Hosting · Real cost
Cheap hosting: the renewal price and what you really pay
The price advertised for a hosting or VPS is the price of the first term paid upfront: 24 months for Hostinger's VPS and 48 months for its shared hosting in the US. On renewal the month costs between 71% and 123% more on the VPS plans, and up to six times as much on shared hosting. That is why you compare the average over the full term, not the headline price.
Updated 2026-11-10 · By Rómulo Felizola · Leer en español
VPS: offer, renewal and four-year average
| Plan | Offer ($/mo) | Renewal ($/mo) | Rise | Average per month over 48 months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KVM 1 | $6.49 | $11.99 | +85% | $9.24 (+42%) |
| KVM 2 | $8.79 | $14.99 | +71% | $11.89 (+35%) |
| KVM 4 | $12.99 | $28.99 | +123% | $20.99 (+62%) |
| KVM 8 | $25.99 | $49.99 | +92% | $37.99 (+46%) |
US prices from hostinger.com/vps-hosting, checked November 10, 2026. Average = (24 months paid upfront + 24 months renewed) ÷ 48. Our calculation; it changes if Hostinger changes the renewal price.
The KVM 2 goes from $8.79 to $14.99 a month (+71%). Over four years the average comes to $11.89, +35% above the headline price. It is not a hidden trap (the page shows it), but it is not visible at first glance.
Shared hosting: the shock comes after the term
| Plan | Offer ($/mo, 48 months) | Renewal ($/mo) | Rise | Average per month over 96 months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | $1.99 | $10.99 | +452% | $6.49 (+226%) |
| Unlimited | $2.79 | $16.99 | +509% | $9.89 (+254%) |
| Cloud Startup | $7.99 | $25.99 | +225% | $16.99 (+113%) |
US prices from hostinger.com/web-hosting, checked November 10, 2026. Average = (48 months paid upfront + 48 months renewed) ÷ 96.
Here the 48-month offer is so long that you pay the cheap price for four years. The surprise arrives in year five, when Premium renews at more than five times the offer price. If you plan to stay longer, work with the renewal price.
How to compare providers without fooling yourself
- Always ask for the renewal price and the term the offer applies to.
- Work out (initial payment + renewals) ÷ months over the period you will really stay. It is what you pay per month.
- Check whether the renewal price applies to the same long term or to a monthly one, which is usually dearer.
- Compare resources, not names: vCPU, RAM, disk and bandwidth.
So is it worth it or not?
Yes, with your eyes open. Even with renewal, a KVM 2 remains one of the cheapest options for a developer with several projects, because it hosts many sites for the price of one. What isn't worth it is buying a long term for a plan you won't use. In Latin America the rise is similar: about 80% on the KVM 2 in Colombia, Mexico and Argentina.
If you're already sure:KVM 2 VPS at Hostinger
Frequently asked questions
Can I avoid the rise on renewal?
The usual options are to renew at the renewal price or move to another provider. Moving a website is not hard and sometimes pays off; if you don't want to do it yourself, our maintenance service (in Spanish) includes the move.
Is paying 24 or 48 months upfront a good idea?
It lowers the monthly price a lot, but you commit money to a service you may change. If your project is clear, yes; if you are testing, start with a shorter term even if it costs more per month.