If you’re starting a blog, launching a small business website, or looking to cut costs without sacrificing performance, finding cheap WordPress hosting with free SSL is crucial. With so many hosting providers on the market, it’s hard to separate the good from the bad. This guide will help you understand what to look for, and which providers truly deliver affordable, secure, and fast WordPress hosting in 2025.
What is SSL and Why It’s Non-Negotiable in 2025?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts the connection between your website and your visitors. Sites with SSL certificates display the padlock icon in the browser and start with instead of
Without an SSL certificate:
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Your site is marked as “Not Secure” by browsers.
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Google may penalize your search rankings.
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Users may lose trust, especially in eCommerce.
The best part? You can now get SSL certificates for free, and many cheap WordPress hosting providers include it at no cost.
Top 5 Cheap WordPress Hosting Providers with Free SSL (2025)
These hosting companies combine affordability, security, and WordPress optimization, making them perfect for beginners and budget-conscious businesses.
1. Hostinger – Best Overall Cheap Hosting with Free SSL
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Starting Price: $1.99/month
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SSL Certificate: Free for all plans
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WordPress Optimization: Yes
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Uptime: 99.99%
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Support: 24/7 Live Chat
Why Choose Hostinger?
Hostinger offers unbeatable pricing with impressive performance and features. With free SSL, email, and 1-click WordPress installs, it’s ideal for beginners and budget-focused entrepreneurs.
Pros:
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Ultra-affordable
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SSD storage for fast loading
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Excellent user dashboard
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Free weekly backups
Cons:
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No phone support
Best For: Bloggers, freelancers, personal websites, and new businesses
2. Namecheap – Best for Domain + Hosting Bundles
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Starting Price: $1.58/month
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SSL Certificate: Free for 1 year
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WordPress Hosting: EasyWP
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Uptime: 99.95%
Why Choose Namecheap?
Namecheap is known for affordable domains, but their EasyWP hosting is fast, simple, and cheap. It’s perfect if you want to buy domain + hosting + SSL from one place.
Pros:
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Clean, minimal dashboard
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No hidden upsells
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Great domain deals
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Optimized for WordPress
Cons:
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No email hosting on EasyWP plans
Best For: Solopreneurs, students, and bloggers
3. DreamHost – Best Budget Hosting Backed by WordPress.org
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Starting Price: $2.95/month
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SSL Certificate: Free Let’s Encrypt SSL
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WordPress Optimized: Yes
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Money-Back Guarantee: 97 Days
Why Choose DreamHost?
Recommended by WordPress.org, DreamHost provides cheap, reliable hosting with privacy protection, free SSL, and daily backups—even on the basic plan.
Pros:
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Transparent pricing
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Unlimited traffic
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Free WHOIS privacy
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Generous refund window
Cons:
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Slower customer response compared to others
Best For: WordPress beginners who want a trusted and simple host
4. IONOS by 1&1 – Best Value with Free Domain + SSL
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Starting Price: $1/month for the first year
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SSL Certificate: Free Wildcard SSL
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WordPress Support: Managed & automatic updates
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Support: 24/7 Phone + Chat
Why Choose IONOS?
For just $1/month, you get free domain, free SSL, and WordPress tools. IONOS is a global brand with highly competitive entry pricing.
Pros:
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Ultra-low starting price
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Free email and domain
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Free SSL + Wildcard support
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Pro features at beginner cost
Cons:
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Higher renewal price
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Backend interface can be confusing
Best For: Small business owners on a budget
5. A2 Hosting – Best Cheap Hosting for Speed
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Starting Price: $2.99/month
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SSL Certificate: Free
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Turbo Plans for Speed: Optional
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Money-Back Guarantee: Anytime
Why Choose A2 Hosting?
A2 Hosting gives fast, secure hosting with great support and free SSL. It’s slightly more expensive than others on this list but offers better performance.
