Namhost review
Updated September 28, 2026 · ForgeCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026
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Our verdict
Namhost suits South African small businesses that want hosting, email and domains from one local provider without a renewal shock. The shared Linux plan opens at ZAR 85 and renews at ZAR 85, and uptime is guaranteed at 99%.
Key facts
- Best for
- A single local supplier for hosting, email and domain registration in South Africa.
- Intro price
- ZAR 85 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Renewal price
- ZAR 85 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Hosting types
- Shared hosting, Reseller hosting, VPS hosting, Dedicated servers, Self-managed VPS, Self-managed dedicated servers (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Money-back period
- 14 days (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Websites allowed
- 1-20 per account (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Features
- Backups, Email (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Uptime guarantee
- 99% (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Legal entity
- Namhost Internet Services (Pty) Ltd (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Headquarters
- South Africa (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Founded
- 2005 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Support channels
- Email, Phone, Help-centre, Community (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Audience
- Beginners, Small business, Enterprise
- Pricing model
- Free plan
- Official website
- namhost.com
Domain registrars
- .com first year
- ZAR 350 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Domain endings
- 500 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Money-back period
- 14 days (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Legal entity
- Namhost Internet Services (Pty) Ltd (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Headquarters
- South Africa (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Founded
- 2005 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Support channels
- Email, Phone, Help-centre, Community (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Audience
- Beginners, Small business, Enterprise
- Pricing model
- Free plan
Pros and cons
Pros
- Intro price ZAR 85 and renewal price ZAR 85 are the same figure, so no jump after the first term
- Backups and email are included in the plan at backups and email
- Choice of shared hosting, reseller hosting and VPS hosting covers shared plans up to dedicated servers
- A free plan is available under free plan
Cons
- The money-back window is 14, shorter than the site median of 30 days
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre with no live chat listed
- The .com first year price of ZAR 350 sits well above the site median of €11.61
Who it suits
- Small businesses in South Africa priced in rand, since prices list in ZAR and the company is based there
- Beginners who want a free plan and email included rather than bought separately
- Resellers and site owners who later need VPS or dedicated servers from the same supplier
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who want a live chat channel, since support covers only email, phone and help centre
- Shoppers hunting the cheapest .com first year, where ZAR 350 is above €11.61
- Anyone needing a long refund window, as 14 days is well short of 30
Plans and pricing
The shared Linux plan is listed at ZAR 85 for the first term, and that same figure carries over at renewal as ZAR 85. That flat structure is the notable part: the price readers see at entry is the price they keep paying. A free plan is listed under free plan, and hosting runs from shared through shared hosting, reseller hosting and VPS hosting. Backups and email come with the plan at backups and email, with 1-20 per account allowed per account, and domains start at ZAR 350 for a .com in the first year.
Where it sits among rivals
On entry pricing, Namhost places 188 out of 282 brands compared, well behind the cheapest end of the market. Renewal price is a different story: 71 out of 179, which is where the flat introductory and renewal figures pay off. The money-back period ranks 226 out of 275, so the refund window is the weaker side of the offer compared with what most rivals offer.
How Namhost compares
8.8 vs 9.2
8.8 vs 9.2
8.8 vs 9.1
8.8 vs 8.6- 8.8 vs 9.2
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Where Namhost is available
- Available
- Namibia, South Africa
Countries from the brand (checked September 26, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
How much does Namhost cost to start?+
The shared Linux plan is listed at ZAR 85. That figure covers the first term, and the same amount appears again as the renewal price of ZAR 85. Pricing is in rand, so no currency conversion is needed for South African customers.
Does the price go up after the first year?+
Not as listed. The introductory price of ZAR 85 and the renewal price of ZAR 85 are the same figure, which removes the usual first-term jump seen elsewhere in hosting. Renewal rank of 71 out of 179 brands reflects that stability.
Is there a free plan?+
Yes, a free plan is listed under free plan, so a site can be started at no cost. Paid plans then add backups and email as listed under backups and email. A refund period of 14 days applies if a paid plan is not a fit.
How many websites can I host?+
Hosting accounts carry 1-20 per account, which covers small portfolios and client work on one plan. The range spans from a single site up to a larger number per account, and dedicated servers are listed in shared hosting, reseller hosting and VPS hosting for heavier loads.
What kinds of hosting are on offer?+
The range in shared hosting, reseller hosting and VPS hosting runs from shared hosting and reseller hosting through VPS and dedicated servers, including self-managed variants of both. The audience is listed as beginners, small business and enterprise, covering beginners through to enterprise buyers.
How can I get help?+
Support is available through email, phone and help centre, which covers email, phone, a help centre and a community. No live chat channel is listed among those options, so phone and email carry most enquiries.
Can I register a domain with the same provider?+
Yes. A .com costs ZAR 350 in the first year, and 500 extensions are offered. That first year figure sits above the site median of €11.61, so renewal and transfer pricing are worth checking before buying.
What backing is there behind the service?+
Namhost has operated since 2005 under the legal entity Namhost Internet Services, and guarantees uptime of 99%. Its headquarters are in South Africa, which matters for local billing and support hours.
Sources
- namhost.com checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Hosting types, Support channels
“Shared Hosting, Reseller Hosting, VPS Hosting, Dedicated Servers, Self-managed VPS, Self-managed Dedicated Servers”
- namhost.com/domain-name-registration checked September 26, 2026
Backs: .com first year, Domain endings
“.com R 350.00 /y”
- namhost.com/hosting/shared/linux checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Audience, Features, Intro price, Pricing model, Renewal price, Websites allowed
“Whether you are a startup seeking to establish a basic online presence or a large corporate company looking for advanced hosting solutions, we have you covered!”
- namhost.com/terms-service checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Founded, Headquarters, Legal entity, Money-back period, Uptime guarantee
“we have been maintaining that since Namhost was formed in 2005”
Compiled from 4 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.
Related by the facts
Namhost
A single local supplier for hosting, email and domain registration in South Africa.