Bluehost Shared Hosting Plans Comparison (Basic vs Choice Plus vs eCommerce)

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If you’re laIf you’re wondering which Bluehost plan is best for your website in 2025, you’re not alone. Many new users and even experienced bloggers often ask: What’s the difference between Bluehost Basic and Choice Plus? Is Bluehost Choice Plus worth it? Should I go for Bluehost eCommerce for my online store? Choosing the right plan can feel confusing—especially with so many features and pricing tiers available.

In this in-depth Bluehost hosting plans comparison, we’ll break down the key differences between the Basic, Choice Plus, and eCommerce plans to help you decide which one fits your goals and budget. Whether you’re launching a personal blog, a business website, or a full-fledged online store, this guide will give you clarity on:

  • What’s included in each Bluehost plan
  • Which plan offers the best value for WordPress hosting
  • Whether the eCommerce plan is necessary for WooCommerce stores
  • Hidden differences in security, backup, and performance features
  • Which Bluehost plan is best for beginners, growing sites, and online stores
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Bluehost Hosting Plans Comparison
Bluehost Shared Hosting Plans Comparison

Bluehost Basic vs Choice Plus vs eCommerce Essentials Comparison 2025

Let’s dive in and help you choose the perfect Bluehost hosting plan for your needs in 2025.

1. Bluehost Shared Hosting Plans Overview: Features at a Glance

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the three Bluehost shared hosting plans:

FeatureBasicChoice PluseCommerce Essentials
Websites Allowed1050100
Storage10 GB SSD50 GB SSD100 GB NVMe
Traffic Capacity~40K visits/mo~200K visits/mo~400K visits/mo
Free Domain (1st Year)✅✅✅
Free SSL & CDN✅✅✅
Daily Backups✅✅✅
Malware Scanning✅✅✅
Malware Removal❌✅✅
Domain Privacy❌✅✅
WooCommerce Tools❌❌✅ (built-in)
Price (12-month term)$1.99/mo$3.95/mo$6.45/mo
Renewal Price$11.99/mo$15.99/mo$18.99/mo

This table shows that as you move from Basic to eCommerce Essentials, you’re not just getting more storage—you’re getting premium-level tools, enhanced security, and built-in commerce features designed for serious growth.

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2. Bluehost Basic Plan: Ideal for Beginners or Personal Projects

The Basic plan is Bluehost’s most affordable shared hosting option—and it’s perfect for anyone launching their first blog, personal website, or simple portfolio site.

At just $1.99/month (12-month term), it gives you all the essentials to build and grow a small website without paying for features you might not need right away.

Key Features of Bluehost Basic:

  • Host up to 10 websites
  • 10 GB SSD storage
  • Free domain name for 1 year
  • Free SSL certificate (HTTPS secure)
  • Free Cloudflare CDN
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • AI-powered site creation tools
  • Free WordPress install + updates

Who Is It Best For?

  • New bloggers
  • Students & freelancers
  • Personal brand websites
  • Portfolio sites
  • Micro-niche blogs or affiliate projects

Limitations to Consider:

  • No domain privacy or malware removal
  • No WooCommerce integration
  • Storage is limited (10 GB = ~2,000 images or ~100 posts)
  • No phone support (only live chat)

Verdict: If you’re just starting and need a reliable, low-cost WordPress host, the Basic plan is a safe and smart entry point. It’s easy to upgrade later if your site grows.

👉 Get Started with Bluehost for Just $1.99/month
✅ Free Domain | ✅ Free SSL | ✅ Built for WordPress | ✅ 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

3. Bluehost Choice Plus Plan: Best Value for Growing Sites & Bloggers

If you’re planning to grow beyond a single site, or want more peace of mind with security and backups, the Choice Plus plan offers the best balance of features and pricing on Bluehost’s shared hosting tier.

At $3.95/month for a 12-month term (75% off), this plan unlocks significantly more power and flexibility—ideal for serious bloggers, content creators, and small business owners.

Key Features of Bluehost Choice Plus:

  • Host up to 50 websites
  • 50 GB SSD storage (5× more than Basic)
  • Free domain for 1 year
  • Free domain privacy protection
  • Free daily website backups
  • Free malware detection & removal
  • Free SSL, CDN (Cloudflare + Argo Routing)
  • WordPress staging site included
  • Static & object caching
  • 24/7 phone + chat support
  • AI-powered site builder & design tools

Who Is It Best For?

  • Niche bloggers running multiple sites
  • Affiliate marketers
  • Freelancers & small agencies
  • Content-heavy blogs or review sites
  • Businesses growing SEO and email lists

Why It’s Better Than Basic:

  • Much more storage = freedom to scale
  • Better security (malware protection, backups, privacy)
  • Professional support access (chat + phone)
  • Staging site for safe design/test changes
  • Perfect for anyone planning to run multiple WordPress installs

Drawbacks to Consider:

  • Slightly higher renewal rate ($15.99/mo) after first year
  • Still lacks built-in WooCommerce tools (unlike the next tier)

Verdict: If you’re taking your website seriously and want the best combination of value, performance, and peace of mind, Choice Plus is the plan most users stick with long-term. It covers everything you need without jumping to more expensive business-tier hosting.

👉 Get Started with Bluehost for Just $1.99/month
✅ Free Domain | ✅ Free SSL | ✅ Built for WordPress | ✅ 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

4. Bluehost eCommerce Essentials Plan: Built for Selling Online

If your goal is to run a full-featured online store or membership site, the eCommerce Essentials plan is built specifically for you. Priced at $6.45/month (12-month term), this plan includes all the features of Choice Plus—plus powerful WooCommerce tools, enhanced performance, and custom commerce functionality.

