HostAfrica Review 2024: Features, Pros & Cons

If it’s your first time setting up a business website or a blog, selecting a web hosting company may be a tedious process.

The good thing is, there are many web hosting companies that offer affordable prices, 24/7 customer support, and flexible hosting plans, including WordPress and e-commerce.

One such contender is Host Africa.

But, is Host Africa right for you?

To aid your decision-making process, I’ve conducted an extensive review of Host Africa’s web hosting services.

Let’s uncover if it’s the ideal fit for your online ventures.

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What is HostAfrica?

HostAfrica is a leading web hosting provider catering to businesses and individuals across Africa.

Originally established as Cloud to Machine in 2008 in South Africa, the company underwent a rebranding in 2017 to become Host Africa (Pty) Ltd, with a subsidiary brand, HOSTAFRICA.

Notably, HostAfrica expanded its presence by acquiring EAC Directory in Kenya in December 2022.

Key highlights of HostAfrica include:

Renowned among the top web hosting services in Africa, particularly favored by startups and businesses.
Operational footprint spans three African countries: South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya.
HostRaha, a brand under HostAfrica, stands out in Kenya for its competitive pricing, robust security features, and dependable server performance.
Dedicated 24/7/365 customer support accessible via phone, email, and chat.
Every hosting plan boasts a 30-day money-back guarantee, ensuring customer satisfaction.
Beyond shared hosting, HostAfrica offers a range of services including VPS, dedicated, and reseller hosting.

How HostAfrica Works

When establishing a website, securing a space to house your data files becomes paramount.

A web hosting service steps in to provide the necessary storage and resources, ensuring your website’s online visibility and accessibility.

HostAfrica Shared Web Hosting

Shared hosting entails your website residing on the same server as others, making it an ideal choice for startups and small businesses with limited traffic and storage needs.

By sharing resources, hosting fees become notably more affordable compared to VPS or dedicated hosting, which cater to more complex hosting demands.

Website Domain

A website domain serves as the digital address for your site.

HostAfrica complements its hosting plans with a complimentary .co.ke or .africa domain.

Moreover, clients can register additional domains for hosting multiple websites, with registration fees starting as low as $5 or Ksh465 per year.

Is HostAfrica Right for You?

HostAfrica proves to be an ideal choice if you’re aiming to construct a straightforward website and seek an economical hosting solution.

However, it might not align well if you’re developing a sizable, content-rich site capable of accommodating substantial web traffic.

HostAfrica Is Recommended For:

Swift deployment of a basic website
WordPress-based websites
Compact e-commerce platforms
Startups in search of a cost-effective hosting partner

HostAfrica Is Not Recommended For:

Websites laden with extensive content (e.g., those hosting large video or image files)
Highly customized website projects

What Sets Host Africa Apart?

In contrast to many web hosting platforms with complex pricing structures, HostAfrica stands out for its simplicity.

Offering a transparent rate of only $6.15 or Ksh420 per month, HostAfrica surpasses the pricing of numerous competitors.

This affordability makes it an outstanding choice for individuals seeking to minimize their monthly website hosting expenses.

Notable HostAfrica Features

In addition to its cost-effective plans, HostAfrica boasts several notable features that enhance website performance, security, and management.

These include:

1. Storage and Bandwidth

Here are specific storage and bandwidth specifications:

The Starter plan offers up to 25 email accounts, hosts 2 domains, 20GB of storage, unlimited traffic, 5 subdomains, and 1 FTP account.
With the Basic plan, users can enjoy up to 100 email accounts, host 5 domains, 40GB of storage, unlimited traffic, 100 subdomains, and 1 FTP account.
The Power plan extends to unlimited email accounts, hosting for 10 domains, 100GB of storage, unlimited traffic, 500 subdomains, and 5 FTP accounts.
For those requiring even more resources, the Business plan offers unlimited email accounts, hosting for 20 domains, 200GB of storage, unlimited traffic, 1,000 subdomains, and 10 FTP accounts.

2. Ease of Use

HostAfrica simplifies website creation and management, facilitating the launch of a basic website within minutes.

The platform integrates Softaculous, featuring a drag-and-drop website builder with hundreds of customizable design templates.

Moreover, HostAfrica offers WordPress hosting plans, enabling the development of highly customized websites.

3. One-Click Installation

HostAfrica streamlines the installation process for over 70 popular third-party applications, enhancing user convenience.

While the majority find the HostAfrica dashboard intuitive, some tech-savvy users may encounter challenges with advanced customizations.

4. Email Services

Each HostAfrica shared hosting plan includes free business email accounts, although the 25-email limit in the Starter plan may be restrictive for some users.

Additionally, all plans incorporate email protection with anti-phishing and anti-spam features through SpamExpert.

5. User Dashboard/cPanel

HostAfrica has continually refined its user experience, catering to individuals with varying levels of technical proficiency.

While beginners may face a learning curve, more experienced users accustomed to cPanel will find HostAfrica’s tools straightforward.

6. Security

Every HostAfrica website hosting plan includes a free SSL certificate for enhanced security.

Additionally, HostAfrica safeguards data with automatic incremental backups and outgoing spam filtering to maintain IP cleanliness.

Malware protection is also integrated into HostAfrica’s hosting services.

HostAfrica Hosting Pricing and Plans

Explore HostAfrica’s diverse pricing options tailored to various website needs:

The Starter Plan

Ideal for smaller websites with minimal storage and processing requirements, the Starter plan offers affordability at $6.15 or Ksh420 per month.

