BEST
WINDOWS HOSTING
20 windows hosting providers ranked by HRI™ in 2026. Rankings are never paid.
Last updated:
What Is the Best Windows Hosting in 2026?
Windows hosting runs your site or app on Microsoft Windows Server with IIS, supporting ASP.NET, ASP.NET Core, MSSQL Server, Plesk for Windows, and Microsoft-stack applications that do not run on Linux. It is the right choice for legacy ASP.NET apps, enterprises invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, and any project that needs SQL Server or other Windows-only services. AccuWebHosting, HostMySite, Kamatera, A2 Hosting and Liquid Web are the most-established Windows hosts in 2026. As of 24 September 2026, the highest-scoring windows hosting on HostList are Alastyr (97/100), HostGator (91/100), Host-Unlimited (91/100), ranked purely by HRI, an independent algorithmic rating. No platform pays for placement and no position is chosen by hand. Rankings update continuously as Google review, Trustpilot, and profile data refresh. Each profile lists pricing where available, plan tiers, supported features, and verified customer rating data from Google and Trustpilot. Use the rankings below to compare providers head-to-head, or use HostMatch (hostlist.io/match) for a personalised recommendation based on your specific project requirements, traffic volume, and geographic audience.
Windows hosting is web hosting that runs Microsoft Windows Server as the underlying operating system, with IIS as the web server, in contrast to the Linux + Apache or Nginx stack that powers the majority of the web. It exists primarily to support applications written in ASP.NET (classic and Core), .NET Framework libraries, and databases such as MSSQL Server, none of which run natively on Linux.
Most websites do not need Windows hosting and will be faster, cheaper and better-supported on Linux. Windows hosting becomes the right answer when the application requires it: an existing ASP.NET codebase, an MSSQL database, Active Directory integration, SharePoint, or Microsoft Exchange. New projects that have a free choice almost always pick a Linux host plus a portable framework.
Windows shared hosting is offered by a smaller subset of providers than Linux, with slightly higher prices because of the per-server Microsoft licensing cost. For better isolation and control, Windows VPS or dedicated servers are widely available, and Plesk on Windows is the standard control panel. Cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP) all offer Windows Server images, and Azure is the natural home for Microsoft-stack workloads.
- #197AlastyrHQ: Izmir, Turkey
Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Izmir, Alastyr is a Turkish hosting, cloud and data center provider serving individual and corporate customers. T…
4.4★ TPTrust 25/25View → - #291HostGatorHQ: Austin, USA
HostGator is a web hosting company based in Houston, Texas, offering shared, reseller, VPS, and dedicated hosting. It powers over 707,000 websites and…
4.6★ TPTrust 25/25View → - #391Host-UnlimitedHQ: Gifhorn, Germany
Host-Unlimited provides a range of web hosting services from its base in Gifhorn, Germany. Their offerings include dedicated servers and virtual priva…
4.9★ TPTrust 24/25View →
| Rank | Provider | Headquarters | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Alastyr | 97/100 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 4.4★TP | HQ: Izmir, Turkey |
| #2 | HostGator | 91/100 | 25 | 20 | 21 | 4.6★TP | HQ: Austin, USA |
| #3 | Host-Unlimited | 91/100 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 4.9★TP | HQ: Gifhorn, Germany |
| #4 | home.pl | 90/100 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 4.3★TP | HQ: Szczecin, Poland |
| #5 | Hostek | 89/100 | 23 | 18 | 23 | 4.2★TP | HQ: Tulsa, USA |
| #6 | Server Plan | 88/100 | 24 | 17 | 22 | 4.9★TP | HQ: Cassino, Italy |
| #7 | IONOS | 88/100 | 25 | 20 | 18 | 4.6★TP | HQ: Montabaur, Germany |
| #8 | Rocket.net | 88/100 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 4.9★TP | HQ: Miami, USA |
| #9 | Jweiland.net | 88/100 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 4.9★G | HQ: Filderstadt Near Stuttgart, Germany |
| #10 | netbuild.net | 88/100 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 4.7★G | HQ: Saarwellingen, Germany |
| #11 | Velia.net | 88/100 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 4.5★G | HQ: Hanau, Germany |
| #12 | HostNext.net | 87/100 | 23 | 17 | 22 | 4.7★TP | HQ: Islamabad, Pakistan |
| #13 | Liquid Web | 87/100 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 3.8★TP | HQ: Lansing, USA |
| #1413up 13 places since last month | StableHost | 87/100 | 21 | 18 | 23 | 4.8★TP | HQ: Gilbert, USA |
| #151down 1 places since last month | eHostPK | 87/100 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 4.7★G | HQ: Lahore, Pakistan |
| #161down 1 places since last month | Cafe24 | 87/100 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 2.8★TP | HQ: Seoul, South Korea |
| #171up 1 places since last month | pakish.net | 87/100 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 4★G | HQ: Karachi, Pakistan |
| #182down 2 places since last month | GoDaddy | 86/100 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 4.4★TP | HQ: Phoenix, USA |
| #192down 2 places since last month | oderland.se | 86/100 | 21 | 18 | 22 | 4.5★TP | HQ: Gothenburg, Sweden |
| #201down 1 places since last month | PK-Domain | 86/100 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 4.1★G | HQ: Lahore, Pakistan |
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How Is the Best Windows Hosting List Selected?
