Is monthly to-month web-hosting plans good to start? In this article, I will share 7 Best monthly billing hosting services that are good for new bloggers to start with.
Why pay monthly hosting charges when you can save huge money on 3-year hosting plans? Well, as a beginner you may not be comfortable investing all your money in a hosting company and you may want to try a hosting service for a few months before making a commitment.
- A2 Hosting: $9.99/mo – Offers robust features and reliable performance in their monthly hosting plan.
- Dreamhost (Monthly): $4.95/mo – Provides affordable and user-friendly monthly hosting options.
- HostGator (Monthly): $6.02/mo – A balance of cost and functionality for monthly web hosting.
- GreenGeeks: $10.95/mo – Eco-friendly hosting solutions with a monthly payment option.
- Namecheap (Monthly): $2.88/mo – Highly affordable, entry-level monthly hosting plans.
- Cloudways (Monthly): $10.00/mo – Flexible and scalable cloud-based monthly hosting services.
- SiteGround (Monthly): $19.99/mo – Premium hosting features with a focus on speed and support.
- Kinsta (Monthly): $30.00/mo – High-performance managed WordPress hosting on a monthly basis.
- Flywheel (Monthly): $25.00/mo – Specialized WordPress hosting for creatives, billed monthly.
- WP Engine (Monthly): $31.50/mo – Advanced and robust WordPress hosting solutions with a monthly pricing model.
Note: Personally, I don’t recommend going for a monthly billing hosting plan in case you are buying any hosting that is popular enough. If that is a new hosting company, you can try for month-to-month basis billing. E.g. A2 Hosting is a popular and trusted hosting service and also receives many customer reviews. So, it’s better to buy A2 Hosting for 36 months with their initial discount. Otherwise, you have to pay a huge renewal charge. In case you want to sign up with a different email ID, you can try both monthly pricing and after that, you can go for 3 years of hosting.
Anyway, let’s focus on this topic, and let me share the list of some good hosting companies that offer monthly billing plans. Before that, make sure you bookmark our 50+ Best Black Friday Web Hosting Deals For 2024.
Why Go for Month-to-Month Web-Hosting Plans?
As a beginner, when you are planning to create your first blog on WordPress it is quite confusing and difficult to pick the right hosting. When I always recommend buying hosting for at least 3 years, it’s easily understandable that going to a long-term commitment is not comfortable for everyone.
Choosing a month-to-month billing web hosting plan can be advantageous for various reasons. Here are some key points to consider:
- Flexibility: Month-to-month billing offers the flexibility to change or cancel your plan without being tied to a long-term contract. This is ideal for businesses or individuals who are experimenting with new projects or are uncertain about their long-term hosting needs.
- Low Initial Cost: This option typically requires a lower upfront investment compared to annual plans. It’s beneficial for those who are budget-conscious or don’t want to commit a large sum of money upfront.
- Testing the Service: It allows you to test the hosting service and its features before committing to a longer period. This way, you can ensure that the service meets your needs and expectations.
- Adaptability to Changing Needs: If your website’s requirements change (like needing more storage, bandwidth, or specific features), month-to-month billing makes it easier to upgrade or downgrade your plan as needed.
- No Long-Term Commitments: Ideal for short-term projects, seasonal websites, or temporary hosting needs. You won’t be stuck paying for a service you no longer need or use.
- Cost Control: Regular monthly payments can help in better budget management and financial planning, especially for small businesses or individuals with tight budgets.
- Avoiding Long-Term Disappointment: If you are not satisfied with the service, a month-to-month plan allows you to switch providers without the hassle of breaking a long-term contract, which may involve penalties or fees.
- Latest Offers and Pricing: With short-term commitments, you have the flexibility to take advantage of promotional offers or more competitive pricing from other providers more frequently.
- Reduced Risk: Since you’re not locked into a long-term contract, the risk associated with service downtimes, poor customer support, or other potential issues is significantly reduced.
- Ease of Cancellation: If you decide to discontinue your website or move to a different host, month-to-month billing simplifies the process of cancellation without worrying about refunds for unused portions of a longer-term plan.
These points highlight why a month-to-month billing plan for web hosting can be a prudent choice for many users, offering flexibility, lower risk, and adaptability to changing needs.
