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Interserver Review

Sunday, February 16th

2025 Web Hosting Company Reviews

Interserver Review 2 Star Rating

Interserver

2 Star Rating
  • cPanel hosting
  • eCommerce
  • Free website builder
  • Cloud apps
  • Non-profit hosting
  • Student hosting
  • Domains
  • Private email hosting
  • Cloud hosting
  • Storage
  • Dedicated hosting and co-location

Our last review of Interserver was preempted by problems loading the website and getting enough information to write a more informed review. But, that was then, and this is now. Interserver, founded in 1999 by Mike Lavrik and John Quaglieri, remains independently owned and operated from their New Jersey headquarters. Unlike many hosting companies that have been absorbed by larger corporations, Interserver maintains its independence. However, when ranked against other providers in terms of customer service ratings, it still falls relatively short of perfection.

Simple month-to-month pricing makes canceling pain free

Where Interserver excels is in the consistency of its pricing plans. Since our last review, their prices remain unchanged and quite low, comparatively speaking. In fact, pricing is one of Interserver's most compelling features because it's so predictable and uncomplicated. There are no annual or 3-year plans to consider. There are no introductory rates with steep renewal increases.

Billing is monthly only. This simplifies the process of trying it out and leaving whenever you want. We wish more web hosting companies were like this.

Standard hosting plans are $2.50 per month. For ASP.NET Windows hosting, you pay $8.00 per month. Boost hosting plans are for supercharging the Standard plan website performance and come in between $9.95 per month and $69.95 per month, depending on the power of server you need. If you want to resell Interserver hosting, you get unlimited accounts with varying amounts of bandwidth and disk space for between $19.95 and $69.95. There are no setup fees, and the only other charges are for unique IP addresses and private DNS at $3 per month each on all plans.

Cloud VPS plans for Linux and Windows, as well as storage-optimized VPS, come in plans of progressive amounts of "slices” starting at $3 for one slice up to $160 for 32 slices. Storage hosting for images, videos, backups, and public or private raw data archival range from $3 per month for 200GB up to $42 per month for 20TB.

Domain registration is $7.99 per domain with the purchase of any web hosting package.

Pricing

  • $2.50 per month for Standard
  • $8.00 per month for ASP.NET
  • $9.95 to $69.95 per month for Boost plans
  • $19.95 to $69.95 per month for Reseller plans

Strong basic service

Customers who like Interserver particularly appreciate receiving unlimited resources (bandwidth, storage, and email accounts) at the base price point, along with features that often cost extra with other hosts. This combination of affordable pricing and comprehensive features makes Interserver especially appealing to budget-conscious users.

Technical reliability and ease of use round out the positive experiences, particularly for customers using basic shared hosting services. Users frequently commend the stable uptime, satisfactory page loading speeds, and straightforward setup process through cPanel. The accessibility of 24/7 support through multiple channels (chat, ticket, and phone) provides additional peace of mind, though these positive experiences appear most consistent among users with standard hosting needs rather than those requiring more complex solutions.

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Advanced hosting challenges

Even though Interserver's 4.3-star Trustpilot rating reflects a hosting provider that excels in fundamental services, the company is struggling with more complex offerings. Several consistent pain points were reported across both Trustpilot and BBB reviews. Users frequently mention difficulties with VPS and Windows hosting services, including unexpected server resets and configuration issues. The support experience varies significantly depending on the representative and the complexity of the problem, with some customers reporting long wait times and unresolved technical issues.

The disparity between Trustpilot's 4.3-star rating and the BBB's significantly lower 1.88-star rating raises questions about review management practices. When combined with documented complaints about billing transparency, dated control panel interfaces, and service reliability issues, a picture emerges of a host that provides satisfactory basic services but may not be the best choice for users requiring more sophisticated hosting solutions or consistent advanced technical support.

Refunds have exclusions

Interserver offers a 30-day refund guarantee if you decide you want to move to another hosting company before the first month is over. And if you decide to leave after month 1, you can just cancel instead of haggling over getting a refund on the another 12-36 months of commitment with their customer service as is the case with other hosts. However, there are no refunds issued on dedicated servers, colocated space, VPS, licensing of software or IP transit.

Buy with eyes wide open

If you're convinced that Interserver's pricing strategy is a strong point for your needs, just be aware that with advanced configurations you will be more likely to have issues than if you are hosting in more standard setups. As long as you are careful to keep server backups and are ready to lose time and energy in recovering from faulty server builds, you'll probably be okay using Interserver. But, compared with the higher-ranking web hosting platforms on our list, we just can't get excited about Interserver.

Which Web Hosting Service is the Best Choice?

If you want to connect with a local, national, or global audience, having a website is essential. Whether your site is for promoting a brand, running an online store, sharing media, offering services, showcasing your writing, or just pursuing a hobby, it needs a reliable host.

Over the years, countless hosting companies have emerged, thrived, and then disappeared. So, how do you figure out which of the current providers will still be around when you need them? And what features should you prioritize? First, you need to understand your budget and the pricing models of different hosting companies.

