HostPapa review 2024: Pros, cons and more
HostPapa Review 2024: Discover the features, pros, and cons of HostPapa's web hosting services to make an informed decision for your website or online store.
Our Verdict
Our Verdict
HostPapa is a reliable choice for multi-year web hosting plans for your online business, website, or e-commerce store. With servers located in three countries, extensive customer support and training options, and numerous free add-ons, HostPapa stands out as a strong contender.
Pros
- Standard cPanel interface provided
- Data centers located in three regions
- Free domain included with every plan
Cons
- Server response time needs enhancement
- The native account management panel is outdated
Starting price
$2.95 per monthFree domain registration
YesMoney-back guarantee
30 daysHostPapa offers a reliable choice for those seeking a multi-year web hosting plan for their online business, website, or e-commerce store. Starting at $2.95 per month (introductory offer) with a renewal price of $4.95 per month for an annual term, HostPapa provides shared hosting services. With servers in three countries, comprehensive customer support and training options, and numerous free add-ons, HostPapa is a strong contender to consider.
What is HostPapa?
HostPapa is an independent provider offering web hosting services, domain names, website builders, web design, and email services. Their hosting options include shared and VPS hosting, as well as specialized products like WordPress and Reseller hosting.
How HostPapa works?
If you're planning to launch a website, you'll need to secure a web hosting service. HostPapa, like many others, provides web hosting, allowing you to rent space on the internet and establish an online presence. While free web hosting options like Wix, Weebly, and WordPress offer subdomains, a custom domain lends a more professional image.
HostPapa offers a variety of hosting services, including shared web hosting, optimized WordPress hosting, virtual private server (VPS) hosting, and reseller hosting. Their WordPress hosting is configured with WordPress CMS and includes preinstalled plugins, simplifying the website setup process.
Is HostPapa the right choice for my needs?
HostPapa could be an excellent choice for your business, particularly if you value personalized support and training. Setting itself apart from other web hosting providers, HostPapa offers a complimentary 30-minute consultation for new customers to assist in website development. If you prefer to build your site independently but appreciate accessible training and support, HostPapa might be an ideal option.
Moreover, HostPapa is dedicated to sustainability, powering its servers with renewable energy.
HostPapa is ideal for:
- Website owners seeking additional training and support
- Business owners who value prompt answers to queries via live chat
- International business owners requiring servers in multiple locations
- Environmentally conscious business owners
HostPapa is not recommended for:
- Those in need of dedicated hosting services
- Customers primarily focused on cost-effectiveness
HostPapa features
HostPapa provides essential features that are crucial for any web hosting service, including:
Storage and bandwidth limits
- Start and Plus plans offer 100GB SSD storage, while Pro and Ultra plans offer unlimited SSD storage.
- All plans include unlimited bandwidth.
Extras and inclusions
When you sign up for a HostPapa plan, you'll receive a website builder to assist in website creation. The Start and Plus plans include a starter website builder for creating up to two pages, while the Pro and Ultra plans offer the Business Website Builder for one year, allowing for up to 1,000 pages.
All plans except for Start include Website Staging, enabling you to make changes to your site without publishing them. Additionally, plans include free email addresses, domain registration, and website migration. The Start and Plus plans come with a free standard SSL certificate, while the Pro and Ultra plans include a free Wildcard SSL Certificate, allowing you to secure multiple subdomains under one domain name with a single certificate.
Ease of use
HostPapa's user interface is simple and intuitive, making navigation effortless. The cPanel layout is user-friendly and enables easy account management. The website builder simplifies the website setup process after purchasing a domain name, and the website staging feature is beneficial for users who need to set up multiple pages before publishing.
User Dashboard/cPanel
HostPapa provides a cPanel that allows users to oversee their website's features and settings. The cPanel presents settings through icons, with general information conveniently located on the sidebar. Users can also view statistics such as disk usage, email accounts, and database statistics. The Files section of the cPanel offers numerous tools for managing the website, including a File Manager, Images, and Backup. The cPanel's use of icons makes it easy to navigate and use.
Security
All HostPapa plans include a complimentary SSL certificate, with the option to purchase more advanced SSL certificates at an extra cost.
HostPapa servers are equipped with Imunify360, a security solution developed by CloudLinux for web servers. Imunify360 focuses on safeguarding servers against various security threats, including malware, worms, and viruses.
