Cheap Drupal hosting is just as it sounds — affordable hosting plans for hosting Drupal projects. However, in a desire to pay less, you may end up with low-quality hosting packages, which can cost you more in the long run. To save you from that experience, we reviewed all the top Drupal hosting providers to find the most affordable options. They may not offer the lowest price, but their prices are low enough for everyone to afford.
Here Are the Top 5 Cheap Drupal Hosting Providers
- Kamatera – Best Cheap Drupal Hosting Overall
- Hostinger – Best Cheap Drupal Hosting for Start-ups
- Ultahost – Best Cheap Drupal Hosting For Virtual Dedicated Servers
- IONOS – Best Cheap Drupal Hosting for Cloud Servers
The Best Cheap Drupal Hosting Services of 2024 (Tested and Approved)
Kamatera is a cloud hosting provider with data centers around the world. Its key offerings are cloud servers (VPS and dedicated servers). With just $4/mo, you can get quality unmanaged Drupal hosting. Kamatera is our best cheap Drupal hosting provider because it offers quality service and excellent customer support at low prices.
- Overall Score: 5
- Pricing: 5
- Features: 5
- Performance: 5
- Support: 5
- User Friendly: 5
Pricing: If you can afford to spend $4/mo, you can get quality Drupal hosting from Kamatera. This $4 plan offers 20 GB SSD storage, 1GB RAM, 1 vCPU (2667MHz), 5000 GB/month internet traffic on a 10 Gbit/sec port, and 1 Public IP. You can also choose to be billed hourly at $0.005 per hour. When your budget increases, you can up your server resources.
Features: Kamatera does not offer fancy features like domain registration. It focuses on offering enterprise-grade cloud hosting infrastructure for individuals and businesses that prioritize performance. It lets you choose your operating system, control panel, and data center location. All the plans run on SSD drives, data backup, and instant scalability.
Performance: Kamatera does not sacrifice performance for price. You get a fast loading speed of up to 147 ms by using Kamatera plans for your Drupal project. The web host lets you choose your data center location to improve site loading speeds. Other performance features include DDoS protection and load balancers.
Support: Despite the cheap plans, Kamatera still offers priority support to all customers. We tested the live chat, and the response was quick and helpful. You can also get support via the email and phone channels. If you need extra support, click on the managed service add-on at $50/mo.
User Friendly: Kamatera allows you to configure your server plan as you want. This way, you can find the perfect balance between price and resources. It also offers an intuitive management panel to control your hosting environment. The support team is just one message away if you run into issues.
Additional Parameter – Free Hosting: What if you are on a tight budget, and your finances don’t ease up until after a month? That is no issue, as Kamatera allows you to use its plan for free for a whole month. You don’t have to pay anything upfront. After the first month, you will begin paying for the hosting service.
Pros & Cons
- 24/7 customer support
- Hourly or monthly billing options
- Free Drupal cloud hosting for 30 days
- User-friendly management interface
- Instant horizontal and vertical scalability
- Not beginner-friendly
Hostinger is a budget-friendly web host that offers shared, WordPress, and VPS hosting. We recommend its Drupal hosting plan for start-ups that need affordable long-term plans. The entry plan costs just $1.99/mo. Hostinger also makes things easy for you by offering multilingual support.
- Overall Score: 4.9
- Pricing: 4.7
- Features: 4.8
- Performance: 5
- Support: 5
- User Friendly: 5
Pricing: Hostinger Drupal hosting plans begin at $1.99/mo, offering up to 200GB SSD, 100 website hosting, unlimited bandwidth, daily backups, SSL certificate, free domain, and Cloudflare-protected nameservers. The only catch is that you have to subscribe for 48 months to get this offer. But for start-ups looking for cheap long-term plans, this is a blessing.
Features: Hostinger offers Drupal-optimized servers. These services come with HTTP/2 and the latest stable PHP and MariaDB versions. The web host also offers a custom hPanel to help you perform seamless GIT integration and access developer tools. Other features include DDoS protection, a lifetime SSL certificate, and a multi-user access manager.
