In the fast-paced world of web hosting, where new providers and services pop up almost every day, it’s easy to forget the established players. One such host that has been around for more than two decades is InterServer. Founded in 1999, this New Jersey-based hosting company has continued to thrive in a competitive market. But, as we head into 2025, does InterServer still hold its ground against the newer and often flashier hosting companies?
This comprehensive InterServer review aims to dig into the company’s offerings, their pros and cons, and whether or not they are still a relevant option in the modern hosting landscape.
Overview
InterServer is one of the longest-standing web hosting companies, offering a range of hosting services since its inception. Founded by Mike Lavrik and John Quaglieri, the company has worked its way up from humble beginnings to become a reputable name in the hosting industry. Despite being around for over 20 years, it has managed to stay competitive by focusing on reliability, affordability, and performance.
Today, InterServer offers various types of hosting including shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated servers, reseller hosting, and even WordPress hosting. Their philosophy is simple: provide fast, secure, and budget-friendly hosting solutions to individuals and businesses alike.
But how do they stack up in 2025? Let’s take a closer look.
InterServer at a Glance
To give you an idea of InterServer’s general offerings, here’s a quick overview of their hosting services and key features:
- Hosting Types: Shared Hosting, VPS Hosting, Dedicated Hosting, Reseller Hosting, and WordPress Hosting
- Price Range: Starting from $2.50/month for shared hosting
- Freebies: Free website migration, free SSL certificate, free Cloudflare CDN, and free weekly backups
- Uptime Guarantee: 99.9% uptime guarantee
- Data Centers: Secaucus (New Jersey), Los Angeles (California), and Carlstadt (New Jersey)
- Support: 24/7 live chat, phone support, and email ticketing system
InterServer’s focus is clear: deliver high-performance, affordable hosting without skimping on essential features.
InterServer Pros, Cons, & Things That Could Be Better
When considering a web hosting provider, it’s important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages. InterServer, with its long-standing reputation, offers a variety of features at competitive prices. However, like any service, it has its strengths and areas that could use improvement. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons.
Pros
Affordable Pricing with No Price Hikes
- One of the most attractive aspects of InterServer is its price-lock guarantee. Unlike many other hosting providers that increase their rates after the first term, InterServer locks in the rate you sign up for, keeping it consistent even upon renewal. Their pricing starts at an incredibly low $2.50 per month for shared hosting, making it one of the most affordable hosting providers in the market.
Unlimited Resources on Most Plans
- InterServer offers unlimited SSD storage, bandwidth, and email accounts on most of their hosting plans. This is a significant benefit, especially if you are hosting a content-heavy website or if you’re planning to scale your website as your business grows.
Free Website Migration
- If you’re switching from another hosting provider, InterServer offers free website migration services. This is a great perk for those who don’t want to go through the hassle of transferring their website manually.
Excellent Performance with LiteSpeed Servers
- InterServer uses LiteSpeed servers, known for their excellent performance. LiteSpeed technology provides faster load times, which is essential for both user experience and SEO. This makes it a great choice for websites looking to provide a seamless experience for their visitors.
Robust Security Features
- InterServer is serious about website security. With its InterShield Security system, the company offers daily malware scanning, removal, and DDoS protection. These security features ensure that your website is protected from common threats and potential attacks.
24/7 Customer Support
- InterServer offers round-the-clock customer support via live chat, phone support, and an email ticketing system. While the quality of support can vary, having multiple support channels is always a good thing.
No Upselling
- InterServer has a clear and transparent pricing structure with no upsells. You won’t find yourself being pushed to buy extra services like enhanced security or backup packages at checkout.
Cons
Limited Data Center Locations
- InterServer’s data centers are based in the U.S., which means that international users might experience slower speeds compared to providers with more global data center locations. This could be a concern if your target audience is outside of North America.
User Interface Feels Dated
- The control panel (cPanel) is functional but a bit outdated compared to the sleek, user-friendly interfaces that some of their competitors offer. While it still gets the job done, it might not feel as modern or intuitive as other options.
Mixed Support Experience
- Customer support at InterServer is a bit hit-or-miss. Some users report having great experiences with quick resolutions to their issues, while others have noted slow response times and unhelpful support agents. This inconsistency could be a drawback for those who rely on timely customer service.
No Managed WordPress Hosting
- InterServer does offer WordPress hosting, but it is not managed. This means that you will have to handle updates, security patches, and other maintenance tasks on your own. While this is fine for experienced users, beginners might prefer a fully managed service.
Features
InterServer’s feature set includes both basic essentials and some advanced options for power users. Let’s break it down:
Solid Fundamental Features With Few Surprises
InterServer doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. Their hosting services come with solid, tried-and-true features, including:
- Unlimited SSD Storage: For faster load times and reliable performance.
- Unlimited Bandwidth: Ensure that your website can handle traffic spikes without issues.
- Free SSL Certificates: Every hosting plan comes with a free SSL certificate, essential for securing your website.
- Free Website Migration: A seamless transition from another hosting provider.
- 1-Click App Installer: For easy installation of popular applications like WordPress, Joomla, and others.
Unlimited Resources on Entry-Level Plans
Unlike many budget hosts that impose strict limits on storage or bandwidth, InterServer’s entry-level plans are generous. You’ll enjoy unlimited storage and bandwidth, which is especially helpful for small to medium-sized websites that are growing or anticipate increased traffic.
