Detailed Full Review of Porkbun: All you need to know (2024)

What is Porkbun?

Porkbun is a newcomer to the scene, having started only a few years ago.

More specifically, this company now sells domain names and web hosting.

But if the domains are good, it is the hosting that interests us today. The eternal question is this:

• Can Porkbun meet your business needs?
• Could you build a stable business on its platform?

Is it going to be on the list of our Comparison of the best hosting providers ?

Who are the Porkbun Users?

Porkbun attracts a variety of users thanks to its web hosting and domain management services tailored to various needs.

Here is an overview of the main types of users who turn to Porkbun for their web solutions.

• Small Businesses and Startups: Ideal for small businesses and startups looking for a reliable and affordable web hosting solution with an easy domain management process.
• Individual Creators and Bloggers: Individual bloggers and content creators favor Porkbun for its simplicity, ease of use, and affordable hosting options.
• Web Developers and Site Designers: Web professionals appreciate Porkbun's advanced options, such as multi-domain management and built-in security features.

Porkbun serves a wide range of users, from web novices to professionals, by offering hosting and domain management services that are easy to use, secure, and cost-effective.

Whether you are a small business owner or a freelance content creator, Porkbun has solutions tailored to your specific needs.

Features

Porkbun is a hosting and domain management solution that stands out for its simplicity and user-centric approach. Here's an overview of Porkbun's features, updated with the most up-to-date information.

1. Shared Hosting Ideal for SMEs and Beginners

Porkbun offers shared hosting, perfect for small websites and beginners.

• Simple plans: Designed for ease of use, ideal for those who are new to creating websites.
• Specific Use: Each hosting must be strictly linked to the website, without use for personal purposes or file sharing.

Although limited to shared hosting, Porkbun offers a user-friendly and effective solution for small websites and start-ups.

2. Hosting Site Builders with Weebly

Porkbun integrated Weebly to provide a drag-and-drop website building experience.

• Ease of Use: Weebly's intuitive interface for simplified website creation.
• Pricing Plans: Various plans, including a three-month free trial and then pricing starting at $3.00/month.

This feature is ideal for those looking for a simple and visual method to design their website without extensive technical knowledge at porkbun.

3. Managed WordPress Hosting

Porkbun offers managed WordPress hosting, offering optimized performance and simplified maintenance.

• WordPress Pre-installed: Get started quickly with WordPress and 10GB of storage.
• Maintenance and Security: Automatic management of WordPress updates and security.

Porkbun's managed WordPress hosting is a turnkey solution for those looking to take advantage of WordPress without the hassle of technical maintenance.

4. Static hosting

Porkbun offers a static hosting solution, ideal for simple websites without a CMS.

• Storage space and FTP: 2 GB of storage space with FTP access for easy file management.
• GitHub integration: Possibility to connect the hosting to a GitHub repository for automated updates.

Perfect for static websites such as portfolios or landing pages, this hosting offers a simple and effective solution.

5. cPanel hosting

Porkbun's cPanel hosting is a versatile option for those looking for more control and flexibility.

• cPanel Full: Access to all standard cPanel features, including the installation of CMS.
• Unmetered Storage: Generous storage space, although subject to responsible use.

This hosting is ideal for advanced users who need more control and customization of their web hosting.

6. Free SSL certificates

Porkbun offers free SSL certificates to increase the security and trust of websites.

• Enhanced Security: Encryption of information between the website and users.
• SEO improvement: SSL certificates can improve search engine rankings.

Free SSL certificates add an essential layer of security for all websites hosted at Porkbun.

7. Ease of Use

Porkbun is distinguished by its ease of use, making the management of web hosting and domains simple and intuitive.

• User friendly interface: A clear and straightforward user experience for everyone, even for newbies.
• Flexibility of Hosting Options: Choice between Site Builder, WordPress, static and cPanel hosting, depending on the needs of the user.

With an ease-of-use approach, Porkbun is a great option for anyone looking for a hassle-free web hosting and domain management solution.

