Paying for web hosting has some definite advantages over using a free host: better support, better uptime and reliability, and less likely to disappear, taking your website with it.
Listed are the low-end plans from eight companies that come well recommended. If you currently use one of these companies (or have previously), please post a review in the comments. None of these hosts cost more than $10/month, though sometimes you may have to sign up and pay for a full year to get that price.
ICDsoft
Comments: This is the company I use, and I cannot say enough about how great their support is.
| Price | $72/year | Domain reg. | $5 w/sign-up $10/yr renewal |
| Transfer | 20 GB/Month | Storage | 1000 MB |
| MySQL | 10 Databases | Server Side | PERL, PHP5, PHP4, Python, Ruby and TCL; SSL, SSI |
| SMTP, POP3, IMAP, Webmail |
Access | Control panel, FTP | |
| Other | WAP support, pre-installed scripts | Support | 24/7 support 1 hour response guarantee |
Free Hostia
Comments: They offer an unlimited duration free trial plan so you can try before you buy.
| Price | $23.40/year | Domain reg. | $9.95 |
| Transfer | 10 GB/Month | Storage | 500 MB |
| MySQL | 2 Databases | Server Side | PERL, PHP; SSL, SSI |
| SMTP, POP3Webmail | Access | Control panel, FTP | |
| Other | Elefante script installer | Support | 24/7 support1 hour response time |
NearlyFreeSpeech.net
Comments: This company has a pay-for-what-you-use pricing model so they don’t have set monthly rates.
Data Transfers (Bandwidth):
$1.00 per gigabyte (reduced with more transfer).
Disk Space (Storage):
$0.01 per megabyte-month.
MySQL processes:
$0.01 base charge per day for the first ($0.02 per day for additional)
| Price | $12/year | Domain reg. | $8.95 |
| Transfer | 10 GB/Month | Storage | 5000 MB |
| MySQL | 2 Databases | Server Side | PERL, PHP4, PHP5; SSL, SSI |
| SMTP, POP3IMAP, Webmail | Access | Control panel, FTP | |
| Other | Shopping cart | Support | 24/7 support |
| Price | $59.40/yr | Domain reg. | Free |
| Transfer | 5000 GB/Month | Storage | 375 GB |
| MySQL | Unlimited Databases | Server Side | PERL 5, PHP4, PHP5, TCL, Python; SSL, SSI, Image Magick, Zend, cURL |
| SMTP, POP3Webmail | Access | Control panel, SSH, FTP | |
| Other | Site builder, Fantastico script installer, shopping carts, HTTP streaming | Support | 24/7 email and web support; 9-5 phone support |
Host Papa
Comments: Environmentally friendly hosting.
| Price | $95.40/1 yr plan (lower mo. price w/ multiple years) |
Domain reg. | Free |
| Transfer | Unlimited | Storage | Unlimited |
| MySQL | 100 Databases | Server Side | PERL, PHP 5; SSL, SSI |
| SMTP, POP3Webmail | Access | Control panel, FTP | |
| Other | Fantastico script installer, SoHoLaunch website builder and templates, streaming media | Support | Online, email, and phone. |
ThinkHost
Comments: Environmentally-friendly, socially conscious hosting company. (Domain registration is expensive, consider a 3rd party registrar.)
| Price | $7.95/mo | Domain reg. | $28.95/yr (3 months free with hosting plan) |
| Transfer | 1000 GB/Month | Storage | 100 GB |
| MySQL | Unlimited Databases | Server Side | PHP4, PHP5, Perl 5, Python, Ruby on Rails, and TCL; SSI |
| SMTP, POP3Webmail | Access | Control panel, SSH, FTP, and Telnet | |
| Other | Dedicated IP & SSL free with user’s own certificate; site builder and templates; plants a tree on your behalf. | Support | 24/7 online support24 hour response time100% uptime guarantee |
| Price | $9.95/mo for 1 year(lower mo. price w/ multiple years) | Domain reg. | Free |
| Transfer | 5 TB/Month (40 GB/mo increase) |
Storage | 500 GB (2 GB/mo increase) |
| MySQL | Unlimited Databases | Server Side | PHP4, PHP5, Ruby on Rails; SSI |
| SMTP, POP3Webmail | Access | Control panel, FTP, SSH, Telnet | |
| Other | Free WHOIS privacy w/ domain registration; streaming media; one-click software installation; easy integration with Google Apps for Domains. |
Support | 24/7 email and online support |
1 response so far ↓
Karl Rademacher // 24 April 2009 at 3:32 pm |
Take a look Directnic when you get a chance. From the look of things, they appear to be in the middle of the pack, with regard to cost and features