Hostwinds Review [Updated 2023]

Hostwinds is a web hosting service that boasts fast speeds, 99.9999% server uptime and unlimited storage for all its plans. Customers will also love that they can easily migrate an existing website with a couple of clicks and get free SSL certificates for their websites. Although Hostwinds offers features that small businesses love, its pricing is higher than its competitors.

What Is Hostwinds?

Hostwinds is a web hosting company founded in 2010 and located in Seattle, Washington. The company offers various web hosting services, such as shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated server hosting and cloud hosting. Its mission is to provide businesses and individuals worldwide with reliable and affordable web hosting solutions. Hostwinds is known for its excellent customer support, fast and dedicated servers and easy-to-use control panel.

Also Read: StartLogic Hosting Review

How Hostwinds Works

Hostwinds offers web hosting services to customers who need to host their website or web application online. The company operates data centers and maintains servers across the globe.

Hostwinds Pricing and Features

Here’s a brief overview of Hostwinds’ hosting options:

• Shared hosting: Hostwinds Shared Hosting is a web hosting that allows multiple websites to share the same server resources, such as CPU, RAM and disk space. It is best for individuals or small businesses that do not require significant server resources. Some of the features of this hosting service are a free SSL certificate, a cPanel control panel, a one-click app installer (Softaculous), unlimited email accounts and unlimited subdomains.
• Business hosting: This hosting service gives businesses the resources to host a website that can handle high traffic volumes and intensive workloads. All packages use Solid-State Drives (SSD), increased CPU processing time, higher node limits and higher outbound email limits.
• Reseller hosting: Reseller hosting allows individuals or businesses to purchase a hosting package from Hostwinds and resell it to clients without referencing the Hostwinds brand. In addition, you can access a control panel to manage your hosting accounts and create custom hosting plans for your business. These plans are ideal for website designers and entrepreneurs looking to offer web hosting services to their clients.
• White label reseller: These plans allow users to offer hosting plans under their brand name, with the option to white label Hostwinds hosting services. In this model, you can offer your clients web hosting services under your company name and branding while Hostwinds provides the technical infrastructure and support.
• VPS hosting: VPS hosting provides a virtual private server (VPS) to host your website or application. Hostwinds offers a total of four Windows and Linux-based hosting plans.
• Dedicated hosting: Dedicated hosting gives users fully customizable servers that can be configured to meet their specific needs. You can choose from various server configurations, including the operating system, RAM, storage, bandwidth and IP addresses.
• Cloud hosting: Its cloud hosting services give you access to a flexible hosting solution that can be scaled up or down as your business needs change.

Is Hostwinds Right for Me?

Hostwinds is a good fit for small businesses that want unlimited storage and bandwidth, especially if you anticipate significant traffic coming to your website. However, those interested in more budget-friendly options may want to look elsewhere, as many competitors offer similar features at lower prices.

Hostwinds is best for:

• Customers and businesses seeking multiple hosting options: Hostwinds offers a range of web hosting options such as shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated hosting and reseller hosting, enabling users to find a plan that best suits their needs.
• Web developers, designers and entrepreneurs: Web professionals and entrepreneurs can resell its hosting packages—while Hostwinds handles the technical infrastructure. It also offers full root access, multiple operating system options, customizable server configurations and a service level agreement (SLA) of 99.9999%.
• Small and medium-sized businesses: Hostwinds’ business hosting packages feature solid-state drives, up-to-date cPanel, easy installation via Softaculous and a Weebly website builder.

Hostwinds is not recommended for:

• Customers seeking lower prices: Hostwinds plans are slightly more expensive than its competitors, which is a downside for aspiring users on a budget.
• Businesses that need backups: Hostwinds offers cloud hosting backups as an add-on. It also does not allow a single add-on purchase for multiple hosting plans.
• E-commerce businesses: The company lacks hosting plans specifically designed for e-commerce businesses, which will likely find better options elsewhere.

What Sets Hostwinds Apart

Hostwinds boasts that it owns 100% of its servers, systems and structures so that the company can resolve issues quickly and cost-effectively. As a result, the company claims it passes on the savings to its customers.

All plans come with unlimited storage and bandwidth and unlimited email accounts. They also offer free website migration through support experts who can help you develop a unique migration plan.

Hostwinds Features

Hostwinds offers a robust set of features that can meet users’ needs seeking a reliable and flexible hosting solution. The solution allows users to migrate an existing website easily, receive free SSL certificates and get unlimited storage and bandwidth.

Storage and Bandwidth Limits

Hostwinds offers unlimited bandwidth and disk space, even on its Basic plan. It allows unlimited data transfer between websites and visitors without limits or extra fees. In contrast, unmetered bandwidth restricts the amount of bandwidth for use. Although it does not limit the amount of data that can be transferred to your visitors, the server speed may be limited.

Extras and Inclusions

Hostwinds plans include free SSL certificates, a free domain and a free dedicated IP. Its promotional offer is only available during the first billing cycle. Afterward, the price renews at a slightly higher rate.

Ease of Use

Hostwinds provides a user-friendly control panel for managing your hosting account, which includes features such as one-click application installs, a robust website builder, file managers, quick shortcuts and email account creation tools.

User Dashboard/cPanel

Hostwinds cPanel has features for website management. The dashboard includes a file manager, email accounts for hosted domains and FTP accounts. You also have the option to back up the entire cPanel or use Apache SpamAssassin to eliminate spam.

Security

Hostwinds uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol and Internet Encryption Software when processing sensitive data such as credit card information. It also offers free AutoSSL certificates on shared and business hosting accounts. Plus, RapidSSL and WildCard SSL certificates are at an additional cost.

Nightly Backups

Hostwinds backs up your website every evening to keep important information and files secure. You can restore your website to a reasonably recent version if anything goes wrong, such as malware attacks. You’ll also be able to keep your backups indefinitely and access them whenever you wish. This feature is rare for basic shared hosting plans, which may only include backups biweekly, weekly or none at all.

Weebly Website Builder

The shared and business hosting plans include Weebly, a drag-and-drop website builder. It’s ideal for small business owners who are starting and want to create simple websites themselves. You can customize the layout using various themes and ensure its mobile-friendliness. Alternatively, you can use other website builders, such as WordPress.