Fasthosts Review: In-Depth Analysis of Their Services and Performance

Fasthosts is a UK-based web hosting provider with over 20 years of experience in the industry, offering a broad range of services including web hosting, domain registration, email hosting, and cloud services.

The company has carved a niche for itself with competitive pricing and a focus on scalability, targeting both individuals and businesses of all sizes.

In this review, we’ll delve into the core offerings, customer support, pricing, and how Fasthosts compares with other hosting providers in the market.

Shared Web Hosting

Fasthosts’ shared hosting plans are tailored for small businesses, startups, and individuals. Their shared hosting includes features like unlimited bandwidth, free SSL certificates, and free domain registration for the first year on most plans. The plans are divided into three tiers:

  • Basic: Ideal for small websites with limited traffic. It offers 10 GB of storage and 1 website.
  • Plus: A step up with 100 GB of storage, multiple websites, and additional performance optimizations.
  • Advance: For larger websites, offering 120 GB of storage, unlimited websites, and priority support.

Cloud Hosting

Fasthosts also provides cloud hosting for businesses requiring more flexibility and scalability. Their cloud hosting plans are highly customizable, allowing users to choose their CPU, RAM, and storage resources based on specific needs.

Cloud services are often favored by businesses expecting traffic spikes or with complex infrastructure demands, and Fasthosts offers solid uptime with load balancing for maximum performance.

VPS Hosting

Virtual Private Servers (VPS) from Fasthosts give users more control over their hosting environment. These plans provide dedicated resources without the expense of a full dedicated server. The VPS plans range from entry-level setups with 2 vCPUs and 4 GB of RAM to more powerful configurations with 8 vCPUs and 32 GB of RAM.

Dedicated Servers

Fasthosts offers dedicated servers for businesses needing complete control and high-performance resources. The servers come with a choice of Linux or Windows operating systems, full root access, and SSD or HDD storage options. These plans are suitable for websites with high traffic, large databases, or resource-intensive applications.

WordPress Hosting

Fasthosts also provides managed WordPress hosting, offering automatic updates, daily backups, and a user-friendly control panel.

The WordPress hosting comes pre-configured for optimal performance, making it easier for users to set up and manage WordPress websites.

Email Hosting

For businesses looking for professional email solutions, Fasthosts offers email hosting packages with anti-spam and antivirus protection, along with integration options for Microsoft 365.

Key Features of Fasthosts

✅ Free SSL Certificates: Most plans come with free SSL certificates, which are crucial for securing websites and building user trust.

✅ Unlimited Bandwidth: Unlike some competitors, Fasthosts offers unlimited bandwidth even on their lower-tier plans, making it easier to manage spikes in traffic without additional costs.

✅ 99.99% Uptime Guarantee: Fasthosts guarantees 99.99% uptime, a standard in the industry, ensuring reliability for mission-critical websites.

✅ 24/7 Customer Support: Fasthosts provides 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone. Their technical support is knowledgeable but can be slow in resolving complex issues.

Pricing

Fasthosts’ pricing is competitive, with low introductory prices that increase after the first term. For example, their shared hosting plans start at £2.50/month, which is comparable to other budget hosts. However, the renewal rates jump significantly after the initial term, often leading to higher long-term costs.

  • Shared Hosting: Starting at £2.50/month
  • VPS Hosting: Starting at £4/month
  • Dedicated Servers: Starting at £40/month
  • WordPress Hosting: Starting at £1/month (introductory rate)

Compared to providers like Bluehost or SiteGround, Fasthosts’ prices are lower initially, but renewal prices can become a disadvantage for long-term hosting.

Fasthosts vs. Bluehost

  • Pricing: Fasthosts has more affordable starting prices than Bluehost, but Bluehost’s overall pricing structure is more transparent, especially for renewals. Fasthosts’ renewal rates are steep, which might turn off budget-conscious users.
  • Ease of Use: Bluehost offers a more beginner-friendly interface with a custom cPanel that’s easy to navigate. Fasthosts, while also easy to use, does not have the same level of intuitive design.
  • Performance: Both Fasthosts and Bluehost offer 99.99% uptime guarantees. However, in real-world tests, Bluehost has shown slightly better load times compared to Fasthosts, especially for websites with global audiences.

Fasthosts vs. SiteGround

  • Customer Support: SiteGround is known for its exceptional customer support, with fast response times and highly knowledgeable agents. Fasthosts offers solid 24/7 support, but it can sometimes be slower in resolving technical issues.
  • Features: SiteGround includes more advanced security features like daily backups and anti-bot systems on all plans, whereas Fasthosts reserves some of these for higher-tier plans.
  • Speed: SiteGround tends to outperform Fasthosts in terms of speed, especially with its use of Google Cloud infrastructure, which provides faster load times globally.

Fasthosts vs. HostGator

  • Pricing: HostGator and Fasthosts offer similar introductory prices, but HostGator has a slight edge with more affordable renewal rates.
  • Scalability: Fasthosts provides more scalable cloud and dedicated hosting solutions compared to HostGator. Their VPS and cloud hosting are more customizable, allowing businesses to adjust resources dynamically.
  • Performance: Both companies guarantee similar uptimes, but HostGator’s performance can dip under heavy traffic, whereas Fasthosts generally handles traffic surges well.

Pros and Cons of Fasthosts

Pros 💪

  • Competitive initial pricing
  • Scalable VPS and cloud hosting solutions
  • Free SSL certificates included on most plans
  • Unlimited bandwidth, even on lower-tier plans
  • 24/7 customer support

Cons 👎

  • High renewal rates
  • Support can be slower for complex issues
  • Slightly slower speeds compared to premium providers like SiteGround
  • Some features reserved for higher-tier plans

Final Verdict

Fasthosts is a solid choice for small to medium-sized businesses looking for scalable solutions without breaking the bank. Their introductory pricing is very competitive, especially for shared hosting and VPS options.

However, users should be aware of the high renewal rates, which can make Fasthosts more expensive in the long run. While their customer support and uptime are reliable, performance, particularly speed, may not match premium providers like SiteGround.

For those looking for an affordable entry into web hosting with the option to scale as they grow, Fasthosts is a worthy contender, especially for UK-based businesses. However, for those who prioritize top-tier performance and customer support, other options like SiteGround or Bluehost may be a better fit.