The Best Web Hosting in the UK Under £5: Your 2025 Step-by-Step Guide
Launching a website in the UK doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, you can get a powerful, reliable, and feature-packed hosting plan for less than the price of a fancy coffee each month. Whether you’re starting a blog, an online portfolio, or a small business site, affordable hosting is the key to getting online without compromising on quality.
But with so many providers shouting about “unbeatable deals,” how do you find the real gems? We’ve done the hard work for you. This guide will walk you through the best web hosting options in the UK for under £5 per month, complete with a comparison table and a simple step-by-step guide to get you started in 2025.
Why Your Choice of UK Web Hosting Matters
Choosing a host based solely on price is a rookie mistake. For a UK audience, three factors are critical:
- Server Location: A hosting server based in the UK means faster loading times for your local visitors. This improves user experience and is a minor positive factor for SEO within the UK.
- Customer Support: Having support that operates in your timezone (GMT/BST) and understands local issues is invaluable when you need help.
- Uptime Reliability: Your website needs to be available 24/7. Look for providers offering at least a 99.9% uptime guarantee.
The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice these for a low price.
Top 5 Best Web Hosting Providers in the UK Under £5/Month
Here are our top picks for 2025, balancing cost, features, and performance for UK users.
1. IONOS by 1&1
Best for Business Features & Value
IONOS offers arguably the most feature-rich starter plan on the market, making it perfect for small businesses and entrepreneurs who need more than just basic hosting.
- Price: £1.00/month for the first 6 months, then £6.00/month. (Well under £5 for your crucial first half-year!).
- Key Features:
- Free Domain: Includes a free domain name for the first year.
- SSL Certificate: Free and included for security and SEO.
- UK Data Centres: Yes, located in London for fast UK loading speeds.
- 24/7 Phone Support: Unique at this price point – get help instantly over the phone.
- Best For: Small businesses, startups, and anyone who values phone support and a strong feature set from day one.
- Visit IONOS UK
2. Hostinger
Best Overall Budget Hosting
Hostinger consistently tops charts for its incredible balance of price and performance. Their infrastructure is modern and speedy, often outperforming more expensive hosts.
- Price: £1.99/month on a 48-month term with the current discount (Single Shared Hosting plan).
- Key Features:
- Blazing Fast Performance: Uses LiteSpeed web servers and caching for excellent speed.
- User-Friendly: Custom hPanel is very easy to navigate for beginners.
- Free SSL & Email: Includes everything you need to start professionally.
- Global & UK Data Centres: You can choose a UK server location during signup.
- Best For: Beginners, bloggers, and tech-savvy users looking for the best performance on a tight budget.
- Visit Hostinger UK
3. ScalaHosting
Best for Security & Customer Support
ScalaHosting is a rising star known for its exceptional customer service and innovative security features, like their SShield security system which proactively blocks 99.998% of web attacks.
- Price: £3.95/month on a 36-month term (Mini Web Hosting plan).
- Key Features:
- Proactive Security: SShield security provides real-time monitoring and protection.
- Free Migrations: They will move your existing site for free.
- Excellent Support: 24/7/365 support via chat and ticket with a high customer satisfaction rate.
- UK Data Centres: Options available in London.
- Best For: Users who prioritise top-tier security and outstanding customer support.
- Visit ScalaHosting UK
4. Namecheap
Best for Transparency & Long-Term Value
As the name suggests, Namecheap is famous for its low prices and, crucially, its transparency. Their renewal prices are some of the fairest in the industry, so you won’t get a nasty shock after your initial term.
- Price: £1.58/month for the first year on a 12-month term (Stellar plan).
- Key Features:
- No Hidden Fees: Clear and honest pricing with reasonable renewals.
- Free Domain & SSL: Includes both for the first year.
- cPanel Included: Uses the industry-standard control panel, which many users prefer.
- Free CDN: Integrates with Cloudflare CDN for free to boost speed.
- Best For: Budget-conscious users who want a reputable provider with no pricing games.
- Visit Namecheap
5. GoDaddy
Best for Absolute Beginners
GoDaddy is a household name thanks to its massive marketing presence. Its main advantage is an incredibly simplified onboarding process that gets a website online in minutes.
- Price: £1.00/month for the first year, then £8.99/month (Economy plan).
- Key Features:
- Website Builder: Often bundled with plans, making it easy to drag-and-drop your site together.
- Massive Market Presence: Lots of tutorials and guides available.
- UK Data Centres: Servers located in the UK and Europe.
- 24/7 Support: Available via phone and chat.
- Best For: Complete beginners who want the most guided and simple setup process possible.
