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IONOS

German web host selling shared hosting, domains, email, website builders, VPS and cloud servers.

Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Web

Is IONOS free?

No, it's a paid product

Starting price:
$1 a month for 1 year (Plus), then $14 a month

Checked on IONOS's site Nov 8, 2026

Full IONOS pricing and plans

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About IONOS

IONOS, formerly 1&1, is one of Europe's largest hosting companies and covers almost everything a small business needs online: domains, shared and WordPress hosting, professional email, a website builder, online-store tools, VPS and dedicated servers, and a public cloud platform. Its shared hosting plans include a domain for the first year, SSL and email, along with unlimited traffic and websites, and the company runs data centres in the US and Europe. A selling point is that customers get a named personal consultant as well as 24/7 support. Introductory prices are very low but usually require a one-year term and rise noticeably at renewal, so it pays to compare the renewal rate rather than the headline price. Everything is managed through a web control panel; it is aimed at small businesses, freelancers and people who want hosting, domain and email from one provider.

Best for: Small businesses wanting domain, hosting, email and support from one large provider.

IONOS pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)

Each line is quoted from IONOS's own site, with the page it came from.

Plan or termWhat it saysCheckedSource
Money-back guarantee30 daysNov 8, 2026ionos.com
Starting price$1 a month for 1 year (Plus), then $14 a monthNov 8, 2026ionos.com
Essential plan$4 a month for 1 year, then $8 a monthNov 8, 2026ionos.com
Starter plan$6 a month for 1 year, then $10 a monthNov 8, 2026ionos.com
Ultimate plan$10 a month for 1 year, then $18 a monthNov 8, 2026ionos.com
Full IONOS pricing and cheaper alternatives

Pros and cons

What works

  • Domain, SSL and email included with hosting plans
  • Personal consultant alongside 24/7 support
  • Range runs from shared hosting up to VPS, dedicated servers and cloud

Why people leave

  • Renewal prices are well above the introductory rate
  • Lowest prices need a one-year term
  • Control panel is custom, not cPanel

IONOS vs Hostinger Web Hosting, SiteGround and DreamHost

From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.

AttributeIONOSHostinger Web HostingSiteGroundDreamHost
PricingPaidPaidPaidPaid
Verified price$1 a month for 1 year (Plus), then $14 a month$2.49 a month on a 48-month term (Premium, promo)$17.99/month (StartUp)$10.99/month (Launch)
Free planNoNoNoNo
Open sourceNoNoNoNo
Self-hostableNoNoNoNo
PlatformsWebWebWebWeb

Full IONOS vs Hostinger Web Hosting comparison

Top IONOS alternatives

See all 4
  1. 1Hostinger Web Hosting logo
    Hostinger Web Hosting

    Similar low entry prices with a free domain and LiteSpeed servers.

    68.8
  2. 2SiteGround logo
    SiteGround

    Pricier but stronger managed WordPress hosting with staging and caching.

    59.4
  3. 3DreamHost logo
    DreamHost

    US host with month-to-month shared plans and a long record of WordPress hosting.

    54.5
  4. 4OVHcloud logo
    OVHcloud

    European alternative that also spans web hosting, VPS and dedicated servers.

    49.0

Why people left IONOS

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

No switching stories yet. If you moved away from IONOS, review the app you switched to and tell us why.

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IONOS: common questions

What is IONOS?

IONOS: German web host selling shared hosting, domains, email, website builders, VPS and cloud servers. Best for small businesses wanting domain, hosting, email and support from one large provider. Available for Web.

Is IONOS free?

No, IONOS is a paid product. Starting price: $1 a month for 1 year (Plus), then $14 a month (checked on IONOS's own site).

How much does IONOS cost?

IONOS is a paid product. Money-back guarantee: 30 days; Starting price: $1 a month for 1 year (Plus), then $14 a month; Essential plan: $4 a month for 1 year, then $8 a month; Starter plan: $6 a month for 1 year, then $10 a month. Checked on IONOS's own site, November 2026.

Does IONOS have a free trial or refund?

Money-back guarantee: 30 days. Source: IONOS's own site.

Is IONOS open source?

No, IONOS is not open source.

What platforms does IONOS run on?

IONOS is available for Web.

What are the best alternatives to IONOS?

The highest-ranked IONOS alternatives right now are Hostinger Web Hosting, SiteGround and DreamHost. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

IONOS vs Hostinger Web Hosting: what's the difference?

Both IONOS and Hostinger Web Hosting are paid products. Verified prices: IONOS $1 a month for 1 year (Plus), then $14 a month, Hostinger Web Hosting $2.49 a month on a 48-month term (Premium, promo). Both run on Web.

See all 4 IONOS alternatives