The Best Web Hosting Companies Compare Web Hosting Companies Compare Web Hosting Company Reviews What are the best Web Hosting Companies Best Web Hosting Company Reviews

Web Hosting Company FAQ

Web hosting is a service that provides a computer (called a server) that delivers web page content to your website visitors. Rather than learning how to build and connect your own server to the Internet, web hosting companies provide all of these services for a fee so you can just focus on your website.
Web hosting can be very inexpensive if your needs are basic. But there is also a trade-off of lesser quality availability, security, and performance with lower-cost hosting. It is highly recommended that you prioritize your web hosting budget to balance obtaining the highest quality for a reasonable price. As your website's traffic grows, you'll be happier if you purchased hosting that can grow with it.
All reputable web hosting companies provide some kind of money-back guarantee. Avoid those companies that do not allow you to back out of a plan without penalty if it doesn't initially meet your needs. Choose a company that provides a guarantee that you will love their hosting or they'll refund at least your first payment.
Most web hosts do not require that you sign a contract for their services. Rather, they provide monthly pricing plans or yearly pricing plans that discount the monthly service cost if you pay for a year of hosting up front. It is not advisable to sign a contract or purchase a hosting plan for more than a year of service. Your needs, and the quality of the web host, could change in that time - leaving you out of pocket for the difference if you have to move to another web hosting provider.
Having good web hosting will enable you to get the most out of your website. A fast website is typically hosted on a fast server. Fast websites get and keep more visitors than slow websites. Additionally, the more secure your web hosting company is, the more secure your website will be from the attacks of hackers. And, you'll want a web host that will provide the best features, even if it costs more than some of the cheaper competitors.
Some key features to look for in a web host include:
  • Fast Time to First Byte (the time it takes for the web server to deliver the first byte of data in a request)
  • Free SSL certificates that automatically renew
  • Focus on security and performance so that an attack or spike in traffic on another unrelated site on the same server will not adversely affect your site
  • Included Content Delivery Network (CDN) to duplicate your content closer to the geographical location of your visitors for faster content delivery
  • High availability (typically 99.99% uptime) so that you have as little downtime as possible
  • Backup and restore capabilities, preferably included at no additional cost
  • Maintenance package if your site uses a content management service like WordPress
  • Easy access to support via chat, email, and phone in case of problems or questions
It doesn't matter where your domain is registered, so choosing a hosting provider that doesn't provide domain registration is not a problem. You can always select a different domain registrar service and simply point it to your hosting provider's name servers. Sometimes this is a better option in case your hosting provider decides to cancel your account for any reason. If they do, your domain name will not be jeopardized.
In general you can get some value from most hosting providers. However, there is a practice of very large holding companies buying up popular hosting providers and consolidating their services under one "roof”. Users of these consolidated companies often complain about poor customer service and very low performance and security. Seek out reviews for each company you're considering and ensure that they are not part of a larger consolidation.
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Continued from above...

Be careful to verify enticing low prices by reading terms of service, looking up renewal prices, and asking questions. Some payment plans are consistent from period to period. Others provide discounts for monthly, yearly, or multi-year commitments. Additionally, some companies offer advanced features tailored to the specific needs of your website and audience. Avoid signing up for excessively long hosting terms. We recommend paying for no more than 12 months at a time - marketplace conditions can change, causing you to take a loss on moving to a different hosting provider before your term is up.

When evaluating features, make a list of what you truly need, what would be nice to have, and what you can do without. For instance, do you want a wide selection of themes for a DIY approach, or would you prefer a custom design from a professional? Are you looking for a powerful dedicated server, or is a shared server sufficient for your needs? Will you be coding your own site, or do you need a developer's assistance? If you don't have a domain yet, can the host provide one? If you already own a domain, how easy is it for the host to transfer it and migrate your existing site? Don't forget to include any requirements for email, eCommerce, advertising, and search engine optimization (SEO).

Security and performance are often overlooked but are incredibly important. Many people assume that all hosting services are secure and provide fast loading times, but that's not always the case. This is especially true for hosts that offer very low prices for plans that may not deliver. Be wary of shared hosting, where your site shares a server with many others. If another site on that server experiences issues, it could put your site at risk as well.

Lastly, consider the reputation of the hosting company. This goes beyond just how long they've been in business; it includes how they treat their customers, the number of complaints they receive, and how effectively they address those complaints. It can also matter which holding company or private equity firm owns the hosting service. If at all possible, avoid hosts owned by Newfold Digital (formerly Endurance International Group or EIG) as they have all had a history of poor customer service and quality due to overly-aggressive acquisitions of hosts. Reach out to other website owners, web designers, and developers to get their opinions on the hosting companies you're considering. They can provide valuable insights based on their experiences.

As you narrow down your options, keep these factors in mind:

  • Features. What does the web host offer, and do you need all of them?
  • Cost. How is the pricing structured? Will there be increases after a certain period?
  • Reputation. What are people saying about the host online? Are they likely to change names or engage in questionable practices?
  • Security. How many security incidents has the host faced? Are there frequent complaints about outages, and how quickly are they resolved?
  • Performance. How does the host's speed compare to competitors? Can they handle traffic spikes effectively?
  • Customer service. What support options are available, and how responsive are they? Are the representatives friendly and helpful or dismissive? How long does it take to resolve issues?

The IT experts at Top Consumer Reviews have compiled a list of leading web hosting providers to assist you in your research. We hope this information helps you find the best web host for your needs, ensuring your website is engaging, efficient, affordable, and secure.

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