Mochahost Review: Cheap As Chips Hosting. We Test The Quality For You.
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Our Verdict: Outstanding for Budget-Conscious Small Businesses
MochaHost offers shared hosting and WordPress plans along with premium plan types like VPS and dedicated servers. They have both Windows and Linux servers, a great uptime guarantee, and their datacenters are in the US.
To get a great discount on MochaHost plans, use any of the links on our page to get a hosting plan starting at $2.33 per month.
Pros:
- Lifetime discounts
- 100% uptime guarantee
- 180-day trial period
Cons:
- Automated backups not included
- Outdated website builder templates
Over 50 MochaHost customers have given MochaHost an average rating of 2.5 out of 5. If MochaHost isn’t for you, check out our Best Web Hosts page.
Is MochaHost the Perfect Host for Your Site?
In a rush? Take a look at the highlights of MochaHost:
- Expert Review – Read our thorough review by Claire Broadley.
- Customer Reviews – See what actual MochaHost users have to say.
- Hosting Plans – Compare and contrast the options available to you.
- FAQs – Get answers to most frequently-asked questions.
Unlike many competitors, MochaHost does not hike its fees at renewal time.
MochaHost was founded in 2002 and is registered in San Jose, California.
Its customer support team seems to be based in Bulgaria.
The corporate information on the MochaHost site is lacking detail.
For example, the founders and not named. In fact, the site lists no staff names at all.
While it isn’t uncommon for bargain hosts to have generic “About” pages, providing information about the leaders of the company and the details of its history can give potential clients confidence in the service.
Quick Overview
- For a bargain hosting company, MochaHost provides a surprising range of hosting services, from shared hosting to dedicated cloud servers.
- Their packages suit most budgets.
- Hosting is available on both Windows and Linux, with a focus on the latter.
- MochaHost provides a 100% uptime guarantee
MochaHost Hosting Plans
MochaHost offers the following hosting types :
- Shared hosting
- WordPress hosting
- VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting
- Dedicated hosting
- Reseller hosting
It’s best to check out the website for full details.
Shared Web Hosting
Shared hosting is available on Windows and Linux, and there are multiple plans available.
- The lowest cost plan, called “Soho,” is designed for people who want to host one site.
- The “Mocha” plan is fully-featured, includes support for Subversion and Magento and provides the client with one static IP.
WordPress Web Hosting
WordPress is the world’s most popular CMS so many hosting providers offer WordPress-optimized plans.
These packages usually include features that make it easier to install and manage your site.
Mochahost’s three WordPress packages include :
- 1-click install
- Automatic updates
- Automatic backups
- Real-time malware monitoring
- 24/7 WordPress support
- Android/iOS app support
- SSDs (solid-state drives)
- Free domain name “for life”
- Free SSL certificates
VPS Web Hosting
You can choose from six Windows VPS hosting packages and six Linux packages.
All plans include unlimited bandwidth.
The most affordable plans don’t include a control panel, whereas the others include cPanel (Linux only) or Plesk (costs extra on Windows).
Dedicated Web Hosting
MochaHost provides a surprising variety of bargain hosting.
MochaHost’s dedicated servers are provisioned in the cloud which means high uptime and no ceiling on the resources customers can take advantage of.
MochaHost offers six Linux dedicated server packages and six on Windows, which is fewer than many hosts provide, but likely to be enough to offer most customers adequate choice.
Reseller Web Hosting
All reseller hosting plans include unlimited bandwidth, although disk space is limited.
Reseller hosting is offered on a shared, VPS and dedicated basis, so users effectively have a choice of nine Windows reseller services and nine on Linux.
Looking for a great hosting deal?
Use this special discount link to get a great deal on MochaHost. Includes free domain, migration, and website builder.
MochaHost Reviews by Our Community
Overall Rating from 61 Reviews by MochaHost Customers
| Support | |
|---|---|
| Quality | |
| Features | |
| Value |
Most Helpful Reviews
Jeremy Krasucki ertywek.eu
Feb 04, 2018
Randy Dunbar socalmag.com
Sep 14, 2018
How to explain downtime every day, albeit momentarily on some occasions? MochaHost explains it like this: it’s all your fault, it’s in the plugins—disable all of them, still happening—apparently, not the plugins, try another excuse. This like The Myth of Sisyphus (roll the rock up, again and again) is the perpetual circle of enduring annoyance from this host.
The best offer from them was—"hire someone to fix it", just what a new customer wants to hear. All in all, with the exception of daily downtime, this is a great host, full of knowledgeable people running support. I’m kidding.
‘
Tina D’Souza tinadsouza.com
Feb 27, 2017
I’ve been a subscriber of MochaHost since 2005 and I’ve had a number of domains and hosting packages with them. Way back in the "old" days, they were pretty good, but their service has declined in recent years. The biggest issue I’ve had with them is that twice they took down my site for non-payment, even though I paid my invoice well before the end of the billing cycle.
