1. The score comes from real users
Every host on this site gets a profile, and anyone can rate it from 1 to 10. One rating per person. People with accounts rate at full weight; anonymous ratings count too, at reduced weight. There is no editorial score and no pay-to-rank — a host can't buy its way up the list.
2. We use a Bayesian average
The published score blends all of a host's ratings with a Bayesian average. In plain English: the score starts near the site-wide average and moves toward the host's own average as more ratings come in. That way a host with three perfect 10s doesn't leapfrog a host with two thousand ratings averaging 8.4. More ratings means a more trustworthy score.
3. What the score doesn't tell you
Ratings reflect people's overall experience — support quality, reliability, value — not lab benchmarks. We don't run our own uptime probes or speed tests, and a high score doesn't guarantee a host is right for your project. A developer hosting a side project and a small business running a store have different needs.
4. What to check before you buy
- Renewal pricing. Most hosts advertise a low intro rate for the first term and renew higher — sometimes much higher. Check the renewal price, not just the headline.
- Support channels and hours. When something breaks at midnight, 24/7 chat or phone support matters more than a slightly cheaper plan.
- Backups and migration. Ask whether backups are included and how hard it is to leave. A host that makes migration painful is a red flag.
- The plan you actually need. Shared hosting is fine for most new sites. Don't pay for a VPS or dedicated server until your traffic says you need one.
5. Add your own rating
Used one of these hosts? Your experience counts. Head to any host's profile — for example Bluehost, SiteGround, or DreamHost — and rate it 1 to 10. It takes ten seconds and makes the scores better for everyone.