Quick answer: The cheapest hosting is the plan with the lowest total over the time you will actually keep it, not the lowest promo price. Promo prices usually need a 12 to 48 month prepay and then renew at 2 to 6 times the price. Compare 3-year totals in the matrix or calculator below.
PillarBest cheap web hostingRanked by real costGuideHosting renewal pricesWhat each host renews atGuideCheap hosting: what to checkHidden limits and add-onsGuideCheap VPS for beginnersVPS under $12HostNamecheapSmallest renewal jump in our budget setComparisonNamecheap vs HostingerTwo budget picks, 3-year costComparisonDreamHost vs BluehostBeginner hosts comparedHostInMotion Hosting36-month promo covers 3 yearsToolTrue-cost calculator1 to 5-year totals with renewalsDataComparison matrixEvery plan, one table
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest reliable web hosting?
In our dataset (checked 21 Oct 2026), Hostinger Premium has the lowest 3-year total among the big shared hosts because its promo term runs 48 months. Use the calculator to compare other periods.
Prices are published list prices from official provider pages, last checked 21 Oct 2026. They are not GetBestHost lab benchmarks. Some links are affiliate links (marked "sponsored"); they never change our rankings. See the affiliate disclosure and methodology.