Comparing web hosting providers is an important step when creating a new website. As the foundation that your site is built on, choosing the right web host impacts everything from performance and security to your ability to scale in the future.

In this post, I’ll be comparing Hostinger and Bluehost—two of the most popular shared hosting providers—to help you determine which is the better option for your needs.

Hostinger and Bluehost have a lot in common at first glance. Both offer affordable shared hosting plans starting at around $2-3 per month. They also provide intuitive control panels, one-click installs for things like WordPress, and 24/7 customer support.

However, when you look closer, distinct differences start to emerge that set them apart. Key factors like uptime, speed, ease of use, features, security, and resources can vary widely between hosts, even in the budget space.

Understanding how these two popular hosts stack up in these areas will make it easier to decide on the right provider for your site.

My goal with this comprehensive Hostinger vs Bluehost comparison is to evaluate how these two hosts perform based on metrics like:

AdeotiDigital is supported by readers like yourself. I may earn an affiliate commission when you purchase through my links. Of course, this won’t increase the cost of your subscription.

By the end of this Hostinger versus Bluehost comparison, my main goal is to determine which host provides better value and is recommended for most website owners based on the criteria above. I’ll provide a final verdict declaring which host I feel wins this head-to-head battle.

To kick things off, let’s start by looking at each provider’s shared hosting pricing and plan options side by side.

Pricing and Plans

When it comes to pricing and plan options, both Hostinger and Bluehost offer affordable shared hosting starting at just a couple of dollars per month. Here’s an overview of their pricing structures:

Hostinger uses a straightforward tiered shared hosting plan system:

PlanPrice/MonthWebsites AllowedStorageBandwidthFree Domain
Premium$2.99100 site100GB SSDUnlimited1 Year
Business$3.99100200GB SSDUnlimited1 Year
Cloud$8.99300200GB SSDUnlimited1 Year

Bluehost, on the other hand, takes more of an à la carte model:

PlanPrice/MonthWebsites AllowedStorageBandwidthFree Domain
Basic$2.951 site10GB SSDUnmetered1 Year
Choice Plus$5.453 sites40GB SSDUnmetered1 Year
Online Store$9.953 sites40Gb SSDUnmetered1 Year
Pro$13.955 sites100GB SSDUnmetered1 Year

🏆 At a glance, Hostinger provides more generous allotments of storage, websites, and resources at each tier, making them a bit more transparent and value-focused overall.

Some key takeaways:

Winner (in Pricing)

Next, let’s compare some of the core features included in each of their plans.

Key Features

When selecting a web host, looking beyond just pricing to the actual features included is crucial. Hostinger and Bluehost provide robust feature sets overall, but there are some notable differences to compare.

Speed and Performance

A fast, responsive website should be the top priority for any site owner. Faster sites have been proven to increase conversions, lower bounce rates, and improve search engine visibility.

Let’s take an in-depth look at speed and performance-related features:

CDN

A content delivery network (CDN) essentially works to cache and distribute content from data centers around the world to speed up site loading times.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
CDNNot available for the basic planFree CDN

Having a CDN enabled by default gives Bluehost an advantage in page speed over Hostinger.

PHP Versions

PHP is the programming language used to run WordPress, Drupal, Magento, and other content management systems. Using a modern PHP version improves site performance.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
PHP 8.1YesNo
PHP 8.0NoYes
PHP 7.4YesYes
PHP 7.3YesYes
PHP 7.2NoYes
PHP 7.1NoYes
PHP 7.0NoYes

Both hosts offer sufficiently up-to-date PHP versions for optimal speeds.

Server-Side Caching

Caching stores static portions of your site to load pages faster on repeat visits.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Built-In CachingLSCache
Requires PluginYes

Out-of-the-box caching gives Hostinger a bit of advantage in speed.

Database Optimization

Optimized databases improve query performance.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
DatabaseMariaDBMySQL

By optimizing at the database level, Hostinger can better handle heavy traffic loads.

