When it comes to web hosting and domain registration, the internet is crowded with options promising “the best” service, unbeatable uptime, and the lowest prices on the market. But there’s one name that’s been around long before the others even existed: Network Solutions.
A pioneer in domain name registration (dating back to the 1990s), Network Solutions is like the grandparent of the modern web. But longevity doesn’t always equal superiority, especially when you’re competing against agile players like Bluehost, SiteGround, and HostGator.
So the question is: In 2025, does Network Solutions still deserve your money, or is it just a relic of internet history?
In this detailed review, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Network Solutions, from pricing and performance to features, user experience, and head-to-head comparisons with its biggest competitors.
What Does Network Solutions Offer?
Network Solutions is more than just a domain registrar, it’s a full-service provider offering:
- Domain registration and privacy services
- Shared web hosting
- WordPress hosting
- Website builder plans
- E-commerce hosting
- Professional email
- SSL certificates
- Online marketing tools
It positions itself as a one-stop solution for small to mid-sized businesses looking for a simple, integrated platform for launching and growing their online presence.
Website Builder Plans: Pricing & Features
These plans are perfect for users who want to launch a website without technical knowledge or hiring a developer.
Website Plan – $1.99/mo (Renews at $16.99/mo)
Best for: Basic blogs or personal websites
Includes:
- AI-powered website builder
- 1 year free domain + privacy
- 3 months of free professional email
- 1-month free SSL
- 1-hour expert design support
- Logo builder tools
The introductory price is attractive, but the renewal price is steep for what you get.
Website + Marketing – $3.99/mo (Renews at $21.99/mo)
Best for: Service providers or small businesses
Adds:
- Appointment scheduling
- Sell services online
- Social media & email marketing
- Google My Business listing
A better option if your site supports a business or offers services.
Ecommerce – $9.99/mo (Renews at $29.99/mo)
Best for: Online stores
Adds:
- Secure checkout on your domain
- Integration with Amazon, eBay, Instagram, and more
This is the only plan suitable for e-commerce. Renewal pricing may be hard to justify compared to Shopify or WooCommerce on better hosting.
Shared Hosting Plans: Pricing & Resources
For those wanting a more traditional hosting experience.
Starter – $2.99/mo (Renews at $8.00/mo)
- 10 GB storage
- 1 website
- 15K monthly visitors
- 25 FTP accounts
- 5 email boxes
- Unmetered bandwidth
- Drag & drop builder
Essential – $4.99/mo (Renews at $13.99/mo)
- 20 GB storage
- 3 websites
- 50K visitors
- 1,000 email boxes
- 50 FTP accounts
- Free domain + SSL for 1 year
A good balance for small businesses or blog networks.
Premium – $6.99/mo (Renews at $16.99/mo)
- 40 GB storage
- 10 websites
- 200K visitors
- Unlimited email & FTP accounts
- Free domain + SSL for 1 year
This plan is generous and allows moderate scale, though competitors offer more power at the same price point.
WordPress Hosting: Managed and Beginner-Friendly
Entrepreneurs – $5.99/mo (Renews at $10.99/mo)
- 10 GB storage
- 1 WordPress site
- On-demand backups
- Free domain
Growing Businesses – $8.99/mo (Renews at $15.99/mo)
- 20 GB storage
- 3 sites
- SSL certificate
- Multisite support
- On-demand backups
Professionals – $11.99/mo (Renews at $19.99/mo)
- 40 GB storage
- 5 WordPress sites
- SSL & multisite management
- On-demand backups
Compared to managed WordPress solutions from Bluehost and SiteGround, these plans are simpler but lack high-performance infrastructure like built-in caching or staging.
SSL Certificates & Add-ons
If not included, here are standalone SSL prices:
- Basic SSL – $125/year
- Extended SSL – $399/year
- Wildcard SSL – $580/year
Email hosting, Google Workspace, and other marketing tools are also available as paid add-ons.
FTC Disclosure: We receive customer referral fees from companies mentioned on this website. All data and opinions are based on our experience as paying customers.
Use coupon “HOSTING20” for 20% additional discount on web hosting plans.
Pros of Using Network Solutions
- Reputation & Longevity – One of the original domain registrars, still used by institutions and legacy businesses.
- All-in-One Solution – Hosting, domains, SSL, and email, all under one roof.
