Looking for honest Heart Internet reviews in 2026? Here’s the straight answer: Heart Internet is a solid UK-based hosting provider offering affordable web hosting, great domain deals, eco-friendly infrastructure, and reliable uptime but it’s not without limitations like an outdated control panel and no phone support.
In this review, I share my personal experience and explore:
- Web hosting, VPS, and domain pricing
- Site speed, uptime, and performance
- Support availability and quality
- Control panel usability and features
- Known user complaints and common issues
- How Heart Internet compares to top UK hosts
- Who it’s best suited for in 2026
Let’s dive into whether it’s the right fit for your website or business.
What is Heart Internet and Who Owns It?
Heart Internet is a long-established UK-based web hosting provider, well known for its strong presence in the UK and European markets, particularly among freelancers, agencies, and small businesses.
Founded in 2004 by Jonathan Brealey and Tim Beresford, the same duo behind 123-re, the brand was built with a clear focus on simplicity, affordability, and UK-based support.
In its early years, Heart Internet gained a reputation for its reseller hosting, appealing to web developers and design agencies who needed scalable, client-ready infrastructure. As demand grew, so did the company’s visibility, leading to a series of acquisitions that shaped its journey.
A Quick Look at Heart Internet’s Ownership Timeline:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Founded by Jonathan Brealey and Tim Beresford |
| 2011 | Acquired by Host Europe Group (HEG) |
| 2017 | HEG purchased by GoDaddy, bringing Heart Internet under its global portfolio |
| 2024 | Divested by GoDaddy and acquired by Your.Online |
Most recently, in April 2024, GoDaddy sold Heart Internet to Your.Online, a move aimed at streamlining GoDaddy’s focus while allowing Heart Internet to continue developing under a company more aligned with European markets. The deal was finalised in March 2024, and several original team members stayed on to help with the transition.
Today, Heart Internet operates under Your.Online, continuing its legacy in the UK hosting space. While its ownership has changed hands a few times, the company remains focused on providing solid hosting services, affordable domain names, and reliable customer support tailored to the UK market.
This evolving history shows that while Heart Internet’s corporate umbrella has shifted, its core values UK reliability, accessible support, and flexible hosting, remain intact.
Heart Internet Hosting Review: A Deep Dive into 12 Essential Factors
1. Web Hosting Plans & Value
When going through Heart Internet reviews, one of the best things you’ll notice right now is the value for money, especially during the January Sale 2026.
Hosting plans are deeply discounted, and with code jan26 applied at checkout, users can save up to 55% on hosting and get a free domain name and SSL certificate, worth £61.98.
Here’s a full breakdown of their web hosting packages and pricing:
| Plan | Websites | SSD Storage | Bandwidth | Mailboxes | Price (1st Year) | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lite | 1 | 25 GB | Unlimited | 10 x 5GB | £3.39/mo + VAT | 20% off |
| Plus | 3 | 100 GB | Unlimited | 50 x 5GB | £5.94/mo + VAT | 20% off |
| Advanced | 5 | 250 GB | Unlimited | 100 x 10GB | £8.49/mo + VAT | 20% off |
| Elite | 10 | 500 GB | Unlimited | 200 x 10GB | £11.89/mo + VAT | 20% off |
All plans include:
- Free domain name (first year)
- Free SSL certificate (first year)
- One free basic website migration
- Access to support 7 days a week
- Unlimited bandwidth
These plans are particularly suitable for:
- Beginners launching a personal blog or website
- Small businesses scaling their online presence
- Freelancers or agencies managing multiple client sites
What stands out is the feature-to-cost ratio. For under £4/month, you’re getting a lot more than most basic hosting services offer, including email hosting, SSD performance, and UK support.
However, it’s worth noting that all prices are exclusive of VAT, and renewals are billed annually at full price. Still, with first-year savings and free domain/SSL bundled in, Heart Internet is one of the best-value UK hosting options right now, especially if you sign up during this limited-time sale.
2. Performance & Website Speed
A crucial part of any Heart Internet review is performance, after all, no one wants a slow website. I personally installed this hosting on my own website to see how well it performs in real-world conditions.