Performance: Hostinger uses a custom Nginx cache layer and fatcache accelerator to offer impressive page loading speeds. Our testing showed a remarkable 180 ms loading speed. You can choose the best for faster performance with data center locations in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. The web host also guarantees 99.9% network availability.
Support: Hostinger offers a dedicated team of support experts to assist with your Drupal project. These experts know how to help you set up and manage your Drupal website/application. You can contact the support team via live chat and email. There is also an extensive knowledge base that covers most issues on Drupal hosting.
User Friendly: Hostinger makes it easy for you to install Drupal with just one click. You can do this from the proprietary “hPanel.†However, you are not restricted to the hPanel. You can install other control panels, such as CyberPanel and cPanel.
Additional Parameter – Long-term pricing: Hostinger provides cheap hosting for project teams and businesses. These terms come with a subscription period of up to 4 years, allowing you to lock in savings for a long time. The web host also includes a generous 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you are displeased with the service, you can ask for a refund.
Pros & Cons
- Free domain registration
- Beginner-friendly hPanel
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Globally positioned data centers
- Ideal for website owners and developers
- High renewal prices
UltaHost is an affordable web host that offers shared hosting, VPS, VDS, and dedicated servers. We recommend its virtual dedicated servers (VDS) for developers who need enormous hosting resources but cannot afford a dedicated server plan. UltaHost’s VDS plans allow you as much resources and control as you would have on a dedicated server.
- Overall Score: 4.8
- Pricing: 4.7
- Features: 4.8
- Performance: 4.8
- Support: 4.7
- User Friendly: 5
Pricing: UltaHost starting prices range from $3.29/mo for the shared hosting plans to $120.90/mo for the dedicated server plans. The VDS plans begin at $37.50/mo and offer up to 24 CPU cores, 64 GB RAM, and 1 TB NVMe SSD. All plans are fully managed (Note that your choice of OS will significantly increase the cost of your plan).
Features: The features of UltaHost VDS plans include unlimited bandwidth and managed VDS servers. Other features include 99.99% uptime, daily backups with full server snapshots, 1-click restore, enterprise-grade NVMe SSD storage arrays, and Intel Xeon Processors. You get full root access control while the web host offers 24/7 proactive monitoring.
Performance: UltaHost VDS plans offer fast performance with reliable uptimes. You can also get similar uptimes with their shared hosting and VPS plans. However, the combination of NVMe drives, Intel processors, and dedicated resources make the VDS plans a better option. Our testing showed fast loading times.
Support: UltaHost offers user-friendly Drupal technical support to all clients. And since the plans are managed, you don’t have to worry about keeping your server running and up-to-date with security patches, OS updates, etc. The support channels are email, phone, and live chat. There is also an extensive knowledge base for setting up a Drupal hosting environment.
User Friendly: UltaHost simplifies its web hosting solutions while making it powerful for developers. The plans support various control panels and feature one-click installs for Drupal CMS. However, VDS hosting is primarily for experienced users. You can host your Drupal project on the shared hosting plans if you are a beginner.
Additional Feature – Cheap VDS plans: Virtual dedicated servers (VDS) don’t get talked about often, but they are an excellent choice for people who need dedicated server hosting but do not have the budget. UltaHost’s VDS plans offer a perfect compromise as you get the features of a dedicated server without paying the full price.
Pros & Cons
- Generous storage space
- Free control panel options
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Unlimited bandwidth on all plans
- Support add-ons for personalized assistance
- cPanel plans are relatively expensive
IONOS is a Europe-based cloud hosting provider. It offers a wide selection of hosting plans for both Linux and Windows OS. Its hosting solutions include shared hosting, VPS, cloud servers, and dedicated servers. We recommend its cloud servers for developers and growing start-ups.
