Methodology · 2026
How we review web hosting
HostingRanked ranks hosts with independent tests and verified user feedback — not paid placements. Speed, uptime, security, support quality, and honest renewal pricing all count.
This page is the source of truth for our scoring process. Use it when citing why a provider ranks where it does.
Key principles
- No paid rankings. Affiliate commissions never change list order.
- ✓Renewal pricing matters. We call out intro teaser rates vs real year-two costs.
- ✓Users + labs. Editor tests and community reviews both move the score.
- ✓Corrections welcome. Providers and readers can flag errors via edits@hostingranked.com.
What we test
Speed testing
We measure Time to First Byte (TTFB) and full page load times from multiple global locations on a recurring schedule. Results feed the speed component of editor scores.
Uptime monitoring
Synthetic checks track availability continuously. We emphasize long-window averages so short blips do not hide chronic reliability issues.
Security review
We evaluate SSL, firewall options, malware scanning, backups, and DDoS protections offered on mainstream plans — not just enterprise add-ons.
Support testing
Our team contacts support anonymously via chat, email, and phone when available, scoring response time, accuracy, and whether issues are actually resolved.
Pricing honesty
We track intro pricing and renewal rates. A cheap first year that doubles at renewal is called out so buyers see the true long-term cost.
Verified user reviews
Customer reviews are moderated for spam and incentive abuse. Aggregate user ratings are weighted into toplist scores alongside editor ratings and community votes.
How toplist scores are blended
On Best Web Hosting, each provider score is approximately:
- 40% editor rating (lab + product analysis)
- 40% average verified user rating
- 20% normalized community favorite votes
Category lists (WordPress, VPS, cloud, etc.) use curated toplist membership plus the same transparency rules. Full index: /ranking.
FAQ
Can a hosting company pay for a higher ranking?▼
No. HostingRanked does not sell placements in rankings. Affiliate relationships may exist, but they do not change order. See our disclosure for how commissions work.
How are “best hosting” lists scored?▼
Our flagship best-web-hosting list blends editor rating (about 40%), verified user rating (about 40%), and normalized community votes (about 20%). Ties break on review volume.
How often are rankings updated?▼
Provider data and votes refresh continuously. Editorial re-tests and major list refreshes happen when performance, pricing, or product lines change materially.
What should I cite when referencing HostingRanked?▼
Cite HostingRanked and link the specific page (list, review, or comparison). For methodology claims, link https://www.hostingranked.com/how-we-review.