Top 10 Best Cheap Month-to-Month Hosting Plans & Providers (Reviewed and Compared)
I have shared so many cheap WordPress hosting companies on this website that as a beginner you can easily pick the right hosting and start your blogging journey. But in case you have some doubts, then definitely you can try their monthly billing hosting plans also.
1. A2 Hosting: $9.99/mo (Monthly Hosting)
A2 Hosting offers competitive monthly billed web hosting plans, albeit at a higher price point compared to Dreamhost or HostGator. With a history dating back to 2001, A2 Hosting stands out for its stability and consistent pricing.
Key Features:
- Hosting for 1 website with unlimited file storage
- Free SSL certificate and website migration service
- 24/7/365 unlimited email technical support
- Perpetual site security and monitoring
- Anytime money-back guarantee on monthly plans
A2 Hosting’s Lite Web Hosting plan is available at $9.99 per month. This plan is ideal for those looking for a reliable monthly service with a strong emphasis on security and technical support. While the initial plan selection defaults to a 3-year term, customers can opt for the monthly option, ensuring flexibility and convenience.
2. Dreamhost (Monthly): $4.95/mo
Dreamhost is an established web hosting provider offering a Shared Starter Plan ideal for bloggers using WordPress. Known for its long history in the hosting industry, Dreamhost has been a reliable choice for hosting numerous websites. The plan stands out due to its month-to-month payment option, avoiding long-term commitments. This flexibility, along with features like WordPress pre-installation, fast loading speeds, free SSL certificate, and robust site security, make Dreamhost a top recommendation for new bloggers.
Key Features:
- Hosting for 1 website with pre-installed WordPress
- Discounted .com domain name at $9.99
- Unlimited website traffic and free SSL certificate
- Unlimited live chat and email support
- Free SSD storage for faster load times
- 97-day money-back and 100% uptime guarantees
- Email account creation on your domain
- Advanced security with Web Application Firewall
Dreamhost’s pricing is straightforward, offering a true monthly hosting plan at $4.95 per month. This plan is ideal for bloggers starting a side project or for those uncertain about their long-term blogging commitment. The month-to-month payment option, combined with a 97-day money-back guarantee, presents a low-risk opportunity for beginners. Dreamhost also provides annual plans, which can further reduce costs, making it an affordable and flexible hosting solution.
3. HostGator (Monthly): $6.02/mo
HostGator is recognized for its exceptional technical support, catering to beginner bloggers and small businesses. Founded in 2002, HostGator offers monthly billed web hosting plans known for their ease of use and strong support system, including 24/7/365 phone, live chat, and email assistance.
Key Features:
- Month-to-month hosting with 1-click WordPress install
- Round-the-clock technical support
- Free SSL certificate and $100 Google AdWords credit
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Unlimited website disk space and bandwidth
HostGator’s monthly hosting plans are priced at $6.02 per month. These plans are particularly suitable for those seeking high-quality technical support throughout their blogging journey. While longer-term plans offer lower overall costs, HostGator maintains its quality of service regardless of the plan duration, making it a reliable choice for monthly hosting.
4. GreenGeeks: $10.95/mo (Monthly Hosting)
GreenGeeks stands out in the web hosting world as an eco-friendly provider. Their commitment to sustainability is evident in their servers being powered by renewable energy. Catering to small businesses and bloggers, they offer a month-to-month web hosting plan at $10.95 per month. The service is known for its excellent customer support and user-friendly control panel, simplifying website management for users.
Key Features:
- Hosting for one website
- 50GB web space
- Unmetered transfer
- 50 email accounts
- Free SSL certificate and domain name for the first year
- Nightly backups and free CDN
- Managed WordPress with built-in caching
- Unlimited databases
- 300% green energy match
- Planting one tree per subscription
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Pricing for GreenGeeks is straightforward with a monthly fee of $10.95. This plan is especially appealing to those looking for an eco-conscious hosting solution without long-term commitments. During the checkout process, users can easily select the monthly billing option. GreenGeeks also offers free website migration, adding to the ease of transitioning to their platform.
5. Namecheap (Monthly): $2.88/mo
Founded in 2000, Namecheap is a veteran in the web hosting industry, known for its affordability and over 10 million domains under management. Their Stellar Plan is among the most budget-friendly options, offering a good balance between cost and quality.
