Quick answer
HostGator is a US web hosting company founded in 2002. It offers shared hosting for WordPress and WooCommerce sites, plus NVMe VPS and dedicated servers. Shared hosting starts at $3.75 a month on a 36-month term and includes a free domain for the first year, free SSL and DDoS protection.
What is HostGator?
HostGator is a long-established US host known for budget shared hosting and its gator mascot. It was founded in 2002 and is now part of Newfold Digital, the same group as Bluehost.
Its shared plans host from 10 to 100 websites with SSD storage, a free domain and DDoS protection, and you can move up to NVMe VPS or dedicated servers as you grow.
HostGator key features
01
Multi-site plans
Host 10 to 100 websites on shared plans.
02
Free domain
A free domain for the first year.
03
Free SSL
Let’s Encrypt SSL included.
04
DDoS protection
DDoS protection on every shared plan.
05
Malware security
Malware scanning, plus AI-powered removal on Business and up.
06
Web application firewall
WAF on Business and Pro plans.
07
Domain privacy
Free domain privacy for the first year on Business and up.
08
NVMe VPS
VPS plans with DDR5 RAM and NVMe storage.
09
24/7 support
Chat support, with phone support on higher plans.
HostGator pricing plans (2026)
HostGator shared hosting prices below are for a 36-month term, paid upfront, and renew at a higher rate. VPS prices are the starting prices shown on HostGator’s site.
Shared hosting
Hatchling
36-month term · renews at $10.99/mo
- 10 websites
- 10 GB SSD storage
- ~40K visits/mo
- Free domain for 1 year
- DDoS protection
Baby
36-month term · renews at $16.49/mo
- 20 websites
- 20 GB SSD storage
- ~50K visits/mo
- Free domain for 1 year
- DDoS protection
Best value
Business
36-month term · renews at $21.99/mo
- 50 websites
- 50 GB SSD storage
- ~200K visits/mo
- Web application firewall
- Free domain privacy (1st year)
Pro
36-month term · renews at $29.69/mo
- 100 websites
- 100 GB SSD storage
- ~400K visits/mo
- Chat and phone support
- AI malware removal
Shared hosting plans compared
| Feature | Hatchling | Baby | Business | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intro price | $3.75/mo | $4.50/mo | $6.25/mo | $13.95/mo |
| Renewal price | $10.99/mo | $16.49/mo | $21.99/mo | $29.69/mo |
| Websites | 10 | 20 | 50 | 100 |
| SSD storage | 10 GB | 20 GB | 50 GB | 100 GB |
| Ideal traffic | 40K/mo | 50K/mo | 200K/mo | 400K/mo |
| Free domain (1st year) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DDoS protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Web application firewall | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Domain privacy (1st year) | No | No | Yes | Yes |
VPS hosting (NVMe)
Self-managed VPS with DDR5 RAM, NVMe storage and unmetered bandwidth.
Snappy 1000 (NVMe 2)
Renews at $4.95/mo
- 1 vCPU core
- 2 GB DDR5 RAM
- 50 GB NVMe
- Unmetered bandwidth
Snappy 2000 (NVMe 4)
Renews at $9.35/mo
- 2 vCPU cores
- 4 GB DDR5 RAM
- 100 GB NVMe
- Unmetered bandwidth
Snappy 4000 (NVMe 8)
Renews at $18.70/mo
- 4 vCPU cores
- 8 GB DDR5 RAM
- 200 GB NVMe
- Unmetered bandwidth
Snappy 8000 (NVMe 16)
Renews at $39.53/mo
- 8 vCPU cores
- 16 GB DDR5 RAM
- 450 GB NVMe
- Unmetered bandwidth
What every plan includes
- Free domain for the first year
- Free SSL certificate
- DDoS protection
- Malware scanning
- 24/7 support
- Pro email free trial
Prices are in USD, exclude taxes and were checked on 28 October 2026. Check the latest prices on the official HostGator pricing page.
How to use HostGator
- 1
Go to hostgator.com and choose a hosting plan.
- 2
Pick your term and claim your free domain.
- 3
Complete your order and log in to your account.
- 4
Install WordPress or WooCommerce with one click.
- 5
Publish your site and manage SSL, email and security from the dashboard.
Who should use HostGator?
Budget site owners
Get hosting and a domain for a few dollars a month.
Freelancers
Host many client sites on one plan.
Small businesses
Add WAF and phone support on Business or Pro.
Developers
Use NVMe VPS for apps and projects.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Low intro prices
- 10+ websites even on the entry plan
- Free domain and DDoS protection
- Clear upgrade path to VPS
Watch out for
- Lowest prices need a 36-month term
- Big jump at renewal
- SSD (not NVMe) storage on shared plans
- WAF only on Business and up
Best HostGator alternatives
Our verdict
HostGator is a good budget pick if you want to host several websites cheaply, with a free domain and DDoS protection included. Business is the best value for most users, but plan for the higher renewal price.
HostGator FAQs
Is HostGator free?
No. HostGator has no free plan. Shared hosting starts at $3.75 a month on a 36-month term.
How much does HostGator cost?
Hatchling costs $3.75, Baby $4.50, Business $6.25 and Pro $13.95 a month on a 36-month term, then $10.99, $16.49, $21.99 and $29.69 a month.
How many websites can I host on HostGator?
Hatchling allows 10 websites, Baby 20, Business 50 and Pro 100.
Does HostGator include a free domain?
Yes. HostGator shared plans include a free domain for the first year.
Is HostGator good for WordPress?
Yes. You can install WordPress and WooCommerce with one click on any plan.
Does HostGator offer phone support?
Chat support is available 24/7, and Business and Pro plans include phone support.