8. Privacy Protection and Security

Porkbun places particular emphasis on protecting the privacy and data security of its users.

• Free WHOIS Protection: Hides personal information in domain registers to prevent spam and phishing attempts.
• Enhanced Account Security: Advanced security options, including two-factor authentication to protect user accounts.

Privacy and advanced security measures are critical aspects that make Porkbun reliable for users who care about protecting their personal information and the security of their sites.

9. Advanced Domain Management

Porkbun offers advanced tools for domain management, simplifying the management of multiple domains.

• Centralized Domain Management: Intuitive interface to manage all domains in one place.
• Domain Transfer and Renewal Tools: Easy domain transfer and renewal, with mass management options for users with multiple domains.

Advanced domain management is a key feature for users who have multiple domains, providing a simplified and efficient experience.

Conclusion

Porkbun is presented as an accessible web hosting and domain management solution, offering a variety of options to meet the needs of users, from beginners to experienced users.

With features such as Weebly integration, managed WordPress hosting, and free SSL certificates, Porkbun is establishing itself as a reliable and user-friendly choice in the web hosting world.

Performances

I didn't have much time to test Porkbun, but I created a simple, four-page website (using the free three-month Weebly trial that came with my brand new domain name) to see how Porkbun fared.

Considering that all it cost me was the price of my domain (less than a dollar for a.xyz domain),

Porkbun seems to be a win-win opportunity in terms of performance. (It's actually faster than some of our most recommended hosts, like Hostinger and Namecheap).

Customer Support

In my experience, the support team at Porkbun has always been helpful and quick, as long as you reach them during their working hours.

The live chat and phone support schedule is 9:00am to 5:00pm Pacific Time every day of the year.

And for those who are wondering... yes. The phone number Is the 855-PORKBUN (855-767-5286).

Live Chat and Emails

Support is provided through one of these small pop-up windows at the bottom right, where you can email the support team or chat live with them.

I've used both for personal inquiries over the past few months, and have found the support team knowledgeable and helpful with every response.

I never felt like a lower-value customer because I haven't spent a lot of money on this service yet.

Wait times for support can be a bit long, especially if you write to them outside of live chat business hours, but someone is always on duty.

For example, if you don't run an online store with critical revenue, that performance is acceptable.

Knowledgebase

• Want to know how to connect your domain to a third-party hosting service?
• Do you want to know how to set up your static hosting?

You are in luck.

There is a fairly large knowledge base with simple instructions and basic tutorials for how to use each part of Porkbun's services.

The Weebly tutorial is primarily a video from Weebly, but it's still useful information. It is useful information.

Pricing

Technically, you can get hosting for as low as €2.48 per month if you opt for static site hosting and pay annually.

More conventional accommodation will cost you a bit more. The prices are average, as is the case, and fairly fair in my opinion.

However, you can get a lot more features for the same amount (or less) at Hostinger, NameCheap and others.

Alternatives to Porkbun

Porkbun, known for its simplicity and focus on domain registration, has several worthy competitors:

1. Hostinger

Hostinger stands out as a cost-effective solution, perfectly suited to startups and small businesses.

Features

• Affordable : Offers competitive rates, ideal for limited budgets.
• Intuitive user interface : Easy to set up and manage.
• security : Includes robust security measures, such as free SSL.
• Multilingual : Interface available in English and French.
• Domain name : Attractive rates for domain registration.

Pricing

The plans start at around €1.99/month, offering flexibility as needed.

Hostinger is a great option for those looking for cheap web hosting without sacrificing quality and security.

SEE MORE: Try Hostinger Now

2. GoDaddy

GoDaddy is renowned for its reliability and versatility, meeting the needs of a wide range of users.

Features

• Diversity of Services : A wide range of services, including hosting and domain names.
• Effective Customer Support : Assistance available 24/7 with an experienced team.
• Flexibility : Hosting plans adapted to various types of businesses.
• Email offers : Integrated into some plans.

Pricing

Prices vary, with shared hosting plans starting at around €5.99/month.