They eventually brought my site back up, but in the process, my stats were deleted and they couldn’t get them back. All they said was "oops, sorry" with not so much as even a small credit to my account for Their error. Customer support used to be very good, but that, too, has gone downhill in recent years.
The support folks seem to be reading from a script and I felt they were anxious to get rid of me. If you’re considering them as a first time customer, I would say beware. The prices that they advertise on their site are only for newbies and once they have you sucked in, the prices get higher.
They must realize that it’s a real hassle to move your website to another hosting company, so they do not care if you’ve been a loyal customer. The Only reason I’m still a customer is because I’m too lazy to move my site to another hosting company, but I consider doing so every year.
MochaHost Control Panel
MochaHost offers the broadest range of control panel applications I’ve come across in quite some time, although these are not free on all plans.
On Linux, clients can use cPanel/ WHM and Easy Web Panel (for VPS), with Plesk available on dedicated servers.
On Windows, customers are offered WebsitePanel and/or Plesk.
MochaHost Uptime Guarantee
MochaHost advertises a 100% uptime guarantee.
The guarantee covers all products, including shared hosting. Uptime is measured monthly.
SLA Agreement
If the company fails to meet its uptime Service Level Agreement (SLA), users can claim account credits:
- 3% of the monthly fee for the first 3 hours
- 5% for any period thereafter.
Bear in mind that the host’s packages start at a few dollars a month, so these credits are likely to be of limited value to customers on low-cost plans.
Despite its server status page, the company does not publish or archive detailed uptime figures.
Datacenters
MochaHost plans includes features that appeal to developers.
MochaHost uses datacenter facilities in Chicago, Illinois. The buildings are equipped with backup power and generators and biometric security equipment.
The MochaHost website does not state the exact number of datacenters or their precise location.
Data backups are created but these are not for customer use. MochaHost says it only uses them if there is an emergency.
MochaHost Extras
MochaHost offers plenty of freebies to entice new users.
Selected customers get a free domain for life as long as the hosting package stays active. This doesn’t apply to all plans, nor is it offered for three-year subscriptions.
In terms of scripts, it provides the usual array of one-click installers, including:
- WordPress
- Joomla
- DotNetNuke
- phpBB
- Piwik
- Subtext
Site Builder and Google Credits
It also offers a site builder tool with more than 500 templates to choose from.
The builder appears to be free on shared hosting plans. The templates, though, are quite dated in their style.
Depending on the value of your hosting package, you’ll get Google AdWords credits – providing you’re based in the USA or Canada.
This is a standard perk offered by nearly every web host.
MochaHost Customer Support
MochaHost offers customers 24/7/365 support.
Customers can contact technical support staff using live chat or the online ticketing system.
There’s also a toll-free US phone number for support.
Online DIY Resources
In addition, customers can access a knowledgebase, and there is a range of forms to help with account administration.
Support Team
The company website doesn’t clearly state where the support team is located.
However, after researching online, it appears that the majority of staff in the technical support department is located in Bulgaria.
MochaHost Money-Back Guarantee and Cancellation Policy
Before you sign up for a plan with MochaHost, examine the terms of the 180-day ‘risk-free’ guarantee.
Here’s how it works, in MochaHost’s own words:
“During the first 180 days of the service as a client, you can opt out to cancel your account, and regardless of your commitment (1 year, 2 years, 3 years, etc), you will be pro-rated for all unused hosting fees based on our standard monthly package pricing.”
There are no refunds for months already used.
Customers who want to cancel their hosting plan after the first 180-days aren’t eligible for any refunds at all.
As is typical, refunds exclude fees paid for domain names, SSL certificates, and other services.
MochaHost does offer a money-back guarantee policy, but it’s shorter. Customers can claim a full refund if they cancel within 30 days.
MochaHost Competitors
If you don’t think MochaHost is likely to meet your business needs, it may be worth checking out popular competitors, InMotion Hosting, SiteGround, and HostGator.
These competitors offer a broad selection of hosting plans, and can scale as your business – and website – grows.
| InMotion | SiteGround | HostGator | MochaHost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disk space | Unlimited | Starts at 10 GB | Unmetered | Unlimited |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unmetered | Unmetered | Unlimited |
| Sites | Starts at two sites | Starts at single site | Starts at single site | Starts at single site |
MochaHost Pros and Cons
Every hosting provider comes with its benefits and drawbacks. Here are a few of MochaHost’s pros and cons.
Pros
- Wide range of hosting plans
- 100% uptime guarantee
- One-click installers for most applications
- Free site builder on selected plans – comes with 500 templates
- A “LifeTime free domain” is a bonus – you won’t pay any renewal fees for your domain while it’s registered with MochaHost
Cons
- You will be responsible for your own backups – some hosting providers will offer this service as part of your hosting package
- If you need help transferring your website from another hosting company, check if you’re eligible for help from MochaHost. You might only be able to access limited support, which may cause some hassles and delays
- While the sitebuilder does include hundreds of designs, many appear quite dated
Looking for a great hosting deal?