Key Features:
- Easy WordPress installation
- 20GB of storage and up to 3 website hosting
- Unrestricted bandwidth and free SSL certificate
- Optional free domain name and privacy protection
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Priced at just $2.88 per month, Namecheap’s Stellar Plan is the go-to option for those seeking the cheapest monthly hosting without sacrificing service quality. The plan also offers potential savings for those willing to commit to a longer term.
6. Cloudways (Monthly): $10.00/mo
Cloudways offers a managed WordPress hosting solution, ideal for bloggers seeking to avoid technical complexities. Their platform provides easy server launching and web application configuration, making it a great choice for those preferring a hands-off approach.
Key Features:
- Simplified platform management
- SSL installation and staging environment
- Choice of top cloud hosting providers
- 24/7 expert support and server/app cloning
- Free migration and pay-as-you-go pricing
At $10.00 per month, Cloudways stands out with its pay-as-you-go model, charging only for the resources used. This plan is perfect for bloggers who need scalable
7. SiteGround (Monthly): $19.99/mo
SiteGround has been a reliable name in web hosting for over two decades, offering shared, WordPress, cloud, and dedicated server hosting. With plans starting at $19.99 monthly, they cater to a diverse range of needs including bloggers, small businesses, and larger websites. Known for their user-friendly interface and excellent customer support, they also offer bundled domain registration with their hosting plans.
Key Features:
- Single website hosting
- 10 GB web space
- Around 10,000 monthly visits
- Unmetered traffic
- Daily backup and free SSL
- Free CDN and email services
- Enhanced security features
- E-commerce enabled
- Managed WordPress with caching
- Unlimited databases
- 100% renewable energy match
- 30-day money-back guarantee
SiteGround’s $19.99 monthly plan is a strong choice for those prioritizing speed, security, and customer satisfaction. The checkout process allows easy selection of a one-month billing period. They also offer free website migration and an intuitive website builder, appealing to both beginners and experienced users alike.
8. Kinsta (Monthly): $30.00/mo
Kinsta, known for powering fast and efficient websites, offers managed WordPress hosting plans starting at $30.00 per month. Their service is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses and high-traffic blogs seeking top-notch hosting without technical hassles. Kinsta’s monthly plans cover various aspects like security, speed improvements, and updates, managed by their team.
Key Features:
- 1 WordPress install
- 20,000 visits per month
- 5 GB disk space
- Free SSL and managed CDN
- Premium website migration
- Staging and demo environments
- Automatic daily backups
- 24/7 support
- Access to 12 CPUs and 8 GB of RAM
- Selection of 20 Google Cloud Data Centers for hosting
- User-friendly control panel
Kinsta’s $30 monthly plan is perfect for blogs and businesses needing high-performance hosting. They offer a straightforward checkout process and discounts for annual payments, making them a great choice for those looking for quality hosting with flexibility.
9. Flywheel (Monthly): $25.00/mo
Flywheel is a managed WordPress hosting provider, focusing on creatives with monthly plans starting at $25. Known for their high service level and customer support, they cater to freelancers, agencies, and high-traffic bloggers. Flywheel’s unique feature is its free demo site option, allowing a 14-day trial without any commitment.
Key Features:
- 1 WordPress website install
- 25,000 monthly visitor limit
- 5 GB disk space
- 50 GB bandwidth
- Built-in CDN and free SSL certificate
- Staging environment
- 24/7 live chat support
- Free website migration
Flywheel’s monthly plan is ideal for those seeking a dedicated WordPress hosting environment with top-tier support. The checkout process allows easy switching to monthly billing, and they offer discounts for annual payments.
10. WP Engine (Monthly): $31.50/mo
WP Engine offers managed WordPress hosting, suitable for established blogs and websites, starting at $31.50 per month. With a customer base of over 120,000, including large companies, they provide a service focused on speed, support, and security.
Key Features:
- 1 managed WordPress install
- 25,000 monthly visits limit
- 10 GB file storage
- 50 GB bandwidth per month
- 24/7 support
- Global CDN and free SSL certificate
- Access to premium WordPress themes
- 60-day money-back guarantee
WP Engine’s plan is ideal for websites expecting significant traffic, offering a balance of features and support. They provide options for annual payments, giving additional months of hosting for free.
