Shared hosting is the most common type of web hosting available and usually the cheapest. Shared hosting gets its name from having all websites – yours and otherwise – on a given server share the same resources, like storage space and bandwidth. Despite the resources being shared, other customers on the same server do not have access to your account or sites. Check out the most popular and cheapest hosts offering shared hosting plans below.
Basic Plan by Bluehost
Disk Space: 50 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: 1
Email Accounts: 5
Operating System: Linux
Plus Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $5.95Regular Price: $10.99
Choice Plus Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $5.95Regular Price: $14.99
Hatchling Plan by HostGator
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: 1
Email Accounts: Unlimited
Operating System: Linux
Baby Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $3.95Regular Price: $9.95
Business Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $5.95Regular Price: $14.85
Ecosite Starter Plan by GreenGeeks
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: Unlimited
Email Accounts: Unlimited
Operating System: Linux
Ecosite Pro Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $6.95Regular Price: $14.95
Ecosite Premium Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $16.95Regular Price: $24.95
Lite Plan by A2 Hosting
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: 1
Email Accounts: Unlimited
Operating System: Linux
Swift Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $3.70Regular Price: $9.99
Swift Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $5.88Regular Price: $11.99
Basic Plan by Just Host
Disk Space: 50 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: 1
Email Accounts: 5
Operating System: Linux
Prime Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $6.95Regular Price: $14.99
Original Plan by FatCow
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: Unlimited
Email Accounts: Unlimited
Operating System: Linux
Starter Plan by One.com
Disk Space: 25 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: 1
Email Accounts: Unlimited
Operating System: Linux
Professional Plus Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: 200 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $3.49Regular Price: $6.99
Essential Hosting Plan by HostNoc
Disk Space: 2 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: 5
Email Accounts: 25
Operating System: Linux
Essential Hosting Plan
Websites: 5
Disk Space: 100 MB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $3.36Regular Price: $5.60
Pro Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $3.95Regular Price: $11.95
Simple Plan by PowWeb
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: Unlimited
Email Accounts: Unlimited
Operating System: Linux
Power Plan by WebHostingPad
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: Unlimited
Email Accounts: Unlimited
Operating System: Linux
Starter Plan by DreamHost
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: 1
Email Accounts: Contact provider
Operating System: Linux
Unlimited Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $7.95Regular Price: $10.95
Personal Plan by AccuWeb Hosting
Disk Space: 10 GB
Bandwidth: 500 GB
Websites: Unlimited
Email Accounts: 150
Operating System: Linux
Small Business Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: 30 GB
Bandwidth: 750 GB
Promo Price: $5.09Regular Price: $5.99
Basic Plan by Hostwinds
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: 1
Email Accounts: Unlimited
Operating System: Linux
Advanced Plan
Websites: 4
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $4.23Regular Price: $8.99
Ultimate Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $5.17Regular Price: $10.99
Business Basic Plan
Websites: 1
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $5.64Regular Price: $11.99
Standard Plan by InterServer
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: Unlimited
Email Accounts: Unlimited
Operating System: Linux
Standard Plan
Websites: 25
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $4.00Regular Price: $5.00
StartUp Plan by SiteGround
Disk Space: 10 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: 1
Email Accounts: Unlimited
Operating System: Linux
GrowBig Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: 20 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $5.95Regular Price: $19.95
GoGeek Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: 30 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $11.95Regular Price: $34.95
C10 Plan by TurnKey Internet
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: Unlimited
Email Accounts: Unlimited
Operating System: Linux
Unlimited Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $4.99Regular Price: $19.99
Professional Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: 20 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $7.99Regular Price: $15.99
Business Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: 50 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $14.99Regular Price: $29.99
Pathfinder Plan by Rebel.com
Disk Space: 1 GB
Bandwidth: 5 GB
Websites: Contact provider
Email Accounts: 10
Operating System: Linux
Adventurer Plan
Websites: Contact provider
Disk Space: 5 GB
Bandwidth: 15 GB
Promo Price: $1.50Regular Price: $4.99
Globetrotter Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: 10 GB
Bandwidth: 25 GB
Promo Price: $1.50Regular Price: $4.99
cPanel Plan
Websites: 5
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $2.00Regular Price: $11.00
Economy Plan by GoDaddy
Disk Space: 100 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: 1
Email Accounts: Contact provider
Operating System: Linux
Starter Plan by HostPapa
Disk Space: 100 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: 2
Email Accounts: 100
Operating System: Linux
Business Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $5.95Regular Price: $12.99
Business Pro Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $12.95Regular Price: $19.99
Personal Plan by Media Temple
Disk Space: 20 GB
Bandwidth: 1 TB
Websites: 100
Email Accounts: Contact provider
Operating System: Linux
Standard Plan by Easyspace
Disk Space: 10 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: Contact provider
Email Accounts: 25
Operating System: Either
Note: Prices for this host are based on exchange rates that are subject to change without notice.
Premium Plan
Websites: Contact provider
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $7.81Regular Price: $10.42
Basic Plan by eUKHost
Disk Space: 2 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: Contact provider
Email Accounts: Unlimited
Operating System: Linux
Note: Prices for this host are based on exchange rates that are subject to change without notice.
