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Bluehost Pricing at a Glance
Bluehost is one of the most popular web hosting providers, officially recommended by WordPress.org. Known for beginner-friendly features and low introductory prices, Bluehost is a common choice for new website owners. However, the real costs extend beyond the promotional headline prices.
| Plan | Intro Price | Renewal Price | Websites | Storage | Free Domain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $2.95/mo | $11.99/mo | 1 | 10 GB SSD | Yes (1 year) |
| Choice Plus | $5.45/mo | $19.99/mo | Unlimited | 40 GB SSD | Yes (1 year) |
| Online Store | $9.95/mo | $26.99/mo | Unlimited | 40 GB SSD | Yes (1 year) |
| Pro | $13.95/mo | $28.99/mo | Unlimited | 100 GB SSD | Yes (1 year) |
Note: Introductory prices require a 12 or 36-month commitment. Renewal rates are 2-3x higher. Free domain included for the first year only. Verify pricing on Bluehost.com.
Bluehost Plans Explained
Basic ($2.95/mo intro)
Bluehost’s entry-level plan supports one website on 10 GB SSD storage. It includes a free domain for one year, free SSL certificate, and a free CDN. The plan offers 1 email account with 100 MB storage. Best suited for personal blogs or simple portfolio sites with modest traffic.
Choice Plus ($5.45/mo intro)
The most popular plan upgrades to unlimited websites, 40 GB SSD storage, unlimited email accounts, and includes CodeGuard Basic for automated daily backups. The Choice Plus plan also adds domain privacy protection (free for the first year). This plan hits the sweet spot for most small business websites and growing blogs.
Online Store ($9.95/mo intro)
Optimized for ecommerce, this plan includes everything in Choice Plus plus WooCommerce pre-installed, product listing capabilities, payment processing integration, and ecommerce-specific features. Best for users who plan to sell products or services directly through their website.
Pro ($13.95/mo intro)
The premium plan provides 100 GB SSD storage, high-performance server resources, a dedicated IP address, and domain privacy. Designed for high-traffic sites, larger ecommerce stores, and users who need maximum reliability and speed from shared hosting.
Hidden Costs & Fees
- Renewal rates 2-3x higher: Basic renews at $11.99/mo (up from $2.95), Choice Plus at $19.99/mo (up from $5.45). This is the most significant hidden cost and applies after your initial term.
- Pre-checked add-ons at checkout: Bluehost’s checkout process includes pre-selected paid add-ons like SiteLock security ($2.99/mo), CodeGuard backups ($2.99/mo), and SEO tools ($1.99/mo). Uncheck these to avoid unexpected charges.
- Domain renewal: The free domain included in your first year renews at approximately $18.99/year. Domain privacy (free the first year on Choice Plus) renews at around $15/year.
- No free migrations: Unlike SiteGround, Bluehost charges $149.99 for professional site migration. However, free migration plugins are available for DIY transfers.
- Backup costs: Automatic backups (CodeGuard) are only included with Choice Plus and above. Basic plan users need to pay $2.99/mo extra or use free plugins.
- Email limitations: The Basic plan includes only 1 email account with 100 MB storage. Professional email may require upgrading to Choice Plus or using a third-party email provider.
How to Save on Bluehost
- Choose the 36-month term: The lowest monthly prices require a 36-month commitment. While this means a larger upfront payment, it locks in the introductory rate for three years.
- Uncheck all add-ons: During checkout, carefully review and uncheck pre-selected add-ons. You can always add services later if needed, and many have free alternatives.
- Use free backup plugins: Instead of paying for CodeGuard, use free WordPress backup plugins like UpdraftPlus to save $2.99/month on the Basic plan.
- Seasonal promotions: Bluehost offers deeper discounts during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and WordPress anniversary events.
- Negotiate renewal rates: Before your plan renews, contact Bluehost support and ask about renewal discounts. Many users report receiving reduced renewal pricing by requesting it.
- Register your domain elsewhere: While the first year domain is free, consider registering with a cheaper registrar (Namecheap, Cloudflare) to avoid Bluehost’s higher renewal rates.
Is Bluehost Worth the Price?
At introductory pricing with a 36-month commitment, Bluehost offers one of the lowest entry points in web hosting. The inclusion of a free domain, SSL, and CDN makes it a genuinely low-cost way to launch a website. The WordPress.org recommendation adds credibility for WordPress-focused users.
However, Bluehost faces criticism in several areas. Performance benchmarks show it trailing behind SiteGround and Cloudways in speed and uptime. The aggressive upselling during checkout frustrates many users. And at renewal prices ($11.99-$28.99/mo), cheaper alternatives with better performance become available.
Bluehost’s strongest value is as a beginner-friendly entry point. The onboarding experience, integrated WordPress setup, and extensive knowledge base make it easy for first-time site owners to get started. For users who outgrow Bluehost, migrating to a more performant host is a common and well-documented path.
Our verdict: Bluehost is a solid choice for beginners launching their first website, especially on the Choice Plus plan with a 36-month commitment. Advanced users and high-traffic sites should consider alternatives.
Bluehost Free Trial & Refund Policy
- Free trial: Bluehost does not offer a free trial period.
- 30-day refund: Full refund of hosting fees within 30 days of purchase. Domain registration fees are non-refundable (approximately $15.99 deducted from your refund if you used the free domain).
- Prorated refunds: After 30 days, Bluehost does not provide prorated refunds for unused hosting time.
- Add-on refunds: Separately purchased add-ons (SiteLock, CodeGuard, etc.) have their own refund terms, typically within the first 30 days.
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FAQ
Is Bluehost really $2.95/month?
The $2.95/month price requires a 36-month commitment (approximately $106.20 upfront). On shorter terms, the monthly price is higher. Additionally, renewal rates jump to $11.99/month after your initial term, so the long-term cost is significantly higher than the introductory rate suggests.
Does Bluehost include backups?
Only the Choice Plus, Online Store, and Pro plans include CodeGuard automatic backups. The Basic plan does not include automated backups. We strongly recommend using a free backup plugin (like UpdraftPlus) if on the Basic plan, as Bluehost’s built-in backup system is not a reliable substitute for dedicated backup solutions.
Should I choose Bluehost or SiteGround?
For beginners prioritizing the lowest possible entry cost and a free domain, Bluehost is the better choice. For users who prioritize speed, support quality, and WordPress-specific features, SiteGround is generally superior. At renewal prices, SiteGround ($17.99-$39.99/mo) is more expensive than Bluehost ($11.99-$28.99/mo), but benchmarks consistently show better performance.
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Start your website today. Get Bluehost with a free domain and SSL starting at $2.95/month.
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