InterServer Web Hosting Review

InterServer, founded in 1999, is a versatile web hosting provider that offers a wide range of services, from shared hosting to dedicated servers. Their primary selling points are affordability, reliability, and the promise of no sudden price hikes, which contrasts with many competitors. While not as hyped as some of the more marketing-driven names in the industry, InterServer has built a strong reputation for offering quality hosting without gimmicks.

Shared Hosting

InterServer’s standard shared hosting plan is a standout for its affordability, starting at $2.50/month for the first term. This plan includes unlimited storage, unlimited bandwidth, and unlimited email accounts. It’s ideal for personal websites or small businesses looking for low-cost solutions. Notably, InterServer promises no price hikes upon renewal, unlike competitors who often offer low introductory rates that sharply increase.

VPS Hosting

InterServer provides both Linux and Windows-based VPS hosting. These plans are highly customizable, allowing users to choose their resources in terms of CPU cores, memory, and storage space. Starting as low as $6/month, InterServer’s VPS offerings are competitive with similar providers, offering flexibility without high costs.

Additionally, they offer a wide range of operating systems and control panels, including cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin.

Dedicated Servers

Dedicated hosting plans from InterServer begin at $49/month, with customizable options for storage, RAM, and CPU. While they don’t provide managed dedicated servers by default, users can opt for managed services at an additional cost. This price point for dedicated servers is highly competitive, especially when compared to major players like Liquid Web and Kinsta, where dedicated hosting can easily cost over $100/month.

Reseller Hosting

InterServer offers reseller hosting starting at $19.95/month, which includes unlimited websites, free SSL certificates, and unlimited accounts. This is particularly useful for web designers or agencies looking to host multiple client websites under one plan. InterServer’s pricing for reseller hosting is middle-of-the-road, offering more features than budget providers but at a lower cost than high-end ones like SiteGround or Kinsta.

Cloud Hosting

While InterServer doesn’t offer cloud hosting in the same way that providers like Cloudways or Linode do, they do provide flexible VPS plans that can serve a similar purpose, allowing businesses to scale resources easily without committing to a full dedicated server.

Colocation Services

InterServer offers colocation services for businesses that need to house their own server hardware in a secure data center. This is a unique offering not provided by many mainstream hosts like Hostinger or Bluehost.

Features & Benefits

  1. Price Lock Guarantee One of InterServer’s key features is their price lock guarantee. Unlike most hosting providers, which offer steep discounts for the first term only to significantly increase prices upon renewal, InterServer guarantees that the price you sign up for will remain constant for life. This transparency is refreshing in an industry often criticized for pricing tactics.

  2. Free Website Migration InterServer offers free migration services, making it easy for users to switch from another hosting provider. This is similar to many competitors but always a welcome feature for anyone looking to avoid the hassle of manual migration.

  3. Customer Support InterServer boasts 24/7 customer support via live chat, phone, and a ticket system. The company’s in-house support is based in the U.S., which is a plus for customers who value local support. While their support is reliable, it may not be as hands-on as companies like Liquid Web or SiteGround, both of which are known for their exceptional managed support services.

  4. Speed and Uptime InterServer offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee and uses a combination of SSD caching servers, LiteSpeed web servers, and Cloudflare CDN to ensure speed and reliability. However, when compared to high-performance hosting solutions like Kinsta, Cloudways, or SiteGround, InterServer’s performance is solid but not industry-leading.

  5. Security InterServer provides free SSL certificates, DDoS protection, and weekly backups. However, advanced security features such as automatic malware scanning and removal, which are often included with premium hosts like SiteGround or DreamHost, are available as paid add-ons with InterServer.

  6. Easy-to-Use Control Panel InterServer uses cPanel as its control panel, a familiar and user-friendly interface for managing websites, emails, and domains. Many competitors offer the same, but some, like Kinsta, provide custom-built dashboards that can be more intuitive for less technical users.

Pros and Cons

Pros 👍

  • Affordable Pricing: Their shared hosting plan is among the cheapest in the industry with no renewal price hikes.
  • Scalability: From shared hosting to dedicated servers, InterServer offers a full spectrum of services that allow users to scale as their needs grow.
  • Customizable VPS Hosting: Flexible VPS configurations starting at very low prices.
  • No Price Hikes: Price lock guarantee is a standout feature.
  • Free Migrations: Smooth transition for users moving from other hosts.

Cons 👎

  • Performance: While InterServer’s hosting speeds are reliable, they may not match the performance and optimizations seen in providers like Kinsta, SiteGround, or Cloudways, especially for high-traffic websites.
  • Limited Data Center Locations: InterServer has only one data center in Secaucus, New Jersey, which limits server location options for customers looking to optimize latency across different regions.
  • Fewer Managed Services: Managed hosting options are available but require additional fees, whereas providers like Liquid Web include managed services by default.

How InterServer Compares to Other Hosting Providers

InterServer vs. Kinsta

While Kinsta is known for its premium managed WordPress hosting with exceptional performance and high-end features like automatic scaling and enterprise-level security, InterServer offers a more budget-friendly option without such bells and whistles. However, Kinsta’s services come at a significantly higher cost, often starting at $35/month compared to InterServer’s $2.50/month.

InterServer vs. SiteGround

SiteGround offers excellent customer support, speed, and managed services, but at a premium price. InterServer, by comparison, offers a more budget-conscious option with decent performance but lacks some of the premium features that come with SiteGround, such as advanced caching and WordPress optimizations.

InterServer vs. Cloudways

Cloudways specializes in cloud hosting with multiple data centers and advanced performance optimizations. While InterServer offers flexibility with its VPS plans, Cloudways provides a more robust cloud infrastructure that’s optimized for performance and scalability. However, Cloudways can be more expensive and may be more complex for non-technical users.

InterServer vs. Hostinger

Hostinger is known for its ultra-affordable shared hosting plans, often beating InterServer in terms of initial pricing. However, Hostinger’s renewal rates tend to skyrocket, whereas InterServer’s price-lock guarantee keeps costs predictable. Additionally, Hostinger offers a more global data center presence, which may be a factor for those targeting international markets.

Conclusion

InterServer is an excellent choice for individuals or businesses seeking affordable and reliable hosting without falling into the trap of hidden price hikes. Their offerings, particularly for shared and VPS hosting, provide great value for money. However, users looking for premium performance, advanced features, or a globally distributed hosting solution may need to explore alternatives like Kinsta, Cloudways, or SiteGround.

For those who want a straightforward hosting provider that delivers on its promises without overselling, InterServer is worth considering. The price lock guarantee and robust customer support make it a reliable option for users on a budget, although it might not be the best for high-traffic or enterprise-level websites.