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Best Web Hosting in South Africa: Top South Africa Web Hosting 2023 – ZA & Global

If you’re building a website, web hosting is the foundation upon which everything else is built. It’s like the foundation of a house – if it’s not strong, everything else is in danger of crumbling.

That’s why it’s important to do your research and choose the best web hosting in South Africa.

And lucky for you, you’ve stumbled upon the ultimate guide to hosting providers in the Rainbow Nation.

In this article, we’ll be ranking the top 10 local hosting companies, as well as looking at the best global hosting providers available in South Africa. We’ll also delve into my personal recommendations for email hosting, WordPress hosting, and the cheapest options for those on a tight budget.

Plus, we’ll even weigh in on whether free web hosting packages in South Africa are worth it.

So buckle up, folks, because we’re about to dive into the exciting world of web hosting.

Cloudways

Best Overall Web Host

Cloudways official logo

Cloudways

From $10/month

Click ‘Learn More’ and use my exclusive coupon code “WEBZA” to get 20% off for your first 2 months.

Domains.co.za

Best Web Hosting South Africa

Domains.co.za official logo

Domains.co.za

From ZAR 99/month

Shopify

Top Web Hosting for eCommerce Websites

Shopify official logo

Shopify

From $19/month

Top 10 hosting companies in South Africa

Local

1. Domains.co.za

Best choice for South African web hosting

Uptime: 100%

Response Time (Johannesburg): 2.5s 

Response Time (International): 6.3s

Price Starting from: R89/month

2. HostKing

Uptime: 99.69%

Response Time (Johannesburg): 1.5s 

Response Time (International): 2.6s

Price Starting from: R0/month

3. HostAfrica

Uptime: 100%

Response Time (Johannesburg): 5.6s 

Response Time (International): 15.8s

Price Starting from: R69/month

Screenshot of Host Africa's homepage

4. Frikkadel

Uptime: 99.99%

Response Time (Johannesburg): 0.2s

Response Time (International): 2s

Price Starting from: R12/month

5. Afrihost

Uptime: 100%

Response Time (Johannesburg): 7.5s 

Response Time (International): 9.2s

Price Starting from: R39/month

6. HostworX

Official HostworX logo
The HostworX homepage

7. Xneelo (Hetzner)

xneelo official logo
xneelo homepage

8. Pro Host

Uptime: 100%

Response Time (Johannesburg): 5.3s 

Response Time (International): 5.1s

Price Starting from: R35/month

Screenshot of Pro Host homepage

9. Truehost

Truehost official logo
Truehost's homepage

10. 1-grid

Uptime: 100%

Response Time (Johannesburg): 8.6s 

Response Time (International): 10.6s

Price Starting from: R99/month

Screenshot of 1-grid's homepage

Global

1. Cloudways

Cloudways homepage

Looking for South Africa’s best web hosting for your website? Look no further than Cloudways.

With their super-fast and affordable cloud-based servers, your website will load at lightning speeds and perform at its best.

One of the best things about Cloudways is that you get all of this performance for the price of regular shared hosting, without any of the usual drawbacks. You can avoid the common problems associated with shared hosting, such as resource limitations and subpar support.

With Cloudways, you’ll get guaranteed resources, top-notch support, and stellar performance. Plus, they take care of all the technical aspects of web hosting for you, so you can focus on running your business.

And as your website grows, Cloudways has you covered. You can easily scale up your hosting resources by adding more CPU cores, memory, and storage without having to migrate your data or switch hosts. If you ever run into any issues, their 24/7 expert support team is always there to help.

Web design professionals will appreciate that Cloudways makes it easy to transfer their client’s website to their account with just one click.

All in all, Cloudways is the #1 choice for websites in South Africa looking for top-notch web hosting.

2. A2 Hosting

A2 Hosting homepage

If you’re in the market for a reliable web host with great support, speed, and uptime, A2 Hosting is definitely worth considering.

Based in Michigan, USA, A2 has been in the hosting game for over 20 years, so they know a thing or two about keeping websites up and running smoothly.

A2 offers a range of hosting services to meet the needs of any website, including shared web hosting, reseller hosting, cloud hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS, and dedicated servers.

No matter what type of hosting you’re looking for, A2 has you covered.

But what sets A2 apart from the competition is their commitment to customer satisfaction. With 24/7 support available via phone, chat, and email, you can rest assured that help is always just a few clicks or a phone call away.

A2 Hosting’s servers are optimized for speed and uptime, ensuring that your website is always available to your visitors.

Overall, if you’re in the market for top-notch USA web hosting, A2 Hosting is definitely worth considering.

