HostMonster Review: Web Hosting Pros and Cons

Looking for a hosting provider for your website? If you’re confused by all the options out there, you’re not alone. One name that pops up often is HostMonster. But is it worth your time and money? Let’s dig into the good, the bad, and the not-so-ugly of HostMonster.

TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read)

HostMonster is a solid choice for beginners who want a simple website setup. It offers good uptime and some decent features. But it’s not the fastest or the cheapest option out there. If you’re not too techy and want something easy to use, it’s worth considering.

What is HostMonster?

HostMonster is a web hosting company that’s been around since 1996. That’s a long time in internet years! They offer shared hosting, VPS, and dedicated servers. They’re owned by Endurance International Group, the same folks behind Bluehost and HostGator.

This means they have a lot of experience. But it also means they share features and policies with other EIG companies—both the good and the annoying.

Pros of Using HostMonster

Let’s start with the good stuff. HostMonster has a few strong points that are worth noting:

• Easy to Use: Their control panel is user-friendly. Great for beginners.
• Free Domain: You get one free domain name for the first year.
• One-Click Installs: Need WordPress or Joomla? It’s just one click away.
• Solid Uptime: HostMonster boasts an uptime of over 99.9%. That means your site is almost always online.
• 24/7 Support: Get help whenever you need via chat or phone.
• Unlimited Bandwidth: No one wants to hit a traffic cap. HostMonster gives you plenty of breathing room.

Cons of Using HostMonster

Of course, no hosting provider is perfect. Here’s where HostMonster could improve:

• Renewal Prices: Initial deals are great, but renewals can be pricey.
• Speed: Not the fastest host out there. Speed matters, especially for SEO.
• No Free Site Migrations: Some hosts do it for free. HostMonster doesn’t.
• Add-Ons Galore: Watch out during checkout. They try to sneak in extras.
• Limited Low-End Plans: Shared hosting is affordable, but power users may need more.

Performance and Uptime

Let’s talk speed and reliability. If your site is slow, visitors will bounce. If it’s down often, you’ll lose trust (and maybe income).

HostMonster performs well in terms of uptime. They regularly hit the 99.9% mark, which is industry standard. Speed isn’t quite as strong. You may notice slower load times during traffic peaks.

If speed is your top priority, you might want to look at more premium options like SiteGround or A2 Hosting.

Features Breakdown

Here’s a closer look at what you get with your HostMonster account:

• Free SSL Certificate: Keeps your site secure and helps with SEO.
• Email Accounts: Create your own domain-based emails like you@yourwebsite.com.
• Drag-and-Drop Builder: Build your site without coding.
• cPanel Access: The industry-standard control panel for managing your host.
• Marketing Credits: Some plans come with credits for Google Ads.

Overall, HostMonster gives you the basic tools you need to create a solid website. But if you’re looking for advanced features like staging environments or built-in caching, you may feel a bit limited.

Plans and Pricing

Like most web hosts, HostMonster offers introductory pricing. This means your first bill will be cheaper, and renewals will go up later.

• Basic Plan: Around $4.95/month – good for one website.
• Plus Plan: Roughly $6.95/month – lets you host multiple sites.
• Choice Plus: About $6.95/month but includes extra privacy and backups.

Be aware: to get the lowest prices, you’ll need to sign up for 36 months. Yep, three whole years.

If you cancel early, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee. But it only covers hosting fees—not your domain or extras.

Customer Support

Need help? HostMonster offers 24/7 support through live chat, phone, and their help center.

Most users report helpful agents, though there are occasional delays. We recommend using the live chat for quick fixes and simple questions.

Their online knowledge base is decent but a bit outdated. You’ll find guides, but some screenshots may no longer match the current interface.

Who Should Use HostMonster?

HostMonster is best for newbies who want to launch a simple site. Think blogs, small business pages, or portfolio sites.

It’s not ideal for large-scale eCommerce or enterprise-grade traffic. But for personal use or local businesses, it ticks a lot of boxes.

Alternatives to Consider

Not totally sold on HostMonster? Here are some popular alternatives:

• Bluehost: Similar features; slightly better speed and support.
• SiteGround: Faster and feature-rich, but a bit more expensive.
• DreamHost: Transparent pricing and great for WordPress.
• A2 Hosting: Known for blazing speed and pro-friendly tools.

Final Thoughts

HostMonster isn’t the flashiest host in town. But it’s steady and beginner-friendly. If you’re launching your first site and want something simple, it’s a decent starting point.

Just keep an eye on renewal prices and maybe bring your own speed-boosting tools (like caching plugins).

Happy hosting!