This plan is ideal for solopreneurs, course creators, content sellers, and digital product businesses who want to grow and scale quickly without hiring a developer.

Key Features of eCommerce Essentials:

  • Host up to 100 websites
  • 100 GB NVMe SSD storage (faster than standard SSDs)
  • Ideal for handling ~400,000 visits/month
  • WooCommerce pre-installed with auto-setup
  • Free domain + SSL + CDN
  • Secure payment processing integration
  • Sell subscriptions, memberships, courses
  • Run your own affiliate program
  • Social login + custom email templates
  • Free malware removal + backups
  • Domain privacy, DDoS protection, WAF included
  • 24/7 phone + chat support

Who Is It Best For?

  • New or growing online stores
  • Creators selling digital content or courses
  • Coaches, consultants, and membership sites
  • Bloggers ready to monetize with products
  • Sellers wanting to offer subscriptions or accept payments online

What Sets It Apart from Choice Plus:

  • Built-in eCommerce infrastructure
  • Integrated tools for subscriptions, memberships, and paid content
  • Higher NVMe storage capacity = blazing-fast load times
  • WooCommerce auto-install and optimization
  • Advanced email marketing + sales funnel tools

Minor Drawbacks:

  • Higher starting price ($6.45/mo vs $3.95/mo)
  • Renewals cost more at $18.99/month
  • Might be overkill if you only run a content blog with no selling plans

Verdict: If you’re serious about eCommerce and want all-in-one tools to sell online, this is the hosting plan to choose. Bluehost’s eCommerce Essentials plan removes the technical hassle so you can focus on your business, not setup.

👉 Get Started with Bluehost for Just $1.99/month
✅ Free Domain | ✅ Free SSL | ✅ Built for WordPress | ✅ 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Final Verdict: Which Bluehost Shared Hosting Plan Should You Choose in 2025?

Choosing the right Bluehost shared hosting plan depends on your current needs, future goals, and the type of website you’re building. Here’s a clear breakdown to help you decide:

  • ✅ Choose the Basic Plan if you’re just starting out with one website, such as a personal blog or portfolio. It’s affordable and includes essentials like a free domain for 1 year, SSL certificate, and 10GB SSD storage. Perfect for beginners on a tight budget.
  • ✅ Go with Choice Plus if you plan to run multiple websites, need free backups, domain privacy, and extra security features. It offers significantly more value for just a small price jump from the Basic plan—making it the best overall pick for bloggers, affiliate marketers, and growing businesses.
  • ✅ Opt for the eCommerce Plan if you’re starting an online store with WooCommerce. This plan comes with premium store features like online payments, product search, bookings, and shipping tools that aren’t included in the other plans. It’s tailored for serious sellers who want a hassle-free WooCommerce setup.

Bottom Line: If you’re unsure, Choice Plus hits the sweet spot for most users by combining flexibility, advanced features, and long-term value. It’s the most recommended plan for anyone serious about building a successful WordPress site in 2025.

👉 Get Started with Bluehost for Just $1.99/month
✅ Free Domain | ✅ Free SSL | ✅ Built for WordPress | ✅ 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

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FAQs – Bluehost Shared Hosting Plans Comparison 2025

What is the main difference between Bluehost Basic and Choice Plus plans?

The main difference is that the Basic plan supports only one website, while Choice Plus allows unlimited websites. Choice Plus also includes free automated backups for a year, domain privacy, and more storage space.

Is Bluehost Choice Plus worth it in 2025?

Yes, Bluehost Choice Plus offers excellent value in 2025. For a slightly higher price than the Basic plan, you get additional features like daily backups, enhanced security, and the ability to host unlimited websites.

Who should choose the Bluehost Basic plan?

The Basic plan is ideal for beginners, personal bloggers, or anyone who needs to host just one website. It’s budget-friendly and includes all the essential hosting features to get started.

What’s included in the Bluehost eCommerce plan?

Bluehost’s eCommerce plan includes everything from the Choice Plus plan, along with premium WooCommerce features like online payments, bookings, shipping integrations, and a pre-installed store setup to start selling fast.

Can I upgrade from Basic to Choice Plus or eCommerce later?

Absolutely. Bluehost allows seamless upgrades at any time. You can start with Basic and move to a higher plan as your website grows or requires more features.

Does Bluehost offer free backups in all shared hosting plans?

No. Free automated backups (via CodeGuard) are included only in the Choice Plus and eCommerce plans. The Basic plan doesn’t include this feature by default.

Which Bluehost plan is best for WordPress?

While all plans support WordPress, Choice Plus is the best overall for most WordPress users, offering scalability, backups, security, and multi-site support.

Is domain privacy included in Bluehost plans?

Domain privacy is only included in Choice Plus and eCommerce plans. The Basic plan does not offer free domain privacy protection.

Can I host email accounts with Bluehost shared hosting?

Yes. All Bluehost shared hosting plans allow you to create custom email accounts using your domain name. The number of email accounts may vary by plan.

Do Bluehost shared hosting plans come with a money-back guarantee?

Yes. Bluehost offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all shared hosting plans, so you can try their service risk-free.

Is Bluehost good for WooCommerce stores?

Yes. The eCommerce plan is specifically optimized for WooCommerce, with pre-installed tools, advanced shopping features, and security designed for online selling.

Which Bluehost plan is best for multiple websites?

If you want to host more than one website, go for Choice Plus or eCommerce. The Basic plan only supports one website.

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