Quick Summary: SiteGround renewal prices jump 500%+ after year 1 — GrowBig goes from $4.99/mo to $29.99/mo. Use code THATMYSITE if you still want SiteGround (70% off year 1). For a no-shock alternative, Cloudways offers flat pay-as-you-go pricing with a $30 free credit (code THATMY30) — zero renewal surprises, ever.
I used SiteGround for two years. The first year was excellent — fast servers, responsive support, reliable uptime. Then renewal hit. My bill went from $59.88/year to $359.88/year. That's a 500% increase. This guide exists so you don't get caught off guard like I did.
The SiteGround Renewal Shock — Real Numbers
SiteGround Intro vs Renewal Pricing
| Plan | Year 1 (Intro) | Year 2+ (Renewal) | Price Jump |
|---|---|---|---|
| StartUp | $2.99/mo | $17.99/mo | +502% |
| GrowBig | $4.99/mo | $29.99/mo | +501% |
| GoGeek | $7.99/mo | $44.99/mo | +463% |
This is not a typo. SiteGround charges 5× more at renewal. There are no renewal coupons. Plan accordingly.
What Siteground Justifies At Renewal Price
- Google Cloud infrastructure stays the same at renewal
- Support quality doesn't drop after renewal
- Still includes SSL, backups, staging
- Month-to-month billing available (though more expensive)
The Renewal Shock Breakdown
- StartUp: $2.99/mo → $17.99/mo (+502%)
- GrowBig: $4.99/mo → $29.99/mo (+501%)
- GoGeek: $7.99/mo → $44.99/mo (+463%)
- No renewal coupon codes available
- Auto-renewal charges your card without warning
Performance Benchmarks
- TTFB: 164ms
- Load Test (100 Users): 503 errors
- Uptime: 99.97%
- CPU: CPU Seconds per hour (strict)
- PHP Workers: 4 (GrowBig)
- WooCommerce TTFB: 487ms @ 100 Users
$2.99/mo
Renews at $17.99–44.99/mo
Best Alternative: Cloudways — No Renewal, Ever
If the renewal numbers above made your stomach drop, here's the fix. Cloudways uses pay-as-you-go cloud pricing — what you pay in month 1 is what you pay in month 24. No intro rates, no renewal shock, no surprises.
Why I Switched To Cloudways After Siteground
- $30 Free Credit with code THATMY30 (~2 months free)
- Flat pay-as-you-go pricing — no renewal price hikes ever
- No annual commitment — cancel or scale any month
- DigitalOcean, Vultr HF, AWS — faster than SiteGround shared
- TTFB: 78ms — faster than SiteGround GrowBig
- 3-day free trial, no credit card required to start
- 30% off 3 months alternative with code THATMYCLOUD
Who Should Skip Cloudways
- No email hosting included (use Zoho or Google Workspace)
- Dashboard is more technical than SiteGround's cPanel
- Not ideal for total beginners who want hand-holding
Speed Benchmarks
- TTFB: 78ms
- Load Time: 0.6s
- Uptime: 99.99%
$11.00/mo
Code: THATMY30
Cloudways Coupon Codes (April 2026)
- THATMY30 — $30 free credit (~2 months free on a $14/mo server). Best for most users.
- THATMYCLOUD — 30% off for 3 months. Better if your monthly bill exceeds $34.
Only one code per account. Pick based on your expected spend. See full code comparison →
ScalaHosting — Performance Upgrade, Stable Pricing
For users who want more than shared hosting performance — without the complexity of self-managed cloud — ScalaHosting's managed VPS is the logical step up. AMD EPYC CPUs, SPanel included free, and no SiteGround-style renewal trap.