GoDaddy stands out for its comprehensive offer and quality support, suitable for businesses of all sizes.

SEE MORE: Try GoDaddy Now

3. WP Engine

WP Engine specializes in WordPress hosting, perfect for sites that require high performance.

Features

• Optimized for WordPress : Hosting specifically designed for WordPress.
• Fast performances : Servers adapted for sites with high traffic.
• WordPress Expert Support : Dedicated support for WordPress issues.

Pricing

The plans start at around €25/month, targeting businesses and professional sites.

WP Engine is ideal for those looking for specialized hosting for WordPress, offering superior performance and expert support.

These alternatives to Porkbun each offer distinct advantages, ranging from economy and ease of use to specialized performance and support. These options offer the flexibility you need to choose the hosting provider that best fits your specific needs.

How do I get started with Porkbun?

Step 1: Choosing and Buying a Domain Name

1. Visit the Porkbun site: Go to Porkbun.com.
2. Domain Search: Use the search bar to find the domain name you want. Enter the name you have in mind and click “Search.”
3. Choose your domain: Go through the results. If your choice is available, click on “Add to Cart”. If not, consider alternative suggestions.
4. Finalization of the Purchase: Go to your basket, review your order and click on “Checkout”.

Step 2: Web Hosting Selection

1. Accommodation selection: In the Porkbun menu, find the “Hosting” option.
2. Choosing a Hosting Plan: Select a hosting plan according to your needs (for example, WordPress, cPanel).
3. Add to Cart and Buy: Add the hosting to your basket and proceed with the purchase as for the domain name.

Step 3: Hosting Setup and WordPress Installation

1. Access the Dashboard: Log in and go to your Porkbun dashboard.
2. Find Accommodation Details: Locate the hosting section and click on “Manage” to configure.
3. Install WordPress (if applicable): Use the one-click installation option for WordPress or follow the instructions provided for other types of hosting.

Step 4: Creating Your First Web Page

1. WordPress login: Connect to your WordPress site (your-domainname.com/wp-admin).
2. Choose a theme: Go to “Appearance > Themes” and select a theme for your site.
3. Create a New Page: Click on “Pages > Add New.” Give your page a title and add content.
4. Publish the Page: Once your content has been added, click “Publish” to make your page available online.

Congratulations! You have now started with Porkbun by getting a domain name, setting up hosting, and creating your first web page.

Porkbun makes the process easy for beginners, making creating and managing websites accessible to everyone.

FAQs

Does Porkbun offer VPS hosting?

No, unfortunately not. The only type of hosting available with Porkbun is shared hosting.

In most cases, shared hosting is sufficient for a small to medium sized website - but if you need VPS hosting, Kamatera offers a 30-day free trial that you can take advantage of.

Is Porkbun cheaper for domain names than Google Domains and GoDaddy?

That depends. GoDaddy is sometimes cheaper in the first year, but when it comes to renewals, prices skyrocket.

Google Domains tends to be a bit cheaper than GoDaddy in the long run - but domain name prices are always changing, so it's best to compare prices.

Can I transfer an existing domain name to Porkbun?

Yes — and Porkbun has a step-by-step guide on how to do that in their knowledge base.

You'll need to make sure your domain isn't locked, and get an authorization code from your current domain registrar. When you transfer a domain to Porkbun, you pay a fee (depending on the domain), but that includes one year of registration.

Can I get hosting from Porkbun without buying or transferring a domain?

No

You'll need to create an account and buy or transfer a domain in order to get any type of hosting from Porkbun, unfortunately.

This means that even if you have an existing domain name, you can't just have it pointed to Porkbun's name servers - you have to complete (and pay for) a full domain transfer.

Final Verdict

Well, it's shared hosting. That means there are limits. But if you're just starting out and want a quick and easy website to go with a new domain you've just purchased, you can do a lot worse than Porkbun.

But it's not the cheapest accommodation either. Check out our list of best web hosting services and you might find a better deal in terms of features/price ratio.