Namecheap web hosting review

When it comes to web hosting, Namecheap stands out for its budget-friendly hosting packages that offer real value for your money. In this review, we’ll delve into Namecheap’s hosting services, pricing, pros, and cons to help you make an informed decision.

Namecheap Hosting Deals

Namecheap offers a range of hosting packages to suit different needs. Here’s a quick overview of their offerings:

• Stellar: Starting at just $1.98/month, this shared hosting plan provides an excellent entry point for beginners or those with simple websites.
• Stellar Plus: Priced at $2.98/month, this plan offers more resources and flexibility, making it suitable for growing websites.
• Stellar Business: For $4.98/month, you get even more resources and features, making it ideal for business-critical projects.

Pros of Namecheap Hosting

Namecheap’s hosting services come with several advantages:

• Low Prices: Namecheap lives up to its name with competitive pricing that suits tight budgets.
• Quality Control Panel and Tools: The hosting plans come with cPanel and Softaculous, making website management a breeze.
• Excellent Support: Namecheap offers a robust support system and a helpful support site for troubleshooting and guidance.
• Data Centers: With data centers in the USA, UK, and the Netherlands, Namecheap caters to a global audience.
• Bitcoin Support: Namecheap supports Bitcoin payments for added convenience.
• Uptime Guarantee: They promise a 100% uptime guarantee for both shared and dedicated hosting plans.

Cons of Namecheap Hosting

While Namecheap has many advantages, there are some drawbacks to consider:

• SSL Fees: SSL certificates are free for the first year with shared plans, but they come at an additional cost thereafter.
• Managed WordPress Plans: Namecheap’s Managed WordPress plans may be underpowered for advanced users.
• Limited VPS Plans: Namecheap offers only three VPS plans, limiting user choice.
• Slightly Below Average Speeds: Shared hosting speeds are slightly below average.
• Additional Costs for Non-US Data Centers: Some plans require an extra $1 per month to use data centers outside the US.
• No Specialized Ecommerce Plans: Namecheap doesn’t offer specialized ecommerce hosting plans.

Types of Hosting Offered by Namecheap

Namecheap provides a variety of hosting options tailored to different needs:

• Shared Hosting: Ideal for beginners and simple websites, shared hosting plans are cost-effective and user-friendly.
• WordPress Hosting: Optimized for WordPress, these plans offer added features and speed for WordPress websites.
• VPS Hosting: Virtual Private Server hosting offers more performance and configurability, suitable for demanding websites.
• Dedicated Hosting: For maximum control and performance, dedicated hosting provides exclusive server resources.

Shared Hosting with Namecheap

Namecheap’s shared hosting plans offer affordability and reliability. Here’s a closer look at what you can expect:

• Affordable Starting Prices: Plans begin at just $1.88/month for the first term, making it accessible to beginners.
• Free Domain: All plans come with a free domain, making it easy to get started.
• Website Builder: A bundled website builder simplifies site creation.
• Unlimited Bandwidth: Enjoy unlimited bandwidth to accommodate website traffic.
• Softaculous: Softaculous simplifies the installation of WordPress and over 150 other applications.
• Multiple Websites: Even the cheapest plan supports hosting three websites.
• SSL Costs After First Year: Be aware that SSL certificates are free only for the first year, with an additional cost afterward.

WordPress Hosting with Namecheap

Namecheap’s EasyWP plans cater specifically to WordPress users. Here’s what they offer:

• Faster Speeds: EasyWP plans are optimized for WordPress, delivering faster performance compared to regular shared hosting.
• Affordable Options: Plans start at $2.08/month for the first term, making it a cost-effective choice.
• Free CDN: Included for improved website performance.
• SSL Included: SSL certificates are included for the duration of the plan.
• Variety of Plans: Choose from multiple plans based on your needs and budget.
• Monthly Billing Option: You can start with EasyWP Starter, which offers the first month for free and then charges just $4.88/month.

While EasyWP plans are suitable for simple WordPress websites, they may not offer all the features needed for advanced users.