Heart Internet uses NVMe SSDs, HTTP/2, and runs entirely from UK-based data centres, which translates to faster loading times for users across the country. While it might not be the absolute fastest web host on the market, it holds its own very well during day-to-day use.
To test things, I used their 1-click installer to launch a WordPress site and then ran speed benchmarks using Google PageSpeed Insights. On the Lite plan, my homepage loaded in around 1.1 seconds, which is more than acceptable for most personal or small business sites. After upgrading to the Advanced plan, I noticed slightly better performance due to larger resource allocations and improved storage technology.
On my current setup, I achieved a Performance Score of 91 on Google PageSpeed, which reflects solid optimisation right out of the box. (Screenshot attached below for reference)
Heart Internet has clearly invested in their server infrastructure. They frequently update their systems to keep up with evolving web standards, which helps improve:
- SEO rankings
- User experience
- Bounce rate reduction
These factors are vital for bloggers, small business owners, and anyone trying to grow a presence online.
Key Server-Side Technologies Used:
- PHP 7.x and 8.x support – for faster, more secure websites
- HTTP/2 – enables quicker content delivery
- NVMe SSD storage – significantly faster than standard SSDs
One downside? All servers are located in the UK, which is excellent for domestic audiences, but might result in slightly slower load times for international visitors. Also, Heart Internet doesn’t offer a built-in CDN, so I had to manually integrate Cloudflare to optimise global performance.
If your target audience is primarily in the UK, Heart Internet delivers excellent performance, especially for small to mid-sized websites. The speed, reliability, and consistent infrastructure upgrades are key reasons I continue to use them across several of my niche sites.
3. Uptime & Reliability
When researching Heart Internet reviews, uptime is a make-or-break factor. After all, even the most beautifully designed website is useless if it’s frequently offline.
Heart Internet advertises a 99.9% uptime guarantee, which has been consistently reliable in my experience. Over a six-month testing period using UptimeRobot, I tracked an average uptime of 99.95%, with only two brief service interruptions, both resolved quickly.
The company maintains redundant UK-based data centres equipped with:
- Round-the-clock monitoring
- Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)
- Environmental control systems (e.g. fire suppression, cooling)
- Expert technicians on standby
This infrastructure ensures consistent availability for personal blogs, business websites, and even resource-intensive platforms. It’s especially reassuring to know that your site is hosted domestically when targeting a UK audience, reducing latency and boosting page responsiveness.
Heart Internet’s server reliability is supported by proactive maintenance and transparent incident reporting. While some users on platforms like Reddit and Trustpilot have reported isolated downtime, these appear to be exceptions rather than the norm.
They don’t offer a public service status page, which is a slight drawback. Still, their Support Database often posts known issues, and their ticket system is fairly responsive when downtimes do occur.
In short, uptime and reliability are two of Heart Internet’s stronger features, and they’ve proven stable across several sites I manage. If your top priority is keeping your site live and dependable, especially for UK traffic, this provider is certainly worth considering.
4. Control Panel & Usability
One thing that often gets mixed reactions in Heart Internet reviews is their custom-built control panel, known as eXtend. Unlike more widely used platforms like cPanel or Plesk, Heart Internet has developed its own interface to manage web hosting, domains, email, and more.
From my experience, the control panel is straightforward once you get the hang of it, but it does come with a slight learning curve, especially if you’re used to cPanel. Navigating to key features like file management, database setup, or DNS changes isn’t difficult; it’s just not as polished or modern as competitors’ platforms.
What’s good:
- Simple layout and quick access to core tools
- One-click installation of WordPress and other popular apps
- Email setup and mailbox management are very intuitive
- Supports file manager, cron jobs, password protection, and backups
What needs improvement:
- Outdated UI design (feels “early 2010s”)
- Some features are buried deeper in navigation
- No dark mode or mobile app
If you’re managing multiple sites or clients, you might miss features like multi-site dashboards or advanced staging options. However, for freelancers or small business owners, it gets the job done.
Tip: If you’re used to cPanel, allow a short adjustment period. After a few days, you’ll likely find the tools you need, though power users may still prefer hosts with more advanced admin controls.