Why Scalahosting Beats Siteground Long-term
- AMD EPYC 9474F CPU — enterprise-grade processing
- SPanel included free (saves ~$15/mo vs cPanel licenses)
- Anytime money-back guarantee — no time pressure
- Fully managed support 24/7 — no server expertise needed
- Daily offsite backups included at no extra cost
- 1Gbps unmetered port (no traffic throttling)
- Extra 10% off with code THATMYSCALA
Scalahosting Limitations
- Managed VPS costs more than SiteGround shared ($29.95/mo+)
- Overkill for single-site bloggers with low traffic
- Shared hosting tier has its own renewal pricing — go VPS
Performance Specs
- Port Speed: 1Gbps (Dedicated)
- Throughput: High (Stable)
- Traffic: Unmetered
$22/mo
Code: THATMYSCALA
SiteGround Coupon Code: THATMYSITE (70% Off Year 1)
If you've decided to try SiteGround for year 1 before migrating, here's how to get the best intro deal:
SiteGround Coupon Code
70% OFF first year — new accounts only
Get 70% Off Year 1 →⚠️ Remember: renews at $29.99/mo (GrowBig) after year 1. Plan your migration.
Why Siteground Is Worth It For Year 1
- 70% off year 1 with code THATMYSITE
- StartUp from $2.99/mo, GrowBig from $4.99/mo
- Google Cloud infrastructure — genuinely fast
- Excellent 24/7 support (best in shared hosting)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Free SSL, daily backups, staging environment
The Renewal Reality
- Renews at $17.99–44.99/mo — a 500%+ increase
- THATMYSITE does NOT apply at renewal
- No renewal discount available — pricing is fixed
- Set a migration reminder for month 10
Performance Benchmarks
- TTFB: 164ms
- Load Test (100 Users): 503 errors
- Uptime: 99.97%
- CPU: CPU Seconds per hour (strict)
- PHP Workers: 4 (GrowBig)
- WooCommerce TTFB: 487ms @ 100 Users
$2.99/mo
Code: THATMYSITE
How to Apply THATMYSITE
Click the Discount Link Above
Our link pre-activates the deal. You'll land on SiteGround's offer page with pricing already reduced.
Choose GrowBig (Recommended)
StartUp limits you to 1 site. GoGeek is overpriced for most users. GrowBig hits the sweet spot: unlimited sites, staging, SuperCacher. At $4.99/mo intro it's the best value.
Select 12-Month Term Only
Don't commit to 24–36 months even though they're cheaper monthly. You'll want to migrate before renewal anyway — keep your options open.
Set Your Migration Reminder NOW
Before you even close checkout, add a calendar reminder for 10 months from today: "Evaluate SiteGround alternatives before renewal." This is the most important step on this page.
The Real 3-Year Cost of SiteGround
The "$4.99/mo" you see advertised becomes something very different when you look at the full picture:
| Period | Rate | Duration | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 (Intro with THATMYSITE) | $4.99/mo | 12 months | $59.88 |
| Year 2 (Renewal — no discount) | $29.99/mo | 12 months | $359.88 |
| Year 3 (Renewal) | $29.99/mo | 12 months | $359.88 |
| 3-Year Total | $779.64 | ||
| True Average Monthly | $21.66/mo | ||
Your "$4.99/mo" hosting actually averages $21.66/mo over 3 years. Compare that to Cloudways at $14/mo flat — you'd save $277 over the same period.
Provider Comparison: True Long-Term Costs
| Host | Type | Year 1 Cost | Year 2+ Cost | 2-Year Total | Renewal Shock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SiteGround GrowBig | Shared | $59.88 | $359.88/yr | $419.76 | ⚠️ HIGH (+501%) |
| Cloudways DO 2GB | Cloud | $168/yr | $168/yr | $336 | ✅ None (flat) |
| ScalaHosting Build#1 | Managed VPS | $359.40/yr | ~$359/yr | ~$718 | ✅ Low (recurring deal) |
| ChemiCloud Pro | Shared | $71.40/yr | $167.40/yr | $238.80 | 🟡 Moderate (+134%) |
| Bluehost Basic | Shared | $35.40/yr | $131.88/yr | $167.28 | ⚠️ HIGH (+272%) |
How to Leave SiteGround Before Renewal (Step-by-Step)
Already on SiteGround and renewal is approaching? Here's the exact process I used:
Month 10: Start Evaluating Now
Don't wait for the renewal email. By month 10 you should know what you're moving to. Cloudways: sign up with THATMY30, get $30 credit. ScalaHosting: sign up with THATMYSCALA.
