Best Web Hosting For Your Money - January 2023
Introduction
This month I’ve got an extra couple of hosting companies added to the guide. I’ve realized that many of these smaller hosting companies are much easier to deal with and that they value any links that I send their way. They are also quicker to reply to my emails and tend to answer one better.
Afrihost has been a pain to deal with lately. Their cloud servers go down regularly and their support have been poor. I used to like them a lot but at this stage I can’t recommend them to anyone. In the same breath I want to thank Web Africa though. One of the bigger hosting companies but they have been great and I’m thankful for them.
On this site there’s a new section where VPSs are put through vigorous testing and the results posted. Thanks to Ockham’s Razor Solutions for these tests. They can be found here.
This guide, just like always, will only look at features and pricing. So I don’t look at the speed of the hosting or the level of support. Local hosting is preferable and in cases where the features are very similar I will pick hosting packages at companies that I think will give you more joy.
There are 16 companies listed in this month’s post:
- @tlantic
- Afrihost
- Ample Hosting
- Cybersmart
- Domaincheap
- 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-Personal | R8.95 PM | Unlimited | 70 MB | No | 15 | 2 | No | 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 | No | 30 | 3 | No | 3 |
| Frikkadel-Standard Plate | R25 PM | Unlimited | 250 MB | No | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited |
| Gridhost-Personal | R26.95 PM | 3 GB | 800 MB | Yes | 15 | 2 | No | 1 |
| @lantic-LinuxWeb | R29 PM | Unlimited | 100 MB | Yes | None | 1 | No | 1 |
| MWEB-Lite | R29 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | 1 x 50mb | 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 |
| 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-U | R49 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | 1 |
| Ample Hosting-Silver | R49 PM | 10 GB | 5 GB | Yes | 35 | 10 | No | ? |
| MWEB-Pro | R49 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | 5 x 50mb | 2 | Yes | 1 |
| Gridhost-Storefront | R49.95 PM | 6 GB | 2 GB | Yes | 20 | 5 | No | 2 |
| Domaincheap-Starter | R50 PM | Unlimited | 4 GB | Yes | 30 | 1 | Yes | ? |
Still undefeated! If you want free then there aren’t many options and Cybersmart’s allows for the use of a database which puts them ahead of Domaincheap.
The Most Space: MWEBMWEB has an option for R29 per month that allows for unlimited space. I can just imagine what the terms are but they currently advertise it as unlimited. Someone should try it out and see how much they can fit on there.
Most Sites on a Single Package: WebspacebarFor R5 a month you can host as many sites as you want but with only 50MB to work with. If you need a bit more space then for R6 a month you get 100MB at MI HOST
Best Low Cost Deal: Webspacebar 500mbThis is a difficult choice because it depends on your needs. If you want only one site then Hostking’s Starter is probably your best choice since it includes a free domain. Webspacebar’s option offers a ton of value though with unlimited sites, only limited by the 500mb.
Medium sized website (R50 to R100)
| Cost | Traffic | HDD Space | Local | Emails | Databases | Free Domain | Domains | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gridhost-Standard | R59.95 PM | Unlimited | 4 GB | No | Unlimited | 10 | No | 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 | 20 GB | 10 GB | Yes | 50 | 20 | No | ? |
| Ample Hosting-Gold | R79 PM | 100 GB | 5 GB | Yes | 25 | 10 | No | ? |
| Web Africa-Premium | R79 PM | Unlimited | 5 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited |
| Gridhost-Blogger | R79.95 PM | 9 GB | 4 GB | Yes | 30 | 3 | No | 3 |
| 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 | 5 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited |
| MWEB-Ultra | R99 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | 10 x 50mb | 3 | Yes | 2 |
| 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 |
Webspacebar takes the crown from Web Africa. It’s between them and Elitehost depending on your needs. Elitehost limits the amount of sites you can host and Webspacebar limits you with a size constraint.
Best deal for R100 or less Webspacebar – 10 GigThey are taking over this guide! Webspacebar is new to this guide and their prices are amazing.
Large with fries (R100+)
| Cost | Traffic | HDD Space | Local | Emails | Databases | Free Domain | Domains | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ample Hosting-Platinum | R129 PM | 40 GB | 20 GB | Yes | 75 | 25 | No | ? |
| Ample Hosting-Platinum | R129 PM | Unlimited | 10 GB | Yes | 75 | 50 | No | ? |
| Gridhost-Business | R129.95 PM | 15 GB | 8 GB | Yes | 60 | 5 | No | 5 |
| Gridhost-Unlimited | R129.95 PM | Unlimited | 15 GB | No | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited |
| Elitehost-Unlimited Pro | R140 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | 7 |
| Hetzner-Standard | R149 PM | Unlimited | 10 GB | Yes | 250 | 10 | No | 25 |
| Gridhost-Warehouse | R149.95 PM | 20 GB | 10 GB | Yes | 60 | 15 | Yes | 3 |
| 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 | Unlimited | 20 GB | Yes | 200 | 100 | No | ? |
| Web Africa-Premium Plus | R199 PM | Unlimited | 20 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited |
| Web Africa-Premium Plus | R199 PM | Unlimited | 20 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited |
| Domaincheap-Gold | R199 PM | Unlimited | 50 GB | Yes | 100 | 10 | Yes | ? |
| Gridhost-Pro | R249.95 PM | 30 GB | 16 GB | Yes | 120 | 8 | Yes | 10 |
| Ample Hosting-Platinum Plus | R259 PM | 80 GB | 40 GB | Yes | 100 | 50 | Yes | ? |
| 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 |
You are limited to seven sites but everything is unlimited. Or you can go to the previous table and for R99 you can go with Webspacebar’s 20 GB offer for R99 per month where you are only limited by space.
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 x 50mb | 1 | Yes | 1 |
| Afrihost-Bronze Home | R29 PM | Unlimited | 300 MB | Yes | 5 | Yes | 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 x 50mb | 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 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited |
| Cybersmart-Aqua | R98 PM | Unlimited | 20 GB | Yes | Unlimited | Yes | No | ? |
| MWEB-Ultra | R99 PM | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | 10 x 50mb | 3 | Yes | 2 |
| Afrihost-Gold Home | R99 PM | Unlimited | 2 000 MB | Yes | 75 | Yes | Yes | 1 |
| Hostking-Business | R99 PM | Unlimited | 5 GB | 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 | 20 GB | 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 still the cheapest Windows hosting you can get and I think it’s a bargain.
Best Windows Hosting Deal: Web Africa – PremiumIf you want to host a couple of websites then Web Africa remains the best deal. Plenty of space, a free domain and unlimited just about everything it’s a great deal.
Final Word
Webspacebar contacted me at MyBroadband and I was surprised by their prices. They really make a splash this month. I’ve never hosted with them personally so if any of you have experienced their hosting then please let everyone know how they are by commenting on this guide.
This month I really want to thank Web Africa for their great support. It’s very much appreciated. I can really recommend them on that fact alone.