- Overall Score: 4.7
- Pricing: 4.5
- Features: 5
- Performance: 4.3
- Support: 5
- User Friendly: 4.8
Pricing: IONOS cloud server plans begin at $0.0056/hour ($4/mo) and go up to $0.4444/hour ($320/mo). These plans offer up to 24 vCores, 48GB RAM, and 480 GB storage. You can also build your cloud server with the Cloud Server FLEX plan. This plan begins at $0.0160/hour ($11.92/mo), offering up to 1-24 vCores, 0.5-128GB RAM, and 10-500 GB storage.
Features: IONOS cloud server plans offer live scaling, load balancing, and unmetered bandwidth. Other features include flexible payment, Intel Xeon processors, SSD SAN, full VMware virtualization, and one-click Drupal installation.
Performance: IONOS offers an industry-leading 99.998% uptime guarantee for its cloud server plans. It also offers live scalability so you can get more resources on demand. Even better, the added resources are billed by the minute, so you only need to pay when you use them.
Support: IONOS offers comprehensive Drupal support for all its plans. You can use all the latest stable versions as well as legacy versions. Its support team will guide you through setting up and managing your Drupal cloud server. IONOS also assigns a personal consultant to each account holder that will offer personalized advice and tips to grow your business.
User Friendly: IONOS makes managing your cloud server easy with its intuitive cloud panel. This panel makes it easy for users to manage their servers and optimize their Drupal hosting environment. For experienced users, IONOS offers full root access and a fully documented REST API.
Additional Parameter – Drupal Cloud Servers: IONOS cloud servers offer a fine blend of affordability, performance, and reliability with cloud server plans. These plans are recommended for growing start-ups and developers who need scalable resources. You only get charged when your account is active, so it is a cost-effective option for testing projects.
Pros & Cons
- SSL certificate
- 24/7 customer support
- 1-click Drupal installation
- Scalable cloud servers
- PHP 8.2 with JIT compiler
- No managed support for cloud server plans
Ranking comparison between the Top Providers
Best Cheap Drupal Hosting Services: Final Recommendations
Kamatera is our top recommendation due to its affordable cloud hosting solutions. You can get a reliable server for as low as $4 monthly. You can even use it for free, thanks to its $100 sign-up credit. If you are starting a new business or application and need long-term savings, consider Hostinger. The web host offers affordable plans, multilingual support, and agile plans. Another reliable alternative is InterServer. InterServer offers budget-friendly plans and 89 ms response time.
Other great options are UltaHost, IONOS, A2 Hosting, and HostGator. Each provider has its standout features. For instance, UltaHost offers reliable Virtual Dedicated Servers, while HostGator reseller plans are perfect for agencies. If you are unsure how to pick the best solution for your needs, see our guide in this article.
Types of Cheap Drupal Hosting and Which Is the Right One for You?
Regarding Drupal hosting, there are five options: shared hosting, VPS, cloud servers, dedicated servers, and managed hosting. We will explore each one briefly and explain their use cases.
- Shared Hosting: This option means you are hosting your Drupal project with other users’ projects on a single server. All the hosted projects share the resources on the server. It is affordable, easy to use, and maintenance-free. The drawback is you have limited control. We recommend it for beginners, emerging businesses, and developers looking to test their applications.
- Virtual Private Server (VPS): VPS hosting, like shared hosting, means you are sharing a server with other users. The difference is that you have a server partition with your hosting resources. This offers more control, better performance, and scalability. The downside is that you have to handle server maintenance unless you use a managed plan. We recommend VPS for users who need more resources or greater control.
- Dedicated Server Hosting: This option assigns the entire server to only your project. It is an expensive option but offers the most performance and control. It is also the most secure option. We recommend it for users with high-traffic, resource-intensive applications.
- Managed Hosting: Managed hosting is a service added to a hosting plan. It means the hosting provider will handle server management, security, and technical details. It offers convenience, expert support, and expert optimization. The downside is that you have limited control (the web host condones certain areas off) and have to pay for the managed service.
