HostGator vs. GoDaddy¶
HostGator and GoDaddy are both familiar names, but they sit in different lanes: HostGator is a long-running shared host, while GoDaddy is the world's biggest domain registrar that also sells hosting. Here's the honest comparison.
What each is known for¶
- HostGator — established shared hosting, known for cheap intro pricing and lots of add-on offers.
- GoDaddy — the market leader in domains. Hosting and a website builder are add-ons, with heavy upsells.
Side-by-side¶
| HostGator | GoDaddy | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Budget shared hosting | People already at GoDaddy for domains |
| Domains | Available | Market leader |
| Website builder | Available | Strong builder product |
| Included, limits/upsells | Often sold separately | |
| Upsells | Heavy | Heavy |
| Renewal | Jumps after intro | Jumps after intro |
Which to pick¶
Choose HostGator if you want cheap shared hosting and are comfortable navigating promotions and add-ons.
Choose GoDaddy if you already buy domains there and want everything in one place, or you specifically want their website builder.
A note on domains: you don't have to host where you register. You can keep a domain at GoDaddy and host elsewhere — see Point your domain.
See how we stack up: check our comparison pages or Plans & pricing.