HostPapa
Reviews and Complaints

Helpful and reasonable . I have been pleased with the service.

Direct. To the point. Resolved. That is the way it should be. Done.

Very easy to use and great service. I wish more companies were like this.

Great customer service, great hosting options and most important, is a sustainable company.

Excellent customer service! Fast answering the phone and very quick resolution of my problem.

They get back to you very quickly. The only thing I didn't like is that I can't change my client name or sign in name or whatever they call it.

I am very satisfied with Hostpapa services. I am whit them since over 10 years ans never regrets my choices. When ask who to use for the web services my answer is always Hostpapa.

I switched my website over to HostPapa for 3 years recently due to their very reasonable offer and their free website-transfer. Everything was very smooth and easy for me, and I had a great experience.

My bill is wrong I have made several inquiries and they are charging me for domains that haven't been renewed. I have been unable to get them to correct the bill. Bill won't be paid until it is correct.

I cannot praise HostPapa more for their persistence in helping me get my website created and available to my customers. They listened to me and fixed things I had no idea how to fix. Their time and effort was probably worth a lot more than what I paid for their basic plan. I am looking forward to continuing my engagement with them.

I have used Hostpapa for a number of years now and I am very happy with their services, even considering the international time difference between our countries, Hospapa has never missed a beat when I have needed them. Their products are well priced and easily accessible. I have transitions all my business hosting to Hostpapa. Thanks Hostpapa, keep up the good work.

Host Papa *** money from me and denied it, saying it was my bank who charged me an extra fee when 1. The charge came directly from hostpapa like all other payments, and 2. It was the exact amount of a previous invoice that was already paid three weeks prior. I sent them screen shots and they denied it was their doing. I am out $135 and have to contact my bank for fraud to try to get my money back.

Choosing Hostpapa Inc. to host my firm's website was the right business decision for several reasons; the main reasons are quick response time, level of knowledge, effective solutions and professional attitude from all team members with whom I've interacted. From what I've learned, the company seems to be managed by a group of savvy young entrepreneurs who will most likely continue to add services to support my business. So far, this works well for my group.

I was previously a customer of a web hosting company which got acquired by HostPapa at the end of 2019. I run a series of web apps with complex data architectures and Wordpress-based websites, including managing some for others, requiring weekly MySQL database backups. Post-acquisition, backup times soared from 30 seconds to over 5 minutes each! A task that took an hour now consumed the entire day. I contacted HostPapa support with detailed timings and a test database. They acknowledged the issue promptly, and within a few days, after escalating to senior engineers, the problem was fixed, resulting in even faster backups than before.

I had been with a previous hosting company for over 8 years and had no real issues - but then I had one site that was fairly static. The service was usually ok but not particular great. But then my issues were not major. Then I started my business and my site because bigger and more active and some of the issues became more critical in terms of needing to be fixed quickly and with minor disruptions. Then my site got hacked, and the service responses became slower and more costly. Even after I paid over $500 to have my site cleaned up, I didn't feel that secure, and the service responses were becoming more un-responsive. So I started looking to move my site and after much research settled on Hostpapa. I was looking for a Canadian host and Hostpapa seemed to fit the bill. I had talked to their service department about the fear I had that my site was not a clear as it should be and my fear that moving my site would bring along any bugs that had been missed. Hostpapa seemed to understand and my concerns and provided the help I needed to make sure my site was clean before it went live. They basically were there for me ever step of the way to make the migration of my site as smooth and error free as possible. I currently have 4 sites with them and everytime I have a question or issue with something their customer support is always pretty much right on - friendly, understanding and offering answers without a lot of tech words. I just hope they don't get so big that they become like some of those huge guys out there that forget about their customers once they have signed up. Their focus seems to be on their customers and helping to make their customers successful. Hostpapa really feels like a partner in my business. I'm so happy to be working for them

VPS Mercury Hosting Plan for $49.99 on 3/4; was supposed to receive a refund since I cancelled before 4/4 but didn't. The account manager's name is Gilberto, [protected] ext. *** and client ID is ***.