The best windows hosting list is selected entirely by HRI, an independent algorithmic 0 to 100 rating that combines four equally-weighted components: customer trust signals from real reviews (25%), public profile completeness (25%), data freshness (25%), and infrastructure performance signals (25%). Brand awareness, marketing spend, and affiliate relationships are not inputs.
Hosting companies cannot pay to appear or improve their position. Sponsorships and advertising are not scoring inputs. The same rules apply to every company in the directory of over 30,000 providers, from the largest hyperscalers to single-region indie hosts.
For the full breakdown of each scoring component and how it is calculated, see the HRI methodology page.
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. Ratings disclaimer · Terms.
Are HostList’s Rankings Paid Placements?
No. HostList does not sell rankings or accept payment for placement. Hosting companies cannot pay to appear in best windows hosting or improve their position. Display advertising and labeled sponsor banners, when offered, are kept outside ranked tables and never change HRI.
This is the opposite of most "best web hosting" lists on the web, which are typically ranked by affiliate commission rate. Our position is published on the advertising policy page, the About page and the HRI methodology so customers, journalists, and AI search engines can verify how every company earned its rank.
Frequently Asked Questions About Windows Hosting
What is Windows hosting?
Windows hosting is web hosting that runs Microsoft Windows Server as the operating system, with IIS as the web server, instead of the more common Linux + Apache or Nginx setup. It is required to run applications built on ASP.NET, ASP.NET Core, the .NET Framework, MSSQL Server, or other Microsoft-stack technologies that do not have Linux equivalents. Plesk for Windows is the standard control panel.
Do I need Windows hosting?
You need Windows hosting if your application requires it: an ASP.NET or .NET Framework codebase, an MSSQL Server database, Active Directory, SharePoint or Microsoft Exchange. WordPress, PHP, Node.js, Python, Ruby and most modern frameworks run better and cheaper on Linux. If you have a free choice, Linux hosting is the better default; Windows is the right answer when the stack demands it.
Is Windows hosting more expensive than Linux?
Slightly, yes. Microsoft charges providers a per-server licence fee for Windows Server, which is passed on to the customer, so equivalent Windows plans are typically 10 to 30 percent more than Linux plans from the same provider. The price difference is usually small in absolute terms; the bigger consideration is whether the application actually requires Windows.
Can I run ASP.NET on Linux hosting?
Yes, ASP.NET Core (the modern, cross-platform version of ASP.NET) runs natively on Linux and is well supported by most Linux hosts that support Node.js or similar long-running processes. Classic ASP.NET and the .NET Framework, however, are Windows-only. If you are starting a new .NET project, building on ASP.NET Core means you can host on Linux or Windows freely.
What is the best Windows hosting in 2026?
AccuWebHosting, HostMySite, Kamatera, A2 Hosting and Liquid Web are the most-established Windows hosts, offering shared, VPS and dedicated plans with IIS, ASP.NET, MSSQL and Plesk for Windows. For cloud-scale Microsoft-stack workloads, Microsoft Azure is the natural home. The right choice depends on whether you want managed shared hosting (AccuWebHosting, HostMySite), a Windows VPS (Kamatera, Liquid Web), or full cloud (Azure).
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