What is Winhost?
Winhost is a web hosting company founded in 2003 and based in Los Angeles, California. It specialises in Windows-based web hosting, particularly for applications built with ASP.NET, ASP.NET MVC, and Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL).
Disclosure: What's Hosting operates a GoDaddy reseller storefront. Competitor guides are editorial research, not products we sell.
While most web hosting runs on Linux, some applications require Windows Server. Classic ASP applications, ASP.NET web apps, and databases that use MSSQL need Windows hosting. Winhost is one of the more established providers in this niche.
Winhost plans include Plesk control panel (the Windows equivalent of cPanel), MSSQL and MySQL database support, and email hosting. Support for .NET frameworks is regularly updated. Plans start at around $4 per month for a single site.
If you are building or migrating a standard WordPress or PHP website, you do not need Windows hosting. Linux hosting handles these applications better and is available from a wider range of providers at competitive prices.
Windows hosting is a specialised product. If your developer or application requires ASP.NET or MSSQL, look for providers that explicitly support your required .NET version and SQL Server edition. Winhost, Arvixe, and DiscountASP.NET are among the dedicated Windows hosting options.
Common questions
Who needs Windows hosting?
Applications built with ASP.NET, Classic ASP, or Microsoft SQL Server require Windows hosting. Standard websites, WordPress, and PHP applications do not need Windows hosting.
Is Winhost good?
Winhost has a long track record in the Windows hosting niche. It is reliable for ASP.NET applications and offers reasonable pricing for Windows-based plans.
Can I run WordPress on Winhost?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. WordPress runs on PHP and performs better on Linux hosting. Winhost is optimised for Windows-based applications.