Best Web Hosting For Your Money - January 2023
Introduction
Time flies. I can’t believe it’s already time for a new guide. In fact, I missed a month.
A couple of hosting companies have changed their pricing. Gridhost moved all their hosting to South Africa. I believe that they were bought by Web Africa. However I can’t confirm this but it’s very likely.
This guide only looks at features and pricing. I also give preference to packages that are hosted locally. At this stage I can’t say how good the support is or what the speeds are like.
There are 17 companies listed in this month’s post:
- @tlantic
- Afrihost
- Ample Hosting
- Cybersmart
- Domaincheap
- Domains.co.za
- Elitehost
- Frikkadel
- Gridhost
- Hetzner
- Host4Africa
- Hostking
- MI HOST
- MWEB
- Serve-Hosting
- Web Africa
- Webspacebar
Categories
Linux Shared Hosting-Cheapest of the cheap (R0 to R50)
-Medium sized website (R50 to R100)
-Large with fries (R100+)
Windows Shared Hosting
Final Word
Linux Shared Hosting
Cheapest of the cheap (R0 to R50)
| Cost | Traffic | HDD Space | Local | Emails | Databases | Free Domain | Domains | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cybersmart-Pink | R0 PM | Unlimited | 600 MB | Yes | 5 | Yes | No | ? |
| Domaincheap-Free | R0 PM | Unlimited | 700 MB | Yes | 1 | No | No | ? |
| Webspacebar-50mb | R4.95 PM | Unlimited | 50 MB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| MI HOST-Bronze | R6 PM | Unlimited | 100 MB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| Gridhost-Newbie | R8.95 PM | Unlimited | 70 MB | Yes | 15 | 2 | No | 1 |
| Ample Hosting-Zinc | R9 PM | 100 GB | 500 MB | No | 5 | 1 | Yes | 1 |
| Afrihost-Bronze Home | R9 PM | Unlimited | 300 MB | Yes | 5 | No | Yes | 1 |
| Hostking-Starter | R9 PM | Unlimited | 500 MB | Yes | 10 | Unlimited | Yes | 1 |
| Frikkadel-Just the Sauce | R9 PM | Unlimited | 50 MB | No | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| Webspacebar-100mb | R9.95 PM | Unlimited | 100 MB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| Host4Africa-Tungsten Hosting | R9.99 PM | Unlimited | 350 MB | No | 10 | 1 | Yes | 1 |
| Webspacebar-250mb | R12.95 PM | Unlimited | 250 MB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| Webspacebar-500mb | R15.95 PM | Unlimited | 500 MB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| Cybersmart-Blue | R18 PM | Unlimited | 2 GB | Yes | 25 | Yes | No | ? |
| Webspacebar-750mb | R18.95 PM | Unlimited | 750 MB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| Web Africa-Starter | R19 PM | 750 MB | 750 MB | Yes | 5 | No | Yes | 1 |
| Afrihost-Silver Home | R19 PM | Unlimited | 750 MB | Yes | 25 | No | Yes | 1 |
| Hetzner-Micro | R19 PM | Unlimited | 1 GB | Yes | 20 | No | No | 1 |
| Webspacebar-1Gig | R21.95 PM | Unlimited | 1 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| Domaincheap-Micro | R24 PM | Unlimited | 2 GB | Yes | 20 | 0 | Yes | ? |
| Hostking-Basic | R24 PM | Unlimited | 1 GB | Yes | 25 | Unlimited | Yes | 1 |
| Webspacebar-2Gig | R24.95 PM | Unlimited | 2 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| Gridhost-Blogger | R24.95 PM | Unlimited | 2 GB | Yes | 30 | 3 | Yes | 5 |
| Frikkadel-Standar Plate | R25 PM | Unlimited | 250 MB | No | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| Ample Hosting-Bronze | R29 PM | 200 GB | 5 GB | Yes | 15 | 5 | Yes | ? |
| @lantic-LinuxWeb | R29 PM | Unlimited | 100 MB | Yes | None | 1 | No | 1 |
| MWEB-Lite | R29 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | 1 | 1 | Yes | 1 |
| Webspacebar-3Gig | R29.95 PM | Unlimited | 3 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| Serve Hosting-Serve 1 | R29.99 PM | 12.5 GB | 1 GB | No | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | 10 |
