Best Web Hosting Companies in Europe (Top Services And Biggest Providers)
Find the Perfect European Host for Your Website
Are you looking to host your website with a top European web hosting provider? This comprehensive guide reviews and compares the leading web hosts across Europe to help you make an informed decision for your online business or personal site.
Whether you’re after fast server speeds, round-the-clock support, affordable pricing or robust security features – we’ve analyzed the biggest and best hosting companies on the continent to bring you the top recommendations.
We’ll cover shared, VPS, dedicated, and cloud hosting solutions suitable for small businesses and enterprises, as well as WordPress, e-commerce, and managed options. Let’s dive into the top European web hosting services for 2024.
Top 10 Web Hosts in Europe
1. Hostinger – Best Overall European Web Host
2. Ionos – High-Performance German Powerhouse
3. A2 Hosting – Speedy Servers & Top-Rated Support
4. Hostwinds – Excellent Windows Hosting Solutions
5. Hostgator – Robust Cloud & VPS Hosting
6. Liquid Web – Premium Managed Hosting for Enterprises
7. Aruba – Italian Provider with Great Value Plans
8. Siteground – Secure Hosting Optimized for Speed
9. OVH – Environmentally Friendly French Host
10. Fasthosts – UK’s Biggest & Longest Running Host
1. Hostinger – Best Overall European Web Host
With data centers across Europe like Amsterdam and Lithuania, Hostinger is our top pick for the best overall web hosting service on the continent.
Key Features:
- Leading cloud hosting with LXC technology
- Fully managed servers with the latest processors
- Free website transfers and site builder
- Lightning-fast HTTP/3-enabled servers
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Hostinger delivers phenomenal uptime (99.99%), blazing fast speeds, and excellent server resources at an unbeatable price point starting at just €0.99/month.
The comprehensive hosting plans cater to all needs – shared hosting, cloud, VPS, Windows, WordPress, and more. You get advanced features like unlimited bandwidth and databases, free SSL, multiple PHP versions, daily backups, and more.
This European host powers over 29 million websites globally with its cutting-edge cloud architecture. The optimized LiteSpeed servers deliver up to 3x faster performance than traditional Apache setups.
Support is available 24/7 through a live chat with a < 10-minute response time. Other highlights include a user-friendly custom control panel, auto-installers for popular CMSs, scalable resources, and custom hosting plans for enterprises.
Hostinger also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try out their best-in-breed European hosting risk-free. It checks all the right boxes as a premium host with affordable domain names and email too.
2. Ionos – High-Performance German Powerhouse
Founded in Germany in 1988, Ionos (previously 1&1) is a long-standing web host delivering top-tier performance with its innovative technologies.
Key Features:
- Rock-solid 100% German data centers
- Max Speed Zones for Intelligent Data Routing
- Cloud hosting with full root access
- Integrated e-commerce tools + free domain
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Ionos utilizes a global network of cutting-edge data centers located in major European cities such as Berlin, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt. Its servers are ideal for lightning-fast hosting, low latency and a reliable uptime of 99.99%.
This German hosting giant offers a wide range of flexible hosting plans – shared, VPS, dedicated servers, cloud hosting, and managed WordPress hosting. No matter your hosting needs, you can find a suitable solution backed by Ionos’ robust infrastructure and enterprise-grade hardware.
For small businesses, Ionos has affordable Linux and Windows shared plans starting at just €0.50 per month. Its cloud hosting packages are a standout with full root access, auto-scaling, and easy upgrades as your requirements grow.
If you’re running an e-commerce website, Ionos has a specialized plan that includes a free SSL certificate, a Wildcard domain, and pre-integrated online store software. 24/7 support is available through phone, live chat, and email.
Overall, Ionos packages top performance, rich enterprise-grade features, and managed support at competitive European rates, making it an extremely appealing option.
3. A2 Hosting – Speedy Servers & Top-Rated Support
A2 Hosting delivers a winning combination of performance, reliability, and industry-leading customer support from its European data centers in Amsterdam and Singapore.
Key Features:
- Up to 20X faster Turbo servers
- Free site migrations and unlimited databases
- Anytime money-back guarantee
- Green web hosting with carbon offsets
- 24/7 guru support via chat, email, phone
Backed by a stellar “Swizzle Sphinx” support team working round-the-clock, A2 Hosting is rated #1 for customer service. You get reliable assistance whenever you need it through phone, chat, or email.
But that’s just one part of the appeal – A2 servers are also optimized for incredible site loading times using advanced LitespeedWeb and NVMe SSD storage. The Turbo plan even leverages web application isolation for screaming 20X faster speeds.
