HostGage is reader-supported. When you buy a hosting plan through links on our Site, we may earn a commission – at no extra cost to you. Here is exactly how that works, and the promise that comes with it.
The short version
- Some links to hosting providers on this Site are affiliate links.
- If you sign up through one, we may earn a commission.
- It never costs you anything extra, and often you get a discount.
- Commissions never change our rankings, scores or verdicts.
How affiliate links work
An affiliate link is a special tracking link. When you click one and then sign up with a hosting provider, that provider knows the referral came from HostGage and may pay us a commission on the sale. The price you pay is exactly the same as if you had gone to the provider directly, and in many cases you actually pay less, because hosts often give our readers a promotional rate.
Our promise
This is the part that matters. A commission never buys a better review. We rate and rank hosts on their merits: performance, pricing (including renewals), ease of use, support and security. A host that pays a high commission can still receive a low score, and a host that pays little or nothing can still be our top pick. Where a popular brand disappoints, we say so plainly.
Why we use affiliate links
Running real test sites, paying for hosting plans, and spending the hours it takes to compare them properly all cost money. Affiliate commissions are what let us keep HostGage completely free to read, with no paywalls and no intrusive advertising. If our content helps you choose well and you buy through our links, you are supporting independent, hands-on reviews, and we are grateful for it.
FTC disclosure
In line with the United States Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, HostGage discloses that we have a financial relationship with some of the companies whose products we review and recommend. We may receive compensation when you click links to those companies and purchase their products or services.
Questions?
If anything here is unclear, or you want to know whether a specific link is an affiliate link, we are happy to tell you. Just get in touch.