| MI HOST-Silver | R31 PM | Unlimited | 500 MB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| Webspacebar-4Gig | R34.95 PM | Unlimited | 4 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| Elitehost-Unlimited | R35 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | 1 |
| Cybersmart-Yellow | R38 PM | Unlimited | 4 GB | Yes | 75 | Yes | No | ? |
| Afrihost-Gold Home | R39 PM | Unlimited | 2 000 MB | Yes | 75 | 1 | Yes | 1 |
| Hetzner-Micro Pro | R39 PM | Unlimited | 2 GB | Yes | 50 | No | No | 1 |
| Web Africa-Standard | R39 PM | Unlimited | 2 GB | Yes | 15 | 1 | Yes | 2 |
| Webspacebar-5Gig | R39.95 PM | Unlimited | 5 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| Host4Africa-Copper Hosting | R39.99 PM | Unlimited | 2.5 GB | No | 35 | 1 | Yes | 1 |
| Hostking-Standard | R42 PM | Unlimited | 2 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited |
| Frikkadel-The Works! | R45 PM | Unlimited | 2 GB | No | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| MI HOST-Gold | R46 PM | Unlimited | 1 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| Cybersmart-Green | R48 PM | Unlimited | 10 GB | Yes | 200 | Yes | No | ? |
| Afrihost-Platinum Home | R49 PM | Unlimited | 3 000 MB | Yes | 200 | 5 | Yes | 1 |
| Ample Hosting-Silver | R49 PM | 300 GB | 10 GB | Yes | 35 | 10 | Yes | ? |
| MWEB-Pro | R49 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | 5 | 2 | Yes | 1 |
| Domains.co.za-Budget Plan | R49 PM | 5 GB | 2 GB | Yes | 25 | 5 | Yes | 1 |
| Domaincheap-Starter | R50 PM | Unlimited | 4 GB | Yes | 30 | 1 | Yes | ? |
Cybersmart Pink is still the cheapest. It’s free plus you get a database so you can host a WordPress site on it.
The Most Space: ElitehostMWEB has an option for R29 per month that allows for unlimited space but you only get one email address. If that doesn’t bother you then go for them since they are the cheapest. Elitehost’s Unlimited package just seems more practical so I will go with them this time around.
Most Sites on a Single Package: WebspacebarFor only R5 a month you can fit as many websites as you like in 50MB. The most realistic very cheap package that can host unlimited domains would be with MI HOST. Either the 100MB or 500MB option.
Medium sized website (R50 to R100)
| Cost | Traffic | HDD Space | Local | Emails | Databases | Free Domain | Domains | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gridhost-Techie | R59.95 PM | Unlimited | 4 GB | Yes | Unlimited | 10 | Yes | 10 |
| Gridhost-Corner Store | R59.95 PM | Unlimited | 4 GB | Yes | Unlimited | 10 | Yes | 10 |
| Webspacebar-10Gig | R59.95 PM | Unlimited | 10 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| Host4Africa-Silver Hosting | R59.99 PM | Unlimited | 5 GB | No | 500 | 5 | Yes | 2 |
| Elitehost-Unlimited Plus | R60 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | 3 |
| Afrihost-Bronze pro | R65 PM | Unlimited | 4 GB | Yes | 500 | 20 | Yes | 1 |
| Ample Hosting-Gold | R79 PM | 400 GB | 20 GB | Yes | 50 | 20 | Yes | ? |
| Ample Hosting-Gold | R79 PM | 200 GB | 20 GB | Yes | 25 | 10 | Yes | ? |
| Web Africa-Premium | R79 PM | Unlimited | 5 GB | Yes | 100 | 100 | Yes | 100 |
| Elitehost-Business | R89.95 PM | 45 GB | 10 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | 1 |
| Serve Hosting-Serve 2 | R89.99 PM | 36.5 GB | 3 GB | No | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | 25 |
| Cybersmart-Aqua | R98 PM | Unlimited | 20 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Yes | No | ? |
| Afrihost-Silver Pro | R99 PM | Unlimited | 10 GB | Yes | 2000 | 100 | Yes | 1 |
| Hetzner-Basic | R99 PM | Unlimited | 5 GB | Yes | 100 | 5 | No | 10 |
