Thinking about Hostinger? I’ve hosted 12+ sites with them since 2019. Here’s my honest take—pros, cons, and how to unlock exclusive discounts using my referral links
Hostinger 101: A Quick Intro (And Why I Trust Them)
Let’s start with a confession: I used to hate web hosting. The clunky interfaces, hidden fees, and “customer support” that felt like talking to a brick wall drove me nuts. Then I found Hostinger in 2019—and it was like switching from a flip phone to an iPhone.
Fast-forward to 2024: I’ve built over 12 websites on Hostinger (including this blog!), migrated clients from Bluehost and GoDaddy, and saved hundreds with their discounts. But is it right for you?
In this no-BS guide, I’ll break down Hostinger’s strengths, weaknesses, and how to save up to 80% using my referral links (spoiler: they work!). Whether you’re launching a blog, e-commerce store, or portfolio, let’s find out if Hostinger deserves your cash.
Why Hostinger? 5 Features That Won Me Over
1. Pricing That Doesn’t Play Games
Hostinger’s transparency shocked me. Unlike rivals that lure you with “$2.95/month” then triple the price at renewal, Hostinger’s rates stay reasonable.
Example: Their Premium Shared Hosting plan starts at 2.99/month(renewsat2.99/month(renewsat6.99). Compare that to Bluehost’s “2.95”planthatjumpsto∗∗2.95″planthatjumpsto∗∗11.99/month** after Year 1.
Pro Tip: Use my Hostinger referral link to lock in 10% extra off their advertised prices.
2. Speed That’s Actually Noticeable
I ran a test on my niche site:
- Hostinger: 450ms load time (with their free LiteSpeed cache).
- My Old Host: 1.9 seconds.
Faster sites rank higher on Google—and Hostinger’s built-in caching and optimized servers deliver.
3. hPanel: The Dashboard That Doesn’t Suck
cPanel (used by most hosts) feels like a 2005 relic. Hostinger’s hPanel is clean, intuitive, and lets you:
- Install WordPress in 1 click.
- Manage DNS, emails, and backups without a PhD.
- Access free SSL certificates (no upsells!).
4. Customer Support That (Mostly) Gets It
I’ve chatted with Hostinger’s support 20+ times. The verdict?
- 24/7 Live Chat: Replies in <3 minutes.
- Actual Fixes: They solve issues instead of copy-pasting scripts.
- Annoyances: Occasional language barriers, but patience pays off.
5. Free Perks You’ll Actually Use
- Free Domain: Get a .com, .net, or .xyz for 1 year.
- Free Email: Set up professional@yourdomain.com in minutes.
- Free CDN: Boost global site speed at no cost.
The Not-So-Glamorous Side (My Honest Complaints)
1. No Phone Support
If you’re the “call me now” type, Hostinger’s live-chat-only model might frustrate you.
2. Limited U.S. Servers
Most data centers are in Europe/Asia. U.S. users can pick Lithuania or Singapore—good, but not ideal for hyper-local SEO.
3. Backups Cost Extra
Daily backups are $1.99/month. Annoying, but I use UpdraftPlus (free) instead.
How to Save Big on Hostinger (Referral Hacks!)
Hostinger’s deals are already great, but my referral links stack discounts. Here’s how:
- Use This Link: Hostinger Exclusive Discount.
- Pick Your Plan: Shared, Cloud, or WordPress hosting.
- Apply Code “https://hostinger.in?REFERRALCODE=ERVSHAQUILGK” at checkout for an extra 10% off.
Why This Works:
- You save up to 80% vs. non-referral users.
- I earn credits (which I reinvest into detailed hosting tutorials for my readers!).
Note: Prices auto-convert to your local currency. No VPN tricks needed.
My Hostinger Setup: A Peek Behind the Scenes
Here’s how I optimize Hostinger for my sites:
- Site 1 (Blog): Premium Shared Hosting + free Cloudflare CDN. Loads in 0.8s.
- Site 2 (E-commerce): Cloud Hosting + WooCommerce pre-install. Handles 10k monthly visitors.
- Site 3 (Client Project): WordPress Starter plan with Elementor. Built in 3 hours.
Pro Tip: Always enable “LiteSpeed Cache” in hPanel. It’s a free speed booster.
Hostinger vs. The Competition (Spoiler: It’s Not Close)
| Feature | Hostinger | Bluehost | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $1.99/month | $2.95/month | $2.99/month |
| Renewal Price | $3.99/month | $11.99/month | $14.99/month |
| Free Domain | ✅ 1 year | ✅ 1 year | ❌ |
| Support | 24/7 Live Chat | 24/7 Phone/Chat | 24/7 Chat/Phone |
| My Pick | 🏆 Best Value | ❌ Overpriced | 💸 Speed at a Cost |
FAQs: Your Hostinger Questions Answered
Q: Is Hostinger good for beginners?
A: Yes! hPanel is intuitive, and their 30-day refund policy is no-questions-asked.
Q: Can I migrate my existing site?
A: Hostinger offers free migration on most plans. I’ve done this 4x—it takes <24 hours.
Q: What if I hate it?
A: Their 30-day money-back guarantee works. I tested it—got refunded in 3 days.
Q: Are your referral links safe?
A: 100%. They’re official Hostinger affiliate links (I’m a approved partner).
Final Verdict: Why I Still Recommend Hostinger in 2024
Hostinger isn’t perfect, but it’s the best bang-for-buck host I’ve used since 2019. For bloggers, small businesses, and anyone tired of overpaying for hosting, it’s a no-brainer.
👉Use My Referral Link to Save Extra: https://hostinger.in?REFERRALCODE=ERVSHAQUILGK
👈
Coupon Code: ERVSHAQUILGK
Why Trust This Review?
- 5 Years of Hands-On Use: I’ve tested every feature, support channel, and plan.
- No BS Bias: I pay for my Hostinger plans (they don’t comp me).
- Transparency: I earn commissions if you use my links—at no extra cost to you.
Updated July 2024 | Hostinger’s latest features: PHP 8.3 support, improved hPanel UI.
Your Turn
Tried Hostinger? Have questions? Drop a comment below—let’s chat hosting! 🚀