Pros:
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Excellent performance
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Developer-friendly tools
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Green hosting
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Free SSL & backups
Cons:
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Cheapest plan is limited
Best For: Tech-savvy users, developers, and those who want speed on a budget
What to Look for in Cheap WordPress Hosting
Not all cheap hosting is equal. Here are must-have features to watch for:
| Feature | Must-Have Reason |
|---|---|
| Free SSL | Secures your site, boosts SEO |
| One-Click WordPress | Quick and easy setup |
| Uptime Guarantee | Avoid site downtime that hurts SEO and sales |
| SSD Storage | Faster loading times |
| Customer Support | Live chat or ticket support is crucial for beginners |
| Free Backups | Adds peace of mind in case of errors or hacks |
WordPress Hosting vs. Shared Hosting: What’s the Difference?
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Shared Hosting:
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Cheapest option
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Shared server resources
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Ideal for small websites
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WordPress Hosting (Managed):
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Tailored for WordPress
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Better speed & security
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Automatic updates and backups
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If your site is WordPress-based, always go for WordPress-optimized hosting.
Why Free SSL is a Must (Beyond Security)
Aside from encrypting data, SSL also:
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Improves Google rankings
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Increases user trust
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Enables faster page loading with HTTP/2
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Required for online payments
Free SSL via Let’s Encrypt is just as good as paid SSL for most websites. There’s no reason to settle for a host that doesn’t include it.
Who Should Use Cheap WordPress Hosting?
Cheap doesn’t mean bad—especially if you’re just getting started. It’s perfect for:
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New bloggers
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Freelancers & portfolios
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Local business websites
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Affiliate marketers
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Students & hobbyists
As your site grows, you can always upgrade to more powerful plans.
Comparison Table – Best Cheap WordPress Hosting with Free SSL
| Provider | Price (mo.) | Free SSL | Storage | Uptime | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hostinger | $1.99 | 50 GB | 99.99% | All-round performance | |
| Namecheap | $1.58 | (1 yr) | 20 GB | 99.95% | Budget + domains |
| DreamHost | $2.95 | Unlimited | 99.98% | Beginner-friendly setup | |
| IONOS | $1.00 | 10 GB | 99.97% | Small businesses | |
| A2 Hosting | $2.99 | 100 GB | 99.99% | Speed + security |
Real-World Reviews from Users
“I started my blog with Hostinger, and I couldn’t believe I got SSL, backups, and WordPress tools for under $2/month.”
— Neha, Lifestyle Blogger
“IONOS gave me everything I needed—domain, email, SSL—for $1. It was the best decision for my startup.”
— Jake, eCommerce Owner
Tips for Getting the Best Deal
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Use multi-year billing to lock in low rates
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Skip add-ons you don’t need (like paid SSL)
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Use promo codes or referral links for discounts
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Choose hosting with free migration if moving from another provider
Step-by-Step: Setting Up WordPress with Free SSL
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Choose a hosting plan with free SSL
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Register or transfer your domain
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Use 1-click installer to install WordPress
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Activate your SSL certificate (usually automatic)
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Use a free theme and install essential plugins
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Start publishing content!
FAQs – Cheap WordPress Hosting with Free SSL
Q: Is free SSL secure enough?
A: Yes! Let’s Encrypt is used by major companies and is secure for most websites.
Q: What’s the catch with $1/month hosting?
A: Low intro price, but renewals may be higher. Always check renewal rates.
Q: Can I switch hosts later?
A: Yes. Most hosts offer free website migration.
Q: Do these hosts support WooCommerce?
A: Yes, all listed providers support WooCommerce and other plugins.
Conclusion: Best Choice for Cheap WordPress Hosting with Free SSL?
If you’re building a WordPress website in 2025, you don’t need to spend a fortune. With cheap WordPress hosting and free SSL, you can create a secure, fast, and professional-looking site without breaking the bank.
Final Recommendation:
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Best Overall: Hostinger
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Best for Combo (domain + hosting): Namecheap
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Best for Beginners: DreamHost
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Best for $1 Plans: IONOS
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Best for Speed: A2 Hosting