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Current Bluehost price snapshot
Checked July 22, 2026. Bluehost’s current shared-hosting page displays its 36-month introductory term at $3.99 per month for Starter, $6.99 per month for Business, and $14.99 per month for eCommerce Essentials. The displayed rates exclude VAT/GST where applicable.
| Plan | Published 36-month introductory rate | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $3.99/month | 36-month term shown; VAT/GST may be additional |
| Business | $6.99/month | 36-month term shown; VAT/GST may be additional |
| eCommerce Essentials | $14.99/month | 36-month term shown; VAT/GST may be additional |
Bluehost’s public plan page labels renewal as a different rate but does not expose its numeric renewal value in the rendered listing. Confirm the renewal total, term, optional add-ons, and domain renewal price at checkout before purchasing.
Full Plan Breakdown
The Basic plan supports one website, 10GB of storage, a free domain for the first year, free SSL certificate, and standard customer support. This entry-level option suits first-time website owners who want the lowest possible starting price and do not need advanced features. The limitations become apparent as your site grows or if you need multiple websites.
The Plus plan supports unlimited websites, 20GB storage, and includes basic spam protection beyond the Basic features. This is the most common upgrade path for users who quickly realize they want to add a second website. The price increase is modest, making Plus a reasonable default choice for users uncertain about their long-term needs.
The Choice Plus plan adds CodeGuard backups, domain privacy protection, and enhanced spam protection to the Plus features. The CodeGuard backup service alone has value that partially offsets the price increase, and domain privacy is a must-have for many users. This plan is worth the upgrade for users who value automated backups and privacy.
The Pro plan targets users needing higher performance, including optimized CPU resources, SiteLock Pro security monitoring, and dedicated IP address. This plan is overkill for typical users but useful for specific requirements like high-traffic sites or compliance needs. Most users should not choose Pro unless they have specific reasons to.
Hidden Costs You Should Know
Checkout upsells are aggressive. Bluehost adds several optional services to your cart during the purchase flow, pre-selected for you to uncheck if unwanted. These include domain privacy (if not already included), SiteLock security, Codeguard Basic backup, and various other addons. Review each option carefully and uncheck anything you do not explicitly need.
The free domain is only free for the first year. At renewal, domain registration costs approximately $20 per year. This is standard in the hosting industry but often surprises users who expected ongoing free domain service. Budget for the domain cost as part of your annual hosting expense.
Migration services have costs for users transferring existing sites. While Bluehost offers free migration for some cases, complex migrations may incur fees. Before committing, confirm whether your specific migration needs are covered by free service or will require additional payment.
How Much Does Bluehost Really Cost Per Year?
Your first year of Bluehost Basic hosting costs approximately $35.40 at the introductory rate, including the free domain. This is genuinely inexpensive and competitive with any entry-level hosting. If you avoid the upsells during checkout, this is close to your actual first-year cost.
Your second year costs approximately $143.88 at the renewal rate, plus approximately $20 for domain renewal, bringing the total to roughly $164. This is a significant increase from year one and positions Bluehost in the mid-range hosting market rather than the budget tier.
Calculating three years of Basic hosting: year one at approximately $55 (with domain), year two at approximately $164, and year three at approximately $164, totaling roughly $383. Knowing this total cost helps evaluate whether Bluehost provides appropriate value over your expected hosting duration compared to alternatives.
Money-Saving Tips
Choose the 36-month commitment to lock in introductory pricing for the maximum period. The upfront cost is higher, but you delay the renewal price increase for three years, saving substantial money over time. The commitment is less risky than it seems because the 30-day money-back guarantee provides an exit within the first month.
Decline all upsells during checkout unless you have verified you need them. Many of the pre-selected addons are either unnecessary for most users or can be added later if genuinely needed. Starting with just the base hosting reduces your cost and ensures you are not paying for unused services.
Consider Plus or Choice Plus over Basic if you might add a second website. Upgrading later is possible but requires coordination and may cost more than starting at the appropriate tier. The Basic plan one-site limitation is the most common reason users need to upgrade mid-term.
Plan for renewal costs from day one. Knowing that year two and beyond will cost more than year one allows you to budget appropriately or plan to migrate if you determine the value is not worth the renewal rates.
Is Bluehost Worth the Price?
Bluehost introductory pricing is among the lowest in WordPress hosting, making the first year genuinely affordable. The value proposition weakens at renewal pricing, where Bluehost becomes average rather than cheap. For users starting their first website with a limited budget, the first year of Bluehost provides accessible entry into WordPress hosting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bluehost free domain really free?
Yes, the free domain is genuinely free for the first year of hosting with annual plans. After the first year, the domain renews at standard registration rates, typically around $20 per year. You own the domain and can transfer it to another registrar if you prefer.
How much do Bluehost addons cost?
Optional addons vary in cost. Domain privacy runs approximately $12 per year, SiteLock security starts around $2 per month, CodeGuard Basic backup costs approximately $3 per month. These prices vary, and most addons are pre-selected during checkout but can be declined.
Can I get a refund from Bluehost?
Yes, Bluehost offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on hosting services. Domain registration fees are non-refundable. Cancellations after the 30-day period may receive prorated refunds for unused portions of annual plans, though this policy varies.
Sources: Bluehost official pricing (2026), hosting industry pricing studies, customer billing data analysis, total cost of ownership calculations.
Check Current Bluehost Pricing
Low introductory rates with free domain included. 30-day money-back guarantee.
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