Hostinger vs Namecheap (2026): Hosting, Renewals and Domains
Short answer: For the first four years, Hostinger is cheaper: about $96 against about $148 for Namecheap Stellar. After that, Namecheap is cheaper to keep, at about $4.66 a month against Hostinger's $10.99. Pick Hostinger for faster storage, free migration and better tools. Pick Namecheap if a low price for many years matters most, or you only want a domain.
See Hostinger's current priceNamecheap is best known for selling domains (web addresses like yourname.com). It also sells cheap web hosting. Hostinger is mainly a web host that also sells domains. So the right pick depends on what you’re buying.
Hostinger prices were checked on Hostinger’s site on November 8, 2026. Namecheap’s renewal prices come from its May 2026 pricing notice, and its sale price from a September 2026 review, because Namecheap’s site blocked our direct check. Check the price at checkout.
Hostinger vs Namecheap at a glance
| Hostinger Premium | Namecheap Stellar | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale price | $1.99/mo (48 months) | About $1.88/mo (24 months) |
| Renews at | $10.99/mo | $55.88/yr (about $4.66/mo) |
| Cost over 4 years | $95.52 | About $148 |
| Websites | 3 | 3 |
| Storage | 20 GB SSD | 20 GB SSD |
| Free domain | 1 year | Offered with some deals |
| Site transfer | Free | Free |
| Support | 24/7 chat | 24/7 chat and tickets |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
What each host costs over time
Hostinger wins the first four years. Namecheap wins after that.
| Plan | First 4 years | Each year after |
|---|---|---|
| Hostinger Premium | $95.52 | $131.88 |
| Namecheap Stellar | About $148 | $51.44 (on a 2-year renewal) |
| Hostinger Unlimited | $133.92 | $203.88 |
If you plan to keep your site for 8 years or more, Namecheap’s low renewal price adds up. Over eight years, Namecheap Stellar costs about $354 and Hostinger Premium about $623, so Namecheap saves roughly $270.
Check Hostinger’s current price
Where Hostinger is better
- Lower cost for four years, with the price locked in.
- A CDN (copies of your site around the world, so pages load faster) on every plan.
- LiteSpeed servers made to load WordPress fast.
- An AI website builder if you don’t want to use WordPress.
- A path to a VPS (a private server) for apps and AI agents.
Where Namecheap is better
- Much lower renewal price. About $4.66 a month after the sale ends.
- Domains. Namecheap is a large domain seller, and its domain prices and free privacy are a big reason people choose it.
Which is better for buying a domain?
If you only want a domain, Namecheap is the usual pick. It’s built around domains and includes free privacy (it hides your home address from public records).
If you also want hosting, Hostinger’s free first-year domain saves you a step. Your domain and site live in one account. You can also buy a domain at Namecheap and point it at Hostinger.
Which is better for WordPress?
Hostinger. Both install WordPress in one click, but Hostinger’s LiteSpeed servers and CDN help WordPress load faster. Namecheap is fine for a small, simple WordPress site.
Who should choose Namecheap
- You want the lowest price over many years.
- You only want a domain.
- Your domains already live at Namecheap.
Who should choose Hostinger
- You want the lowest cost for the next four years.
- You want speed tools like a CDN and LiteSpeed built in.
- You might want a website builder or a VPS later.
Also see Bluehost vs Namecheap and our full Hostinger review.
FAQ
Which is better, Hostinger or Namecheap? Hostinger for the first four years and for speed tools. Namecheap for a low price over many years and for domains.
Did Namecheap raise its hosting prices? Yes. Namecheap announced higher shared hosting renewal prices from May 19, 2026. Stellar now renews at $55.88 a year.
Can I use a Namecheap domain with Hostinger hosting? Yes. Change the domain’s nameservers to Hostinger’s. Your domain stays at Namecheap.
Sources
- Shared hosting pricing changes, May 2026, Namecheap
- Best cheap web hosting, TechRadar, updated Sep 2026
- Hostinger web hosting plans, Hostinger, checked Nov 8, 2026 with our referral link