This plan features 1GB RAM, a 20GB storage limit, 5 MySQL databases, and 25 email accounts.

The Basic Plan

Designed for businesses or individuals managing up to 5 websites or projects, the Basic plan is priced at $8.32 or Ksh630 monthly.

With 2GB RAM, 40GB storage, 50 MySQL databases, and 100 email accounts, this plan offers enhanced capabilities.

The Power Plan

Offering a budget-friendly solution for small to medium-sized websites, the Power plan is priced at just $14.41 or Ksh945 per month.

With 3GB RAM, 100GB storage, 10 domains, unlimited databases, and unlimited email accounts, this plan strikes a balance between affordability and functionality.

The Business Plan

For those requiring increased computing power, HostAfrica’s Business plan provides an ideal solution.

Priced at $21.21 or Ksh1,399 per month, this plan offers extensive resources, including 20 domains, 200GB storage, unlimited databases, and unlimited email accounts, alongside 4GB RAM.

Customer Service and Support

Navigating challenges? HostAfrica provides round-the-clock support, 365 days a year. On the homepage, an online chat widget is available for immediate inquiries.

Customers can access support chat and email via their HostAfrica control panel, with the option to submit a support ticket for specific queries.

Prefer direct communication? Dial the customer support phone number at 254 70 939 9000 to speak with a representative.

Additionally, HostAfrica offers a comprehensive knowledge base to assist with any hurdles encountered during website launch.

Additional HostAfrica Features Worth Noting

HostAfrica presents LiteSpeed web hosting solutions, leveraging the fastest web server technology available.

Compatible with most Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, and Magento, HostAfrica’s LiteSpeed plans offer flexibility and performance.

Choose from four plans ranging from as low as Ksh560 to Ksh1,960 per month.

Starter Plan: Ideal for individuals or businesses requiring a small website with minimal updates. Includes 1 domain, 20GB storage, 100 subdomains, 25 email accounts, and 5 MySQL databases. Priced at Ksh560 per month.
Basic Plan: Suitable for medium-sized websites with regular updates. Features a website with 2 domains, 40GB storage, and 50 MySQL databases. Priced at Ksh840 per month.
Power Plan: Designed for those with larger website needs. Offers 3 domains, 100GB storage, 500 subdomains, and unlimited MySQL databases. Available at Ksh1,190 per month.
Shop Plan: Tailored for businesses requiring robust storage and processing capabilities. Provides 200GB storage, 5 domains, unlimited email accounts, 1,000 subdomains, and unlimited MySQL databases. Priced at Ksh1,960 per month.

All plans support monthly contracts and billing, include a free .co.ke domain for the first year (if registered as the primary domain), and boast unlimited web traffic. Each plan is optimized for speed to ensure optimal website performance.

HostAfrica Alternatives

Although HostAfrica boasts a diverse array of features and services, exploring alternative web hosting providers is always advantageous to ensure an informed decision.

Here are 5 best HostAfrica alternatives:

1. Host Pinnacle

Host Pinnacle, a prominent Kenyan web hosting provider, specializes in offering cost-effective hosting solutions tailored to the local market.

Prioritizing reliable performance, local support, and competitive pricing, Host Pinnacle provides shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated server options.

2. Kenya Web Experts

Kenya Web Experts stands out as another major player in the Kenyan web hosting arena, placing emphasis on fast and reliable hosting services, 24/7 support, and data centers located within Kenya.

The company offers a range of hosting plans, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated servers.

3. WeHostAfrica

Hailing from Nigeria, WeHostAfrica delivers shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated servers, accompanied by website builder tools, domain registration services, and SSL certificates.

Renowned for personalized customer support and competitive pricing, WeHostAfrica caters to diverse hosting needs.

4. Truehost

Truehost, a trusted web hosting provider, offers a range of hosting solutions tailored to both individual and business needs.

With a commitment to reliability and affordability, Truehost provides shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated server options, along with domain registration services and SSL certificates.

Read this TrueHost Review.

5. Hostpapa

Hostpapa, a globally recognized web hosting provider, boasts reliability and comprehensive features.

Although not headquartered in Kenya, Hostpapa offers hosting plans suitable for various requirements, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated servers.

Known for its exceptional customer support, user-friendly interface, and extensive range of hosting features.

6. ScalaHosting

ScalaHosting is another reputable web hosting company known for its innovative solutions and top-notch customer service.

With a focus on providing reliable hosting services, ScalaHosting offers a range of hosting options tailored to meet the diverse needs of individuals and businesses alike.

From shared hosting to dedicated servers, ScalaHosting’s cutting-edge technology and user-friendly interface make it a popular choice among those seeking robust and scalable hosting solutions.

Read this ScalaHosting Review.

Final Thoughts

After conducting a comprehensive assessment of HostAfrica’s features, pricing, customer support, and other pertinent aspects, I have formulated our expert evaluation regarding its suitability for various users or businesses.

HostAfrica presents a diverse array of plans that cater to a wide spectrum of needs.

For fledgling small businesses seeking an affordable entry into the online sphere, HostAfrica’s shared and LiteSpeed hosting plans offer an enticing proposition.

With HostAfrica, launching a visually striking and personalized website doesn’t require professional design expertise.

Conversely, enterprises grappling with high traffic volumes and a substantial online presence will find solace in HostAfrica’s VPS and dedicated hosting plans.

Moreover, entrepreneurs specializing in web design and development, aiming to curate a distinctive offering, will greatly appreciate HostAfrica’s reseller hosting packages.

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HostAfrica Review 2024: Features, Pros & Cons

What is HostAfrica?