Bluehost vs GreenGeeks (2026): Cheapest Now vs Cheapest Over Time
Short answer: GreenGeeks is cheaper in year one ($1.95 a month right now) and includes daily backups and free email. Bluehost is cheaper over time: about $264 for four years against about $526, because GreenGeeks' low price lasts only 12 months and then renews at $13.95 a month.
See GreenGeeks' current priceGreenGeeks wins the first year and Bluehost wins the next three. Which one is cheaper for you depends on how long you plan to keep your site.
GreenGeeks prices were checked on GreenGeeks’ site on November 7, 2026, during its early Black Friday sale. Bluehost prices are from current published pricing reviews. Confirm at checkout.
Bluehost vs GreenGeeks at a glance
| Bluehost Starter | GreenGeeks Lite | |
|---|---|---|
| Intro price | $3.99/mo (36-month term) | $1.95/mo (12-month term) |
| Renewal price | $9.99/mo | $13.95/mo |
| Cost over 4 years | ~$264 | ~$526 |
| Websites | 10 | 5 |
| Storage | 10 GB NVMe | 25 GB |
| Backups | Weekly; CodeGuard $2.99/mo extra | Daily |
| 1-month free trial, then $2.99/mo | Included | |
| Free domain | First year | First year |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| Green energy | Not a focus | Puts back 3x the energy it uses, as renewable energy credits |
What each one really costs
The trap is the term length. GreenGeeks’ sale price covers a 12-month prepay, so you hit the $13.95 renewal in year two. Bluehost’s intro price runs for 36 months.
| Plan | Year 1 | First 3 years | First 4 years | Each year after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GreenGeeks Lite | $23.40 | $358.20 | $525.60 | $167.40 |
| Bluehost Starter | $47.88 | $143.64 | $263.52 | $119.88 |
| GreenGeeks Pro (unlimited sites) | $47.40 | $502.20 | $729.60 | $227.40 |
| Bluehost Business | $83.88 | $251.64 | $419.52 | $167.88 |
Count the extras. If you need a business email address and daily backups, Bluehost charges about $2.99 a month for each. Add both and Bluehost Starter’s four-year cost rises to about $550, slightly more than GreenGeeks Lite.
Check GreenGeeks’ current price
Features
- More storage and backups on GreenGeeks. Lite has 25 GB of storage and daily backups. Bluehost Starter has 10 GB and weekly backups.
- More sites on Bluehost. Starter allows 10 websites against GreenGeeks Lite’s 5. GreenGeeks Pro allows unlimited sites but renews at $18.95 a month.
- Email. GreenGeeks includes email accounts. Bluehost gives a one-month trial, then charges.
- Green hosting. GreenGeeks’ main pitch is the environment. If that matters to you, it’s the clear pick.
Support
Both offer 24/7 live chat. Bluehost adds phone support from the Business plan up. GreenGeeks lists phone support on its plans, with limited hours.
Who should choose Bluehost
- You’ll keep the site for three years or more and want the lowest total cost.
- You want to run 6 to 10 small sites on the cheapest plan.
- You don’t need email, or you already use Gmail or Outlook.
Who should choose GreenGeeks
- You want the lowest price for the first year.
- You want daily backups and email included without add-ons.
- Running on a green host matters to you.
When neither is the best fit
Hostinger costs about $96 for four years through our link, with free email for the first year and free migration. See Bluehost vs Hostinger or all our Bluehost alternatives.
FAQ
Is GreenGeeks really green? GreenGeeks says it buys renewable energy credits worth three times the power it uses. It doesn’t run its servers on its own renewable power, but it’s the most committed eco-friendly option among mainstream hosts.
Why does GreenGeeks renew so high? Like most hosts, it discounts the first term heavily. The difference is the short term: the sale price lasts 12 months instead of 36.
Can I switch from Bluehost to GreenGeeks? Yes. GreenGeeks offers free website migration, and you have 30 days to get your money back.
Sources
- GreenGeeks shared hosting plans, GreenGeeks, checked Nov 7, 2026
- GreenGeeks review, All About Cookies, updated Jun 2026
- Bluehost pricing and plans, Website Builder Expert, updated Feb 2026