Intermediate Plan
Websites: Contact provider
Disk Space: 10 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Today’s Price: $6.33
Basic Plan by FastDomain
Disk Space: 50 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: 1
Email Accounts: 5
Operating System: Linux
Pro Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $19.99Regular Price: $27.99
Basic Plan by HostMonster
Disk Space: 50 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: 1
Email Accounts: 5
Operating System: Linux
Prime Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $6.95Regular Price: $14.99
Plus Plan by Netfirms
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: Contact provider
Email Accounts: Contact provider
Operating System: Linux
Personal Plan by WireNine
Disk Space: 5 GB
Bandwidth: 50 GB
Websites: Unlimited
Email Accounts: Unlimited
Operating System: Linux
Startup Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: 10 GB
Bandwidth: 100 GB
Promo Price: $25.00Regular Price: $30.00
Small Business Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: 20 GB
Bandwidth: 200 GB
Promo Price: $45.00Regular Price: $50.00
Large Business Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: 50 GB
Bandwidth: 500 GB
Promo Price: $95.00Regular Price: $100.00
Medium Plan by Contabo
Disk Space: 50 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: 11
Email Accounts: 1000
Operating System: Linux
Note: Prices for this host are based on exchange rates that are subject to change without notice.
Starter Pro Plan by Heart Internet
Disk Space: 10 GB
Bandwidth: 50 GB
Websites: 1
Email Accounts: 1000
Operating System: Linux
Note: Prices for this host are based on exchange rates that are subject to change without notice.
Starter Plan by Webhosting UK
Disk Space: 5 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: 2
Email Accounts: Unlimited
Operating System: Linux
Note: Prices for this host are based on exchange rates that are subject to change without notice.
Stellar Plan by Namecheap
Disk Space: 20 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: 3
Email Accounts: 30
Operating System: Linux
Stellar Plus Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $2.20Regular Price: $4.41
Stellar Business Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: 50 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $4.12Regular Price: $8.24
Single Plan by Hostinger
Disk Space: 10 GB
Bandwidth: 100 GB
Websites: 1
Email Accounts: 1
Operating System: Linux
Premium Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: 20 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $2.15Regular Price: $11.95
Business Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: 30 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $3.45Regular Price: $15.95
Basic Plan by Domain.com
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: 1
Email Accounts: Unlimited
Operating System: Linux
Essentials Plan by 123 Reg
Disk Space: 10 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: 1
Email Accounts: 1
Operating System: Linux
Note: Prices for this host are based on exchange rates that are subject to change without notice.
Business Plan
Websites: 5
Disk Space: 100 GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $6.93Regular Price: $10.09
Unlimited Plan
Websites: 10
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $11.35Regular Price: $16.40
Premium+ Plan
Websites: Unlimited
Disk Space: Unlimited
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Promo Price: $18.92Regular Price: $25.24
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All web hosting types function in similar fashion since the basics of storage space, bandwidth, and domains applies to all servers and hosting accounts. The biggest difference between shared plans and others, like dedicated or VPS hosting, is primarily how servers are configured and supplied.
Shared hosting is the only type of web hosting where the resources allocated to your site are dynamic and not dedicated; a feature that has both advantages and disadvantages. While there are shared hosting plans with resource caps, the universal server resources, like bandwidth, connect speeds, and processing power, are used amongst all accounts and sites on that server.
Shared hosting can exist on a cloud server; in this case, all accounts share the resources of the server network instead of a single machine. While shared hosting has a reputation for being unreliable at times, on a cloud server, performance and reliability typically see significant boost.
Most sites will tell you the obvious advantage of shared hosting is its price: while other types of hosting commonly cost well over $10 a month (and in many cases much, much more), shared plans frequently come in under that threshold. Finding a shared hosting plan for just $5 a month shouldn’t come as a surprise!
The advantages for shared hosting don’t stop there though. Shared hosting is exclusively managed hosting, meaning that your web hosting provider will take care of updates, security, and configuration for anything at the server level. In some cases, web hosts will also help with basic tasks involved in setting up your site. Shared hosting server also overwhelmingly run on Linux – the most widely-used server OS by a significant margin. If you find yourself in need of better hosting – or an entirely new host – the migration process should go relatively easy.
With great power comes a great temptation to abuse it! Shared hosting is likely the most susceptible type of hosting to how a web host manages their servers. Shared hosting is frequently the cheapest type because providers can continue to add accounts and hard drives to machines in order to add room for customers without increasing the speed or processing power of the machine. This results in worse performance for all sites on the server.
Many hosts with shared plans are completely responsible with their management and respect for their customers. Unfortunately, there’s no metric, hardware, or silver bullet for identifying how a host will manage accounts. In this case, it’s best to contact the web host and speak to their customer service or read reviews from trusted sources.
Not all plans are created equally, and shared hosting is no exception. Here are things you should consider when looking at shared plans for your site:
- Many shared hosting plans offer unlimited bandwidth, storage, and domains. While this is sometimes a double-edged sword, for small businesses or individuals just looking to have an online presence, this can offer great value for your dollar.
- Consider both the promotional and regular prices. The promotional price generally lasts the first pay cycle which could range from a month all the way to a year. The regular price will give you a better idea of what the long-term cost of your will be.
- Read reviews from trusted sources before you purchase a plan. Shared hosting is incredibly susceptible to host a web host manages their servers. Looking at their reviews and contacting their customer support can give you a good idea of how they treat their customers.
- There usually is no commitment to stick with the same host. I have yet to find a host that charges a penalty for leaving them before your current hosting plan expires. In fact, many hosting providers offer 30-day money back guarantees when you sign up with them. That said, if you opt in for annual pay cycles, your money will not be prorated and refunded should you decide to leave part way through.
- Most shared hosting is on Linux OS, making the move to other hosts and hosting types easy in most cases.
