Does Hostinger Include Free SSL and Backups? Complete 2026 Guide

does Hostinger include free SSL certificates 2026 —

When choosing a web hosting provider in 2026, understanding what security and backup features are included—and what you'll pay extra for—is critical. Hostinger is a popular budget hosting option, but many website owners ask: does Hostinger include free SSL certificates and automated backups? This guide walks you through what Hostinger actually offers, how it compares to competitors, and why HostOpy's approach to shared hosting security might be a better fit for your needs.

Does Hostinger Include Free SSL Certificates?

Yes, Hostinger does include free SSL certificates with its hosting plans. Specifically, they offer Let's Encrypt SSL certificates at no additional cost across all shared hosting plans, starting from their entry-level Premium plan and above.

Let's Encrypt is a widely trusted, certificate authority that issues Domain Validation (DV) SSL certificates. These certificates are perfect for small websites, blogs, and e-commerce stores that need basic encryption to:

• Encrypt data between your website and visitors' browsers
• Display the green padlock icon in browsers
• Improve SEO rankings (Google favors HTTPS sites)
• Meet PCI compliance requirements for online payments

However, there are important limitations. Let's Encrypt certificates are domain-validated only—they verify you own the domain but don't verify your business identity. For businesses requiring higher trust levels, Hostinger offers paid options like Sectigo Premium SSL or Comodo EV certificates, which come at additional monthly costs.

If you need comprehensive SSL solutions with extended validation, consider exploring how HostOpy's SSL certificate options compare across different hosting tiers.

Are Backups Included in Hostinger Shared Hosting?

This is where Hostinger's offering becomes less straightforward. Hostinger does not include automatic daily backups as part of standard shared hosting plans. Instead, backup features depend heavily on which plan tier you choose:

Entry-Level Plans: No automatic backups included. You must manually back up your website using tools like cPanel's backup feature or third-party plugins.

Mid-Tier and Business Plans: Hostinger offers optional backup add-ons, typically charged monthly or annually. These are not included by default.

Business Plan Upgrades: Some Hostinger business tier plans include limited automatic backups, though details vary by region and current promotions.

This is a significant consideration. Unlike many competitors, Hostinger doesn't bundle automatic backups into their base shared hosting packages, meaning you're responsible for setting up your own backup solution or paying extra.

How Often Does Hostinger Back Up Your Data?

If you purchase Hostinger's optional backup add-on (typically called "Weekly Backups" or similar), the frequency depends on the plan you select:

• Weekly Backups: Your site is backed up once per week (usually on a specific day you cannot choose)
• Daily Backups: Available on premium tiers; your site backs up every 24 hours
• Manual Backups: Free, but you control when they're created using cPanel's Backup feature

For high-traffic sites or e-commerce stores, weekly backups may not be frequent enough if you publish content daily or process transactions regularly. You'd lose up to 7 days of data in a worst-case scenario.

What About Automated Backups in Hostinger Plans?

Hostinger's automated backup system (when purchased) runs on a schedule you cannot customize. This limitation means:

• Backups may occur during peak traffic times, affecting performance
• You cannot trigger an immediate backup before making major site changes
• Backup timing is fixed regardless of your workflow

Many website owners find this inflexible. If you're running a WordPress site or an online store, you may want more control over when backups happen and how frequently. Tools like CodeGuard or other third-party backup solutions offer more granular control, though these require separate subscriptions.

Learn more about comprehensive security strategies in our guide on website protection tools and pricing in 2026.

Free SSL vs Premium SSL: What's the Difference?

Understanding the distinction helps you decide if Hostinger's free option is enough:

Free Let's Encrypt SSL (Hostinger Included):

• Domain Validation (DV) only
• No business verification
• No warranty protection
• Basic encryption for all visitors
• Green padlock, but no business name in certificate details
• Perfect for blogs, portfolios, and small sites

Premium SSL (Hostinger Add-On Cost):

• Organization Validation (OV) or Extended Validation (EV)
• Business verification by certificate authority
• Warranty protection (usually $100,000–$1,000,000)
• Business name displayed in certificate
• Full browser trust indicators
• Essential for financial institutions, legal firms, and e-commerce

For most small businesses in 2026, Let's Encrypt (free) is sufficient. However, if you're handling sensitive data or customer payments, upgrading to a premium SSL is wise.

Backup Retention: How Long Does Hostinger Keep Your Files?

Hostinger's backup retention policy varies:

• Weekly Backup Plan: Typically stores the last 4 weekly backups (about 1 month of history)
• Daily Backup Plan: Stores the last 14 days of daily backups
• Manual Backups: Retained indefinitely until you delete them (stored in your cPanel account)

This is shorter than industry standards. Many hosts keep 30–90 days of automatic backups. If your site is compromised or corrupted, you have a narrow window to restore from a recent backup.

HostOpy's Shared Hosting: SSL and Backup Coverage

HostOpy takes a different approach to shared hosting security. Our shared hosting plans prioritize essential security features without forcing you to buy à la carte add-ons for basic protection.

SSL Certificates with HostOpy:

• Free Let's Encrypt SSL on all plans
• Auto-renewal to prevent expiration
• Easy installation via cPanel
• Paid premium SSL options available if needed

Backups with HostOpy:

• Daily automatic backups included on most plans
• 14-day backup retention (standard in the industry)
• One-click restore functionality
• Redundant backup storage for added safety

Unlike Hostinger, HostOpy bundles automatic backups into shared hosting packages, meaning you're not forced to choose between security and cost. This is especially valuable if you run a WordPress site, blog, or online store where data integrity is critical.