- Visit GoDaddy UK
Comparison Table: UK Hosting Under £5/Month
| Feature | IONOS | Hostinger | ScalaHosting | Namecheap | GoDaddy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intro Price (p/m) | £1.00 (6 mos) | £1.99 | £3.95 | £1.58 | £1.00 (12 mos) |
| Renewal Price (p/m) | ~£6.00 | ~£5.99 | ~£6.95 | ~£3.96 | ~£8.99 |
| Free Domain | Yes (1 yr) | No | Yes (1 yr) | Yes (1 yr) | Yes (1 yr) |
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UK Server Location | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (EU) | Yes |
| Email Accounts | 1 | 1 | 3 | Unlimited | 1 Free (1 yr) |
| Support Highlights | 24/7 Phone | 24/7 Chat | 24/7 Chat | 24/7 Chat | 24/7 Phone/Chat |
| Best For | Business Features | Performance & Value | Security & Support | Transparency | Absolute Beginners |
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started (2025)
Follow these simple steps to get your website live with your new UK hosting provider.
Step 1: Choose Your Hosting Plan
Based on the comparison above, select the provider that best fits your needs (e.g., IONOS for business, Hostinger for performance).
Step 2: Register a Domain Name
Most providers offer a free domain for the first year during signup. Use this! Choose a domain name that is:
- Memorable: Easy to spell and say.
- Brandable: Reflects your website’s purpose.
- .uk or .co.uk: Ideal for targeting a UK audience, but .com is also a strong global choice.
Step 3: Complete the Sign-Up Process
You’ll need to create an account and enter your payment details. Pro Tip: To lock in the lowest price, consider signing up for a longer term (e.g., 24 or 36 months) if your budget allows.
Step 4: Install WordPress (or Another Platform)
Most hosts offer a “one-click install” for WordPress (the world’s most popular website builder).
- Log in to your hosting account’s control panel (cPanel, hPanel, etc.).
- Find the “WordPress” or “Softaculous” installer icon.
- Click it and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install WordPress on your domain.
Step 5: Build Your Website
Once WordPress is installed, log in to your new site’s admin area (usually yourdomain.com/wp-admin).
- Choose a Theme: Go to Appearance > Themes to pick a free design that suits your style.
- Add Content: Start creating pages (Pages > Add New) and blog posts (Posts > Add New).
- Install Plugins: Go to Plugins > Add New to find tools for contact forms, SEO, and more.
Step 6: Go Live and Promote!
Once you’re happy with your site, it’s time to tell the world! Share it on social media, with friends, and start working on your SEO to attract visitors from Google.
Final Verdict
Finding quality web hosting in the UK for under £5 is not only possible but easy in 2025.
- For the best all-round value and performance, Hostinger is our top pick.
- If you’re a small business that values features and phone support, IONOS is unbeatable.
- And if security and top-notch support are your priority, ScalaHosting is worth the small premium.
Don’t let a small budget hold you back. Choose any provider from this list, and you’ll be well on your way to establishing a strong and reliable online presence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is web hosting under £5 actually any good?
Yes, absolutely. The providers on this list offer excellent value for money, especially for new websites, blogs, and small businesses. The low introductory price is a marketing tool to get you started. You’ll still benefit from essential features like high uptime, UK-based servers for speed, free SSL certificates, and good customer support. The key is to choose a reputable provider (like those listed above) rather than an unknown company where low price equals low quality.
2. What’s the catch with these low introductory prices?
The main “catch” is that the rock-bottom price (e.g., £1/month) is usually a promotional rate for your initial term, which typically lasts 12-48 months. When it’s time to renew, the price will revert to the standard, higher rate. This is standard industry practice. Always check the renewal price before you buy so you aren’t surprised later. Providers like Namecheap are known for having more reasonable renewal fees.
3. Can I run a WordPress site on these cheap hosting plans?
Definitely. All the hosting providers mentioned fully support WordPress. In fact, they often feature “one-click install” tools that make setting up WordPress incredibly easy, even if you’re a complete beginner. These shared hosting plans are the most popular and cost-effective way to start a WordPress website.
4. Why is it important to have a UK-based server?
Server location has a direct impact on your website’s loading speed for visitors. If your host’s servers are in the UK, your website’s data has a much shorter distance to travel to reach your UK-based audience, resulting in faster page load times. This improves user experience, reduces bounce rates, and can provide a small but positive boost to your local UK search engine rankings (SEO).
5. What happens if I need help? Is support included with budget hosting?
Yes, support is a standard feature even with budget plans. All the providers we recommend offer 24/7 customer support, primarily through live chat and help tickets. Some, like IONOS and GoDaddy, also include unique 24/7 phone support. The quality of support can vary, which is why we highlighted ScalaHosting for its exceptional customer service. You are never on your own.