Sign Up With Your New Host
Both Cloudways and ScalaHosting offer free migrations from SiteGround. Your new account is ready before you touch SiteGround.
Request the Free Migration
Submit your SiteGround credentials to your new host. They'll handle the technical transfer — files, database, email — within 24–48 hours.
Test on the Staging URL
Before touching DNS, verify everything works: forms, checkout, plugins, images. Run a speed test to confirm the improvement.
Update DNS to Point to New Host
Change your domain's nameservers or A record. Propagation takes 0–24 hours. Your site stays live on SiteGround during propagation.
Cancel SiteGround Before Renewal Date
Site Tools → Billing → Cancel. The retention team may offer a small discount — it's rarely worth it unless you're a GoGeek user with a complex setup. Confirm cancellation via email.
Related Guides
- Best WordPress Hosting 2026 — full ranked comparison of the top WordPress hosts including speed tests and real pricing
- Cloudways Promo Code 2026 — all active Cloudways codes: THATMY30 ($30 credit), THATMYCLOUD (30% off), CLOUDS2022 — and which one saves more at your spend level
- ScalaHosting Coupon Code 2026 — THATMYSCALA code details, VPS pricing breakdown, and the 1yr vs 3yr pricing anomaly explained
- ChemiCloud Coupon Code — best budget shared hosting with honest renewal pricing
SiteGround Pricing & Renewal FAQs
Why is SiteGround so expensive?
SiteGround's 'expensive' reputation comes from their renewal rates, not their intro prices. They use a standard hosting industry tactic: attract with low intro pricing ($2.99–7.99/mo) then renew at 5× that rate ($17.99–44.99/mo). The Google Cloud infrastructure and excellent support justify a premium, but a 500%+ price jump is hard to defend. The honest answer: they're not expensive for year 1 — they're expensive from year 2 onwards.
What is SiteGround's renewal price in 2026?
SiteGround renewal prices in 2026: StartUp $17.99/mo ($215.88/year), GrowBig $29.99/mo ($359.88/year), GoGeek $44.99/mo ($539.88/year). These are 463–502% higher than intro prices. Renewal is charged automatically after your initial term (12, 24, or 36 months) unless you cancel first.
What is the best SiteGround coupon code in 2026?
The best SiteGround coupon in 2026 is THATMYSITE — it gives 70% off your first year and applies to all plans: StartUp at $2.99/mo, GrowBig at $4.99/mo, GoGeek at $7.99/mo. This code only works for new accounts and only for the first billing term. Renewal will be at full price regardless of which coupon you used to sign up.
Can I get a SiteGround renewal discount?
SiteGround does not offer standard renewal discounts. Their renewal pricing is fixed at the full market rate. Options available to you: (1) Contact support and request a loyalty discount — some users report getting 10–20% off, but this is inconsistent. (2) Prepay a longer term before your current one expires (sometimes triggers a small discount). (3) Migrate to Cloudways or ScalaHosting before renewal hits — this is the most reliable way to avoid the shock.
Is Cloudways better than SiteGround after renewal?
For most users facing SiteGround renewal, Cloudways is a better deal. SiteGround GrowBig renews at $29.99/mo. Cloudways DigitalOcean 2GB is $14/mo flat — $180/year cheaper — with no future price increases. Cloudways also gives faster TTFB (78ms vs SiteGround's ~180ms on shared plans) because you're on a dedicated cloud server, not shared infrastructure. Use code THATMY30 for $30 free credit to try it risk-free.