This eco-friendly European hosting provider offsets its entire carbon footprint through renewable energy. As part of the green initiative, it offers a free Seed Hosting plan for non-profit organizations.
Another highlight is A2’s anytime money-back guarantee – most hosts only offer a 30-day window. The flexible plans are loaded with great value-adds like free site migrations, CDN, SSD storage, and unlimited resources like bandwidth, databases, and email accounts.
Choose from shared hosting, managed WordPress, VPS, dedicated servers, or reseller hosting plans. Premium security features, staging areas, and proactive server monitoring round out the feature set.
4. HostWinds – Excellent Windows Hosting Solutions
If you need reliable Windows hosting for ASP.NET sites, HostWinds stands out as one of Europe’s top providers for its fully managed solutions and comprehensive Windows ecosystem.
Key Features:
- Windows Server 2022 with full IIS support
- Free official control panels like Plesk and WebMatrix
- Unlimited FTP, email, databases and storage
- RAID-10 storage for enhanced security
- Free CDN, SSL, daily backups, site migration
Running on state-of-the-art Windows servers and infrastructure, HostWinds has created an optimal hosting environment for all Microsoft-based websites and applications.
Its European data centers in Amsterdam utilize the latest Windows Server 2022 with full IIS, .NET hosting, and Microsoft SQL support. Top-tier managed services include official control panels like Plesk and WebMatrix at no extra cost.
HostWinds offers unlimited Windows hosting tailored for small businesses and enterprises. All plans are equipped with enterprise-grade resources and premium features – unlimited bandwidth, storage, databases, FTP accounts, email, and more.
The VPS Hosting and Dedicated Server solutions provide full remote desktop access and complete control over the hosting environment. With instant provisioning, these can be scaled up or down seamlessly based on traffic.
Developed as a Windows specialist, HostWinds has dedicated teams providing 24/7 responsiveness and robust support specific to Microsoft platforms and ASP.NET.
5. HostGator – Robust Cloud & VPS Hosting
A veteran web host with roots dating back to 2002, HostGator has grown into a global provider with local European presence and a multi-lingual team catering to the international market.
Key Features:
- Wide range of hosting plans & locations
- Global data centers in Amsterdam & London
- Free domain & SSL with annual plans
- Unmetered bandwidth and storage
- Daily automatic backups & full control panel
For European customers, HostGator offers dedicated servers, VPS hosting and cloud hosting from its Amsterdam and London data centers. These use 100% enterprise-grade hardware and top SSD storage for optimal performance.
The VPS hosting is fully scalable with instant provisioning so you can upgrade resources like RAM and bandwidth with a click. The self-managed solution provides full root access and OS control with CentOS, Ubuntu, Fedora, or Windows.
Alternatively, you can opt for HostGator’s easily managed cloud hosting which offers enhanced reliability by seamlessly distributing resources across multiple machines and servers. Instant scaling and full root access via the control panel are included.
The dedicated servers are customizable based on your CPU, RAM, storage, and OS requirements. Features like full DNS control, server reboot capability, unmetered bandwidth, and dedicated IP are bundled.
SSL certificates, one-click installs for popular apps, optimized caching and CDN are available across all HostGator’s European hosting plans. 24/7/365 multi-lingual support via chat and phone is included.
6. Liquid Web – Premium Managed Hosting for Enterprises
When it comes to enterprise-grade managed hosting, Liquid Web sets the industry benchmark with its heroic support, cutting-edge hosting stacks, and high-powered performance from its Amsterdam data center.
Key Features:
- Advanced cloud architecture & VMware clouds
- Fast provisioning with all-SSD infrastructure
- Massive scalability up to 64TB RAM
- 24/7 heroic human support backed by 59sec response
- Security-hardened servers & WAF protection
Liquid Web specializes in fully managed VPS, dedicated and private cloud solutions specifically designed for high-traffic websites, mission-critical applications, and resource-intensive workloads like machine learning.
Its cloud offerings utilize the latest VMware virtual cloud technology and all-SSD hardware for blazing speeds. You can provision servers in under 6 minutes with root access, full control, and customizable Linux or Windows configurations.
The dedicated CPU servers are powered by the latest Intel and AMD processors with NVMe SSD storage arrays, supporting memory capacities of up to 64TB RAM. For maximum performance and failover, dedicated load balancers are available.
As an added layer, Liquid Web also offers a security-hardened private parent cloud with integrated firewalls, WAF, SSL, and two-factor authentication. This provides the highest level of protection against threats and DDoS attacks.
