Hostinger vs IONOS
The budget king against the provider with a personal assistant. Self-service or guidance?
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Hostinger
The most popular starter hosting, dirt cheap when you commit long term.
IONOS
European-grade hosting with a personal assistant.
| Feature | Hostinger | IONOS |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 4.4 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Price | From $2.99/mo | From $4/mo |
| Renews at | $10.99/mo | $8/mo |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Best for | First website | First-year value |
| Category | Starter hosting | Starter hosting |
| Provider | Hostinger International | IONOS SE |
| Visit Hostinger | Visit IONOS |
Our verdict
IONOS differentiates with something unique in this segment, a personal assistant with every plan, plus a $4 first year and a fair $8 renewal. Hostinger wins on the platform itself. It is faster, with a more modern panel. IONOS has more room, with unlimited websites on its Essential plan where Hostinger Premium allows three.
If you like having someone to call who knows your setup, IONOS is surprisingly good. If you prefer doing everything yourself, take Hostinger.
“Fast hosting and a clean control panel for a few dollars a month. The low price does require paying four years up front. Renewal is higher but reasonable. For a first website, the obvious place to start.”Editorial team, on Hostinger
“A low first-year price and a fair renewal are hard to argue with, and the EU-grade infrastructure is solid. The dashboard feels corporate, but the personal assistant on every plan is a genuinely nice touch.”Editorial team, on IONOS
Frequently asked questions
Hostinger or IONOS: which should I pick?
Hostinger if you prefer doing everything yourself, IONOS if you want someone to call. Hostinger has the faster platform and the more modern panel, scoring 4.4 against 4.0. IONOS answers with a named personal assistant on every plan instead of a ticket queue, which is unusual at this price. Its entry plan also allows unlimited websites where Hostinger Premium allows three.
Which is cheaper, Hostinger or IONOS?
Hostinger, in the first year and over three years. IONOS costs $4 a month in the first year ($48 for the year) against $2.99 at Hostinger, then renews at $8 a month against $10.99. Hostinger's promo also asks for 48 months up front, where the IONOS rate covers a single year.
What is the IONOS personal assistant?
One named contact who knows your setup, included with every plan instead of a general ticket queue. For a first website that is genuinely useful, because you are not re-explaining your situation to a new agent every time. Hostinger has no equivalent. Its answer is a panel clear enough that you need to ask less often.
How many websites do the entry plans allow?
The IONOS Essential plan allows unlimited websites, Hostinger Premium three. If you only ever want a single site, that gap costs you nothing and the IONOS route, $4 a month in the first year and $8 after, still costs more over three years. If you expect a fourth project, the IONOS allowance is the difference between one bill and an upgrade.