Overall, it’s a functional and beginner-friendly system, but it could benefit from a design refresh and deeper integration with modern workflows.
5. Domain Services & Deals
When it comes to domain names, Heart Internet often advertises competitive prices, especially during their seasonal promotions like the January Sale 2026. If you’re registering multiple domains or building several websites, their pricing can initially look attractive:
- .co.uk domains from just £0.99/yr (first year on multi-year plans)
- .com domains starting at £5.99/yr
- Bulk domain credits offering up to £500 off for 100+ domains
| Bundle Size | .co.uk / .uk (Per Domain) | .com / .net / .org | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5+ Domains | £7.99 | £12.99 | Save £10 |
| 25+ Domains | £5.99 | £10.99 | Save £100 |
| 100+ Domains | £4.99 | £9.99 | Save £500 |
From a control standpoint, Heart Internet does offer full DNS management capabilities, including:
- Custom nameserver configuration
- DNS record management (A, MX, CNAME, TXT, SRV)
- Email forwarding and domain redirects
- Integration with Google Workspace or Microsoft 365
On the surface, this seems ideal for digital marketers, developers, and entrepreneurs managing multiple sites.
But the User Experience Tells a Different Story…
While the pricing and DNS tools may appear appealing, several long-time customers have raised serious concerns about the actual usability and support of Heart Internet’s domain services — especially when issues arise.
“After many, many years, we have had enough. There is no response from anyone at Heart that can placate the slow grinding-down of a cheesed-off client, so don’t bother Heart…you cannot deny any of the following or put your “customer care” spin on. Please let this be a warning to everyone, use a modern company not owned by a corporate sugar daddy (no pun intended). Let’s just summarise the key points. Domain fees often 100% more expensive that competitors (trust me they are): A website that we can’t remember being updated/overhauled for over 10 years (at least) which is also slower than 1990’s dial-up speeds: Website UX experience from that period too with systems that are overly complicated and difficult to comprehend (unless you know what you are doing): Transferring a domain elsewhere is hidden with technical jargon (albeit accurate) and laced with a tinge of fear if god forbid, you do so, to stop you from leaving and when you do complete the transfer there is no email or website notification to confirm this has taken place, they provide you with a whois.com link to check (which anyone can do) only when you ask for confirmation (pathetic): You cannot call anyone and speak to a real person, it’s been like that for many years – they even shutdown their international number a few years ago and now funnel people to their ticketing system (even in support chat!) as much as possible. All this and I could go on more are some of the reasons consumers turn-off and go elsewhere. Look around, there are infinitely better companies out there, seriously…there are!”
— E White
“Heart Internet won’t transfer a domain name. I have a domain with Heart Internet and want it transferred to another provider. I’ve submitted emails to Sales (as requested) but they never answer. The new provider has submitted requests, which Heart also ignore.
How can I move forward?
=====
I’m finding it difficult to understand this response from HeartInternet:
===
9 hours ago
Hi,I wasn’t able to find any contact from the details provided through our standard channels, and I’ve also reached out to you directly a couple of times but haven’t received a response yet. Unfortunately, this means I wasn’t able to look into the issue for you.
If you’re still experiencing any problems, please feel free to get back in touch, and I’ll do my best to assist you.
Thanks,
Mike
=====
I’ve emailed you, in response to your update, on four occasions, but without an answer, now you say you don’t get my emails. I’d guess they’re in your Spam box.
This is so frustrating, as I need the domain to be moved.”
— Roger
“Botched internal migration. Didn’t update their own DNS records even though the domain is managed by them. Then the migrated site didn’t load.
Support took hours to reply whilst the site was offline.
No emails received for ticket updates.
No live chat, no phone support. Cpanel not accessible as the supplied login details were incorrect.
Circus of errors.”
— Ian, Trustpilot Review
These are not isolated incidents, they represent recurring issues that customers have flagged across platforms:
- Lack of real-time support (no phone or live chat)
- Unresponsive ticketing system
- Delayed or failed domain transfers
- Confusing UX and outdated dashboard
Even though I personally manage over 30 domains through their system and haven’t faced critical issues, I recognise that others have had significant problems, especially with high-priority actions like transfers, support requests, and downtime resolutions.