See how HostOpy's pricing compares when you factor in the true cost of adding backup and security features elsewhere.

Comparing SSL and Backup Features: Hostinger vs HostOpy

Here's a side-by-side comparison to help you decide:

Feature	Hostinger	HostOpy
Free Let's Encrypt SSL	Yes	Yes
Automatic Daily Backups Included	No (paid add-on)	Yes
Backup Retention Period	4 weeks or less	14 days (standard)
One-Click Restore	Limited	Yes
SiteLock Integration	Optional (paid)	Available via HostOpy SiteLock
CodeGuard Backup Option	Optional (paid)	Available via HostOpy CodeGuard

Should You Upgrade to Premium Backup Options?

If you're using Hostinger or any shared host, consider upgrading beyond free backups if:

• You run an e-commerce store: Every transaction matters; daily backups are non-negotiable
• You publish content frequently: WordPress blogs need protection against daily changes
• You handle customer data: Compliance regulations (GDPR, HIPAA) may require regular backups
• Your site is business-critical: If downtime costs money, premium backups are insurance
• You lack technical skills: Automated backups with one-click restore are worth the investment

For sites with minimal traffic and infrequent updates (like a contact portfolio), manual weekly backups might suffice.

Explore whether paid hosting truly justifies the cost when essential features are bundled in.

How to Enable and Monitor Your SSL Certificate

Whether you choose Hostinger or HostOpy, enabling SSL takes just a few steps:

Step 1: Log into cPanel Access your hosting control panel using your credentials.

Step 2: Find Auto SSL or Let's Encrypt Look for "AutoSSL" or "Let's Encrypt" section. Most hosts have this available within 24 hours of account creation.

Step 3: Install on Your Domain Click "Install" or "Manage" next to your domain. The certificate installs automatically in most cases.

Step 4: Verify in Your Browser Visit your website using https:// and confirm the green padlock appears next to your URL.

Step 5: Redirect HTTP to HTTPS Update your website's configuration to force HTTPS (most WordPress hosts handle this automatically).

Ongoing Monitoring: Let's Encrypt certificates expire every 90 days, but most hosts auto-renew automatically. Monitor your email for renewal notifications just in case.

Best Practices for Website Security and Backups in 2026

Beyond SSL and backups, strengthen your website security with these 2026 best practices:

1. Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) Tools like SiteLock add a protective layer against DDoS, malware, and hacking attempts. Learn more about SiteLock pricing and alternatives.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Protect your cPanel and WordPress admin accounts with 2FA to prevent unauthorized access.

3. Keep Software Updated Update WordPress, plugins, themes, and server software regularly. Outdated software is the #1 vulnerability.

4. Implement Regular Backup Tests Don't assume backups work. Periodically restore a backup to a test environment to verify data integrity.

5. Monitor Uptime and Performance Use uptime monitoring tools to detect outages immediately and receive alerts.

6. Encrypt Sensitive Data Use SSL/TLS for all pages, especially login forms, checkout pages, and contact forms.

7. Manage Access Carefully Limit FTP/SFTP access to trusted team members. Remove inactive user accounts regularly.

Making the Right Choice for Your Website Hosting

When evaluating web hosting in 2026, don't just look at price per month. Consider the total cost of ownership, including:

• SSL certificate costs (free vs. premium)
• Backup add-ons (included vs. optional)
• Security tools (SiteLock, malware scanning, firewalls)
• Support quality and response times
• Uptime guarantees and performance

Hostinger is budget-friendly, but you may end up paying more once you add essential security and backup features. HostOpy's shared hosting bundles these essentials, offering better long-term value for most websites.

If you're unsure whether shared hosting meets your needs, compare it against VPS hosting and other options to find the perfect fit.

Ready to switch to hosting that includes SSL and backups by default? Explore HostOpy's shared hosting plans today. All plans come with free Let's Encrypt SSL, daily automatic backups, and industry-leading support—no hidden add-ons required.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Hostinger's free SSL certificate auto-renew?

Yes, Let's Encrypt certificates on Hostinger auto-renew every 90 days automatically. However, you should monitor your email for renewal notifications as a backup.

Can I restore a Hostinger backup myself?

If you have a backup add-on purchased, you can restore through cPanel. Manual restoration may require FTP access and technical knowledge. HostOpy offers one-click restore for all backups.

What happens if Hostinger loses my data?

Hostinger's terms of service limit liability significantly. This is why maintaining your own backups (separate from hosting provider backups) is essential. Use tools like CodeGuard for added protection.

Is Let's Encrypt SSL good enough for e-commerce?

Let's Encrypt provides encryption but no business verification. For e-commerce, it's acceptable, but a premium SSL with warranty protection is recommended for higher customer trust and legal protection.

How much do Hostinger backup add-ons cost?

Hostinger's backup add-ons typically range from $2–$5/month for weekly or daily backups, depending on account size and region. These costs are in addition to base hosting fees.

Does HostOpy offer backups on all shared hosting tiers?

Yes, HostOpy includes daily automatic backups with 14-day retention across all shared hosting plans at no additional cost.

Can I upgrade my SSL certificate later?

Yes, both Hostinger and HostOpy allow you to upgrade from Let's Encrypt to premium SSL at any time. The upgrade is typically instant.

What if I need hourly backups?

For mission-critical sites, consider upgrading to a VPS where you have more control over backup frequency, or use external backup services like CodeGuard.

Related: web hosting guide.