| Domaincheap-Silver | R99 PM | Unlimited | 10 GB | Yes | 50 | 5 | Yes | ? |
| MI HOST-Elite | R99 PM | Unlimited | 2 GB | yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| Hostking-Business | R99 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited |
| MWEB-Ultra | R99 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | 10 | 3 | Yes | 2 |
| Domains.co.za-Value Plan | R99 PM | Unlimited | 5 GB | Yes | 100 | 10 | Yes | 5 |
| Webspacebar-20Gig | R99.95 PM | Unlimited | 20 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| Host4Africa-Gold Hosting | R99.99 PM | Unlimited | 12.5 GB | No | 2000 | 100 | Yes | 5 |
It has taken a long while but finally we have a hosting package for under R100 that’s unlimited! Yes, that’s right folks, the space, bandwidth, domains allowed, emails and databases are all unlimited. Plus you get a free domain. This is currently the package to beat!
Best deal for R100 or less Webspacebar – 10 GigTechnically the Hostking offer is better, except if you want something R40 cheaper and you are only limited by the 10GB space.
Large with fries (R100+)
| Cost | Traffic | HDD Space | Local | Emails | Databases | Free Domain | Domains | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ample Hosting-Platinum | R129 PM | 500 GB | 40 GB | Yes | 70 | 25 | Yes | ? |
| Ample Hosting-Platinum | R129 PM | 400 GB | 40 GB | Yes | 75 | 50 | Yes | ? |
| Gridhost-Guru | R129.95 PM | Unlimited | 15 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | 30 |
| Gridhost-Shopping Centre | R129.95 PM | Unlimited | 15 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | 30 |
| Elitehost-Unlimited Pro | R140 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | 7 |
| Hetzner-Standard | R149 PM | Unlimited | 10 GB | Yes | 250 | 10 | No | 25 |
| Domains.co.za-Pro Plan | R149 PM | Unlimited | 15 GB | Yes | 200 | 15 | Yes | 10 |
| Serve Hosting-Serve 3 | R149.99 PM | 66.5 GB | 5 GB | No | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | 50 |
| Host4Africa-Platinum Hosting | R159.99 PM | Unlimited | 25 GB | No | 5000 | 200 | Yes | 10 |
| Afrihost-Gold Pro | R165 PM | Unlimited | 20 GB | Yes | 5000 | 200 | Yes | 1 |
| Elitehost-Business Plus | R169.95 PM | 90 GB | 20 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | 3 |
| @lantic-LinuxWeb+ | R179 PM | Unlimited | 2 000 MB | Yes | 250 | 5 | No | Unlimited |
| Ample Hosting-Diamond | R199 PM | 600 GB | 60 GB | Yes | 200 | 100 | Yes | ? |
| Domaincheap-Gold | R199 PM | Unlimited | 50 GB | Yes | 100 | 10 | Yes | ? |
| Domains.co.za-Expert Plan | R199 PM | Unlimited | 20 GB | Yes | 500 | 20 | Yes | 20 |
| Web Africa-Premium Plus | R199 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited |
| Hetzner-Advanced | R279 PM | Unlimited | 15 GB | Yes | 500 | 20 | No | 50 |
| Elitehost-Business Pro | R319.95 PM | 180 GB | 40 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | 7 |
| Host4Africa-Rhodium Hosting | R389.99 PM | Unlimited | 60 GB | No | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | 25 |
| @lantic-Linux Ultimate | R399 PM | Unlimited | 4 000 MB | Yes | 500 | 20 | No | Unlimited |
| Afrihost-Platinum Pro | R399 PM | Unlimited | 50 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | 1 |
| Hetzner-Master | R439 PM | 100 GB / Unlimited | 20 GB | Yes | 1000 | 40 | No | 75 |
For months there were no packages that were completely unlimited and now there are two hosting companies who are offering them. Web Africa’s Premium Plus cost double that of Hostking’s one. I don’t know if it’s faster, or if you will get better extras. It’s one of the biggest hosting companies in South Africa though and some people may like that.