Heart Internet’s domain service might still work for small, low-risk portfolios, but for business-critical sites or time-sensitive migrations, their lack of modern support and clunky UX could become a major roadblock.
If you’re considering long-term scalability, ease of domain transfers, or high-touch support, it may be worth looking at more modern registrars that prioritise speed, transparency, and real-time assistance.
6. Nameservers & DNS Management
For anyone managing domains, whether for a business, agency, or client work, DNS and nameserver control is absolutely essential. On paper, Heart Internet does provide a solid set of DNS management tools, giving users access to most technical settings required for professional use.
From a feature perspective, Heart Internet supports:
- Editing A, AAAA, MX, CNAME, TXT, and SRV records
- Customising SPF records for email authentication
- Adjusting TTL (Time to Live) values for DNS propagation
- Using external nameservers when required
These controls are accessed through their eXtend control panel. While the interface isn’t modern or visually polished, it generally allows experienced users to make DNS changes without restrictions.
This level of access is useful for tasks such as:
- Setting up email with third‑party services (Google Workspace, Zoho, Microsoft 365)
- Redirecting domains to external hosting environments
- Creating subdomains and internal DNS structures
- Configuring SPF/DKIM for improved email deliverability
Where Things Start to Fall Apart
Despite offering the right tools, multiple recent customer reviews suggest that execution, communication, and support around DNS and server‑side changes are inconsistent at best.
Several users report unannounced server migrations, lack of warning, and little to no follow‑up when issues occur — which can be disastrous for businesses relying on uptime and reliable DNS behaviour.
“Not the first time I had to write a bad review for them, after they got took over it’s been very poor company. They changed the server I was on and after that the upload times have made it impossible to operate, we have lost loads of business and they have done nothing to resolve the issue. I even clicked the emergency button to say site down and they still not offering any support. I am now in the process of moving to another provider.”
— Samantha Dingley
“Website has been down all day due to a server migration that is brought on by Heart Internet. I upgraded less than a year to an all singing all dancing VPS too and now will have to probably fork out for a migration that is out of my control.
I was promised it would be up and running in a couple of hours and it hasn’t happened. Support team is unresponsive and the online support chat is disabled.
I’ll be going elsewhere after this is sorted for my website.”
— Neil Phillips
These experiences highlight a recurring issue: users are not always informed properly when infrastructure changes occur, and when DNS‑related problems arise as a result, support response times can be extremely slow.
Documentation, Notifications & Reliability Concerns
Another weak point is documentation and transparency. While a Support Database exists, it often lacks clarity for complex DNS or migration‑related scenarios. In several cases, users were left to figure things out themselves or seek help elsewhere.
Heart Internet does include automatic renewals and expiry notifications, which helps prevent accidental domain loss. However, based on user feedback, critical operational notifications (such as server moves or downtime risks) are not always communicated clearly or in advance.
Heart Internet does not lock users out of advanced DNS settings, which is a positive. For technically confident users managing low‑risk or non‑critical domains, the tools themselves can be sufficient.
However, if you are:
- Running business‑critical websites
- Managing client domains
- Relying on uptime, fast support, and clear communication
…the recurring reports of silent migrations, poor notification, and slow support make Heart Internet a risky choice for DNS‑sensitive operations.
In short, the DNS controls are there, but trust and reliability around changes and support are where Heart Internet struggles most.
7. Email Hosting & Bundles
One of the often‑mentioned features in Heart Internet reviews is their business email hosting, which on the surface appears ideal for freelancers, small teams, and businesses wanting a professional, domain‑based email address without paying for enterprise platforms like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.
Heart Internet offers two main email hosting options:
- Essential Business Email – from £0.99/month (+VAT) for the first month
- Professional Business Email – from £2.99/month (+VAT) for the first month
Both plans include:
- POP3/IMAP access (compatible with most devices and email clients)
- Webmail access
- Basic spam and virus filtering
- Shared calendars, contacts, and tasks (Professional plan only)
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Plan | Mailbox Size | Shared Features | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Business Email | 5GB | Calendar, spam filter | £0.99/mo |
| Professional Business Email | 25GB | Shared calendar/tasks | £2.99/mo |
For teams, Heart Internet also offers bulk mailbox bundles (5, 10, or 25 mailboxes), sometimes with steep first‑month discounts (up to 75% off during promotions such as JAN26).