My web site has been down for 5 days, costing me income. Boat papa service does not have level 2 techs talk directly to you and multiple techs try and walk with the situation. Furthermore, the techs don't seem to read the e-mail strings so often as redundant questions. Every email takes hours to respond to. I'm sure this could have been resolved in a couple of hours maximum if they would call. Despite multiple requests to have someone call me it has never happened. I have arranged a time to call, and set some time aside and cancelled events, only to wait for a call. I have been told someone will call in 10-20 minutes, only to wait for nothing. I would like my site up and running and compensation for my missed business.

I used to manage a company that had a website hosted by HostPapa. This business closed over 3 years ago and I was subsequently billed for website hosting on my personal credit card. I communicated with HostPapa at that time, explained that the business was closed and to stop billing. On February 20 I received another emailed invoice for a 3 year renewal (March - March 2024) of $372.19 which HostPapa immediately charged to my credit card. The domain that I am being charged for, ***.ca does not even exist anymore. My previous communication with the company a few years ago was clear in explaining that the business no longer exists and requesting that HostPapa stop billing me. This request has not been honoured so I am requesting that ComplaintsBoard.com intervene to resolve this.

Host Papa, indicated on my charge and email, recently acquired a company and enforced a server move, incurring extra costs for full testing and transition. After a prepaid renewal for three months, we opted against the compulsory move, transferring our site to another provider instead. We sought a refund for the prepaid sum, but they refused, citing a policy of no refunds, and informed us via email that we must remain until our time runs out in two months. They've set a deadline for our current server to shut down by August 31st, yet they're not allowing cancellation until the prepaid period ends. They're pressuring businesses to switch servers, imposing the burden of setup and testing on those required to move, without offering a refund for prepaid services when a customer declines. Should Host Papa continue to withhold our rightful refund, we intend to escalate the issue through complaints to the AG, FCC, bank disputes, or local legal action.

I purchased web hosting from Host Papa for my website in November 10, and attempted to cancel within the first 30 days (November 29 I requested cancellation- ticket # ***). They failed to contact me through email as per my request- their website was not user friendly and I just wanted email correspondence rather than through their website. My cancellation was not processed, and I attempted to cancel again on December 15. All cancellation information was provided as per their request, however, unknown to me, it was never cancelled but I never signed into their website again until recently. Attempts to contact me through THEIR website was made, however it was very obvious my intentions were to cancel, and all information they requested for cancellation was provided. For ten years, they have been auto charging my credit card, and *** has been hosting my website this entire time. This only came to my attention when I purchased a new website recently through *** and they informed me that *** had been hosting my site the entire time, and *** promptly refunded my purchase of web hosting through ***. Email correspondances were rarely used, only through their website "ticket system". Email is an acceptable form of communication, especially when it is requested, and having websites only responding to cancellation requests through their own website should not be allowed. They did not follow up properly and in a reasonable amount of time. My intentions of cancellation was very clear, and Host Papa disregarded the request, and continued to auto-charge for ten years for a hosting service they did not even provide.

After many frustrating communications with Host Papa's customer service and billing representatives, I was promised a refund of $377.61 by Nicola M., Program Manager of Cancellations, on March 11. The company claims they can't process my refund due to my account being in 'chargeback status'. Despite confirming with my bank that no chargeback actions were in place, the refund remains unpaid. I've had multiple email exchanges with Host Papa since March , all indicating the same 'chargeback status' issue, which my bank denies. After informing the company on April 4, I've had no further updates and am still awaiting my refund. The lack of resolution and resulting stress led me to cease communication with the company in April . Although I canceled all services with Host Papa last year, my domain remained registered with them until recently. On March 2, I requested the transfer key (EPP code) for my domain, but on March 4, Host Papa's billing program manager, Richard M., informed me they can't provide the transfer key due to the same 'chargeback status'.