The real standout is Liquid Web’s human expertise – it has one of the largest Managed Hosting teams staffed with over 500 engineers, backed by a 59-second response time SLA for support tickets available 24/7/365.
7. Aruba – Italian Provider with Great Value Plans
Established in 1994, Aruba is the largest web hosting company in Italy, now delivering affordable and feature-rich hosting plans across Europe from its data centers in Italy and Poland.
Key Features:
- Value-priced hosting with unlimited resources
- Free domain, SSL, site builder, and backups
- Multi-language support and custom control panel
- SSD storage with automatic content optimization
- Basic shared hosting from €1/month
For budget-friendly yet powerful web hosting in Europe, Aruba’s plans offer impressive bang for your buck with unlimited bandwidth, disk space, emails, databases, and FTP accounts.
The basic shared hosting plan starts at just €1/month and includes a free domain, SSL, and Aruba’s custom control panel with a 1-click installer and site builder.
The SSD storage is further optimized with Aruba’s proprietary SSD caching & compression technology, so your site loads blazingly fast. The web servers are equipped with HTTP/3 for low-latency delivery.
More advanced hosting packages like the Linux virtual servers, managed hosting and dedicated servers include proactive monitoring, daily backups, managed security and updates, along with multilingual 24/7 support.
Overall, Aruba combines great performance, robust security, and unlimited resources at affordable rates ideal for small businesses and startups. Customer support is available in Italian, English, French, and Spanish.
8. SiteGround – Secure Hosting Optimized for Speed
SiteGround has built a strong reputation as one of the leading European web hosts by focusing heavily on performance, security, and support from its data centers across the continent.
Key Features:
- Data centers in the UK, Germany, Italy & Netherlands
- Advanced AI system for intelligent server monitoring
- Super-fast solid-state drives and CPU mirroring
- Site transfer plugin & WordPress 1-click installer
- 24/7 tech support with industry-leading uptime
Leveraging Google Cloud infrastructure, SiteGround provides lightning-fast page loading with solid-state drives and CPU mirroring that allocates more CPU resources to active processes on your site.
The servers are monitored 24/7 by advanced AI anti-bot systems that analyze over half a million signals to detect and block threats even before they occur.
For WordPress sites, SiteGround optimizes caching for WP and offers convenient features like free site migration via a WP plugin, a 1-click installer, managed updates, and a propriety caching plugin.
Its hosting plans come with a free CDN and Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate. Email hosting with Spam Experts protection, daily backups, and on-demand backup restore are other useful benefits.
SiteGround provides customer support around the clock via phone, chat, and ticket, backed by a 99.9% uptime guarantee. You get fast resolutions from the multi-lingual teams across 3 continental data centers.
9. OVH – Environmentally Friendly French Host
OVH is one of Europe’s largest web hosting providers and data center operators, headquartered in France and running multiple environmentally sustainable data centers across the continent.
Key Features:
- Green hosting with 100% renewable energy
- Advanced DDoS, anti-spam, and firewall protection
- High-availability service for nearly 100% uptime
- Clear pricing and minimum 1-month commitment
- Beginner-friendly with easy site migration
OVH was an early leader in sustainable hosting – its entire infrastructure is powered by 100% renewable energy sources like hydroelectric, wind, and solar power. Security is another priority with advanced DDoS mitigation, anti-spam systems and firewall protection included across all hosting plans.
Its global network of data centers in France, Germany and Poland are interconnected via redundant links to provide high availability and nearly 100% uptime for all hosted sites.
For the European market, OVH has beginner-friendly web hosting with easy site migration via the OVH control panel. WordPress is pre-installed and optimized for speed, with performance enhanced by HTTP/2, OVH CDN, and PHP-FPM.
Clear pricing with minimum one-month commitments makes it easy to get started. Hosting options include shared hosting, VPS, Public Cloud, bare metal servers and dedicated cloud solutions for businesses of any size.
24/7 enterprise-grade support via phone, chat and ticket system is included with expert teams providing fast assistance in English, French and other languages.
10. Fasthosts – UK’s Biggest & Longest Running Host
Founded way back in 1999, Fasthosts is the UK’s biggest and longest-running web hosting company. It has since expanded operations across Europe while maintaining its reputation for reliable service and fast hosting speeds.
