If you’re wondering “is InMotion Hosting free?” let me be clear from the start, InMotion Hosting is not free to use in 2026. It is a paid premium hosting service with various plans that start at affordable entry fees but increase on renewal.
You can get some perks included at no extra cost, like a domain name for a year or an SSL certificate, but the core hosting itself always carries a price.
In this guide, I’ll break down the real costs, explain what you do get for free, compare the main plans with alternatives, and give you both professional and personal insights on whether InMotion is worth paying for in 2026.
How InMotion Hosting Structures Its Pricing in 2026?
Understanding InMotion’s pricing in 2026 is key if you’re trying to decide whether it’s worth your money. While the plans aren’t free, they are structured to offer value through long-term savings and bundled extras.
| Plan Type | Entry Price (Per Month) | Renewal Price | Key Inclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting (Core) | From $2.69–$3.19 | $10–$11 | Free domain, SSL, SSD storage |
| WordPress Hosting (Core) | From $3.49 | $12.49 | WP optimised, staging tools |
| VPS Hosting (Basic) | From $4.99 | $13.99 | 2 vCPU, 4GB RAM, 50GB SSD |
| VPS Premier Care | From $80.49 | $92.49+ | Managed support, Monarx, backups |
| Dedicated Servers | From $99.99 | Same | Full hardware control, 5+ IPs |
Plans are designed with a “first-term discount model”. That means you pay a reduced price for the first cycle (usually 12 or 24 months), but renew at a higher standard rate.
“In my review process, I always caution users to check the renewal prices carefully. Many users only look at the promo pricing and get surprised later. InMotion is upfront about it, which is a big plus in my book.”
This pricing transparency, combined with the 90-day guarantee, offers a reasonable entry point for users who want peace of mind before committing to long-term hosting.
What InMotion Hosting Offers in 2026?
InMotion Hosting provides a range of services suitable for individuals, small businesses, developers, and larger enterprises:
| Hosting Type | Best For | Key Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | Beginners & small sites | Low entry price, free domain (with annual plans), SSL included |
| VPS Hosting | Medium sites & developers | Dedicated resources, scalable |
| Premier Care VPS | Businesses | Enhanced support, managed setup, backups |
| Dedicated Servers | High traffic enterprises | Powerful hardware, full control |
| WordPress Hosting | WP sites | Caching & performance optimised |
The shared plans are the most affordable way to start, but keep in mind they include limited resources compared to VPS or dedicated plans. You can also read my full review of InMotion Hosting here if you want detailed feedback on their performance, support, and real user experiences. Let’s review what you do and don’t get without paying extra.
What You Get “Free” With InMotion Hosting?
While the hosting itself isn’t free, InMotion does bundle some perks that save you money upfront:
| Free Add‑Ons with Eligible Plans | Notes |
| Free Domain Name | With 12, 24, or 36‑month shared hosting plans |
| SSL Certificate | Standard security included |
| Website Migration | Free transfer of existing site |
| NVMe SSD Storage | Fast storage at no extra cost |
| 90‑Day Money‑Back Guarantee | Essentially a long trial window |
“In my experience, it’s rare to find a hosting provider that offers a 90‑day money‑back guarantee. That policy alone shows InMotion’s confidence in their service, especially compared to many UK hosts that offer just 30 days.”
However, it’s worth noting:
- You still pay for the hosting itself, only the domain and some extras are free.
- Promotional pricing applies to the first billing cycle; renewals are higher.
- There is no permanent free tier like some other platforms (e.g. Wix, WordPress.com).
30‑Day Trial and 90‑Day Refund Policy
InMotion does offer what feels like a trial period:
- Some services have a 30‑day free trial, but you must enter payment details.
- Shared hosting plans qualify for a 90‑day money‑back guarantee.
This means you can try it risk‑free for up to three months and get a full refund if you’re not satisfied.
That’s a generous refund window compared to most hosting companies, and a legitimate way to experience InMotion’s performance without long‑term commitment.
Are There Truly Free Hosting Alternatives?
If your priority is zero cost, then InMotion isn’t the right fit.
Here’s how free hosting options compare:
| Provider | True Free Hosting | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| InfinityFree | Yes | Limited support, ads, slower |
| 000WebHost | Yes | Downtime, branded subdomain, limited resources |
| Wix (Free Plan) | Yes | Branded Wix domain + ads |
| WordPress.com (Free) | Yes | Branded, limited customisation |
| InMotion Hosting | No | Paid service, high performance |
Free hosting options can work for basic personal sites or testing, but they come with constraints:
- Subdomain instead of your own domain
- Ads or branding
- Limited bandwidth/storage
- Poorer performance
“As someone who’s built a dozen production sites, I’d never recommend free hosting for any business or professional project. The hidden costs in reliability and branding outweigh the nominal savings.”
If you’re starting a blog, portfolio or a small business site that matters, investing in affordable paid hosting is usually a smarter choice.
Is InMotion Hosting Worth the Price in 2026?
For a lot of users, especially businesses and serious bloggers, the answer is yes.
Advantages of choosing InMotion Hosting:
- Strong performance with SSD/NVMe storage
- Generous money‑back guarantee
- Free domain with qualifying plans
- Excellent support (especially with Premier Care)
Here’s a detailed look at the price vs value:
| Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| NVMe SSD Storage | Faster site performance |
| Free Site Migration | Saves setup time/cost |
| Domain Included | Reduces initial expenses |
| 90 Day Guarantee | Low risk to test service |
| Dedicated IPs (VPS/Dedicated) | Better security & reputation |
InMotion also provides features you won’t find with most free hosts:
- Unmetered bandwidth on many VPS plans
- Docker compatibility
- cPanel access for easy site management
Despite the cost, you get far more control and professional capabilities than free services.
Who Should Consider InMotion Hosting in 2026?
InMotion is well suited for:
- Small‑to‑medium UK businesses
- Bloggers and WordPress users
- Developers needing VPS flexibility
- Anyone who prioritises uptime and support
It is not ideal for:
- Someone who only needs a simple personal site with zero cost
- Users uninterested in committing to a paid plan
Final Thoughts
So, to circle back:
- Is InMotion Hosting free?— No.
- Can you try it without risk?— Yes, up to 90 days with a money‑back guarantee.
- Do you get some freebies?— Yes (domain, SSL, migrations).
- Is it better than free hosting?— For most serious projects, absolutely.
If your priority is zero monthly cost, look at free options like InfinityFree or 000WebHost, but be aware of performance and limitations. If your priority is performance, support and long‑term growth, InMotion Hosting is worth paying for, especially with the value‑added perks included.
FAQs About InMotion Hosting in 2026
Is InMotion Hosting suitable for UK websites?
Yes, although servers may be based internationally, their hosting works perfectly for UK audiences and supports multiple data centre options.
Does InMotion Hosting offer a money‑back guarantee?
Yes, a lengthy 90‑day money‑back guarantee on shared plans.
Will InMotion Hosting ever be truly free?
Not as a permanent tier, all core hosting services require payment.
Are there any hidden fees?
Renewals are higher than introductory prices, which is standard in the industry.
Can I host multiple sites?
Yes, many plans support multiple domains and sites depending on the tier.
Is support included with all plans?
Yes, live chat and phone support are included, with elevated priority on premium plans.
Does InMotion Hosting provide backups?
Some plans include backups, and premium options include larger backup allocations.