Additionally, the Pro and Ultra plans include the Basic version of Protection Power, offering enhanced protection and malware scanning for both your website and your customers' information. Protection Power can be added as an extra service for Start or Plus plan subscribers
HostPapa pricing and plans
| Start | Plus | Pro | Ultra | |
| Introductory pricing | $2.95 per month for a duration of three years | $5.95 per month for a period of three years | $5.95 per month for a three-year term | $12.95 per month for a three-year period |
| Renewal pricing | $4.95 per month (annual billing) |
$7.95 per month (annual billing) |
$7.95 per month (annual billing) |
$14.95 per month (annual billing) |
| Number of websites | One | 10 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Storage | 100GB SSD | 100GB SSD | 100GB SSD | 100GB SSD |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Free domain registration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free SSL Certificate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| cPanel | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Security | Basic-level | Basic-level | Enhanced, featuring complimentary automated backups and fundamental website protection | Ultra, offering daily malware scans and improved DDoS protection |
| Business email | 10 free emails | 100 free emails | Unlimited free emails | Unlimited free emails |
| Uptime guarantee | 99.90% | 99.90% | 99.90% | 99.90% |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Customer support | Live chat, email and phone | Live chat, email and phone | Live chat, email and phone | Live chat, email and phone |
Start
The Start plan suits those with a single website and no plans for expansion. It offers free domain registration, 100GB SSD storage, and 10 email addresses. The Starter Website Builder enables easy website setup but is limited to two web pages.
Plus
With the Plus plan, you can host up to 10 websites. It includes website staging for planning before publishing and allows for 100 email addresses.
Pro
The Pro plan is suitable for hosting more than 10 websites, offering unlimited website hosting. It includes unlimited free migrations, unlimited SSD storage, and an advanced Website Builder capable of creating websites with up to 1,000 pages. There's an introductory offer at the same cost as the Plus plan for the first three years.
Ultra
The Ultra plan includes everything in the Pro plan, along with unlimited MySQL databases and eight times more CPU resources. It also comes with the Ultra Security Suite for three years, valued at $149 per year.
Additional features worth mentioning
All HostPapa plans include a complimentary 30-minute one-on-one training session to aid in setting up your website. This session covers topics such as website security, e-commerce store creation, website building, and any other issues you encounter during setup.
The company offers video tutorials on hosting, the website builder, and its various products to simplify the learning process. Additionally, HostPapa provides PapaCare+ for $49.95 per month, offering customized support for shared web hosting, including website security, performance, and email setup support.
HostPapa facilitates the domain transfer process when migrating to its services and guarantees no downtime for your website during the transfer.
Fine print
At the checkout, HostPapa offers various add-ons, which can increase the total cost. While all plans include a free SSL certificate, a paid SSL certificate with Organization Validation (OV) and Extended Validation (EV) starts at $24.95 per year ($39.99 per year upon renewal), and automated website backups cost $29.95 per year ($47.99 upon renewal).
Following the first year of free add-on services, the website builder renews at $167.88 per year, the Wildcard SSL at $139.99 per year, Website Protection Basic at $47.88 per year, and the Basic (1GB) plan at $47.99 per year. It's important to factor these costs into your budget if you rely on these services.
HostPapa alternatives and how they compare?
| HostPapa | GoDaddy | InterServer | TMDHosting | |
| Rating | 4.1 out of 5 stars | 3.7 out of 5 stars | 3.7 out of 5 stars | 3.7 out of 5 stars |
| Starting price | $2.95 per month | $5.99 per month | $2.50 per month | $2.99 per month |
| Contract length | Options include monthly, three-month, six-month, one-year, two-year, and three-year plans. | Options range from one month to three years. | One year | Options range from one month to three years. |
| Storage limit | 100GB SSD | 25GB | Unlimited | 50GB |
| Bandwidth limit | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Free domain name | Yes | Yes | No, the cost to register or transfer a domain name is $7.99. | Yes |
| Free SSL certificate | Yes | Yes, for one year | Yes | Yes |
| Business email | 10 free emails | Yes | Yes, unlimited | Yes, unlimited |
| Uptime guarantee | Yes, unlimited | Yes, unlimited | Yes, unlimited | Yes, unlimited |
| Money-back guarantee | 99.90% | 99.90% | 99.90% | 99.90% |
| Customer support | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 60 days |
HostPapa vs. GoDaddy
HostPapa has a rating of 4.1, while GoDaddy has a rating of 3.74 out of 5 stars. Despite being a larger and more well-known company, some business owners may prefer HostPapa due to its lower introductory rate of $2.95 per month compared to GoDaddy's $5.99 per month. HostPapa also offers a larger storage limit of 100GB SSD, whereas GoDaddy offers 25GB.
HostPapa vs. InterServer
Both companies offer similar introductory prices. The main difference is that InterServer charges a $7.99 fee for registering and transferring domain names, while HostPapa does this for free. HostPapa also received a higher rating of 4.1 compared to InterServer's 3.66 out of 5 stars.
HostPapa vs. TMDHosting
HostPapa and TMDHosting have almost identical introductory prices. TMDHosting, however, offers a 30-day money-back guarantee compared to HostPapa's 30 days. TMDHosting also provides unlimited business emails, whereas HostPapa's Start plan is limited to 10.
Our expert opinion
HostPapa is a highly rated web hosting service that offers impressive and affordable plans, despite being less well-known in the industry. Their standout feature is the one-on-one support and training, including 30-minute consultations for new customers. This level of customer service extends to on-demand responses from live agents. HostPapa also offers a range of add-ons for every subscription level, including a free domain name, business emails, and a user-friendly website builder to quickly launch your site.
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