// the fine print · checked November 2026
HostGator refund policy: what's refundable, and the catches
HostGator advertises a 30-day money-back guarantee. Here's what its full HostGator Terms of Service, section 13 actually allows, in plain English.
THE FINE PRINT
HostGator's 30-day guarantee covers 1- to 3-year hosting terms paid by card or PayPal, but not monthly plans, and a 'free' domain costs you $22.99 off the refund. After day 30 there's no refund at all, even on a 3-year prepayment.
REFUNDABLE
- Basic shared, VPS, dedicated and reseller hosting fees, on a 1-year or longer term, within 30 days.
- Only payments made by credit card or PayPal.
NOT REFUNDABLE
- Any plan bought on a monthly term.
- Domain names, administrative fees, custom software install fees and add-ons such as SiteLock.
- $22.99 for a free domain if you cancel within the first year.
- Every cancellation after 30 days, including unused years of a 3-year plan.
- Payments made by any method other than card or PayPal.
What a refund safety net costs on HostGator
The cheapest price on each plan vs. the cheapest price you can still get your money back on.
| Plan | Cheapest price | Cheapest refundable price | Cost of the safety net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatchling | $3.75 3-year | $3.75 3-year | free |
| Baby | $4.50 3-year | $4.50 3-year | free |
| Business | $6.25 3-year | $6.25 3-year | free |
| WordPress Pro | $13.95 3-year | $13.95 3-year | free |
| VPS NVMe 2 (Snappy 1000) | $3.59 2-year | $3.59 2-year | free |
| VPS NVMe 4 (Snappy 2000) | $8.49 2-year | $8.49 2-year | free |
| VPS NVMe 8 (Snappy 4000) | $12.49 2-year | $12.49 2-year | free |
| VPS NVMe 16 (Snappy 8000) | $25.99 2-year | $25.99 2-year | free |
OUR ADVICE BEFORE YOU BUY
- If you want the refund safety net, don't pick monthly billing: it's the one term the guarantee excludes.
- Remove the pre-added Professional Email trial at checkout unless you want it billed at $2.99/mo after the free month.
- Turn off auto-renewal in the Renewal Center only after downloading a full backup: expired accounts are permanently deleted.
- Save a screenshot of the plan page before you pay; the cart's feature list doesn't confirm what's included.
Summarized from HostGator's HostGator Terms of Service, section 13, last revised June 2026, checked by us November 2026. Policies change. Read the current version on HostGator's refund policy page ↗ before you buy. This is a summary, not legal advice.
How to request a refund from HostGator
- Within 30 days of purchase, call billing at (866) 964-2867 or use live chat.
- Ask for a Money-back Guarantee Refund on your hosting plan.
- Expect the free domain fee ($22.99) to be deducted if your plan included one.
- To stop future renewals instead, disable auto-renewal in the Renewal Center in your Account Manager.
HostGator refund FAQ
Does HostGator offer refunds?
Yes, within 30 days on eligible plans, on any billing term. HostGator's 30-day guarantee covers 1- to 3-year hosting terms paid by card or PayPal, but not monthly plans, and a 'free' domain costs you $22.99 off the refund. After day 30 there's no refund at all, even on a 3-year prepayment.
Can I get a refund on a HostGator 2-year or 3-year plan?
Yes, 1-, 2- and 3-year terms are covered if you cancel within 30 days. Monthly terms are not.
Can I get a refund if I used a coupon or promo code?
HostGator's terms don't mention promo codes in the refund guarantee. Ask support to confirm in writing before you pay.
Can I get a refund if I paid HostGator with crypto?
No. HostGator only refunds payments made by credit card or PayPal; any other payment method is excluded.
Is the free domain refundable?
No. If you cancel within the first year, $22.99 is deducted from your refund for the domain.
How do I request a refund from HostGator?
Within 30 days of purchase, call billing at (866) 964-2867 or use live chat. Ask for a Money-back Guarantee Refund on your hosting plan. Expect the free domain fee ($22.99) to be deducted if your plan included one. To stop future renewals instead, disable auto-renewal in the Renewal Center in your Account Manager.
Still considering HostGator?
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