Windows Shared Hosting
| Cost | Traffic | HDD Space | Local | Emails | Databases | Free Domain | Domains | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hostking-Starter | R9 PM | Unlimited | 500 MB | Yes | 10 | Unlimited | Yes | 1 |
| Cybersmart-Blue | R18 PM | Unlimited | 2 GB | Yes | 25 | Yes | No | ? |
| Web Africa-Starter | R19 PM | 750 MB | 750 MB | Yes | 5 | No | Yes | 1 |
| Hostking-Basic | R24 PM | Unlimited | 1 GB | Yes | 25 | Unlimited | Yes | 1 |
| MWEB-Lite | R29 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | 1 | 1 | Yes | 1 |
| Afrihost-Bronze Home | R29 PM | Unlimited | 300 MB | Yes | 5 | No | Yes | 1 |
| Cybersmart-Yellow | R38 PM | Unlimited | 4 GB | Yes | 75 | Yes | No | ? |
| Hostking-Standard | R42 PM | Unlimited | 2 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited |
| Cybersmart-Green | R48 PM | Unlimited | 10 GB | Yes | 200 | Yes | No | ? |
| MWEB-Pro | R49 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | 5 | 2 | Yes | 1 |
| Afrihost-Silver Home | R59 PM | Unlimited | 750 MB | Yes | 25 | Yes | Yes | 1 |
| @lantic-WinWeb | R79 PM | Unlimited | 200 MB | Yes | None | 1 | No | 1 |
| Web Africa-Premium | R79 PM | Unlimited | 5 GB | Yes | 100 | 100 | Yes | 100 |
| Cybersmart-Aqua | R98 PM | Unlimited | 20 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Yes | No | ? |
| MWEB-Ultra | R99 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | 10 | 3 | Yes | 2 |
| Afrihost-Gold Home | R99 PM | Unlimited | 2 000 MB | Yes | 75 | Yes | Yes | 1 |
| Hostking-Business | R99 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited |
| Afrihost-Platinum Home | R149 PM | Unlimited | 3 000 MB | Yes | 200 | Yes | Yes | 1 |
| Afrihost-Bronze Pro | R199 PM | Unlimited | 4 GB | Yes | 500 | Yes | Yes | 1 |
| @lantic-WinWeb+ | R199 PM | Unlimited | 2 000 MB | Yes | 250 | 1 | No | Unlimited |
| Web Africa-Premium Plus | R199 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited |
| Afrihost-Silver Pro | R249 PM | Unlimited | 10 GB | Yes | 2000 | Yes | Yes | 1 |
| Afrihost-Gold Pro | R349 PM | Unlimited | 20 GB | Yes | 5000 | Yes | Yes | 1 |
| Afrihost-Platinum Pro | R599 PM | Unlimited | 50 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Yes | Yes | 1 |
It’s crazy cheap for what you get. R9 a month and it includes a free .co.za domain. For a .NET developer like me it’s a nice place to host some experiments.
Best Windows Hosting Deal: Hostking – StandardWeb Africa won this in the last guide but Hostking came out with some new prices that destroy the competition. R42 per month and only limits you on the storage space. I’d say that’s the best deal of the lot.
Final Word
Hosting is getting cheaper every month and because of that I will also change hosting soon. I’m also thinking of dropping WordPress and going with a .NET blog. It will just make my life easier. If anyone can recommend a good .NET blogging platform, please let me know.
If you have any comments or questions you are welcome to post your comments here. Also, I’m not building any links for this blog. If you find it useful please share it. I will appreciate it dearly.
*edit* Domains.co.za is also now included in this guide.