I have spent hours on chat with various customer service representatives with Host Papa. I am cutting and pasting the chat from 8/8: Please give me an update regarding my request for a refund for Invoice #XXXXXXX *** 01:29:07 pm This was mentioned within the cancellation ticket The service was cancelled and you would receive refund for it So, to confirm - the whole confusion from yesterday was resolved and I actually will receive a refund for Invoice #XXXXXX for $39.95 If so, please tell me when I will receive that invoice refund *** 01:34:57 pm Sure Would there be anything else I can help you with *** 01:35:21 pm Is 'sure' a confirmation? *** 01:35:38 pm Correct *** 01:35:58 pm Great. When will I receive the refund? *** 01:37:25 pm 3-5 business days _ Then, on 8/9 I received this notice: From: ***@hostpapasupport.com Sent: Sunday, August 9 10:55 PM To: *** Subject: Re: #XXXXXXX Cancellation Request - Customer XXXXXX Hello ***, Please be advised that invoice XXXXXX-XXXXXXX is for the LP Managed Shared Hosting for period Jul/17 - Aug/17. Unfortunately, a refund is no longer applicable as it is beyond 48 hours from the time that the service got renewed. Your recent renewal invoice XXXXXX-XXXXXXX for the same service has been disregarded but no payments has been taken from your account. Thus, there is nothing to refund from that invoice. We hope this clarifies your concern. Regards, *** Customer Support Representative HostPapa Inc. attachment-1.html This is the 2nd time I have gone through this process in the last 4 days. I chat with one rep who tells me I will get a refund, then get another note saying I won't, then chat with another rep who says I will. I am currently chatting with yet another rep. This is costing me time and creating alot of frustration. Host Papa's customer service is confusing and horrible.

Hostpapa acts here as the service provider for web site hosting on shared server. I am using this service since many years and still using the same relatively cheap web hosting service as compared to more expensive ones for web sites requiring more server resources (for heavy traffic sites). Quick preamble: In a hostee-host business term, the host is in position of power because it can close the service any time, causing the hostee loss of revenue, and can require the hostee to work and solve immediate issue at the sole judgement of the host. The host may raise breach of service terms and conditions by the hostee, and thus leverage the hostee fear and stress to upsell more expensive services. In such business term, the host can (is) also over allocating server resources in the hope the customers will always use less than allotted. The more this is performed, the more hosting business is profitable for the host. The ethic issue over technical issue: I am well below abuse of their service, as I am factually well below allotted server usage resource. I proved (had to) this to them (see thread). Like any customer with such service it is impossible to exceed contractual usage of resources, as the host server (Hostpapa) is caping the server resources based on the customer contract. The technical issue at the root of Hostpapa's concern was in fact due to Hostpapa's own technical fault and security laxism (see thread attached). I am victim of: - Temporary loss of service during a security attack they should have blocked; - Being accused of taking too much server resources, accusing me of breach of services terms and conditions; - Forcing me to work, find and solve the root cause of their own technical problem I am a victim of; - Forcing me to take preventive measures against raised risks of immediate service termination; - Implicitly forcing me to answer and comply to their requests; - Having to take time to refuse their wrongly suited business offers; - A raised level of stress and fear of my loss of revenue, by their service disruption.

