Network Solutions is one of the oldest domain registrars and hosting providers on the internet, dating back to 1979. Today, it offers a wide range of web services, including web hosting, email, SSL certificates, and online marketing tools. Although not as prominent as newer competitors like Bluehost or HostGator, Network Solutions offers secure and reliable hosting tailored to small businesses and individuals seeking an all-in-one solution.
Types of Hosting by Network Solutions
| Hosting Type | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | Small businesses, personal sites | Budget-friendly, easy to manage, limited resources |
| WordPress Hosting | WordPress users | Optimized for WordPress, pre-installed themes and plugins |
| VPS Hosting | Developers and growing businesses | Scalable, isolated environments, root access |
| Website Builder Plans | Non-technical users | Drag-and-drop builder, bundled with hosting |
Key Features of Network Solutions Hosting
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Domain | Free domain with most annual hosting plans |
| Free Email | 1–5 mailboxes depending on the plan |
| Website Builder | Included with most plans (drag-and-drop) |
| SSL Certificate | Included with higher-tier plans or as an add-on |
| 24/7 Customer Support | Phone and online support available |
| 99.9% Uptime Guarantee | Industry-standard uptime SLA |
| Data Backup | Optional add-on service |
| Control Panel | Custom control panel (not standard cPanel) |
Shared Hosting Plans
| Plan | Essential Hosting | Professional Hosting | Premium Hosting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Websites | 1 | 3 | Unlimited |
| Storage | 300 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Bandwidth | Unmetered | Unmetered | Unmetered |
| Email Accounts | 1 Mailbox | 3 Mailboxes | 5 Mailboxes |
| Free Domain | ✅ (1 Year) | ✅ (1 Year) | ✅ (1 Year) |
| Free SSL | ❌ | ✅ (1 Year) | ✅ |
| SiteLock Security | ❌ | Optional | Optional |
| Pricing | ~$5.69/mo | ~$9.96/mo | ~$15.78/mo |
Note: Pricing may vary depending on contract length and promotional discounts.
WordPress Hosting Plans
| Plan | WP Starter | WP Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | 50 GB | Unlimited |
| Monthly Visitors | ~25,000 | ~100,000 |
| Themes & Plugins | Pre-installed | Pre-installed + Premium |
| SSL Certificate | ❌ | ✅ |
| Daily Backups | ❌ | ✅ |
| Free Domain | ✅ (1 Year) | ✅ (1 Year) |
| Email Accounts | 1 | 3 |
| Pricing | ~$7.99/mo | ~$13.98/mo |
Security Features
| Security Feature | Availability |
|---|---|
| Free SSL Certificate | ✅ (from Professional plan and up) |
| SiteLock Malware Scan | Optional add-on |
| Firewall Protection | Included on higher-tier plans |
| Domain Privacy | Optional |
| Data Backup | Available as a paid add-on |
| DDoS Protection | ✅ Standard with hosting |
Performance & Reliability
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% |
| Average Load Time | 700–1000 ms |
| Data Centers | U.S.-based infrastructure |
| CDN (Content Delivery Network) | Not built-in; third-party integration recommended |
Email & Productivity Features
| Email Feature | Availability |
|---|---|
| Free Email Accounts | 1–5 depending on the plan |
| Email Storage | 1 GB per mailbox |
| Webmail Access | ✅ |
| Spam & Virus Protection | ✅ Standard |
| Microsoft 365 Integration | Available as an add-on |
Developer Tools
| Tool | Availability |
|---|---|
| PHP Support | ✅ PHP 7.x and 8.x supported |
| MySQL Databases | ✅ Included with all plans |
| FTP Access | ✅ |
| File Manager | ✅ Via custom control panel |
| Cron Jobs | ❌ Limited availability |
| SSH Access | ❌ Not available on shared hosting |
📞 Customer Support
| Support Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| 24/7 Phone Support | ✅ Available globally |
| Email/Ticketing | ✅ Available |
| Live Chat | ❌ Not always available |
| Knowledge Base | ✅ Extensive articles and how-tos |
Pros and Cons of Network Solutions Hosting
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Long-standing reputation | Custom control panel (not cPanel) |
| Free domain and email included | No live chat support in some plans |
| Easy-to-use website builder | Basic plans lack SSL and backup |
| WordPress plans are beginner-friendly | Some features are costly add-ons |
| Reliable uptime and phone support | No SSH or cron jobs on shared hosting |
Is Network Solutions Hosting a Good Choice?
Network Solutions is a solid option for small businesses and personal websites, especially for users who prefer having domain, email, and hosting services under one roof. It's especially appealing for beginners who want an all-in-one website builder solution.
However, for more advanced users or developers, the lack of cPanel, limited dev tools, and reliance on paid add-ons may make other hosts like Bluehost or Hostinger more attractive.