Key Features:
- 99.99% uptime guarantee on all hosting
- Data centers across the UK and Europe
- Free domain and Microsoft Office subscription
- Smart computing with instant cloud scalability
- 24/7 UK-based technical support
Fasthosts owns and operates multiple secure data centers across the UK and Europe to locally host websites and servers spanning shared, VPS, dedicated, cloud, and reseller hosting options.
On the performance front, a 99.99% uptime guarantee is included on all hosting products ensuring a consistent online presence. Its state-of-the-art infrastructure leverages SSDs, CDN, and the latest versions of server software like PHP 8, MySQL 8, and Apache.
All plans provide instant scalability and the ability to increase resources like RAM, bandwidth, and disk space on demand. For UK businesses, cloud servers are an efficient solution with pay-as-you-go pricing.
For enhanced productivity, Fasthosts also bundles a free .co.uk domain and a complimentary 12-month subscription to Microsoft Office with most hosting packages. Site transfers are handled by its migration team.
You can reach Fasthosts’ 24/7 UK-based technical support experts any time via phone, live chat, or email. Linux and Windows operating systems are supported across all hosting solutions.
Choosing the Perfect Web hosting companies in Europe for Your Business Needs
When it comes to web hosting, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The hosting plan that works best for you depends on various factors, such as your website’s size, traffic, features, and budget.
1. Hosting Configurations
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s first understand the three main hosting configurations:
a . Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is the most affordable and basic option. With this configuration, your website shares server resources (like bandwidth and storage) with hundreds or even thousands of other websites hosted on the same server. Think of it as living in an apartment complex – you share common amenities like the pool or gym with your neighbors.
Shared hosting is an excellent choice for small businesses with relatively low-traffic websites, such as personal blogs or simple brochure-style sites. It’s budget-friendly and requires minimal technical know-how to set up and maintain.
b. Virtual Private Server (VPS)
A Virtual Private Server (VPS) is like upgrading from an apartment to a condominium. While you still share the physical server with other websites, each site has its virtual compartment with dedicated resources. This means others won’t impact your website’s performance on the same server.
c. Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated hosting is the crème de la crème of web hosting. With this configuration, you get an entire physical server dedicated solely to your website. It’s like having your own house – no neighbors, no shared resources, just complete control and privacy.
Dedicated hosting is the way to go if you have a high-traffic website with complex requirements, such as large-scale e-commerce platforms or resource-intensive applications. It offers unparalleled performance, security, and customization options.
2. Pricing Plans: Finding the Sweet Spot
When it comes to web hosting, you generally get what you pay for. That said, as a small business, you’ll want to strike the right balance between cost and performance.
Shared hosting plans are the most budget-friendly, with prices starting as low as $1.99 per month.
However, keep in mind that these entry-level plans often have limitations in terms of storage, bandwidth, and features. As your business grows and your website demands more resources, you may need to upgrade to a higher-tier shared hosting plan or consider other hosting configurations.
Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting plans typically range from $20 to $100 per month, depending on the provider and the resources included. For example, Bluehost’s standard VPS package starts at $19.99 per month, while iPage offers a sliding scale of VPS plans, with the “Business” package costing $47.99 per month and offering more bandwidth and storage.
Dedicated servers are the most expensive hosting option, with prices starting around $100 per month for basic plans and climbing up to several hundred dollars for high-end configurations. For instance, HostGator’s entry-level dedicated server costs $119 per month, while LiquidWeb’s fully managed dedicated server starts at $199 per month.
It’s important to note that some web hosts may try to entice you with attractive introductory prices or multi-year contracts. Be sure to read the fine print and understand any potential hidden costs or renewal rates before committing to a plan.
3. Features Relevant to Your Business Website
When evaluating web hosting providers, it’s crucial to consider the features that are most relevant to your business website’s needs. Here are some key features to look for:
a. Unlimited Data Transfers and Bandwidth
As your website grows and attracts more visitors, the last thing you want is to run out of data or bandwidth. Look for hosting plans that offer unlimited data transfers and bandwidth, ensuring your website can handle increasing traffic without any hiccups.
b. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certification
If you plan to sell products or services through your website, or handle any sensitive customer information, you’ll need a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate. This encryption technology ensures that data transmitted between your website and visitors’ browsers is secure and protected from potential cyber threats.
c. Free Data Backups and Storage
Data loss can be catastrophic for any business. Look for hosting providers that offer free data backups and generous storage allocations to keep your website’s files and databases safe and secure.
d. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Tools
Having a website is one thing, but getting it noticed by potential customers is another challenge altogether. Many web hosts now incorporate search engine optimization (SEO) tools and features to help improve your website’s visibility and ranking in search engine results.
e. Operating System
Flexibility Different businesses have different preferences when it comes to operating systems. Some hosting providers allow you to choose between popular options like Linux or Windows, giving you the flexibility to work with the environment you’re most comfortable with.
f. Email Hosting and Domain Names
A professional email address (e.g., yourname@yourbusiness.com) and a branded domain name can go a long way in establishing credibility and trust with customers. Look for hosting plans that include email hosting and domain name registration services, or at least make it easy to integrate these features.