SSD Storage

SSD storage offers drastically faster read/write speeds than traditional HDDs.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
SSD Storage100GB10GB

The extensive use of SSD gives Hostinger a big leg up for site speed.

HTTP/2 Support

HTTP/2 is an optimized web protocol that allows for better use of network resources and parallel processing of content.

Luckily, both Hostinger and Bluehost have HTTP/2 enabled across their hosting services for faster page loads.

Security

With cyberattacks growing exponentially every year, having rock-solid security is non-negotiable:

SSL Certificates

An SSL certificate encrypts traffic to and from your site over HTTPS.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Free SSL

Web Application Firewall

A WAF monitors and filters incoming traffic to block exploits.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
WAF

Anti-Malware Scanning

Malware scans proactively check for any implanted infections or vulnerabilities.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Malware Scanning

DDoS Protection

A DDoS attack can inundate a server and crash a site by overloading it with fake traffic.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Basic DDoS Protection

Backups

Backups make it easy to restore your site if anything happens.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Free BackupsWeekly

The addition of free backups gives Hostinger a clear security advantage.

In terms of security protections, Hostinger appears to take a more comprehensive approach – especially with the free backups.

Built-in Tools

The inclusion of site builders, SEO software, and other tools can add tremendous value:

Website Builders

A drag-and-drop website builder makes creating a site visual and easy, especially for beginners.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Website BuilderZyroWeebly

Both website builders allow for easy visual site creation, with ample templates and customization options to choose from.

SEO Tools

On-page SEO helps boost organic search visibility and traffic.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Basic SEO Tools

The basic SEO tools are relatively similar between the two.

Marketing Offers

Advertising credits help new sites get traction and exposure:

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Advertising Credit$100 Free$200 Free

While nice to have, these types of credits depend on specific promotional offers.

E-commerce Support

If you are building online stores, you need e-commerce-tailored hosting. Here’s how the two hosts stack up:

When it comes to e-commerce, the hosts are on fairly even ground – with Bluehost having an edge for WooCommerce-specific use cases.

In summary, Hostinger and Bluehost provide quite robust feature sets. But core advantages for Hostinger include free CDN, SSD storage, and backups on all plans. Bluehost requires adding many features piecemeal for extra cost.

Winner (in features)

Ease Of Use

If you are managing a hosting account, having an intuitive, easy-to-use interface can make all the difference in productivity.

Let’s take a look at how Hostinger and Bluehost compare when it comes to usability and beginner-friendliness.

Control Panel

The control panel is the central dashboard to access and configure your hosting account.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Control PanelhPanelcPanel

For those without much technical expertise, hPanel is more accessible and intuitive to navigate. cPanel, on the other hand, provides more advanced configuration options but has a steep learning curve.

Initial Setup

The initial process when purchasing hosting can set the tone for usability.

Hostinger makes the first-time setup smooth and painless for beginners. Bluehost’s setup assumes some baseline technical knowledge.

Installing Applications

The ability to install CMS platforms and applications with a few clicks is crucial:

FeatureHostingerBluehost
One-Click InstallsWordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento, PrestaShop, etc.WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento, etc.
Deployment MethodsAuto Installer, Softaculous, ManualMojo Marketplace, Softaculous, Manual

No clear winner – both make deploying CMSs and apps simple. Manual upload is also available.

Domain Management

The ability to register, connect, and manage domains all in one place is convenient:

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Register New Domains
Transfer Existing Domains
Manage Domain Settings

Domain management is equally straightforward with both hosts.

Knowledge Base and Documentation

Access to support articles and documentation is important for self-help:

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Knowledge Base
Getting Started Guides
Video Tutorials

Help documentation is on par between the two hosts.

Overall, those with limited technical expertise are likely to find Hostinger’s interface a bit more beginner-friendly and intuitive. But Bluehost still offers simplicity for core hosting management tasks.