3. Hostinger

Hostinger homepage

If you’re looking for cheap web hosting options to host your website, Hostinger is an excellent choice. They offer some of the most affordable web hosting plans on the market, without compromising on performance.

Hostinger provides a range of hosting options, including shared hosting, cloud hosting, VPS, and dedicated servers, so you can choose the plan that best fits your website’s needs.

Despite their low price point, they don’t skimp on features or perks.

With their 24/7 support team always available to help with any issues, you can trust that your websites are in good hands with Hostinger. Whether you’re running a personal blog or a small business website, Hostinger’s web hosting plans offer excellent value for money.

Overall, if you’re in search of cheap web hosting options for your website, Hostinger is definitely worth considering.

4. Bluehost

Bluehost homepage

As one of the largest web hosting companies in the world, Bluehost is a trusted and reliable choice for anyone looking to start their own website.

They offer a wide range of affordable hosting plans, making them an excellent option for first-time website owners.

And as a bonus, when you sign up with Bluehost, you’ll get a free domain name to use for your website.

But what really sets Bluehost apart is their user-friendly features, which make it easy for beginners to get their website up and running.

Their intuitive control panel and one-click installation process make it a breeze to get started, even if you’ve never built a website before. And as your website grows and your needs change, you can easily upgrade your hosting plan to accommodate your needs.

Overall, Bluehost is a safe and reliable choice for web hosting, with plenty of options and features to help you succeed online.

5. Siteground

Siteground homepage

If you’re in need of a web hosting company that you can trust, Siteground is a great option.

They’ve been in business since 2004 and have a solid international presence, serving customers in over 100 countries.

Siteground offers a range of hosting services to meet the needs of any website, including shared hosting, cloud hosting, and dedicated servers.

They also provide a variety of features and tools to help customers build and manage their websites, including an easy-to-use control panel, one-click installation of popular apps and scripts, and 24/7 support.

But what really sets Siteground apart is their commitment to customer satisfaction. They have a 99.9% uptime guarantee and promise to resolve any issues within an hour. Plus, their servers are optimized for speed and security, so you can trust that your website will be fast and safe.

Overall, Siteground is a reliable and trusted choice for web hosting, with plenty of options and support to help you succeed online.

Best WordPress Web Hosting Package

WordPress is a popular and free content management system (CMS) for creating a website or blog from scratch.

It’s easy to use and available worldwide, including in South Africa. With so many hosting companies offering WordPress hosting, it’s never been easier to get started with top web hosting.

To get started, you’ll need South African web hosting for your domain and then install WordPress, which can be done easily in just a few clicks.

If maintaining your WordPress website gives you the heebie-jeebies, you can opt for managed WordPress hosting. The hosting company will take care of all the technical aspects of running WordPress for you, including software updates, backups, and support.

If you need help setting up and maintaining your WordPress website, there are plenty of talented developers in South Africa who can assist you.

Without further ado, here are some of the best web hosting options for WordPress hosting:

1. Cloudways

Cloudways official logo

2. Domains.co.za

Domains.co.za official logo

3. HostKing

Official Hostking logo

4. A2 Hosting

The logo of A2 Hosting

5. Hostinger

Official logo of Hostinger

Cheap web hosting in South Africa

If you’re looking for affordable South Africa web hosting to get your website up and running, there are several web hosting providers that offer cheap shared hosting plans.

These packages are perfect for individuals, small businesses, and startups as they provide all the features and tools you need to get your website up and running quickly.

The best part is that these cheap web hosting providers also offer excellent customer service, ensuring that your websites are set up correctly.

With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to find a package that fits both your needs and budget.

We understand that with the price increases to cPanel over the years, hosting isn’t as cheap as it used to be. However, these budget-friendly hosting companies offer great value for your money and can help you get your website online without breaking the bank.

Don’t hesitate to shop around and find the perfect shared hosting plan for your website’s needs.

1. Truehost

Truehost official logo

From R25/month

2. Hostinger

Official logo of Hostinger

From R36.22/month ($1.99)

ZAR/USD – 18.20

3. Frikkadel

Frikkadel web hosts

From R36.95/month

Cheaper R14.95 plan NOT worth it

4. Hostking

Official Hostking logo

From R48/month

5. Afrihost

Afrihost official logo

From R49/month

6. Bluehost

Official Bluehost logo

From R53.69/month ($2.95)

ZAR/USD – 18.20

Best email hosting in South Africa

If you’re looking for a cost-effective solution to manage a large volume of email, email hosting plans can be an excellent option.

By hosting your email on a server, you can store a significant amount of messages without worrying about exceeding your storage limit. Additionally, email hosting providers often offer virus scanning and spam protection to keep your inbox clean and organized.