July 8: Purchased GOLD Reseller Web Hosting - $310.66 INV-XXXXXX-XXXXXXX Problems happened right away. In attempting to restore the backup of a website the connection was slowed to a crawl and then terminated every time. Support worked to resolve issues and seemingly resolved this on July 21. When I attempted to update the website on Aug. 28, the speed and termination issues were back. After unsuccessful support requests, more connection terminations and finally just a page with "500 - internal server error", I was told I needed to updrade to a VPS. Despite deleting all files (corrupted through terminations,) from the website it had used up the Inodes and the Account Manager said when that happens "websites become unavailable". It was now 74 days without a working website and now I was told it wasn't going to work at all. Sep. 20: Purchased VPS package - $313.43 INV-XXXXXX-XXXXXXX I was also told the VPS would have no Inode limits and access to faster and better "Guaranteed dedicated resouces". Well Hostpapa did not do the migration of the existing website, so I recreated it. Then the speed and connectivity issues also continued. It seemed actually slower than before. Support, again, started to look into it. On Sept 24, support thought they might have fixed the server but, again, didn't solve anything. That is when I finally cancelled and requested a refund. I was then told that because I paid less than a year in advance, cancellations had to be within 48 hours (Something the Account Manager failed to mention in emails and is well hidden behind the 30 DAY GUARANTEE on the website). This is after support spent the first 4 DAYS attempting to fix the VPS server issues. On Sept 23, at 6:07pm, Hostpapa support thought they might have finally fixed the server. The next morning, I attempted to import records... It failed. At 4:54pm I requested a refund. A full return of everything I paid. In fairness, my request came within hours of the final attempt from Hostpapa to fix the server. I gave them every opportunity to fix the server issues and deliver what was promised. Time was up. I still had a website to deliver to a client and I was now weeks behind schedule. Hostpapa was never able to provide a consistent working web hosting environment. Never. In response to my request for a refund Hostpapa offered to cancel the service auto-renew on Dec 20. They offered to refund nothing. I told Hostpapa I do not accept their offer. I told them I considered this unfair and unreasonable. I gave them every opportunity to fix the server. Hostpapa failed to deliver a working web host server.

I signed a 3 year term agreement for a Web Starter hosting plan and one free year of domain registration with this Company which began in Oct 2019. The plan advertised: "we don't limit the amount of visitor traffic a website can receive" STARTER- Perfect for basic blogs or websites This is the same cost as another of their plans: WORDPRESS STARTER- Perfect for basic blogs or websites For over six months my *** site has been up and it has not changed since I transferred it to this Company. I looked up this company on ComplaintsBoard.com after receiving a series of emails that made demands, selling pressure, deadline ultimatums and threats to terminate my agreement for service without clearly stating how that agreement was being broken or providing proof that it was being broken. When I read the following ComplaintsBoard.com complaint I decided to lodge my own complaint due to the fact that once I tried to deal with the first issue that this Company raised, another issue was immediately raised and accompanied by a threat to terminate unless dealt with by a certain date. *** I received a first email stating that I was using "more resources" than was allowed for my plan. My response was that my site did not get much traffic so I did not see how it could be using more resources than it was allowed. It has been running now for over 6 months with no issues. The company's response was that my site was: " generating faults on our server is mainly due to the large amount of visits you received on your site ... which has received 8,208 page views during this month, this has made your site exceed the limits on your shared hosting plan viewable on this article... My advice to reduce the impact on your site performance and our server is to reduce the amount of visits both from humans and bots to your site or consider upgrading to a higher capacity plan like one of our VPS options... on June 16 if the issue continues by then your account might be suspended." So this was Ultimatum #1: If I did not upgrade I had to limit visits from bots and humans by June 16 or else. I responded to this stating again that I was far below ALL the "resource parameters" shown on the technical resource graphs( for which I provided a screen shot) and in order to deal with reducing the amount of visits both from humans and bots to my site (as they had asked) I had blocked all traffic from bots and crawlers (since there were virtually no "humans" visiting). That did not solve the problem because on June 17 I received another email. Ultimatum #2: "I have asked my system administrator for an extension on your issues deadline as a courtesy for you based on your actions and he has granted until June 20." I now see on my site that my account is going to be suspended because "I have exceeded the number of shell sessions, cron jogs and simultaneously running php scripts and cgi scripts." A specific reason for this Ultimatum#2 is that *** uses too many Cron jobs and I have to research how to replace *** cron jobs. I have a plan that is the same cost as their advertised *** Plan and it advertises : Superior WordPress hosting, with expert support Why am I being penalized for using *** when a *** plan is the same cost as the one I am on. Also, why did they not bring this up? AS A COURTESY TO ME this company GRANTS me an extension of three days to either comply with their demands or have my account terminated. They cannot even bother to refer to their own TERMS of SERVICE language in their emails or provide proof of their violation claims It is also convenient that any refund has to be done within 30 days of the transaction. For my agreement that is three years. I have taken down my site due to the fact I do not wish to receive any more intimidating emails from this Company.