Direct answer
Intro prices are promotional first-term rates. Renewal prices are what you pay after that term ends. Hosting and VPN ads push the intro number because it looks cheap. The renewal is often several times higher. DealCage puts intro next to renewal on every row so you can compare ongoing cost, not just the teaser.
How intro and renewal work
Web hosting
Shared hosting deals often quote a monthly equivalent that requires a one or three year prepay. After that term, the plan renews at a higher monthly equivalent. Taxes, add-ons, and domain renewals can raise the real bill further.
VPS
Many budget VPS plans bill the same amount every month, so intro and renewal match. Some promotions still discount the first month or quarter. Read the billing note on each DealCage row.
VPN
VPN intros are often multi-year monthly equivalents. After the prepaid term, monthly or annual renewal can jump sharply. Flat-rate VPNs exist too. Compare both columns before you commit.
Worked examples from live DealCage rows
These figures come from current DealCage snapshots. They are not live checkout totals.
- Lowest intro (cheap web hosting): IONOS Unlimited at $1.00 intro and $10.00 renewal (monthly equiv.).
- Lowest renewal (cheap web hosting): Namecheap Stellar at $1.98 intro and $4.88 renewal (monthly equiv.).
- Large intro-to-renewal gap (cheap web hosting): SiteGround StartUp at $2.99 intro and $17.99 renewal (monthly equiv.).
- Lowest intro (cheap VPS): Database Mart Express Linux at $2.88 intro and $2.88 renewal (monthly).
- Flat intro and renewal (cheap VPS): Database Mart Express Linux at $2.88 intro and $2.88 renewal (monthly).
- Lowest intro (VPN): Private Internet Access at $2.03 intro and $11.05 renewal (monthly equiv.).
- Lowest renewal (VPN): Mullvad VPN at $5.00 intro and $5.00 renewal (monthly).
- Lowest intro (Minecraft server hosting): Shockbyte Minecraft at $2.50 intro and $2.50 renewal (monthly).
On the category pages, deals with a live DealCage tracking link stay pinned first, then rows sort by your chosen order (intro by default).
Checklist before you buy
- Write down intro price and renewal price from the same plan tier.
- Confirm the billing term and any upfront total (monthly equivalent is not always month-to-month).
- Estimate 12 and 24 month cost using the renewal rate after the promo ends.
- Check migration, backup, support, and exit terms on the provider site.
- Verify the final checkout total, taxes, and currency before you pay.
Compare ranked categories on DealCage
FAQ
Is a higher intro with lower renewal better?
It depends on how long you keep the plan. A slightly higher intro with a lower renewal can cost less over two or three years. A rock-bottom intro with a steep renewal can cost more if you stay. DealCage shows both numbers so you can do that math before you buy. Always verify on the provider site.
Why do intro hosting and VPN prices jump at renewal?
Many providers advertise a promotional first term, then bill at a higher standard rate. Shared hosting and multi-year VPN plans often show the biggest gap. Some VPS and Minecraft plans bill the same amount every month. Check the renewal column, term length, and any upfront payment on checkout.
Are DealCage prices live checkout totals?
No. Prices are researched snapshots. They can change without notice. Always verify the intro price, renewal price, taxes, and term on the provider site before you purchase.
Affiliate disclosure and methodology
Some links on DealCage are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Community approval starts from a stored Trustpilot rating base, then adds DealCage community votes. Prices are researched snapshots, not live checkout totals. Always verify on the provider site before you buy.