Web Hosting Renewal Price Index 2026: What 12 Hosts Really Charge

The headline finding: across the 12 major web hosts we tracked in September 2026, the average renewal markup is 187% — the advertised price roughly triples after the first term. The cheapest intro price is almost never the cheapest host over three years. This index exists so you can compare what hosting actually costs, not what the homepage advertises.

The Index: Intro vs Renewal vs 3-Year Cost

Methodology: entry-level shared/managed plans, prices observed September 2026, longest intro term for the advertised rate, 3-year cost = intro term + renewals. Prices change; verify at checkout. Managed hosts (Kinsta, WP Engine, DreamPress) are included for markup comparison, not as like-for-like budget alternatives.

What the Data Shows

1. The markup matters more than the intro price. IONOS advertises $1/month — the lowest headline in the industry — but renews at ~10x. SiteGround's $2.99 looks identical to Hostinger's $2.99 until renewal, when it costs 64% more. The intro price is marketing; the renewal price is the product.

2. Premium hosts are the most honest. Kinsta and Cloudways charge the same price on day 1 and day 1000 — no markup at all. You pay more, but the number on the page is the number you pay forever. The bait-and-switch is a budget-hosting phenomenon.

3. DreamHost is the quiet winner on policy. The lowest markup (~2.1x), genuine month-to-month billing, and a 97-day refund window. It rarely tops speed benchmarks, but on pricing honesty it beats everyone in the budget tier.

4. Bluehost sits in the value sweet spot. ~3.4x markup is mid-pack, but the ~$430 three-year total includes a free domain (~$15/yr value), email, and phone support that Hostinger and DreamHost charge extra for or lack entirely. Adjusted for inclusions, it is the cheapest full-featured option.

How to Beat the Renewal System

• Max out the intro term. The $2.95 rate applies to the whole prepaid period — 36 months at intro price beats 12 months at intro + 24 at renewal.
• Set a renewal reminder. Most hosts do not refund renewal charges. Decide 30 days before your term ends.
• Use the switch threat. Retention teams have discretion — asking for a renewal discount before canceling works more often than you would expect.
• Or actually switch. Free migration tools at Bluehost, DreamHost, and SiteGround make moving a WordPress site a few hours of work — the savings often exceed $200.

The Bottom Line

Stop comparing intro prices. The honest ranking by 3-year cost: DreamHost (~$380), Hostinger (~$400), Cloudways (~$400), Bluehost (~$430) — then a gap — then everyone else. Factor in what is included (domain, email, phone support) and Bluehost's effective cost drops below the rest. For the full breakdown of every cost component, see our hosting cost guide and renewal price analysis.