Hostinger, Namecheap and WordPress.com are three common ways for a Canadian to put a blog or small business site online, and they sit at different points on the price-versus-effort scale. Hostinger and Namecheap are shared hosts where you install WordPress (or use their AI builders) yourself; WordPress.com is a hosted WordPress service that handles updates and security for you.
If you are deciding whether to blog at all, start with SEO blogging as a side hustle and its startup costs. Building sites for clients is covered in no-code web design, and store builders in Shopify vs Squarespace vs Wix.
How do Hostinger, Namecheap and WordPress.com compare for a Canadian side hustle site?
The headline prices are intro rates tied to long terms; compare the renewal price and the currency. Prices below were on each official page on October 7, 2026.
| Option | Best for | Pricing | In Canada | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hostinger | A low CAD price for a multi-year blog or small business site | Premium CAN$4.19/mo on 48 months (CAN$201.12 up front); renews CAN$15.39/mo (source) | Canadian page prices in CAN$; free domain for 1 year on Premium |
|
|
| Namecheap | Cheap month-to-month hosting, or keeping domain and hosting together | Stellar from $2.28/mo intro; regular $5.88 monthly or $55.88/year (source) | Prices shown in USD; US, UK, EU and Singapore datacentres |
|
|
| WordPress.com | Writers who want WordPress without managing a server | Free; Personal US$4/mo yearly (US$9 monthly); Premium US$8/mo yearly; Business US$25/mo yearly (source) | Prices in USD, excluding taxes |
|
|
Prices and features from each company's own pages, checked October 7, 2026. They change often; confirm on the official site before you buy.
Namecheap’s page also lists a free 30-day trial on Stellar (one per account) and a 30-day money-back guarantee. USD prices cost more or less in CAD depending on the exchange rate; check the Bank of Canada daily rate before you compare.
What does a side hustle blog really cost to host over four years?
The intro rate is only part of it. Hostinger’s 48-month Premium price was CAN$201.12 up front, which works out to the advertised CAN$4.19 a month, but after that term it renews at CAN$15.39 a month.
Illustrative example
Assumed situation: you prepay Hostinger Premium for 48 months, then renew month-to-month for one more year at the listed renewal rate.
- First 48 months: CAN$201.12.
- Year 5 at renewal: CAN$15.39 × 12 = CAN$184.68.
- Five-year total: CAN$201.12 + CAN$184.68 = CAN$385.80, before any domain renewal or taxes.
This is arithmetic on listed prices, not a quote; hosts change prices and terms often. Run the same sums on Namecheap’s yearly price and WordPress.com’s plan before you decide.
Who should pick Hostinger, Namecheap or WordPress.com?
| If you… | Lean toward | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Are committed to a blog for several years and want CAD pricing (this site happens to be hosted on Hostinger) | Hostinger | Low multi-year CAD rate |
| Want to pay monthly while you test an idea | Namecheap | Month-to-month billing |
| Want to write, not manage WordPress updates | WordPress.com | Managed service with a free tier |
| Mainly sell products | A store builder | See Shopify vs Squarespace vs Wix |
| Only need a newsletter | No host at all | See Substack vs beehiiv vs Kit |
What mistakes do new bloggers make choosing a host?
- Comparing intro prices only. Always compare renewal prices.
- Prepaying four years for an untested idea. A shorter term costs more per month but less if you quit.
- Forgetting the domain renewal. “Free domain for 1 year” renews at the normal price.
- Skipping backups. Check how often backups run and how to restore them.
- Buying add-ons at checkout. Many are optional; you can add them later.
Which tax rules apply to blog hosting costs in Canada?
If your blog is a business, hosting and domains are generally deductible expenses on Form T2125, and foreign-currency charges are converted to CAD for your records. See side hustle expense deductions and USD platform income and tax. This is not tax advice.
Which guides sit next to the hosting comparison?
Read SEO blogging, affiliate marketing and website maintenance. For email instead of a blog, compare Substack vs beehiiv vs Kit.
What are the common questions?
How much does Hostinger cost in Canada?
Hostinger's Canadian page listed Premium web hosting at CAN$4.19 a month on a 48-month term (CAN$201.12 up front) on October 7, 2026, renewing at CAN$15.39 a month. Shorter terms cost more per month.
Does Namecheap bill in Canadian dollars?
Namecheap's shared hosting prices are shown in US dollars. Stellar was listed from $2.28 a month as an intro price, and $5.88 month-to-month or $55.88 a year regularly, on October 7, 2026.
Is WordPress.com the same as WordPress hosting from Hostinger or Namecheap?
Both use WordPress software. WordPress.com is a managed service with a free plan and paid plans in USD; with Hostinger or Namecheap you rent hosting and install WordPress yourself, which gives more control and more responsibility.
What is the cheapest way to start a blog in Canada?
WordPress.com's free plan costs nothing to start. For your own domain and full WordPress control, a shared host such as Hostinger or Namecheap is low-cost, but compare renewal prices, not only intro rates.
Are hosting fees tax deductible for a side hustle?
If the blog is run as a business, hosting and domain costs are generally deductible business expenses on Form T2125. Convert USD charges to CAD for your records. This is general information, not tax advice.
Which sources support this guide?
The rules, rates, and platform requirements in this guide are checked against these primary sources. Retail price ranges are labelled as ranges to verify locally, and they are not quotes.
- Hostinger web hosting plans (Canada) — Hostinger
- Namecheap shared hosting — Namecheap
- WordPress.com pricing — WordPress.com (Automattic)
- Daily exchange rates — Bank of Canada