Namecheap vs HostGator: Domain + Hosting Cost Showdown (2025)
Launching a site in 2025? Two budget‑friendly giants dominate recommendations: Namecheap for domains and HostGator for hosting. But can one company handle both jobs, and which combo saves more money long‑term? We priced every fee—renewals, SSL, privacy, promotional hosting tiers—to find the cheapest path from idea to live website.
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Pricing Methodology
- .com domain registered May 2025 (with privacy, ICANN fee included)
- Entry‑level shared hosting plan paid upfront for 12 months
- Free or basic DV SSL included if offered
- Renewal rates, not first‑year promos, unless noted
Cost Breakdown (Year 1)
| Item | Namecheap | HostGator |
|---|---|---|
| .com registration (promo) | $9.58 | $12.95 |
| WHOIS privacy | $0 | $14.95 / yr* |
| Shared hosting plan | Stellar Plus – $29.28 | Hatchling – $36.54 |
| SSL certificate | $5.98 (PositiveSSL) | $0 (AutoSSL) |
| Total Year 1 | $44.84 | $64.44 |
*HostGator offers free privacy in occasional promos; we used the regular price.
Long‑Term Renewal Cost (Years 2‑5)
| Namecheap | HostGator | |
|---|---|---|
| Domain renewal / yr | $11.48 | $17.99 |
| Hosting renewal / yr | $57.88 | $83.88 |
| WHOIS privacy | $0 | $14.95 |
| SSL renewal | $5.98 | $0 |
| Total (4 yrs) | $300.56 | $467.28 |
Key Takeaways
- Namecheap wins on domain costs and privacy (free for life).
- HostGator wins on included AutoSSL—no paid renewals.
- Pairing Namecheap domain + HostGator hosting beats either company’s all‑in bundle.
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Setup Workflow
- Register your domain at Namecheap → turn on free WHOIS privacy.
- Buy HostGator Hatchling (12‑mo prepay) → get free AutoSSL after DNS points.
- In Namecheap DNS, create A‑record to HostGator IP (or set name servers).
- In HostGator cPanel, add the domain under Domains → Add‑on Domains.
FAQ
Can I host my site entirely at Namecheap?
Yes, the Stellar Plus plan works fine for low‑traffic blogs. We prefer HostGator for scaling thanks to 99.9% uptime SLA and automated backups.
Is HostGator’s SSL really free forever?
Yes. HostGator uses AutoSSL (Let’s Encrypt) which renews every 90 days at no cost.
Conclusion
Buy the domain at Namecheap for the lifelong privacy and cheaper renewals, then host it on HostGator for free SSL and easier scaling. This two‑provider combo saves roughly $150 over sticking with one brand.