Hosting is advertised at its intro price, which usually needs a long prepaid term and then renews much higher. Pick how long you plan to keep the site to see the total and the real monthly average.
How the totals are calculated
For plans with an intro offer, the calculator assumes you prepay the full intro term at the advertised monthly rate, then pay the published renewal rate for every month after that. For plans billed monthly without a contract, such as DigitalOcean and Vultr, the price stays the same throughout.
If you keep the site for less than the intro term, you still pay for the whole term up front with most shared hosts. Refund windows usually last 30 days. The calculator shows the cost for the time you keep the site, so a short horizon on a 48-month plan can look cheaper than it is; check the prepaid total on the vendor’s checkout page.
Why renewal prices matter more than intro prices
Shared hosting intro prices often triple or quadruple at renewal. In our price check on October 31, 2026, Hostinger’s Premium plan was advertised at $2.49 a month on a 48-month term and renews at $10.99 a month, 4.4 times the intro rate. Bluehost Starter was $3.99 a month on a 36-month term, renewing at $9.99. Over five years, the renewal months can cost more than the whole intro term.
Our full guide, hosting renewal prices explained, covers how to lock in a lower price for longer and when a monthly VPS ends up cheaper.
Shared hosting prices in the calculator
| Plan | Intro price | Term | Renews at | Websites | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hostinger Premium | $2.49/mo | 48 months | $10.99/mo | 3 websites | 20 GB SSD |
| Hostinger Unlimited | $3.49/mo | 48 months | $16.99/mo | Unlimited websites | 50 GB NVMe |
| Hostinger Cloud Startup | $7.99/mo | 48 months | $25.99/mo | Unlimited websites | 100 GB NVMe |
| Bluehost Starter | $3.99/mo | 36 months | $9.99/mo | 10 websites | 10 GB NVMe |
| Bluehost Business | $6.99/mo | 36 months | $13.99/mo | 50 websites | 50 GB NVMe |
| DreamHost Web Hosting Launch | $2.89/mo | 12 months | See vendor | 25 websites | 25 GB NVMe |
Official list prices checked Oct 30, 2026, before tax. Sources: www.hostinger.com, www.bluehost.com, www.dreamhost.com.
DreamHost did not show a renewal rate in our capture of its pricing page, so the calculator leaves totals beyond the first year blank rather than guessing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I renew hosting at the intro price?
Usually not. Intro prices are for new customers. Some hosts offer a discount if you renew for a long term, or will match a promotion if you ask support before renewal. Buying the longest intro term is the simplest way to keep the low price longer.
Is a 48-month hosting plan worth it?
It is the cheapest per month, but you prepay four years. It makes sense if you are confident the site will last and the plan fits. If you are testing an idea, a 12-month term costs more per month but less up front.
Do the totals include the domain and taxes?
No. Many plans include a free domain for the first year only; domain renewal is extra. Taxes depend on your country.