How does ScalaHosting compare to SiteGround for renewal?
ScalaHosting's managed VPS has stable pricing without SiteGround-style renewal spikes. The Build #1 managed VPS starts at $29.95/mo with AMD EPYC 9474F CPU, SPanel included (no extra cPanel fee), and 30+ PHP workers per site. For anyone needing more than basic shared hosting, ScalaHosting VPS delivers better performance at a more predictable cost. Use code THATMYSCALA for an extra 10% off.
Is SiteGround worth the renewal price?
At renewal prices ($17.99–44.99/mo), it's difficult to justify SiteGround. You can get equal or better performance from Cloudways ($14/mo flat, faster TTFB) or ScalaHosting VPS ($29.95/mo with dedicated resources). SiteGround's support remains excellent at renewal, but support quality alone doesn't close a $180–$300/year pricing gap. For most users renewing in 2026, migration is the smarter financial decision.
How do I avoid SiteGround renewal shock?
Three strategies that work: (1) Set a calendar reminder at month 10 of your subscription — don't wait for the renewal invoice. (2) Sign up with Cloudways or ScalaHosting at month 10 — both offer free migrations from SiteGround. (3) Cancel SiteGround before renewal once your new host is confirmed working. The entire migration process takes 1–3 days. The window to act is months 10–11 of your term.
Can I cancel SiteGround before renewal?
Yes. To cancel SiteGround: log into Site Tools → Billing → Cancel Account. SiteGround will present retention offers — you don't have to accept them. Within the first 30 days, you get a full refund. After 30 days, no refund for unused time, but you stop future charges. Cancel before your renewal date to prevent the auto-charge. You can cancel right up to the renewal day.
SiteGround vs Bluehost renewal: which is worse?
SiteGround's renewal is worse by percentage (500%+ vs Bluehost's ~270–300%), but Bluehost often locks you into 36-month terms while SiteGround defaults to 12 months. In raw dollar terms, Bluehost Basic renews at $10.99/mo while SiteGround StartUp renews at $17.99/mo — so Bluehost is cheaper at renewal but both represent poor long-term value compared to Cloudways ($14/mo flat) or ChemiCloud ($13.95/mo stable renewal).
Does SiteGround offer lifetime pricing?
No. SiteGround discontinued lifetime pricing years ago. Every billing term — whether 12, 24, or 36 months — you'll pay current renewal rates on the next cycle. They also do not offer locked-in pricing. Each renewal is at whatever the current full-rate is, which can increase year over year. There is no way to secure intro pricing for future renewals.
Should I renew SiteGround or switch hosts?
For most users, switching is the financially sound choice. At $17.99–44.99/mo renewal, you're overpaying compared to: Cloudways ($14/mo flat, better performance, code THATMY30 for $30 free credit), ScalaHosting VPS ($29.95/mo, AMD EPYC, fully managed), or ChemiCloud ($13.95/mo renewal on Pro plan). Only renew SiteGround if you specifically depend on their support team or have a complex configuration that's hard to move.
Final Verdict: SiteGround in 2026
My Honest Recommendation
SiteGround delivers genuinely good hosting for year 1. The support is excellent, the Google Cloud infrastructure is fast, and with THATMYSITE you're paying one of the lowest rates in the industry. The problem is year 2.
Here's the strategy I recommend:
- Best long-term value: Start with Cloudways + code THATMY30 ($30 free credit). Flat pricing. Zero renewal shock. Faster than SiteGround shared.
- Best performance upgrade: ScalaHosting VPS + code THATMYSCALA for managed VPS with AMD EPYC CPU and stable pricing.
- If you specifically want SiteGround: Use THATMYSITE for 70% off year 1 — then migrate to Cloudways at month 10. You get SiteGround's support for a year, then Cloudways' economics for the long term.
Get $30 Free Credit on Cloudways (THATMY30)
No annual commitment · Flat pricing · Zero renewal shock