VPS Hosting with Namecheap

Namecheap’s VPS hosting provides more power and configurability. Here’s what you need to know:

• Faster and More Configurable: VPS hosting is faster and offers greater customization compared to shared hosting.
• Affordable Starting Price: Plans begin at $6.88/month for an unmanaged system.
• Managed Option Available: Managed VPS is also available for easier management but at a higher cost.
• Limited Configuration Options: Namecheap’s VPS plans are limited in terms of configurability compared to some competitors.
• Limited Data Centers: Servers are available only in the Arizona data center, limiting location options.

If you’re on a budget, consider exploring IONOS’ basic VPS plans, which start at $2/month. For more power, InMotion Hosting offers WordPress products for VPS and dedicated servers.

Dedicated Hosting with Namecheap

Dedicated hosting with Namecheap provides exclusive server resources for your website. Here’s what you can expect:

• Wide Range of Options: Namecheap offers a variety of dedicated server deals, catering to different needs and budgets.
• No Shared Resources: With dedicated hosting, you don’t share server resources with others, ensuring consistent performance.
• Free Site Migration: All dedicated hosting plans come with free site migration.
• 99.99% Uptime Guarantee: Namecheap promises a high level of uptime.
• Lack of Configuration Options: Namecheap’s dedicated plans may lack the customization options found with some competitors.
• No Windows Hosting Option: Windows hosting is not available, and servers are limited to the Arizona data center.

Namecheap’s dedicated hosting is a solid choice for those seeking reliability and exclusive server resources.

Website Builder with Namecheap

If you’re looking to build a website with ease, Namecheap offers a website builder:

• Free Website Builder: Included with shared hosting plans, Namecheap’s website builder offers over 200 templates for various types of websites.
• Paid Option: Visual: Namecheap’s paid website builder, Visual, streamlines the website creation process with templates and customization options.
• Additional Tools: Namecheap’s website builder comes with bonus tools for creating logos and business cards.

While not the most powerful website builder, it’s suitable for simple personal sites, and the pricing is budget-friendly.

Ecommerce with Namecheap

While Namecheap doesn’t offer specialized ecommerce hosting plans, you can build an ecommerce site using their hosting packages. Softaculous, included with Namecheap plans, allows you to install ecommerce systems like OpenCart, PrestaShop, and WooCommerce. Keep in mind that you’ll need to set up and manage the ecommerce platform yourself.

If you’re looking for more robust ecommerce solutions, consider hosts like HostGator or Hostinger, which offer website builders with web store support.

Uptime and Speed with Namecheap

Namecheap promises a 100% uptime guarantee, which is reassuring for website owners. However, in practice, some users have reported occasional downtime.

Regarding speed, Namecheap’s shared hosting is suitable for basic websites. Still, if you have resource-intensive requirements, consider upgrading to VPS or dedicated hosting for improved performance.

Security Features with Namecheap

Namecheap provides some security features, but additional measures may be necessary for robust protection:

• Free SSL: SSL certificates are included for the first year with shared hosting plans, which is essential for securing your website.
• DDoS Protection: Namecheap offers DDoS protection for added security against attacks.
• Backup Services: While Namecheap offers backup services, it’s advisable to implement additional offsite backups for redundancy.
• Firewalls: Depending on your hosting plan, you may need to set up firewalls or security measures yourself.

For comprehensive security, consider additional tools and services such as Sucuri, Wordfence, or SiteLock.

Customer Support with Namecheap

Namecheap provides customer support via live chat and email ticketing. Their support team is generally responsive and helpful. Additionally, Namecheap’s support site contains extensive resources and guides to assist users with common issues.

Conclusion

Namecheap offers affordable hosting solutions that cater to a wide range of users, from beginners to experienced website owners. Their shared hosting plans provide a cost-effective entry point, while their EasyWP plans are tailored for WordPress users. VPS and dedicated hosting options offer greater power and configurability.

While Namecheap’s pricing is appealing, keep in mind that certain limitations exist in terms of configuration options and data center locations. Overall, if you’re seeking budget-friendly hosting with competitive features, Namecheap is a solid choice. However, for more advanced users or those with specific requirements, it’s worth considering alternatives like InMotion Hosting or HostGator.