The short answer
Paying for a longer period up front lowers the monthly equivalent on most plans. Pay monthly while you are testing an idea or expect to change plans soon; pay yearly or for three years once you know the plan fits and want the lowest total.
How much each period saves
| Billing period | Plans offering it | Saving vs monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Every 3 months | 35 | 0% to 12% |
| Every 6 months | 30 | 10% to 32% |
| Yearly | 67 | 0% to 48% |
| Every 2 years | 67 | 8% to 14% |
| Every 3 years | 67 | 10% to 14% |
Calculated just now from the live prices of 67 plans that offer monthly billing, in CAD.
Worked examples from today’s prices
The lowest-priced plan in two families, with every billing period it offers. “Over 3 years” is what you would pay in total for 36 months on that period, including any setup fee once.
Shared hosting: Hostia Lite
| Billing period | You pay | Per month | Saving | Over 3 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | C$0.35 | C$0.35 | - | C$12.60 |
| Yearly | C$41.89 | C$3.49 | None | C$125.67 |
| Every 2 years | C$7.71 | C$0.32 | 8% | C$11.56 |
| Every 3 years | C$11.31 | C$0.31 | 10% | C$11.31 |
VPS: H-LINUX-VPS-01
| Billing period | You pay | Per month | Saving | Over 3 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | C$11.18 | C$11.18 | - | C$402.48 |
| Every 3 months | C$31.89 | C$10.63 | 5% | C$382.68 |
| Every 6 months | C$60.51 | C$10.08 | 10% | C$363.06 |
| Yearly | C$115.16 | C$9.60 | 14% | C$345.48 |
| Every 2 years | C$230.32 | C$9.60 | 14% | C$345.48 |
| Every 3 years | C$345.48 | C$9.60 | 14% | C$345.48 |
Prices in CAD, +VAT 5% where applicable.
Renewal prices
Each billing period renews at the price shown for that period, so the saving continues at renewal, and with our price-lock your renewal price does not go up. Typical providers often advertise a low introductory price for a long term and renew at a higher one, so always compare the renewal price.
Which period to choose
- Monthly keeps your options open: good for testing, short projects and servers you may resize soon.
- Yearly is the usual balance between saving and flexibility for a site that is already running.
- Two or three years gives the lowest monthly equivalent when you are sure about the plan, and fixes your cost for longer.
Unsure? Shared hosting comes with a money-back period; see the terms in the order form.