Testing hosting since 2009. 60+ accounts across major providers. Former web dev turned full-time reviewer.
Web Hosting Renewal Price Database (2026)
I started tracking renewal prices after getting hit with a 280% increase on my first hosting plan. I assumed I'd misread something. I hadn't. This database is built from billing records and verified against current pricing pages โ updated monthly.
Every major host's intro price vs what you actually pay at renewal. Filter by type, sort by real cost, and stop getting surprised by your hosting bill.
| Host | Plan | Type | Intro/mo | Renewal/mo | Increase | Lock | Domain | SSL | Backup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RackNerd | KVM 1GB | VPS | $0.86 | $0.86 | 0% | โ | |||
| RackNerd | KVM 2GB | VPS | $1.50 | $1.50 | 0% | โ | |||
| InterServer | Standard | Shared | $2.50 | $2.50 | 0% | โ | โ | โ | |
| BandwagonHost | THE PLAN | VPS | $4.16 | $4.16 | 0% | โ | โ | ||
| InterServer | Slice 1 | VPS | $6.00 | $6.00 | 0% | โ | โ | ||
| Vultr | Cloud Compute 1GB | VPS | $6.00 | $6.00 | 0% | โ | |||
| DigitalOcean | Basic 1GB | VPS | $6.00 | $6.00 | 0% | โ | |||
| DMIT | PVM.LAX.Pro.TINY | VPS | $6.90 | $6.90 | 0% | โ | โ | ||
| Bluehost | Basic | Shared | $3.99 | $9.99 | +150% | โ | โ | โ | |
| HostGator | Hatchling | Shared | $3.75 | $9.99 | +166% | โ | โ | โ | |
| HostPapa | Essentials | Shared | $2.95 | $9.99 | +239% | โ | โ | โ | โ |
| Hostinger | Premium | Shared | $1.99 | $10.99 | +452% | โ | โ | โ | โ |
| DreamHost | Shared Starter | Shared | $2.89 | $10.99 | +280% | โ | โ | โ | โ |
| GoDaddy | Economy | Shared | $5.99 | $11.99 | +100% | โ | โ | ||
| Hosting.com | Startup | Shared | $3.99 | $12.99 | +226% | โ | โ | โ | |
| Cloudways | DO 1GB | Cloud | $14.00 | $14.00 | 0% | โ | โ | โ | |
| Cloudways | Vultr HF 1GB | Cloud | $16.00 | $16.00 | 0% | โ | โ | โ | |
| SiteGround | StartUp | Shared | $2.99 | $17.99 | +502% | โ | โ | โ | |
| Pressable | Personal | Managed WP | $25.00 | $25.00 | 0% | โ | โ | โ | |
| WP Engine | Startup | Managed WP | $30.00 | $30.00 | 0% | โ | โ | โ | |
| Kinsta | Starter | Managed WP | $35.00 | $35.00 | 0% | โ | โ | โ |
Showing 21 of 21 plans. Prices verified Feb 2026. Intro prices assume longest available term.
What the Data Shows
The renewal trap is a shared hosting problem, not a hosting problem. Every VPS, cloud, and managed WordPress host in this database price-locks โ you pay the same at renewal as at signup. Shared hosting is where the bait-and-switch lives.
SiteGround has the largest increase at +502%. From $2.99/mo intro to $17.99/mo renewal. Their product is genuinely good โ fast servers, excellent support, proper staging environment. But at $17.99/mo renewal, you're paying more than Cloudways ($14/mo) for meaningfully less infrastructure. Know the real number before you commit.
Hostinger's jump is significant but survivable. From $1.99/mo to $10.99/mo โ a 452% increase. Still cheaper than SiteGround at renewal, but if you signed up expecting to pay $24/yr and get a $132/yr renewal bill, that's a real surprise. It happens to people every day.
The cheapest 3-year path for shared hosting: InterServer at $90 total. Same $2.50/mo, year 1 through year 3, no surprises. For VPS: RackNerd at $31 total (annual plan). Both price-locked.
The Real 3-Year Cost (Shared Hosting)
What you actually pay over 3 years once the intro pricing runs out. Year 1 = intro rate, Years 2โ3 = renewal rate.
| Host | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| InterServerprice-locked | $30 | $30 | $30 | $90 |
| Hostinger | $24 | $132 | $132 | $288 |
| HostPapa | $35 | $120 | $120 | $275 |
| Bluehost | $48 | $120 | $120 | $288 |
| GoDaddy | $72 | $144 | $144 | $360 |
| SiteGround | $36 | $216 | $216 | $468 |
Approximate annual costs (monthly billing at intro/renewal rates). No coupon codes assumed at renewal.
Who Gets Hit Hardest
The renewal pricing issue isn't random โ it hits specific types of users predictably.
People who followed a "best web hosting" recommendation from YouTube
Most YouTube hosting recommendations are built around affiliate commissions, not renewal pricing. The host that pays the highest commission is often the one with the biggest renewal markup. The person making the video never pays renewal โ you do.
People who let hosting auto-renew without checking the price
If you signed up with SiteGround in 2023 on a 3-year plan, you're looking at an auto-renewal in 2026 at $17.99/mo instead of $2.99/mo. Most people don't notice until the charge hits their card. Set a calendar reminder 60 days before your plan expires.
New bloggers who signed up on long introductory terms
36-month intro plans lock you into the intro price for 3 years โ which sounds great. But it works as marketing too. You pay $36 upfront thinking you got a deal, don't register the renewal rate in the fine print, and get a $216 renewal notice 3 years later.
How to Avoid the Renewal Trap
Always check the renewal rate before signing up
It's always on the pricing page โ usually in smaller text or a footnote. If you can't find it easily, search "[host name] renewal price" or use this database. If the renewal rate isn't visible anywhere, that's a red flag.
Set a calendar reminder 60 days before renewal
That's enough time to either negotiate a discount with your host (many will offer one if you ask) or migrate to a cheaper host before paying the renewal. SiteGround and Hostinger have given renewal discounts to users who contacted support proactively.
Choose price-locked hosting from the start
InterServer, Cloudways, WP Engine, Kinsta, and all VPS providers in this database never raise prices on existing customers. They may cost slightly more upfront but the predictability is worth it โ especially for business sites.
If you're stuck in a high-renewal plan, just migrate
Most hosts offer free site migration. The process takes 2โ4 hours. Saving $100โ200/year is worth that. Here's the step-by-step migration guide.
FAQ
Best Price-Locked Options
These hosts charge the same at renewal as at signup โ no surprises, no fine print.
Related Reading
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products we've tested and trust.
Testing hosting since 2009. 60+ accounts across major providers. Former web dev turned full-time reviewer.