4. Uptime Stats: Keeping Your Website Up and Running
Uptime is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a web hosting provider. It refers to the percentage of time your website is accessible and functioning properly. After all, if your website is frequently down or experiencing slowdowns, it can frustrate visitors and potentially cost you business.
Most reputable web hosts tout uptime rates of 99.9% or higher, with some even offering uptime guarantees. For example, iPage, HostGator, and A2 Hosting all advertise 99.9% uptime rates and back them up with guarantees. Web.com also boasts a 99.9% uptime guarantee, but it’s important to note that it only applies to their UNIX customers.
While uptime rates and guarantees are important, it’s also essential to consider real-world performance and user reviews. Some hosts may struggle with page-loading times or experience frequent outages, even if their advertised uptime rates are high.
5. Small vs. High Traffic Business Site Needs
The amount of traffic your website receives will play a significant role in determining the appropriate hosting configuration. Here’s a general guideline:
a. Low Traffic Websites
If your website receives relatively low traffic (e.g., a few hundred visitors per month), a shared hosting plan may be sufficient for your needs. Shared hosting is affordable and easy to manage, making it an ideal choice for small businesses with simple websites or personal blogs.
b. Moderate Traffic Websites
As your website’s traffic grows to moderate levels (e.g., thousands of visitors per month), you may need to consider upgrading to a Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting plan. VPS hosting provides dedicated resources and better performance, ensuring your website can handle increased traffic without slowing down.
c. High Traffic Websites
If your website attracts hundreds of thousands or even millions of visitors per month, you’ll likely need the power and resources of a dedicated server. Dedicated hosting offers unparalleled performance and customization options, making it the ideal choice for high-traffic websites, e-commerce platforms, or resource-intensive applications.
It’s important to note that your website’s resource needs may change over time as your business grows. Many web hosting providers offer scalable hosting plans that allow you to easily upgrade or downgrade your plan as necessary, ensuring you’re never paying for more resources than you need.
6. Customer Support: Your Lifeline for Website Issues
No matter how reliable your web hosting provider is, there may be times when you encounter issues or have questions that require professional assistance. That’s why reliable and responsive customer support is an essential factor to consider when choosing a web hosting service.
The best web hosts offer 24/7 customer support through multiple channels, such as phone, email, and live chat. This ensures that help is always available when you need it, whether it’s a critical issue that needs immediate attention or a general inquiry about your hosting plan.
How We Evaluate Web Hosting Companies in Europe
Our testing process is thorough. We analyze each host’s feature set, pricing, and user-friendliness. Only providers with European or UK data centers are cut. We also assess WordPress hosting services separately.
Responsive, knowledgeable support is key, so we test each company’s customer service skills too. And we go beyond just signing up – we build actual test sites using their tools like website builders to get a true hands-on experience.
FAQs About Best Web Hosting Companies in Europe
1. How much does web hosting cost in Europe?
Web hosting costs in Europe can range anywhere from €1 per month for basic shared hosting, up to €100+ per month for high-end dedicated or cloud hosting solutions. Expect to pay around €3-10/mo for a resource starter shared hosting plan, €20-50/mo for VPS, and €80-300+/mo for dedicated servers from reputable European hosts.
2. What’s the difference between Linux and Windows hosting?
Linux and Windows are the two main operating systems that web servers run on. Linux hosting is open-source and generally more affordable. Windows hosting from providers like HostWinds caters specifically to ASP.NET and other Microsoft frameworks, with environments pre-configured for Windows Server.
3. Can I host my website on a local computer or device?
You could theoretically host a basic website by running a local web server on your computer or device’s IP. However, this limits your ability to be online 24/7 and have adequate computing resources for higher traffic volumes. Using a proper web hosting service is recommended for all public websites.
Our Top European Host Pick
For reliable, flexible, and feature-packed European web hosting, Hostinger is our top recommendation. With data centers across Europe and the UK, they’ll keep your site running fast for local visitors. Their plans also include perks like a 99.9% uptime guarantee, an intuitive custom dashboard, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Give them a try!