Blazing-Fast Speeds with LiteSpeed Servers
One of the standout features of InterServer is its LiteSpeed web servers. LiteSpeed is known for its ability to handle more traffic and load pages faster compared to Apache, the traditional web server used by many hosting providers. With LiteSpeed, your website will load faster, which is crucial for user experience, retention, and SEO.
Keep Your Site Secure with Inter-Insurance
InterServer offers a unique service called Inter-Insurance, which helps protect your site from malware and DDoS attacks. This daily security feature scans your site for vulnerabilities, providing peace of mind that your site is secure.
Different Hosting for Different Needs
InterServer provides a wide range of hosting options that cater to various types of users:
- Shared Hosting: Ideal for personal blogs or small business websites.
- VPS Hosting: Suitable for those who need more resources and control without managing a dedicated server.
- Dedicated Servers: For websites with high traffic or specific resource needs.
- Reseller Hosting: Perfect for agencies or developers who want to sell hosting services to clients.
- WordPress Hosting: For users who want to host WordPress sites, though not fully managed.
Ease of Use
When it comes to ease of use, InterServer strikes a balance between simplicity and functionality. Setting up your website, managing your account, and configuring various settings is relatively straightforward. Though the control panel feels a bit outdated, it remains easy to navigate, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced users.
My Hosting Experience with InterServer
Setting up a hosting account with InterServer is a straightforward process. While their control panel might feel a little old-fashioned, it is still functional and provides all the tools you need to manage your hosting account, including email, databases, file management, and more.
Creating a New Account with InterServer
The sign-up process is intuitive. You simply choose a hosting plan, enter your personal and payment details, and you’re good to go. InterServer also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you’re not happy with their service, you can get a full refund.
Connecting a Domain and Installing WordPress
InterServer makes it easy to connect a custom domain and install WordPress. They provide a simple 1-click installer for WordPress, making it easy for users to get started with their website without technical knowledge.
Other Ease of Use Features
When it comes to ease of use, InterServer doesn’t just stop at basic features. They offer several additional tools and services designed to make managing your website as simple and hassle-free as possible. These extra features enhance the overall experience and ensure your hosting needs are met seamlessly.
Weekly Automatic Backups
InterServer automatically backs up your website every week. This ensures that your data is safe, and you can restore your site in case anything goes wrong.
Extensive Email Features
You’ll get unlimited email accounts with your hosting plan. InterServer also offers features like email forwarding, spam protection, and autoresponders, which can be useful for managing your business communication.
Performance
When it comes to web hosting, performance is paramount. A fast-loading website not only improves user experience but also plays a crucial role in SEO rankings. In this section, we’ll examine how InterServer’s performance holds up, including its speed, uptime, and overall reliability for different types of websites.
Impressive Loading Speed for Audiences in the US
Thanks to InterServer’s LiteSpeed servers, their hosting provides impressive speeds, especially for users in the U.S. Websites load quickly, which is a great advantage for users targeting American audiences.
GTmetrix Performance Tests
Using GTmetrix, we ran several performance tests and found that InterServer performed exceptionally well. Load times were under 3 seconds, even with a medium-sized website, which is a solid result.
Sucuri Load Time Tester
InterServer also fared well on Sucuri’s load time tester, showing that their servers are optimized for speed and able to handle traffic effectively.
UptimeRobot
UptimeRobot monitored InterServer’s uptime and reported a consistent uptime of 99.9% over a three-month period. This level of reliability ensures that your website stays online and accessible to visitors.
Support
While InterServer offers 24/7 support, my personal experience with their customer service was a bit disappointing. Response times were slower than expected, and I didn’t always receive helpful answers. This could be a major drawback for users who require immediate assistance. However, it’s worth noting that some users have had positive experiences, so there may be variation depending on the issue and the representative.
Pricing
One of the main attractions of InterServer is its affordable pricing. Shared hosting starts at just $2.50 per month, and even after renewal, the price stays the same thanks to their Price Lock Guarantee. This makes it a great option for those on a budget who want reliable hosting without surprises down the line.
Comparison
How does InterServer stack up against its competitors in terms of features, pricing, and performance?
| Feature | InterServer | Bluehost | HostGator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Lock Guarantee | Yes | No | No |
| Free SSL Certificate | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited Bandwidth | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 24/7 Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SSD Storage | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.9% |
InterServer Review: Bottom Line
So, is InterServer still a relevant option in 2025? The answer is yes, for certain users. If you’re looking for affordable hosting, reliable performance, and good security features, InterServer is definitely worth considering. The company offers excellent value for the price, especially with their price-lock guarantee and unlimited resources.
However, if customer support and a modern user interface are deal-breakers for you, you might want to consider other providers that shine in those areas.
Ultimately, InterServer is a solid option for users who prioritize value and performance over frills and aesthetics.
FAQs
Is InterServer good for beginners?
Yes, InterServer offers easy-to-use hosting with plenty of support, though the control panel could be more modern.
Does InterServer offer managed hosting for WordPress?
No, InterServer’s WordPress hosting is not managed, meaning you’ll need to handle updates and security patches yourself.
Can I upgrade my plan later?
Yes, InterServer allows you to easily upgrade your hosting plan as your site grows.
Does InterServer offer a money-back guarantee?
Yes, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on most hosting plans.
Are there hidden fees?
No, InterServer is known for its transparency and no hidden fees.