Most hosting comparison sites rank hosts by affiliate commission, so the recommendation follows the money. HostList does not. Every one of the 30,000+ providers is ranked by HRI, an algorithmic 0 to 100 score built from verified public signals. HostList does not sell rankings or accept payment for placement in ranked lists. Hosting companies cannot pay to improve HRI or list position. This page states exactly how HostList earns money, and why it never touches a ranked position.
Money stops at the wall. Only the four signals cross.
Rank order is computed from Trust, Completeness, Freshness, and Performance signals, each worth 25 points. No editor hand-places a ranked list, and no host can pay for points. The method is published in full at the HRI methodology page.
Labeled display advertising and sponsor banners, when offered, are kept outside ranked tables and never change HRI or sort order. See the advertising policy for inventory and disclosure rules.
Every “Visit” and deal link points at the provider’s own site. HostList does not run affiliate or referral links, and no hosting company can buy a position or pay to move a score. One legacy exception is still live, and we would rather disclose it than quietly fix it: the current v2.2 Completeness component awards 2 of 100 points for an affiliate link recorded on a profile, and 12 listings still earn it from a stored value dating from before those links were removed from the site. None of those links are served to readers. HRI v3.0 drops the field at its 3 November 2026 cutover, and the stored values are cleared with it. HRI v2.2 remains current until then.
A hosting company can claim its listing to correct data and publish deals. Claiming improves data quality, never rank order; the score still comes only from the signals.
I built HostList because every hosting directory I relied on was quietly selling the answer. If you ever find a ranked position on this site that money moved, email me and I will publish the correction.
HostList is not owned by any hosting company, registrar, or affiliate network. It is an independent venture run by Gautam Khorana, who also co-founded the agency Seahawk Media and hosts the WP Legends podcast. That ownership is what makes the firewall enforceable: there is no parent company with a commission target.
Directory data, HRI scores, prices, and features are informational and may lag real-world changes. Always confirm current details with the provider before you buy. HostList does not guarantee accuracy, completeness, or fitness for any purchasing decision.
Hosting companies that dispute listing data or scores can email [email protected] (or use the contact form) with the listing URL, the specific error, and supporting evidence. We aim to acknowledge within 5 business days and review within 14 business days. Filing a dispute does not require us to change a score, but we will review good-faith evidence before formal escalation.
No. HostList does not sell rankings or accept payment for placement in ranked lists. Hosting companies cannot pay to improve HRI or list position. HRI is an algorithmic 0 to 100 score built from verified public signals (customer reviews, profile completeness, data freshness, and performance). There is no manual override and no paid tier that changes rank order.
Two ways, both kept separate from rankings. (1) Featured listing subscriptions and clearly-labeled display sponsorship, which appear outside ranked tables and never change HRI or sort order. (2) Partner or referral links on some outbound "Visit" and deal buttons, marked as sponsored in the link relationship. Neither affects a single ranked position.
Every “Visit” and deal link points at the provider’s own site. HostList does not run affiliate or referral links, and no hosting company can buy a position or pay to move a score. One legacy exception is still live, and we would rather disclose it than quietly fix it: the current v2.2 Completeness component awards 2 of 100 points for an affiliate link recorded on a profile, and 12 listings still earn it from a stored value dating from before those links were removed from the site. None of those links are served to readers. HRI v3.0 drops the field at its 3 November 2026 cutover, and the stored values are cleared with it. HRI v2.2 remains current until then.
Labeled display advertising and sponsor banners, when offered, are kept outside ranked tables and never change HRI or sort order. See the advertising policy for inventory and disclosure rules.
Directory data, HRI scores, prices, and features are informational and may lag real-world changes. Always confirm current details with the provider before you buy. HostList does not guarantee accuracy, completeness, or fitness for any purchasing decision.
Hosting companies that dispute listing data or scores can email [email protected] (or use the contact form) with the listing URL, the specific error, and supporting evidence. We aim to acknowledge within 5 business days and review within 14 business days. Filing a dispute does not require us to change a score, but we will review good-faith evidence before formal escalation.
Questions about independence? [email protected]