Performance and Reliability

Performance and reliability should be top priorities when evaluating a web host. You want confident assurance that your site will load quickly and be stable even during traffic surges. Here is how Hostinger and Bluehost compare key benchmarks for speed and uptime.

Page Load Speed

Faster page loads improve visitor experience and SEO.

MetricHostingerBluehost
Average Load Time632 ms762 ms

Time to First Byte

TTFB measures how quickly the server responds to a page request. Shorter times are better.

MetricHostingerBluehost
Average TTFB79 ms600 ms

Uptime

Uptime measures the percentage of time servers are responsive and sites stay online. Higher is better.

MetricHostingerBluehost
Uptime99.98%99.97%

Both meet the gold standard of 99.95%+ uptime requirements. But Hostinger edged out Bluehost in recent months.

Stress Testing

Stress tests measure performance under heavy workloads by simulating live traffic.

Hostinger demonstrates better performance in handling high-traffic surges based on evidence from third-party stress testing.

By benchmarks like speed, TTFB, and uptime, Hostinger appears to offer superior performance and reliability to Bluehost when examined side-by-side. This can translate into a better visitor experience and SEO results.

Winner (in speed)

Security

The security of the underlying server infrastructure is critical when evaluating a web host. You want assurance that your site is protected against threats like malware, hackers, and DDoS attacks.

Let’s quickly check out the key security protections offered by Hostinger and Bluehost.

SSL Certificates

An SSL certificate establishes an encrypted HTTPS connection.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Free SSL Certificate

Web Application Firewall

A WAF inspects traffic and blocks malicious requests.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
WAF Included

Anti-Malware Scans

Proactive malware scans prevent infections.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Automatic Malware Scanning

DDoS Protection

A DDoS attack aims to overwhelm and crash a site.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Basic DDoS Mitigation

Regular Backups

Backups facilitate easy site restores if needed.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Free Weekly Backups

Backups are a key advantage in Hostinger’s security offerings.

While both providers offer the core security basics, Hostinger seems to take a more privacy and protection-focused stance – especially with the inclusion of free weekly site backups on all plans.

For the utmost security, however, a managed WordPress hosting plan would be recommended to provide hardened servers and isolation. But between these two shared hosts, Hostinger appears stronger in security.

Winner (in security)

Customer Support

The quality and responsiveness of customer support can greatly impact the hosting experience.

Here is an overview of how Hostinger and Bluehost compare when it comes to getting assistance via live chat, phone, tickets, and other channels.

Live Chat

Live chat allows instant access to support agents.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Live Chat24/724/7
Average Wait Time2-3 minutes< 1 minute

Phone Support

Speaking directly to an agent can provide more in-depth troubleshooting.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Phone Support24/7

Support Tickets

Tickets allow tracking and documenting issues over time.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Email Ticketing
Response Time24 Hours24 Hours

Self-Help Resources

Extensive knowledge bases and docs allow self-troubleshooting.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Knowledge Base
Setup Guides
Video Tutorials

Forums

Community forums enable peer knowledge sharing.

FeatureHostingerBluehost
Community Forum

Both Hostinger and Bluehost offer quite a solid customer support resources overall – with Bluehost standing out for slightly faster live chat and phone channels. However, the knowledge and technical competency of Hostinger’s agents seems higher based on reviews.

Winner (Customer Support)

A Quick Recap

I have presented the necessary criteria to choose between Hostinger and Bluehost for your business. However, I’m a great fan of table data when it comes to comparison. So let’s see some of the great benefits of these two giants in a big table.

