Windows hosting services can host your websites and apps on dedicated Microsoft technologies like ASP.NET or .NET. In fact, they can even run different products like Exchange or Microsoft SQL Server. Now, although many web host services use Linux servers,Windows hosting is still vital for sites dependent on Microsoft.
Such hosting generally comes with Plesk for easy management, plus one-click installations for popular apps such as WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, PrestaShop, phpBB, and more. And, if you opt for a VPS or dedicated plan, you get remote desktop access that helps manage the server from its own interface. However, Windows hosting is a bit more expensive, thanks to the Microsoft license fees.
Still, if you need Microsoft technologies, Windows hosting can deliver a great service at a surprisingly low price. We tested and compared these providers across uptime, features, storage, bandwidth, and overall performance, among other things.
We've also reviewed the best ecommerce hosting.
The best Windows hosting services of 2025 in full:
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Best overall
Windows hosting has a reputation for being costly, but the shared Windows range from IONOS shows that it doesn't have to be that way.
Prices start at $6 a month for the first six months and $12 afterward, yet even the most basic plan is better specified than some of the Linux competition. You get 1 website, 100GB web space and unlimited bandwidth, plus daily backups, 24/7 phone and email support, a free domain and a free wildcard SSL certificate thrown in.
Windows-specific features include support for 25 Microsoft SQL databases of up to 2GB each, ASP.NET 4.8, ASP.NET Ajax and MVC 3, 4 and 5. There's support for SQL import, SSI and dedicated app pools, and your site runs on Windows Server 2022 (many hosts are still using Server 2019.)
Next, the Pro plan comes at $7/month and then increases to $14/month. It supports up to 5 websites and the storage increases to 250 GB.
Ramping up to the top-of-the-range Expert Windows plan gets you 500GB storage, ten times the RAM (2GB vs. 200MB) and up to 500 databases. Again, this is good value at $11 a month for the first six months, and $22/month thereafter.
There's one potential catch in email support; all three plans only come with a single email account, although it is a decent one (2GB inbox, anti-spam and anti-phishing thrown in.)
These are shared plans and don't give you full control over the server, but more flexible VPS and dedicated plans are also available, initially priced from $3/month for a 2v core, 2GB and 80GB setup.
Factor in the one-month trial and IONOS could be a sensible choice for novices looking to try out Windows hosting with the minimum of risk.
Read the full IONOS review.
Best basic
GoDaddy offers hosting options for both basic and advanced users. But, if you want dedicated Windows hosting, there are multiple options, catering to different use cases.
GoDaddy’s 2 vCPU / 4GB RAM plan starts at $17.99/month (with a three-year term) and suits moderate traffic needs. You get snapshot backups, 100 GB NVMe SSD storage, and the option to install Linux or Windows.
Stepping up the power, the 4 vCPU / 8GB RAM plan comes in at $34.99/month on the same term. It’s designed for heavier workloads or bigger online stores. Along with increased CPU and RAM, you can choose between cPanel or Plesk, both of which simplify server management.
For resource-intensive projects, you have the 4 vCPU / 16GB RAM plan worth $44.99/month. It includes 200 GB NVMe SSD storage and added IP addresses to accommodate larger-scale deployments.
Plus, all the plans come with four Global Data Centers(United States, Europe, and Singapore), 24/7 network monitoring, advanced DDoS, free SSL certificate with a dedicated IP.
You can save on your GoDaddy subscription with our GoDaddy promo codes.
Read the full GoDaddy review.
Best mid-range
Hostwinds' Windows VPS hosting plans could be a great choice for the more experienced user, with no less than 10 plans making it much easier to find the exact level of service you need.
The baseline specification is impressive. Every plan offers free site migrations, SSD storage, and 1Gbps network connectivity (100Mbps is common with other providers). You also get the ability to use Windows Server 2012, 2016 or 2019, along with nightly backups and 99.99999% uptime guaranteed overall.
The starter plan offers relatively limited resources, with one CPU core, 1GB RAM, 30GB disk space and 1TB traffic per month. But it comes at $16.99/month for unmanaged Windows hosting (where you manage the server software), $17.24/month for managed hosting (where Hostwinds handles everything.)
Upgrading to a higher plan gets you more power. For example, a four CPU core, 8GB RAM, 150GB disk space and 3TB bandwidth setup is priced at $62.99/month for the Unmanaged VPS.
(When you're comparing prices with other providers, keep in mind that these are Unmanaged VPS plans, not more basic shared offerings. They're also billed monthly, with no long-term contract, and unlike some of the rest, the price won't double when the introductory deal runs out.) The Fully Managed Windows VPS are currently cheaper due to the first-cycle promotional offer.
Put it all together and these seem well-designed hosting plans which are powerful, configurable, and with excellent support. If basic Windows hosting isn't enough, Hostwinds could be worth a try.
Read the full Hostwinds review.
Best for features
HostGator's rather limited range of three Windows hosting plans mean it can't compete with Hostwinds for flexibility, but take a closer look at the details and there's a lot to like here.
