InterServer vs Bluehost: which one should you buy?
Bluehost Starter is cheaper for the first three years if you can prepay the full term. InterServer is the better pick if you want monthly billing, or if you qualify for its $5/month Price Lock offer and plan to stay for many years.
We compare InterServer Standard with Bluehost Starter, the entry shared plans of each host, and explain where Price Lock and Bluehost Business change the answer. This is a research-based comparison, not our own speed or support test. Prices are in U.S. dollars before tax.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from our InterServer link. Read our disclosure. For full context, see the InterServer review.
InterServer vs Bluehost at a glance
| Feature | InterServer Standard | Bluehost Starter |
|---|---|---|
| Intro price | $2.50 first month | $3.99/mo (36-month prepay) |
| Regular price | $7/mo monthly; $5/mo on eligible Price Lock | $9.99/mo on a 36-month renewal |
| Monthly billing | Yes | Yes, renews at $15.99/mo |
| Websites | Unlimited domains | 10 websites |
| Storage | Advertised as unlimited (fair use) | 10 GB NVMe |
| Control panel | DirectAdmin | Bluehost dashboard |
| Backups | Weekly | Check plan details at checkout |
| Phone support | 24/7 support advertised | From Business plan |
| Refund window | 30 days | Check current terms at checkout |
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Screenshot: InterServer and Bluehost pricing pages side by side
InterServer vs Bluehost prices, renewals and Price Lock
The InterServer Standard page lists $2.50 for the first month, then $7/month. A separate Price Lock offer advertises $5/month for life on eligible orders. We could not confirm what the 6-, 12- and 24-month prepaid terms renew at.
Bluehost's pricing page lists Starter at $3.99/month on 36 months and Business at $6.99/month. Its renewal list shows Starter renewing at $9.99/month on 36 months, $11.99 on 12 months and $15.99 on monthly billing; Business renews at $13.99/month on 36 months.
The pattern is simple: Bluehost rewards long prepaid terms, while InterServer keeps short terms affordable. Read our Price Lock explainer and InterServer pricing guide before choosing.
Three-year and six-year costs compared
| Period | InterServer monthly | InterServer Price Lock | Bluehost Starter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 months | $247.50 | $180.00 | $143.64 |
| 72 months | $499.50 | $360.00 | $503.28 |
Bluehost wins the first three years by around $100 against InterServer monthly billing. By year six the regular options are almost equal, and an eligible Price Lock order is the cheapest of the three. The Bluehost six-year figure assumes a second 36-month term at $9.99/month; paying monthly after the intro would cost far more.
Compare the real checkout total, not the headline rate
The InterServer button is an affiliate link. No extra discount is assumed in our math.
Websites, storage, domains and email
InterServer's technical details list unlimited domains, storage, transfer, email accounts and free SSL. "Unlimited" still sits under fair-use rules, and we could not confirm exact CPU, memory or file limits.
Bluehost Starter lists 10 websites and 10 GB of NVMe storage; Business lists 50 websites and 50 GB (Bluehost plan comparison). A free domain is typically included for the first year only, so budget for renewal.
For many small sites on one account, InterServer gives more room. For one or two sites, Bluehost's limits are rarely a problem.
WordPress tools and control panels
InterServer uses DirectAdmin with a one-click WordPress installer, LiteSpeed web server and free Cloudflare CDN listed in its details table. It is practical but less guided than a WordPress-first dashboard. See our InterServer WordPress review.
Bluehost installs WordPress for you and manages sites from its own dashboard, which many beginners find easier. If you want help choosing, try the Hosting Finder.
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Screenshot: DirectAdmin WordPress installer vs Bluehost dashboard
Backups and security
InterServer Standard lists weekly backups. We could not verify retention or restore charges. Bluehost's backup frequency on Starter was not clear on its current pages. With either host, keep your own off-site copies; our backup guide explains how.
InterServer advertises its InterShield firewall, virus scanning and free SSL. Bluehost lists malware removal on Business. Treat these as provider claims, not guarantees.
Speed, uptime and data centers
InterServer advertises a 99.9% uptime guarantee and US data centers in New York, Dallas and Los Angeles. Bluehost advertises a 99.99% uptime SLA. We have no matched tests showing which is faster, so we do not name a winner.
Choose a server close to your visitors and use caching. If your site is already slow, read how to fix a slow WordPress site.
Support, migration and refunds
InterServer advertises 24/7 support, free migration for new accounts and a 30-day guarantee. Bluehost offers 24/7 chat on every plan and phone support from Business upward. Neither response time was tested by us.
Moving an existing site? Read our InterServer migration guide before you start.
Who should buy InterServer and who should buy Bluehost
Buy InterServer if you
- want to pay monthly without big renewal jumps
- qualify for Price Lock and plan to stay many years
- run several small sites on one account
- are comfortable with DirectAdmin
Buy Bluehost if you
- can prepay 36 months to get the lowest early cost
- want a beginner-friendly WordPress dashboard
- need phone support and will pay for Business
Before you pay
- Check the term length and renewal price in the cart.
- Confirm backup frequency and restore costs.
- Budget for the domain renewal after year one.
- Compare against InterServer vs Hostinger too.
InterServer vs Bluehost FAQ
Is InterServer cheaper than Bluehost?
Over the first three years, no: Bluehost Starter at $3.99/month on a 36-month term costs $143.64 upfront, versus $247.50 for InterServer Standard on monthly billing or $180 for an eligible $5/month Price Lock order. Over six years, assuming unchanged rates and a 36-month Bluehost renewal at $9.99/month, the modeled totals are $503.28 for Bluehost, $499.50 for InterServer monthly and $360 for Price Lock. Tax, domains and extras are excluded.
Can I pay Bluehost $3.99 every month?
No. The $3.99 rate is the monthly equivalent of a 36-month prepaid term. Bluehost's renewal list shows Starter at $15.99/month on monthly billing.
Does InterServer really never raise prices?
The separate Price Lock campaign advertises $5/month for life on eligible orders. The regular Standard monthly offer is $2.50 for the first month, then $7/month. Check which offer is in your cart before paying.
Which host has phone support?
Bluehost lists phone support from its Business plan; Starter lists 24/7 chat. InterServer advertises 24/7 support. We have not tested response times for either host.
Which host is better for WordPress beginners?
Bluehost is the easier shortlist choice for beginners who want a WordPress-focused dashboard and are happy to prepay three years. InterServer suits people comfortable with DirectAdmin who prefer monthly billing. This is buying advice, not a usability test.
Do both include daily backups?
InterServer Standard lists weekly backups. We could not confirm Bluehost Starter's backup frequency and retention from its current pages, so check the plan details at checkout and keep your own copies either way.
Which is faster, InterServer or Bluehost?
We have no matched tests that prove a winner. Server location, caching and your site's plugins matter more than a host's marketing. Test the same site on both before drawing a conclusion.
Sources and research limitations
- InterServer Standard web hosting and technical details, checked October 24, 2026.
- InterServer Price Lock hosting, checked October 24, 2026.
- Bluehost pricing and shared plan comparison, checked October 20, 2026.
- Bluehost renewal price list, checked October 20, 2026.
Prices change often. We did not run our own speed or support tests. Continue with the InterServer pros and cons.