If you’re planning to host your website and want an affordable but reliable hosting provider, Namecheap shared hosting is one of the strongest options available globally. Known for low introductory prices, fast SSD storage, generous website limits, and AI-powered tools, it has become a favourite among beginners, bloggers, and small businesses in India.
However, many Indian users find it confusing to understand the pricing, renewal costs, and how Namecheap compares with local competitors like Hostinger, Bluehost India, and BigRock.
This guide breaks everything down clearly with real-world suitability insights.
Namecheap Shared Hosting Plans
Namecheap offers three shared hosting plans – Stellar, Stellar Plus and Stellar Business. Here is the breakdown of each pricing tiers and plan in India. Best value plan is typically the 1-year (or longer) billing term because of much lower monthly-equivalent cost.
(Note: actual checkout may vary due to exchange rates, GST, and local payment gateways)
| Features | Stellar | Stellar Plus | Stellar Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (INR/month) | ₹176/mo (if billed annually) | ₹265/mo (if billed annually) | ₹443/mo (if billed annually) |
| Websites | 3 websites | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| SSD Space | 20 GB SSD | Unmetered SSD | 50 GB SSD |
| Mailboxes | 30 mailboxes | Unlimited mailboxes | Unlimited mailboxes |
| AutoBackup | ❌ Not included | ✔ Included | ✔ + Cloud Storage |
| AI Website Builder | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| AI Tools | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Security Suite | Basic | Basic | Imunify360 Security |
| Renewal Price (yearly) | ₹4,351 | ₹6,665 | ₹10,036 |
Which Plan Is Right for You?
Choosing the right hosting depends on the stage and size of your project. Here is the most practical breakdown:
Stellar – Best for Beginners & First Websites
Pick Stellar if you:
- Want to host your first blog or portfolio
- Need up to 3 websites
- Want the cheapest possible reliable hosting
- Don’t need daily backups
This is the best “entry-level” option.
Stellar Plus – Best Value for 90% Users
Choose Stellar Plus if you:
- Want unlimited websites
- Need unmetered SSD storage
- Want free AutoBackup
- Are planning to grow multiple blogs or niche sites
This plan offers the most balanced blend of price + features.
Stellar Business – Best for Small Businesses/Agencies
Go for Stellar Business if you require:
- High storage (50 GB SSD)
- Business-level security (Imunify360)
- AutoBackup + Cloud storage
- Hosting for many sites with better stability
This plan is built for ecommerce, agencies, or growing brands.
Best Namecheap Deals & Offers
Namecheap offers some of the biggest first-year hosting discounts in the market, making it an excellent choice for budget-focused users.
- All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try the service risk-free.
- The Stellar plan currently gives you up to 80% off, if billed annually.
- Stellar Plus offers 74% off (₹265/mo), and Stellar Business provides 68% off (₹443/mo).
- Apply active coupon codes such as MATRIXSHARED25 to get the instant discount.
For most users, the Stellar Plus 1-year plan delivers the best value, offering unlimited resources at a far better effective price than the other options.
Tip: Use a fresh Incognito browser when checking for discount offers because cookies may vary the price. Also inspect whether the price is in INR or USD (some checkouts still charge USD even when INR is displayed).
Namecheap Vs Other Hosting Providers
To understand Namecheap’s worth, below is an objective comparison based on value, features, and pricing.
Namecheap vs Hostinger
| Factor | Namecheap | Hostinger |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | ₹176/mo | ₹69/mo |
| Websites | 3 / Unlimited | 1 / 100 |
| Storage | 20GB / 50GB / Unmetered | 50GB–200GB |
| Backups | Only on Plus & Business | Weekly/ Daily on higher plans |
| AI Tools | Included | Included on higher plans |
| Renewal Price | Higher | Moderate |
Hostinger remains the cheaper option, especially for Indian users, thanks to aggressive introductory offers and locally optimized pricing. However, Namecheap stands out with clearer, more transparent billing, predictable renewals, and far more generous mailbox limits without extra fees. While Hostinger is better for raw pricing and performance optimizations, Namecheap is the better choice for users who want cost stability, easier invoice understanding, and built-in email value. It ultimately depends on whether upfront price or long-term clarity matters more.
Namecheap vs Bluehost
| Factor | Namecheap | Bluehost |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | ₹176/mo | ₹169–₹299/mo |
| Backup | Better on Plus/Business | Daily on mid-tier |
| Website Limit | 3 / Unlimited | 1 / Unlimited |
| Support | Good | Better |
| Security | Strong on Business | Built-in tools |
Bluehost is an excellent option for beginners focused on WordPress because it offers a guided setup flow, built-in recommendations, and official WordPress.org endorsement. Its ecosystem is beginner-friendly, but the pricing gets higher upon renewal. Namecheap wins for users who prefer straightforward, low-cost hosting with strong email features included. If you want simplicity and WordPress-specific support, Bluehost is better, but if you care about affordability and useful extras like mailboxes, Namecheap becomes the more practical option.
Namecheap vs BigRock
| Factor | Namecheap | BigRock |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ₹176/mo | ₹69–₹149/mo |
| Storage | 20GB–50GB | 20GB–100GB |
| Backups | AutoBackup on Plus/Business | Available on higher plans |
| Websites | 3 / Unlimited | 1 / Unlimited |
BigRock offers highly competitive entry-level pricing for Indian customers, especially on long-term Linux hosting plans, making it attractive for startups and small businesses on tight budgets. However, Namecheap pulls ahead in overall functionality by offering modern AI tools, automated backups, and more advanced technical features even on lower-tier plans. If your priority is the lowest possible starting price, BigRock works well, but for long-term capability and tool-rich hosting, Namecheap clearly provides better value.
Namecheap: Hidden costs
Even though Namecheap’s shared hosting plans are affordable and transparently structured, there are a few potential hidden or easily overlooked costs that buyers should consider before committing:
Renewal Price Increase
The biggest hidden cost is the renewal jump.
- Stellar renews higher than first-year promo pricing
- Stellar Plus & Stellar Business renew at significantly higher annual rates
Your first bill is deeply discounted, but from year two, the actual price can be 2–3× higher depending on the plan.
Taxes & GST (for Indian buyers)
At checkout, Indian users will see 18% GST applied. This is not included in the listed hosting price.
Final words...
Namecheap remains one of the most budget-friendly yet premium-quality hosting choices for Indian website owners. It offers excellent value for money, especially for users looking for an affordable yet global-standard hosting provider. Its combination of SSD storage, unlimited websites, AI tools, and extremely low first-year pricing makes it one of the strongest non-Indian hosting choices.
If you want:
- Best for Beginners: Stellar
- Best Value Overall: Stellar Plus
- Business-grade performance: Stellar Business
