What hosting really costs
The sticker price is a teaser. This adds up the honest total — year one at the intro rate, every year after at the real renewal rate, where the jump can hit +380%. Pick a term, and enter your current bill to see what you'd save.
| Provider | Intro /mo | Renewal /mo | Renewal jump | 3-year total | You'd save |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 NamecheapStellar | $2.28 | $5.88 | +158% | $168.48 | |
 ScalaHostingMini | $2.95 | $5.95 | +102% | $178.20 | |
 VerpexBronze | $2.50 | $6.99 | +180% | $197.76 | |
 InterServerStandard | $2.50 | $7.00 | +180% | $198.00 | |
 HostingerPremium Web Hosting | $2.99 | $7.99 | +167% | $227.64 | |
 IONOSEssential | $4.00 | $8.00 | +100% | $240.00 | |
 FastCometFastCloud | $2.49 | $9.95 | +300% | $268.68 | |
 HostArmadaStart Dock | $2.49 | $9.99 | +301% | $269.64 | |
 DreamHostWeb Hosting Launch | $2.89 | $10.99 | +280% | $298.44 | |
 ChemiCloudStarter | $2.49 | $11.95 | +380% | $316.68 | |
 GreenGeeksLite | $2.95 | $13.95 | +373% | $370.20 | |
 InMotion HostingLaunch | $4.99 | $13.99 | +180% | $395.64 | |
 TMDHostingStarter | $9.52 | $11.90 | +25% | $399.84 |
Year 1 at the intro rate, later years at the verified renewal rate. Real plan data — providers without a verified renewal price aren't shown.
Why the advertised price is the wrong number
Hosting is sold on the first-year price and paid for on the renewal price. The teaser gets the headline; the renewal — often two to four times higher — is what actually hits your card from year two onward. Almost nobody multiplies it out before buying.
This calculator does the multiplication for you: year one at the verified intro rate, every following year at the verified renewal rate. Providers that don't publish a renewal price we can verify simply aren't listed — no estimates, no gaps quietly filled in.
How to read the table
- Switch between 1, 2 and 3-year totals — short-term winners and long-term winners are rarely the same host.
- The 'renewal jump' column is the tell: a big percentage means the intro price is bait, not a discount.
- Enter what you pay now to see the real savings of switching, computed against the full term — not just against a first-year teaser you'd lose in twelve months.
Cost & renewal FAQ
Why is the 3-year cost higher than the advertised price?
Because the teaser price only lasts the first term. Year one is the intro rate; every year after renews at the standard rate — often 2–3× higher. This calculator adds up what you actually pay over the whole period.
Where do these numbers come from?
Real plan data in our catalog — the intro price and the verified renewal price for each provider's entry plan. No estimates; if we don't have a verified renewal rate, the provider isn't listed here.
How do I cut the renewal trap?
Lock in the longest term at the intro rate, set a renewal reminder, and compare the renewal column — not the teaser — when you buy. A host with a higher intro but a flat renewal often wins over three years.