- Cloud Hosting: Cloud hosting means your project is hosted on a cluster of interconnected cloud servers. It offers the most scalability and flexibility options. Most cloud providers allow you to pay by the hour. The downside is that the price can be higher than a traditional VPS plan. We recommend it for users with fluctuating resource requirements or traffic.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Drupal VPS Hosting Plan:
Cheap Drupal hosting should not mean low quality. Here are three key factors to consider when choosing Drupal hosting. Screen providers using these factors before considering pricing. This way, you don’t sacrifice quality for price.
- Performance and Reliability: Look at the web host’s uptime and website loading speeds. You should also look at the proximity of its data centers, scalability options, and security features. If you are a developer, ensure the web host offers the necessary tools.
- Support and Ease of Use: Cheap Drupal hosting typically excludes managed service, so you need all the free support you can get. Ensure that the regular support provides all the support you need for your plan. These include prompt response, a comprehensive knowledge base, a user-friendly control panel, and one-click installers.
- Security: The last thing to check for is security features. These include malware scanners, SSL certificates, firewall protection, and DDoS mitigation.
Managed vs. Unmanaged Cheap Drupal Hosting: Which Is Right?
Generally speaking, managed hosting costs more than unmanaged hosting. However, having managed support can be a good option if you are willing to spend a little extra. Here is a brief explanation of managed and unmanaged hosting.
- Managed Drupal Hosting: Managed Drupal hosting means the web host will handle the technical aspects of your hosting package. This includes server setup, configuration, and maintenance. Some providers like A2 Hosting will also offer pre-configured Drupal servers for the best performance. It is perfect for beginners and people who want hands-off Drupal hosting.
- Unmanaged Drupal Hosting: Unmanaged Drupal hosting means you are responsible for managing your hosting yourself. It allows you to customize server settings to your preferences. If you are on a tight budget, then choose unmanaged hosting. You will get more resources than if you choose a managed plan with the same price tag.
How do we rank, and how should you choose your cheap Drupal Hosting?
- Drupal Support15%
- Uptime15%
- Features20%
- Scalability Options10%
- Customer Support15%
- Value for Money10%
- User Reviews15%
While there are numerous Drupal hosting providers, we narrowed our list to the best 5. We did this using an in-house developed rating methodology. Here are the parameters of this rating methodology.
- Drupal Support (15%): We ensure that the provider offers Drupal-specific support. This can include Drupal-optimized servers, expert Drupal engineers, and comprehensive Drupal hosting guides and tutorials.
- Uptime (15%): We look at the uptime guarantee (at least 99.9%), page loading speeds, network availability, and strategically located data centers.
- Features (20%): We assess the features included in each plan. This ensures you get enough features to host your Drupal project even on a budget. Features include RAM, storage, CPU, and bandwidth.
- Scalability Options (10%): We also ensure the web host allows on-demand scalability so you can meet growing needs. Cloud hosting is perfect in this regard, as it allows you to increase or decrease your hosting resources from your dashboard.
- Customer Support (15%): Cheap Drupal hosting doesn’t mean you are on your own. We look for affordable providers that offer priority support to all customers regardless of their hosting type or budget.
- Value for Money (10%): Pricing is essential since we are all about finding the most affordable options. Our approach is to compare value for money rather than a simplistic cheapest-to-expensive approach.
- User Reviews (15%): Lastly, we check user reviews before making our final ranking. User reviews help us determine how well a provider has been performing and how we can expect them to perform in the future.
What is Cheap Drupal Hosting, and Who is it For?
Cheap Drupal VPS hosting refers to an affordable plan that you can use to host a Drupal project. The plan can be shared hosting, VPS, cloud server, or dedicated server.
Cheap Drupal hosting is typically used by:
- Small to medium-sized businesses
- Developers looking to test applications
- Digital agencies
- Hobbyist creators
- Hosting beginners