Which Is Best: Monthly Billng Vs Annual Billing Plan
When comparing monthly billing and annual billing options for hosting plans, there are several factors to consider:
1. Cost Effectiveness
- Monthly Billing: Generally more expensive on a per-month basis. It’s a good option for short-term projects or for those who want to test the service before committing long-term.
- Annual Billing: Often comes with significant discounts compared to monthly billing. This can lead to substantial savings over the course of a year.
2. Cash Flow and Budgeting
- Monthly Billing: Easier on short-term cash flow as you pay smaller amounts each month. Suitable for businesses with fluctuating income.
- Annual Billing: Requires a larger upfront payment, which can be challenging for smaller businesses or startups. However, it simplifies annual budgeting as the hosting cost is taken care of in one payment.
3. Commitment and Flexibility
- Monthly Billing: Offers more flexibility, allowing you to change or cancel your plan without being locked in for a long period.
- Annual Billing: This implies a longer commitment, which might not be ideal if your hosting needs are likely to change.
4. Convenience and Administration
- Monthly Billing: Requires monthly tracking and payments, which can be administratively burdensome.
- Annual Billing: Simplifies administration, with just one transaction to track each year.
5. Promotions and Extras
- Monthly Billing: This may not include the freebies or bonuses that often come with annual plans (like free domain registration, additional features, etc.).
- Annual Billing: Providers often bundle extra services or discounts with annual plans.
6. Risk and Uncertainty
- Monthly Billing: Lower risk as you’re not committing a large amount upfront. Useful if you’re uncertain about the service quality or your long-term needs.
- Annual Billing: Higher risk due to the upfront commitment, but this can be mitigated if the provider offers a money-back guarantee.
The choice between monthly and annual billing depends on your specific needs, budget, and plans for the future. Monthly billing offers flexibility and lower upfront costs, while annual billing is more cost-effective in the long run and simplifies budgeting and administration. Consider these factors carefully to determine which option aligns best with your hosting requirements and financial strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the benefits of choosing a monthly web hosting plan?
Monthly web hosting plans offer flexibility and are ideal for those who are starting out or testing new projects. They allow for easy budgeting without long-term commitments, and you can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel services based on changing needs.
Is it more expensive to choose a month-to-month web hosting plan?
Yes, month-to-month plans can be slightly more expensive in the long run compared to annual plans. Hosting providers often offer discounts for longer-term commitments. However, the flexibility and lower upfront costs of monthly plans can be beneficial for certain users.
Can I switch from a monthly plan to an annual plan later on?
Absolutely. Most hosting providers allow you to switch from a monthly to an annual plan. This is often accompanied by cost savings, as annual plans typically come at a discounted rate.
Are there any eco-friendly monthly web hosting options?
Yes, GreenGeeks is a notable example of an eco-friendly web hosting provider that offers monthly plans. They utilize renewable energy to power their servers, making them a sustainable choice.
Do monthly web hosting plans come with customer support?
Yes, most web hosting providers, including those offering monthly plans like SiteGround and Kinsta, provide robust customer support. This often includes 24/7 live chat, phone support, and email assistance.
What should I look for in a monthly web hosting plan if I have a high-traffic site?
For high-traffic sites, look for plans with ample bandwidth, disk space, and robust performance capabilities. Providers like Kinsta and WP Engine offer plans tailored for high-traffic websites, with features like managed WordPress hosting, content delivery networks (CDNs), and premium support.
Can I host an e-commerce site on a monthly web hosting plan?
Yes, many monthly hosting plans support e-commerce sites. Look for features like SSL certificates, daily backups, enhanced security, and e-commerce optimization, as seen in plans from SiteGround and WP Engine.
Conclusion: Which Monthly Billing Web Hosting Plan is Best?
I am sure you got the idea behind this comparison. Without any doubt, you can save huge money if you go for higher-term plans. Because every hosting company offers a massive discount to their customer for the first time signing up. In case you want to buy month-to-month billing plans, then there will be no discount and you have to buy in actuals.
But again, if you want to try the hosting for a few months then no point in buying for 2-3 years. As this much commitment will cost you more compared to a few month’s price. So, focus on your real hosting need and then accordingly buy either a monthly billing hosting plan or a higher-duration plan. I
In case you want me to recommend the Best Month-to-Month Billing Web Hosting Services, then I would say go with either A2 Hosting or Cloudways Hosting. You will find your every single penny invested worth.
