In brief
In practice “unlimited” hosting almost always hides some limit: file counts, CPU and memory allowances, processes or a fair-use clause. This article gives seven questions that make offers comparable: what sits behind “unlimited”, what the renewal price is, whether a restorable backup is made, and how you can move away later.
What “unlimited” really means
In marketing “unlimited” is attractive, but the contract almost always contains a fair-use clause. It means resources are shared and the provider may step in if your site uses too much.
That is not necessarily unfair, but it matters to know where the limit is. A small brochure site may be fine, while a busy webshop runs into the invisible limits.
The 7 questions to ask
If you cannot find the answers in the description, ask support and request a written answer.
- What sits behind “unlimited”? Ask for numbers: storage, file count (inodes), CPU, memory, parallel processes, database connections.
- What is the renewal price? Many deals apply only to the first term; the second-year fee can be several times higher.
- Is there a backup, and can it be restored? Clarify frequency, retention, and whether restoring is paid or self-service.
- Which PHP versions and settings are available? memory_limit, execution time and upload size affect many WordPress sites in practice.
- What are the email limits? Hourly or daily sending limits, mailbox size and spam protection; their absence can damage deliverability.
- Where is the server, and who gives support? Response time, language, and whether you reach a person when something breaks.
- How can I move away? Can the site and database be exported, will you get help, and is there any extra charge for leaving?
| Promise | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Unlimited storage | What are the file-count and CPU limits? |
| Free domain | What is the renewal fee, and does the domain remain mine? |
| Daily backups | How long is it kept, and can I restore it myself? |
| Free SSL | Does it renew automatically and cover every subdomain? |
What fits whom
The right choice is not the one that shows the most promises, but the one that fits the site’s real load and risk.
- Small brochure site: a simple plan is enough if backups exist and the renewal price is clear.
- WordPress, blog, small webshop: PHP memory, the database and support matter; consider an environment tuned for WordPress.
- Custom application, background processes: a VPS or a dedicated runtime is often a better fit than shared hosting.
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