources.
  • Lack of cPanel: Hostinger uses its own personalized control panel (hPanel) instead of the popular cPanel (available as an extra from €1.75/month), which may confuse some users used to the latter.
  • Variable performance: Although loading times are generally fast, some fluctuations may occur depending on traffic and server location.

Conclusion

Hostinger presents itself as a reliable and efficient web host, offering a wide range of services adapted to user needs. Hostinger’s strengths include fast loading times, strong security, ease of use, and responsive customer support. Plus, their competitive pricing and varied hosting plans make them a smart choice for users of all levels.

Although some competitors may offer additional features or slightly better performance in certain areas, Hostinger stands out for its excellent value and ease of use. Thus, we recommend Hostinger as a solid choice for website owners wanting to optimize their SEO and provide a quality user experience.

To choose the right hosting plan for your needs, it is important to consider the size and requirements of your website, as well as your budget. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of promotions and the money-back guarantee to test Hostinger’s services and determine if they meet your expectations.

FAQ

What type of hosting should I choose from Hostinger?

Choosing the type of hosting depends on the needs and requirements of your website. Shared hosting is suitable for small sites and blogs, while VPS, Cloud or dedicated hosting is more suitable for high traffic websites or projects requiring significant resources.

Does Hostinger offer a free SSL certificate?

Yes, Hostinger offers a free SSL certificate with all of its hosting plans, helping to keep your website secure and improving your SEO.

How do I contact Hostinger technical support?

You can contact Hostinger technical support via live chat, email, or through a ticket system. Support is available 24/7 and multilingual.

Does Hostinger offer a money back guarantee?

Yes, Hostinger offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test their services risk-free.

How do I migrate my existing website to Hostinger?

Hostinger offers a free migration service to make it easy to transfer your existing website to their servers. You can also follow the guides and tutorials available in their knowledge base to perform the migration yourself.

What payment systems does Hostinger accept?

Hostinger accepts payments by credit card, PayPal, Google Pay and other secure online payment methods.

Is it possible to install WordPress and other popular CMS on Hostinger?

Yes, Hostinger supports one-click installation of WordPress and other popular CMS like Joomla, Drupal, and Magento.

Does Hostinger offer automatic backups?

Yes, Hostinger offers automatic backups for all of its hosting plans, allowing you to easily recover your data when needed.

Can I host multiple websites with one Hostinger account?

Yes, depending on the hosting plan chosen, you can host multiple websites with a single Hostinger account. Check the details of each plan to see how many websites are allowed.

What resources are allocated to different hosting plans?

The allocated resources (disk space, bandwidth, RAM, etc.) vary depending on the type of hosting and the plan chosen. Check the details of each plan on the Hostinger website for specific resources.

Comment gérer mes comptes e-How do I manage my email accounts with Hostinger?avec Hostinger ?

Hostinger offers an email management tool built into its control panel (hPanel), allowing you to create, edit and delete email accounts, as well as configure redirects and autoresponders.

Is it possible to improve the performance of my WordPress site hosted by Hostinger?

Yes, Hostinger offers optimization features for WordPress, such as caching, compression, and image optimization, to improve your website’s performance.

Blog WebPerf does not use tracker cookies or advertisements, but funds its articles via affiliate links. This means that when you click on a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you). View the editorial policy.