HostingerBluehost
⭐ Rating4.8 stars4.5 stars
💵 PriceStarting at $2.99 per monthStarting at $2.95 per month
✨ AI ToolsAvailableNone
📑 Uptime guarantee99.9%None
☁️ Storage space (from)100GB10GB
🌐 Free domain (first year)YesYes
🔒 Free SSL certificateYesYes (for the first year)
💾 Automated backupsFree, with options for weekly or daily backupsNot available
📧 Email accountsFree, with the capability to set up to 100 accountsFree, with support for up to 5 accounts
👨‍💻 24/7 live supportYesYes
💰 Money-back guarantee30-day30-day
➡️ Site migrationSupports WordPress, cPanel & WHM, and other control panel migrationsOffers free WordPress migration for 1 site or paid migration for up to 5 sites
Get Hostinger at 77% OFF!Get Bluehost at the Best Price Now

Conclusion and Recommendation

After this comprehensive feature-by-feature comparison, we can draw some clear conclusions on which provider – Hostinger or Bluehost – is better for web hosting in most cases.

Let’s take a second look at where each of them wins so that you can wisely decide on which one to go for.

Where Hostinger Wins:

Where Bluehost Wins:

My Take:

Looking at the detailed analysis above, Hostinger emerges as the clear preferable option for most standard shared hosting use cases thanks to unbeatable value, faster performance, and enhanced security provisions like free site-wide backups.

The free CDN, SSD storage and generous allotments make Hostinger a superior hosting environment for the money.

However, Bluehost could edge out Hostinger specifically for WooCommerce-focused sites wanting built-in staging, specialized managed WordPress solutions, and tighter platform integration.

Hostinger VS Bluehost – FAQ

For your satisfaction, I’ve compiled the most-asked questions concerning Hostinger VS Bluehost, and I’ve given you suitable answers.

Do I get a free domain name with Bluehost and Hostinger?

Both Bluehost and Hostinger offer complimentary domain names, subject to specific conditions. It’s worth noting that Hostinger’s basic plan does not include this feature. Additionally, while both providers’ shared hosting plans advertise a free domain name, this offer is valid for one year and is applicable to select top-level domains (TLDs).

Hostinger vs Bluehost for WordPress. Which one is better?

Bluehost takes the lead when it comes to WordPress hosting. This isn’t just myopinion; even WordPress.org recognizes it. Moreover, Bluehost offers an array of impressive managed WordPress plans, complete with a user-friendly WP interface that outshines Hostinger’s.

Do Hostinger and Bluehost allow their clients to choose a particular data center?

Bluehost’s server locations are exclusively within the United States, limiting your options. In contrast, Hostinger provides a broader selection of data center locations, spanning the United Kingdom, the United States, Brazil, the Netherlands, France, Singapore, Indonesia, and Lithuania.

Is Hostinger actually faster than Bluehost?

Yes, based on extensive third-party testing from Bitcatcha and other monitoring services, Hostinger consistently outperforms Bluehost when it comes to site speeds and server response times. The free content delivery network (CDN), SSD storage, and performance optimizations like LiteSpeed caching give Hostinger an edge.

Is Bluehost better for WordPress and WooCommerce?

Bluehost does offer more specialized managed WordPress and WooCommerce hosting solutions. The integrated staging, auto-updates, and tailored plans make Bluehost a smart choice for WP sites with higher demands. But Hostinger can still run WP and WooCommerce sites well – you may just need a compatible template.

Which one is more affordable long-term?

Initially, the pricing is similar. But Hostinger’s renewal rates stay low while Bluehost hikes prices sharply after the intro rates expire. So over the course of 2-3 years, Hostinger ends up being dramatically more affordable and provides more value for the money spent.

Which has better support?

While Bluehost advertises 24/7 phone support, in practice Hostinger generally provides more knowledgeable, honest support. Bluehost’s support tends to try to upsell unnecessary add-ons. Hostinger’s agents are transparent about capabilities and limits. Both offer 24/7 live chat and tickets.

Is Hostinger secure for running my site?

Absolutely. Hostinger offers premium security protections including free SSL certificates, DDoS protection, malware scanning, and free weekly backups on all plans. Few budget hosts can match that level of security provision. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Hostinger for securely running any website.