Email-only hosting is an excellent choice for businesses using Gmail, Outlook, or other desktop clients. You can have your own email address and mailbox, which you can use to send and receive messages from any device.

To find the best email hosting plan in South Africa, you should consider your project requirements.

  • Do you need Windows or Linux servers?
  • How big is your business, and do you expect to grow?
  • How much storage space do you need?
  • and what features are most important to you?

Answering these questions will help you narrow down your options and choose the hosting plan that best suits your needs.

When it comes to cost, the cheapest option is often a cPanel account that allows you to register unlimited domains. This will give you access to all the features of cPanel, such as creating email addresses, setting up autoresponders, and creating filters.

If you’re on a tight budget, you might want to consider a budget hosting account that allows you to register unlimited addon domains.

Overall, email hosting plans are a cost-effective solution for managing large volumes of email, and there are plenty of top providers in South Africa to choose from.

Just make sure to consider your project requirements and budget when making your decision.

1. Hostinger

Official logo of Hostinger

2. Domains.co.za

Domains.co.za official logo

3. Afrihost

Afrihost official logo

What about free South Africa web hosting?

When it comes to your website, it’s crucial to take web hosting seriously.

Free hosting options may seem tempting, but I would highly recommend staying away from them.

While I haven’t personally used any free South African web hosting services, I’ve had a terrible experience with free web hosting providers in the USA.

For less than the cost of one KFC meal per month, you can get reliable and cheap web hosting from a reputable hosting provider in South Africa. You can install WordPress for free and build a professional-looking website with ease.

Opting for free hosting comes with a host of issues. Free hosting providers need to make money to pay their bills, and they often do this by running ads on your website, which can negatively affect your search engine ranking and frustrate your visitors.

Additionally, free hosting typically comes with limited server resources, which means your website may not be able to handle high traffic volumes and could go offline frequently. You’ll also have a limited selection of templates and features.

Security is another significant concern with free hosting. These providers often don’t invest in state-of-the-art security measures, leaving your website vulnerable to hackers. And when it comes to customer service, you can expect little to no support.

Finally, free hosts are often less reliable than paid hosting providers and may go offline without warning, leading to uptime issues.

In conclusion, when it comes to web hosting, it’s worth investing in a reputable, paid hosting provider. Opting for South African web hosting services is a reliable and cost-effective choice for your business’s website.

A reliable South African web hosting service is crucial for any local business that wants to succeed online!

Imagine this scenario:

Your business is running a 24-hour special sales promotion, and thanks to your marketing efforts, thousands of customers are lined up at their computers, ready to place an order.

You eagerly await the avalanche of sales and revenue, only to be disappointed when your website goes down and all those potential customers are driven away. Not only have you lost out on thousands of rand in revenue from this downtime, but you’ve also lost thousands more because all those potential new customers are gone too.

And to top it all off, your reputation has taken a hit.

All because your South African web hosting company was unreliable.

This may seem like an exaggerated story, but the truth is that website outages happen all the time and can have a huge impact on businesses.

In today’s digital age, where most people spend a lot of their time online searching for products and services, your website is your online storefront. If it’s unreliable or hard to use, you’re missing out on potential customers and putting yourself at a significant disadvantage to your competitors.

That’s why it’s so important to invest in a reliable South African web hosting service.

It’s like building a house on a solid foundation – it ensures that your website is always available when it matters most.

And in today’s world, where there’s always something going wrong somewhere, peace of mind is priceless.

So, choose your web hosting provider wisely and avoid the heartache.

 

A2 Hosting

This website intends to provide you with all the information you need to choose the best web hosting in South Africa for your business needs.

Because let’s face it, your website is your online storefront, and you don’t want it to be a flimsy, unreliable structure.

No, you want it to be solid, secure, and always open for business.

So, what goes into choosing the right web hosting provider for your business?

Well, there are a few things to consider. You want a company that offers top-notch service at an affordable price, one that can meet all your business’s unique needs.

And let’s be real, every business and website has its own quirks and requirements.

For instance, an e-commerce store raking in over R100k per day in sales is going to need more web resources than a solo blogger who’s barely getting any traffic.

But no matter what kind of website you have, you’ll need to work with a web hosting company in South Africa to keep it running smoothly and make sure you have support when you need it.

Trust us, choosing the wrong host is like building your house on quicksand.

It’s going to sink, and you’ll be left out in the cold.

So, do your research and pick a hosting provider that’s solid, reliable, and will keep your website open for business.

Because in today’s digital age, that’s what it’s all about. So, choose wisely!