The starter Plan only supports one website, for instance, but also comes with 5 email accounts, Unlimited MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server databases, unmetered disk space and bandwidth, free SSL, backups and more. It starts cheap, too, at $4.76 a month over three years (though beware, it renews at $12.99.)
There is a potential downside in HostGator's relatively dated software: Windows Server 2016, ASP 4.7 and PHP 7.1 (IONOS offers 2022, 4.8 and 8.1.) This won't matter to everyone, but check your technical Windows requirements before you sign up.
Next you have the Personal Plan which comes with unmetered disk space, unlimited email accounts, and latest Plesk Panel - Onyx 17.5. Lastly, the Enterprise plan supports 5 domains, along with free upgrade to Positive SSL and a dedicated IP.
If you're looking for a dedicated plan, keep in mind that you can set it up with whatever technology you like. Headline prices are reasonable, too, with plans starting at under $90 a month. Be sure to carefully check the small print, though – you might have to sign up for three years to get these prices, and large introductory discounts mean that you could pay more than double on renewal.
Read the full HostGator review.
You could save on HostGator VPS hosting with our HostGator promo codes.
Best for support
Liquid Web is a popular provider of high-end professional web hosting services, and its current range includes some very capable Windows products.
The company's Managed VPS Windows hosting plans, for instance, are stuffed with premium features: unlimited sites, 10TB of monthly bandwidth, at least 100GB of Acronis backups, and a very fast 10Gbps connection.
And yet, starter prices are still very affordable at $60.06/month (on the two-year plan) for a 4GB RAM, 4 core, 100GB storage VPS. You also get Windows 2022 server and 50 GB Acronis Cyber Backups. The closest setup at Hostwinds (8GB RAM, 4 core, 150GB storage, 3TB RAM) is priced at a very similar $62.99/month.
That's just the start. Demanding users will love Liquid Web's vast range of more advanced hosting plans, from cloud and dedicated products, to VMware, Microsoft SQL Hosting, Active Directory and more. (Even if you don't need any of those right now, don't dismiss them. It's important to know there's an upgrade path available if your site grows and you need something more powerful.)
The other two plans of 8 GB RAM and 16 GB RAM, come at $79.54/month and $139.08/month respectively. They too offer 50 GB Acronis Cyber Backups and Obsidian Plesk Version.
Whatever product you choose can be fully managed by Liquid Web's excellent support team. The firm doesn’t just promise to keep your site up and running, there’s a commitment with a 100% uptime SLA (service level agreement), a strong sign of confidence in its services that you rarely see elsewhere.
Read the full Liquid Web review.
Best Windows hosting FAQs
What is Windows hosting?
When a web hosting service runs on servers using the Windows operating system, it is generally called a Windows hosting. It’s best suited for applications and websites that heavily rely on Microsoft technologies including ASP.NET, .NET Core, or Microsoft SQL Server.
Such hosting come with dedicated support for Plesk (a user-friendly web hosting control panel), and seamless integration with some well renowned apps. It’s a great option for those who need super compatibility with Microsoft tools and technologies.
Which server is best: Windows or Linux?
Picking a Windows or Linux server is largely based on your particular needs. Linux servers are normally fast, highly reliable, and cheap. Windows servers, shine well when its about using Microsoft technologies like ASP.NET, .NET, or running applications like Exchange or Microsoft SQL Server.
Now, although Linux comes with broader software compatibility and cheaper cost, Windows hosting is indispensable if you’re running a business that needs Microsoft-specific tools, In a nutshell, pick one based on your project needs.
Can I use Remote Desktop to manage a Windows server?
Yes, remote desktop is mostly available with many Windows VPS (Virtually Provided Servers) and dedicated hosting plans. With this, you can manage your server as if your were using it locally, meaning you get complete control on your server's desktop environment.
This is vital for developers and businesses who want direct access to their server’s configuration, application management, or troubleshooting. However, keep in mind that such remote desktop doesn’t typically come with shared Windows hosting plans.
How to choose the best Windows hosting services for you?
To find the best Windows hosting services for you, consider the size of your business and your needs, like your website's uptime, the daily and monthly traffic it receives, and overall scalability and performance.
If your site is media-heavy, it's best to opt for hosting services that provide plenty of storage. Look out for the security features, the frequency of the data backups, and the quality of the customer support.
You'll also want to check the provider's pricing plans, free trial options, money-back guarantees, and flexibility of the contracts.
The best Windows hosting services: How we test
Testing and choosing the best Windows hosting is not too different from how we test the best web hosting services. Because Windows hosting is website hosting that uses a Windows operating system, we round up those hosting providers that offer the service and then began to test its performance, features and add-ons.
Because only a small number of providers offer Windows hosting, comparing its strengths and weaknesses is relatively easy.
We evaluate each feature provided, from 24/7 security monitoring to DDoS protection using a test website that also uses other Windows tools and languages, like Microsoft Exchange or ASP.NET.
We also compare prices to make sure the Windows hosting service is good value for money.
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