Use this special discount link to get a great deal on MochaHost. Includes free domain, migration, and website builder.
MochaHost Summary
MochaHost’s bargain hosting and business plans are niches with plenty of competitors. I recommend you explore SiteGround or InMotion before making a final decision. This will give you a better sense of what’s available at the same price point.
Small businesses who want hosting bundled with marketing services should consider Bluehost or 1&1 IONOS. Developers looking for bargain hosting for testing purposes will likely find MochaHost appealing.
Edited by Sherrie Gossett
Most Popular MochaHost Hosting Plans
| Windows Soho | Linux Soho | Linux Business | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disk Space | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Price | $2.33 / mo (Billed as $2.33 Per Month) ⓘPrices in are approximate, based on current exchange rates. The host will likely charge you in USD, or at a different exchange rate. Usual price: – Get % off! | $2.77 / mo (Billed as $2.33 Per Month) ⓘPrices in are approximate, based on current exchange rates. The host will likely charge you in USD, or at a different exchange rate. Usual price: – Get % off! | $3.43 / mo (Billed as $2.33 Per Month) ⓘPrices in are approximate, based on current exchange rates. The host will likely charge you in USD, or at a different exchange rate. Usual price: – Get % off! |
| Visit MochaHost Now | Visit MochaHost Now | Visit MochaHost Now |
| Plan | Disk Space | Bandwidth | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Business Shared | Unlimited | Unlimited | $5.57 / mo Visit Host Now |
| Linux Mocha Shared | Unlimited | Unlimited | $7.25 / mo Visit Host Now |
| Windows Mocha Shared | Unlimited | Unlimited | $10.16 / mo Visit Host Now |
MochaHost Frequently Asked Questions
- Do hosting plans come with a free domain?
On some shared web hosting plans, you will get a free domain which will be renewed ‘for life’, as long as you are a MochaHost customer. Check the fine print to ensure this is included with the plan you select.
- Does MochaHost offer phone support?
Support is available through the 24/7 phone number, a ticket system, and a live chat service.
- Does MochaHost offer reseller hosting packages?
MochaHost has a reseller portfolio that features three Linux plans and three on Windows.
- Will its technical support team help me to transfer my website from my old host?
Free migration is included with some VPS and dedicated hosting plans. This is only valid for cPanel-to-cPanel migration, or Plesk-to-Plesk on Windows.
On shared hosting, free migration is only offered for Linux customers moving from a cPanel host.
This doesn’t seem like an entirely hands-off process and you may have to upload your own files to the MochaHost servers.
- What one-click installers are offered?
MochaHost offers 450 one-click installers on Linux hosting plans, and 36 on Windows hosting plans.
- What is the backup policy at MochaHost?
It states that clients are solely responsible for making their own backups. In other words, MochaHost does not make its own backups available to clients.
- Could I host high-resolution images on its shared hosting services?
Yes. Unlimited disk and bandwidth plans should cope with an average traffic, image-heavy site without any issues. If your site uses extreme amounts of space or bandwidth, you may be asked to upgrade.
- Does MochaHost support Magento?
The company supports and provides Magento on specially designed e-commerce plans.
- Does the company provide a control panel, and if so which one?
cPanel is provided on shared Linux packages, along with WHM on more advanced plans. Windows plans come with WebsitePanel.
- What payment options does MochaHost accept?
It accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, and Skrill.
- Does MochaHost have an uptime guarantee?
The provide a 100% service uptime guarantee. Customers are credited for any downtime that’s eligible under its terms, from 3%-5% per hour of downtime.
This guarantee does not apply to VPS or dedicated servers, who benefit from a 100% network uptime guarantee without credits.
- Does it offer an integrated CDN?
The company does not offer a CDN that’s integrated with all plans. Higher end packages come with a CDN but all hosting plans are compatible with third party CDN services.
- Does MochaHost offer monthly billing cycles, or is there a long minimum contract?
You can pay monthly, or over a longer term. Some plans are priced at a lower rate for longer commitment.
- Do I get unlimited bandwidth and space?
All shared hosting plans offer unlimited space and monthly traffic. It reserves the right to limit service if there is extreme use of resource.
- Will I pay more when it’s time to renew?
It depends which plan you choose, and the length of billing cycle you select.
On many plans, MochaHost offers a Lifetime Discount Guarantee, which ensures that you will never pay more than the initial price providing you pay for 2-3 years’ service at renewal.
- How many email addresses do I get?
The company allows unlimited email accounts on shared hosting accounts.
- Can I set up a video streaming site on MochaHost’s servers?
Video streaming can be set up on VPS or dedicated servers, not shared web hosting plans. You can configure some plans for ffmpeg, if you choose to use it.
Most Popular MochaHost Alternatives
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Generally good, but not what i expected. Their big problem is cPanel and problems caused by no configuration… I think that i would stay if not my problem with MySQL db cause of huge bot attack on my site. They gave me money back 2 days after cancel request.
~ ErtYwek 😀