Bluehost Reviews
A long-time WordPress favorite with a guided dashboard, free first-year domain and 24/7 phone and chat support
Last updated: Oct 16, 2026
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The bottom line
Bluehost is a dependable, beginner-friendly WordPress host from one of the biggest names in the industry, with a free first-year domain and transparent renewal tables. It ranks second because Hostinger includes backups on its entry plan at a lower intro price.
Uncheck add-ons you don't need at checkout and note your renewal rate.
Bluehost has hosted websites since 2003 and is one of the core brands of Newfold Digital, which also owns Network Solutions, Domain.com and BigRock. It is best known as a WordPress host.
In 2025 it renamed its shared plans to Starter, Business and Pro. This review covers what each plan includes, the real cost after renewal and who Bluehost is right for.
Is Bluehost legit?
Yes - Bluehost has hosted websites since 2003 and is one of the core brands of Newfold Digital, one of the largest web presence companies in the world. It is a long-standing WordPress host. Expect upsells at checkout and renewal prices well above the intro rate.
- Founded 2003
- Owned by Newfold Digital
- Long-time WordPress-focused host
- Rated 4.5/5 across 29,500+ Trustpilot reviews
“Legitimate” here means a real, operating web hosting provider - not a guarantee of uptime or performance. What you get depends on your plan. Always confirm current pricing and renewal terms with the provider.
Key Features
- Shared plans: Starter, Business and Pro
- Free domain for the first year (12- and 36-month terms)
- Free SSL on every plan
- NVMe storage (10 GB on Starter)
- WordPress-focused dashboard
- 24/7 chat and phone support
Plans & Hosting Types
- Shared hosting
- WordPress and WooCommerce hosting
- VPS hosting
- Dedicated servers
- Website builder
Pricing
Starter
36-mo termOne website, 10 GB NVMe, free domain and SSL
- Free domain (year one)
- Free SSL
Business
Renews ~$13.99/mo (36-mo)More sites and storage, backups included
- Backups included
- More websites
Pro
Renews ~$16.99/mo (36-mo)Top shared tier with the most resources
- Most resources
- Backups included
Approximate only. Starter is reported at about $3.99 a month on a 36-month term (about $4.99 on 12 months).
Reported renewal rates for Starter are $9.99 a month on a 36-month term, $11.99 on 12 months and $15.99 month-to-month. Business renews from about $13.99 and Pro from about $16.99 a month on 36-month terms.
Daily backups are not free on Starter. Confirm on Bluehost's site before buying.
How Bluehost Works
- 1Step 1
Pick a plan and term
Choose Starter, Business or Pro on a 12- or 36-month term.
- 2Step 2
Claim your free domain
Register it within 90 days of signup, or connect an existing domain.
- 3Step 3
Launch WordPress
Bluehost's onboarding installs WordPress and walks you through setup.
Pros
- Polished, WordPress-first dashboard
- Free first-year domain on 12- and 36-month terms
- Published renewal rates by term
- 24/7 phone and chat support
Cons
- No free daily backups on Starter (reported)
- Renewals are roughly 2.5-4 times the intro price
- Upsells at checkout
- Data centers mainly in the US
Who It's Best For
- WordPress beginners in the US
- Small businesses that want phone support
- Buyers who prefer a 12- or 36-month commitment
Final Verdict
Bluehost is a dependable, beginner-friendly WordPress host from one of the biggest names in the industry, with a free first-year domain and transparent renewal tables. It ranks second because Hostinger includes backups on its entry plan at a lower intro price.
Uncheck add-ons you don't need at checkout and note your renewal rate.
Bluehost Review: FAQs
Is Bluehost legit?
Yes - Bluehost has hosted websites since 2003 and is one of the core brands of Newfold Digital, one of the largest web presence companies in the world. It is a long-standing WordPress host. Expect upsells at checkout and renewal prices well above the intro rate.
How much does Bluehost cost?
Approximate only. Starter is reported at about $3.99 a month on a 36-month term (about $4.99 on 12 months). Reported renewal rates for Starter are $9.99 a month on a 36-month term, $11.99 on 12 months and $15.99 month-to-month. Business renews from about $13.99 and Pro from about $16.99 a month on 36-month terms. Daily backups are not free on Starter. Confirm on Bluehost's site before buying.
What plans does Bluehost offer?
Bluehost offers Shared hosting, WordPress and WooCommerce hosting, VPS hosting, Dedicated servers, Website builder.
Who is Bluehost best for?
Bluehost is best for WordPress beginners in the US; Small businesses that want phone support; Buyers who prefer a 12- or 36-month commitment.
Is Bluehost worth it?
Bluehost is a dependable, beginner-friendly WordPress host from one of the biggest names in the industry, with a free first-year domain and transparent renewal tables. It ranks second because Hostinger includes backups on its entry plan at a lower intro price. Uncheck add-ons you don't need at checkout and note your renewal rate.
What are Bluehost's plan names now?
Bluehost renamed its shared plans in 2025 to Starter, Business and Pro. Older articles may still mention Basic, Choice Plus or Online Store.
How much does Bluehost cost after the first term?
Reported renewal rates for Starter are about $9.99 a month on a 36-month term, $11.99 on a 12-month term and $15.99 month-to-month, with Business and Pro renewing higher. Confirm on Bluehost's site before buying.
Is the Bluehost free domain really free?
The domain is free for the first year on 12- and 36-month terms and must be claimed within 90 days. It then renews at the regular domain price.
Related
Sources & methodology
We built this review of Bluehost from the provider's own published pricing, plans and terms of service, cross-checked against public records and company announcements, and read alongside real customer feedback. Prices and plan details were verified against the provider's published information; we do not take providers' word for their own claims without checking.
Provider information
Pricing, renewal rates, plans and terms, checked against each provider's own site.
- Bluehost - pricing, plans & policies as published on its own site
Provider data checked October 2026
Customer & community feedback
Third-party signals shown on this page and in our full reviews: Trustpilot ratings and Better Business Bureau records, as captured on the dates we note. We report what these sources say - we never fold their ratings into our own scores.
Regulatory & public-record references
- 1.Hostinger hosting plans - Hostinger
- 2.Bluehost shared hosting plans - Bluehost
- 3.Hosting.com web hosting - Hosting.com
- 4.Domain.com web hosting - Domain.com
- 5.BigRock web hosting - BigRock
- 6.Network Solutions web hosting - Network Solutions
- 7.UltaHost shared hosting - UltaHost
Last reviewed October 2026. We revisit comparisons when providers change their pricing or policies. This page is information only - always confirm current pricing and renewal terms before buying a plan.