How it works
You rent an account on a server the host runs, with a control panel such as cPanel or Hostinger's hPanel, one-click WordPress, email accounts, a MySQL database and file access over FTP. The host handles the operating system, security patches and the web server, so there is nothing to administer beyond your own site.
Because everyone shares the machine's CPU and memory, a busy neighbour can slow your site, and plans cap resources quietly. Traditional plans suit PHP and static files; long-running Node.js or Python servers, background workers and custom software usually need a VPS or an app platform, though some hosts now offer limited Node.js. Intro prices assume paying for several years up front, and renewals cost several times more.
Shared hosting pros and cons
Pros
- Very cheap to start, often with a free domain for the first year
- No server administration: the host handles updates and security
- One-click WordPress, email and SSL certificates included
Cons
- Renewal prices are often three to four times the intro price
- Shared resources make speed inconsistent
- Limited or no support for Node.js, Python apps and custom software
When to use Shared hosting
Pick it when
- WordPress, blogs and brochure sites for small businesses
- Simple PHP sites with a MySQL database
- Budgets where a few hundred rupees a month is the ceiling
Skip it when
- Modern JavaScript apps with a server, APIs or real-time features
- Sites that need consistent speed under heavy traffic
Shared hosting pricing
Paid
Intro deals run about ₹69 to ₹149 a month in India (about $3 in the US) on four-year prepaid terms; Hostinger's Premium plan then renews at about ₹449 (or $11) a month.
Shared hosting pricing page (opens in a new tab)Approximate, checked September 2026.What the other tools cost
Shared hosting vs the alternatives
Related terms
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