- AI Site Builder – Great for non-techies; comes with expert design support.
- Bundled Freebies – Free domain, email, and SSL with most plans (for a limited time).
- Managed WordPress – Simple, backup-ready WordPress hosting with multisite options.
Cons of Using Network Solutions
- High Renewal Rates – Steep jumps after the first year, especially on website builder and eCommerce plans.
- Performance Lag – Load speeds slower than competitors; lacks CDN integration by default.
- Dated UI – Control panel is functional, but feels behind modern hosting dashboards.
- No cPanel – Limits flexibility for developers or advanced users.
- Mixed Support Feedback – Phone support is decent, but live chat can be slow, and escalations are common.
Performance, Speed & Reliability
Network Solutions advertises 99.9% uptime, which it mostly delivers. However, speed tests show average load times between 1.8 and 2.6 seconds, not ideal for SEO or user experience in 2025.
By contrast:
- SiteGround uses Google Cloud and offers sub-1s load times.
- Bluehost provides built-in CDN support and better load optimization.
- HostGator competes closely but with more fluctuation in performance.
Bottom line: Network Solutions is fine for informational sites, but not optimal for high-traffic or e-commerce projects needing speed.
Dashboard & Usability
The custom dashboard is:
- Easy to use for beginners
- Good for basic domain and email management
- Lacking cPanel and deeper control options
Power users may feel constrained compared to the intuitive yet feature-rich dashboards of SiteGround and Bluehost.
Customer Support
Support includes:
- 24/7 phone
- Live chat
- Email ticketing
- Knowledge base
Customer experience varies:
- Phone support = quick and helpful during business hours
- Live chat = inconsistent wait times and quality
- Knowledge base = sufficient for basic troubleshooting
SiteGround leads in support satisfaction. Bluehost and HostGator also edge ahead in chat response times and ticket resolutions.
Long-Term Value: Is It Worth It?
| Plan Type | Intro Price | Renewal Price |
|---|---|---|
| Website Builder (basic) | $1.99/mo | $16.99/mo |
| Shared Hosting (starter) | $2.99/mo | $8.00/mo |
| WordPress Hosting | $5.99/mo | $10.99/mo+ |
Short-term: Competitive
Long-term: More expensive than Bluehost and HostGator, and close to SiteGround without offering the same infrastructure quality
This makes Network Solutions less ideal for budget-conscious users or long-term projects that will scale over time.
Customer Feedback in 2025
Reviews across Trustpilot, Reddit, and forums are mixed:
Positive:
- “Simple, beginner-friendly tools.”
- “Great to manage domains and hosting in one place.”
- “Support helped me fix email setup fast.”
Negative:
- “Domain transfers take forever.”
- “Dashboard feels like it’s from 2010.”
- “Too expensive after the first year.”
Sentiment suggests Network Solutions is best for users who want convenience, not performance or low cost.
Comparison Table
| Feature / Provider | Network Solutions | Bluehost | SiteGround | HostGator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Price | $2.99/mo | $2.95/mo | $2.99/mo | $3.75/mo |
| Free Domain | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free SSL | 1 year only | ✅ (Let’s Encrypt) | ✅ (Let’s Encrypt) | ✅ (Let’s Encrypt) |
| Email Accounts | 5–Unlimited | Included | Add-on | Included |
| Dashboard UX | Basic | Intuitive | Advanced | Decent |
| Speed | Average | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Support Quality | Mixed | Solid | Excellent | Decent |
| CDN | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Final Verdict: Should You Use Network Solutions?
Choose Network Solutions if you:
- Want everything in one place (domain, email, hosting)
- Need a hands-off setup with AI builder and expert help
- Are okay paying more for the convenience of bundled tools
Avoid if you:
- Need high-performance WordPress or e-commerce hosting
- Are price-sensitive beyond the first year
- Prefer modern dashboards and developer tools like cPanel
- Plan to scale aggressively
Final Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Pricing (Intro) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Pricing (Renewal) | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ |
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Performance | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
| Customer Support | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
| Features | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Value for Money | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
Overall Rating: 3.6 / 5
If you’re looking for modern, high-performing hosting with better long-term pricing, go with SiteGround or Bluehost. But if you’re a small business owner who prefers simplicity and support over speed, Network Solutions remains a reliable, if somewhat dated, option in 2025.