How to determine whether a web hosting provider offers good up-time and support

Customer Service

A reliable customer service team is key.

After all, when your website goes down (and let’s face it, it’s bound to happen at some point), you need to know you can turn to your hosting company for help.

And let’s be real, if they’re not available to assist you, it’s like being stuck in a desert with no water – you’re toast.

That’s why it’s so important to choose a hosting company that offers the best web hosting customer service.

Look for one that offers phone, email, and online chat support, so you can get in touch with them no matter what your preferred method of communication is.

And if you’re not sure about the quality of their service, don’t be afraid to send them an enquiry through these channels. This is a great way to test how responsive and helpful they are before you commit to a hosting plan.

If you get a prompt and helpful response within a day or two, you can feel confident that this is a hosting company that values its customers and is committed to providing excellent service.

On the other hand, if you don’t receive a response or if the response is slow or unhelpful, you may want to keep looking for a hosting provider that values your business and is committed to providing top-notch support.

So, choose wisely and don’t get stuck in the desert without water!

Up-Time

You want your websites up and running at all times.

But let’s be real, no web hosting company in the world can guarantee 100% uptime, even if they try to sell you that line.

There’s always the chance that something could go wrong, whether it’s due to server maintenance or an unavoidable disaster.

That’s why it’s important to find a web host that offers as close to a 98%-99.9% uptime guarantee as possible.

This way, you can feel confident that any downtime won’t endanger your business or its reputation with customers.

After all, there’s nothing worse than trying to access a website and getting the dreaded “error” message.

It’s like trying to order a burger and getting served a bowl of lettuce – not what you were hoping for.

So, when you’re looking for South African hosting, make sure to check out their uptime guarantee.

It might not be 100%, but the closer it is, the better.

You don’t want your website to be down more than it’s up – that’s just a recipe for disaster.

Significant Problems You Can Avoid by Choosing the Best Website Hosting Service

Poor Support

Let’s face it, nobody likes dealing with poor customer service.

It’s like being stuck in a traffic jam on a hot summer day – not fun.

But when it comes to web hosting, poor customer support can cause you to lose thousands of rands.

You need webhosting that can sort out any technical problems and respond to your enquiries promptly. Otherwise, you’ll be left in the dust while your competitors sail past you.

It’s like trying to run a marathon with a sprained ankle – you’re not going to win.

So, when you’re looking for web hosting in South Africa, make sure to check out their customer support.

Look for reviews, ask friends and colleagues for recommendations, and don’t be afraid to send them an enquiry to test their responsiveness. You want hosting services that value your business and are committed to providing excellent support.

Trust us, it’s worth the extra effort to avoid being stuck in that traffic jam or limping through the marathon.

Slow Loading Times

We’ve all been there – you’re trying to access a website, and it takes forever to load.

It’s like waiting in line at Home Affairs – you know it’s going to be a long and painful process.

Unfortunately, many hosting companies lure customers in with low prices, but they don’t tell you that it’s because the resources are shared between too many users.

This slows down your website due to the high demand for a limited number of web servers.

It’s like trying to squeeze too many people into a tiny elevator – it’s just not going to work.

Not only does this affect your website’s performance, but it can also be frustrating for visitors who have to wait longer than usual for pages to load.

And let’s face it, not everyone has an unlimited data plan.

So, when you’re looking for a web hosting service, make sure to check out their loading times.

Look for reviews, ask friends and colleagues for recommendations, and don’t be afraid to test it out for yourself. You want a hosting company that values your business and is committed to providing fast loading times.

Types of Web Hosting Plans Available

Shared Web Hosting

Shared hosting is like flying economy class – you’re packed in with a bunch of other people, hoping that nobody’s actions will ruin your flight (or website performance).

It’s not the fanciest option, but it’s affordable and easy to use, making it a popular choice for those just starting out online.

Just beware of the potential for shared server load affecting your website.

But hey, at least you’re not breaking the bank!

Dedicated Hosting

Upgrading to a dedicated server is like upgrading to first-class on a plane.

You get all the best features, like faster loading times, no shared server risks, and more powerful hardware.

It’s the ultimate web hosting experience, but it does come at a higher cost.

Still, it’s worth it if you want your website to run smoothly without any hiccups.

Plus, you’ll feel like a VIP with your own dedicated server – no sharing with pesky economy class passengers!

Cloud Hosting

Are you looking for a web hosting option that offers the best of both worlds? Look no further than cloud hosting providers!

Cloud hosting is like having your own private jet – you get all the perks of a dedicated server, but with added flexibility and scalability.

Cloud hosting uses multiple servers to host your website, which means that your website won’t be affected by server crashes or downtime.

