HostGator vs SiteGround: which web host is better?
By Leonardo Araújo, CEO of Leaven Marketing · Code verified at checkout on · Updated
HostGator gives you more websites per plan, cPanel and staging on every plan; SiteGround includes daily backups with 30 days of history, free assisted migrations and runs on Google Cloud. We compared both official plan pages on October 18, 2026. If you'd rather have a third option with a discount, the Hostinger coupon code JX9LEOSPEPWF takes 20% off the first term for new customers.
Hostinger coupon code
JX9LEOSPEPWFPaste it in the coupon field at checkout. The “O” is a letter, not a zero.
Affiliate disclosure: the Hostinger links on this page are affiliate links. Leaven Marketing may earn a commission if you buy through them or with our referral code, at no extra cost to you.
Opens Hostinger with the code applied. Check for REFERRALDISCOUNT -20% in the order summary.
HostGator vs SiteGround at a glance
| HostGator | SiteGround | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan | Hatchling: 10 websites, 10 GB SSD | StartUp: 1 website, 10 GB |
| Mid plans | Baby: 20 websites, 20 GB · Business: 50 websites, 50 GB | GrowBig: unlimited websites, 50 GB |
| Top shared plan | Pro: 100 websites, 100 GB | GoGeek: unlimited websites, 100 GB |
| Backups | Weekly courtesy backups | Daily, with 30 days of history |
| Control panel | cPanel | Site Tools (its own panel) |
| Infrastructure | Not stated on the plan page | Google Cloud, six data centers |
| Staging | WordPress staging site on every plan | From GrowBig |
| CDN | Cloudflare, included | Built-in CDN, included |
| Free domain | First year | First year |
| Site migration | Free self-service tool; assisted migration is paid | Free site migrations |
| Support | 24/7 chat; phone from Baby up | 24/7 chat and tickets; priority on GoGeek |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
Data from the official plan pages of HostGator and SiteGround, checked on October 18, 2026. We haven’t run our own speed tests on either host, so this page compares what each one includes, not benchmark results.
Where HostGator wins
- More websites per plan. Hatchling hosts up to 10 websites; SiteGround’s StartUp hosts one.
- More storage on mid plans. Baby has 20 GB and Business 50 GB, with up to 50 websites.
- Staging on every plan. HostGator lists a WordPress staging site from Hatchling up; SiteGround starts it on GrowBig.
- cPanel. If you’ve used shared hosting before, HostGator’s cPanel will feel familiar.
- Phone support from the Baby plan up.
Where SiteGround wins
- Daily backups on every plan. SiteGround backs up every site daily and keeps 30 days of history, with one-click restore. HostGator describes weekly courtesy backups.
- Free assisted migrations. SiteGround’s team moves your site for free; HostGator offers a free self-service tool, and assisted migration is paid.
- Google Cloud infrastructure with six data centers and multi-level caching.
- Per-site Site Tools, so each site has its own panel you can share with collaborators.
Pricing and renewal
Both hosts sell the first term at a large discount and renew at a higher price, and both show the renewal price next to their plans. Compare the renewal price for the same term, not only the first payment, and check which term the advertised price requires. Prices also vary by country and promotion, so the cart is the only reliable number.
Who should choose HostGator?
- You need many websites on one budget plan.
- You’re used to cPanel.
- You want staging without moving to a higher plan.
Who should choose SiteGround?
- Daily backups with long history matter for your business.
- You want your site migrated for you at no extra cost.
- You prefer a modern panel per site and infrastructure on Google Cloud.
A third option: Hostinger with code JX9LEOSPEPWF
If you want a middle ground, Hostinger’s Unlimited web hosting has unlimited websites, 50 GB of NVMe storage, daily backups, a free domain for the first year and free website migration, and Hostinger also sells cloud and VPS plans for when you outgrow shared hosting. New customers get 20% off the first term with JX9LEOSPEPWF on a 12-month or longer term; check for REFERRALDISCOUNT -20% in the order summary.
See the full comparison in Hostinger vs SiteGround, the Hostinger web hosting coupon guide and which Hostinger plan to choose. New to the hosting types? Read shared vs VPS vs cloud hosting.
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FAQ
Is SiteGround better than HostGator?
For backups and migrations, SiteGround includes more: daily backups with 30 days of history and free site migrations. HostGator allows far more websites and storage per plan and includes staging and cPanel on every plan.
Which is cheaper, HostGator or SiteGround?
Prices change by country, term and promotion, so compare both carts for the same term. Both sell the first term at a discounted price and renew higher, and both publish the renewal price next to their plans.
Is HostGator good for WordPress?
HostGator lists managed WordPress updates, a WordPress staging site, object caching and WP-CLI on its shared plans, so it covers the basics for WordPress sites.
Can I migrate from HostGator to SiteGround?
Yes. SiteGround lists free site migrations on its shared plans, done by its team or with an automatic migrator for WordPress.
Do HostGator and SiteGround include a free domain?
Yes. Both list a free domain for the first year on their shared hosting plans.
Opens Hostinger with the code applied. Check for REFERRALDISCOUNT -20% in the order summary.