Plus, you can easily upgrade or downgrade your resources to meet your website’s changing needs.

It’s the perfect choice for growing businesses or websites that experience high traffic spikes. Just make sure to choose a reliable cloud hosting provider that can deliver on their uptime guarantee.

With cloud hosting, you’ll have the power and control of a dedicated server, without the high price tag.

Reseller Hosting

Looking to make some extra cash and become the middleman of the hosting world?

Then reseller hosting might be for you!

This type of hosting allows you to buy server space at a wholesale price, then sell it to other users who need hosting but might not know how to manage servers themselves.

Just be prepared to handle customer support if you plan on reselling the hosting. It’s like being a hosting wholesaler – you’re not the main provider, but you’re still making a profit off of it.

Plus, you can use the server space for your own websites too.

It’s a win-win!

VPS Hosting

Are you ready to graduate from shared hosting and join the big leagues?

Say hello to Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting!

VPS hosting companies use virtualization technology to divide a single physical server into multiple smaller, isolated virtual servers.

Each one runs its own copy of an operating system, and you’ll have super user-level access to that instance, so you can install almost any software that runs on that OS.

But beware, VPS hosting is not for beginners.

It requires a certain level of technical know-how and a willingness to get your hands dirty. But if you’re up for the challenge, the rewards are well worth it.

Some VPS hosting providers even offer customizable server configurations. This means that you can choose the amount of RAM, CPU cores, and storage that best suits your website’s needs.

This level of customization allows you to optimize your server’s performance and ensure that your website runs smoothly, even during peak traffic times.

Just be prepared to pay a bit more for the privilege.

Trust us, it’ll be worth it when you’re able to tweak and tinker to your heart’s content.

Your Domain

A domain is like the address of your website.

It’s what people type into their web browser to find you on the internet.

When you register a domain, you’re reserving that name for your very own website.

But don’t worry, there’s no need to get too fancy with your domain name. You can stick with the classic .com, .net, or .org extensions, or get a little creative with country-specific options like .co.za or .capetown.

Just make sure it’s something easy to remember and spell, because you don’t want potential visitors getting lost in cyberspace!

 

Where to register South African domains?

Are you ready to take your South African business to the next level with a shiny new domain name?

Look no further!

There are plenty of fantastic web-hosting companies in South Africa that can help you get your dream .co.za domain.

In fact, many of them offer a free domain when you sign up for their hosting services. Talk about a win-win!

But if you’re in the market for some specific recommendations for local hosting companies that offer domain registration, we’ve got you covered.

Check out Domains.co.za and Frikkadel for top-notch service and quick turnaround time.

Before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to building your online presence and taking over the South African internet.

Go get ’em!

Where to register .com and international domains?

Looking to register a .com or international domain?

Look no further!

I’ve got the scoop on where to go.

First things first: don’t register your domain with your hosting provider.

Sure, they might offer a free domain with their hosting packages, but there are a few downsides to consider.

For one, their domain renewal fees are usually higher than those of popular domain registrars. So even though your domain might be free for the first year, it’ll eventually cost more than if you registered through a registrar.

Plus, if you’re unhappy with your hosting, you’ll have the added inconvenience of having to transfer your domain name.

But if you registered with a domain registrar, you could just point your domain to your new hosting nameservers.

So, where should you go to register your domain?

Namecheap, Namesilo, and Dynadot are the most reliable and affordable registrars for .com and international domains.

And what about GoDaddy, you ask?

While they do have excellent deals for registering new domains, their renewal fees can get a little crazy.

If you do want to register with GoDaddy, make sure to transfer your domain to one of the recommended registrars before it’s up for renewal.

Trust me, your wallet will thank you.

 

Start Small

 

Don’t make the mistake of going all in with an expensive hosting plan when you’re just getting started. You might not even need a fraction of the resources offered in that fancy plan.

Instead, opt for a smaller plan and see how it goes.

You can always upgrade later if you need more resources. And don’t worry, a good host will make it easy for you to upgrade your plan whenever you’re ready.

So save yourself some money and start small.

Are you feeling stuck with your current South African web hosting service?

 

It’s time to shake things up!

There are plenty of reasons to consider switching to a new host, whether it’s because the quality of service has dropped, you’ve found a more affordable option, or your current host just can’t keep up with your website’s expanding needs.

Don’t let yourself feel trapped with your current host.

It’s time to do what’s right for your business and make a change if necessary. It’s not every day you get the chance to upgrade and improve your online presence, so don’t miss out on the opportunity.

And hey, if all else fails, you can always just pull the old “it’s not you, it’s me” line.

No hard feelings, right?