Reliability & Support: The Biggest Weak Point
While setup is generally straightforward, I was able to connect mailboxes to Outlook and Gmail without much friction, long‑term reliability and support responsiveness appear to be major concerns, particularly when email services go down.
Recent customer feedback paints a troubling picture for anyone who relies on email for daily business operations:
“Not a efficient or quick customer service ever avoid this company, they don’t care about customer.
They don’t know what they doing, and no phone support. very expansive and not supporting the customer at all. My email has been down which is costing me money and they can’t fix it and not responding to my messages for the last 2 days with correct info to fix. keep replying with some nonsense
After few days Andrew used TeamViewer and fixed the problem. This should have been fixed on the first day.
I am a service provider and have many customers in UK and Europe and email is most important part of my business and not been able to use it for few days was a nightmare. Any problems my customers have I remote in for fix it or checking it out within 20 mins.
Sorry I couldn’t leave a good review but these things should be fixed straight away for customers as I do with TeamViewer all the time for my customers.”
— Ali Mohajerin, Trustpilot
In this case, the issue was eventually resolved via remote access (TeamViewer), but only after several days of disruption, something that should realistically be handled within hours for a business‑critical service like email.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Use Heart Internet Email Hosting?
Heart Internet’s email hosting can work if you:
- Need a basic domain email address
- Are running a low‑risk, non‑critical setup
- Can tolerate occasional delays in support response
However, it may not be suitable if you:
- Depend on email for client communication or sales
- Manage multiple customers or business accounts
- Require fast, real‑time support when issues arise
The lack of phone support, slow ticket responses, and reports of extended email downtime make this service risky for professional use where reliability is non‑negotiable.
Although Heart Internet offers low entry pricing and easy initial setup, the inconsistent reliability and poor customer support significantly undermine its value.
If email is mission‑critical to your business, a more robust solution like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or a provider with real‑time support would likely be a safer long‑term investment.
Heart Internet’s email hosting may suit very small operations or personal use, but for professional environments, the risks currently outweigh the savings
8. VPS & Dedicated Server Performance
For users needing more power, scalability, or control than standard web hosting, Heart Internet’s VPS and dedicated server options are impressive, especially with their 50% off first month and 15% off annual deals during the January 2026 sale.
VPS Hosting (Self-Managed)
Designed for developers, system admins, and technically confident users, VPS packages include:
- Full root access
- SSD storage (75GB to 300GB)
- Bandwidth (1TB to 15TB)
- Scalable RAM and CPU (up to 8 vCPUs / 16GB RAM)
Plan vCPUs RAM Storage Bandwidth Price (1st Month) VPS Lite 1 2GB 75GB 1TB £8.99/mo VPS Premium 6 12GB 250GB 10TB £39.99/mo VPS Elite 8 16GB 300GB 15TB £59.99/mo
These plans are perfect if you need to host:
- Large-scale CMS platforms
- Custom applications
- Multiple resource-intensive websites
- Game or media servers
Dedicated Servers
Heart Internet’s dedicated servers start at £99.99/mo and go up to £319.99/mo, featuring:
- Xeon-D or AMD EPYC processors
- Up to 256GB RAM
- Dual 1TB NVMe SSDs
- Unlimited traffic on a 1Gbps connection
These are ideal for agencies, resellers, and large enterprises running high-traffic sites or apps.
During my test, the VPS I used ran Ubuntu and handled site deployments seamlessly. If you’re tech-savvy and want full control, this is where Heart Internet’s infrastructure truly shines.
9. SSL Certificates & Security
Security is a major priority for any website, and while Heart Internet does provide essential security features, real‑world experiences suggest that implementation and reliability can sometimes fall short.
Heart Internet includes free SSL certificates with most annual hosting packages, and during promotions like the January Sale, paid SSL options are often discounted, sometimes by up to 80%.
Here’s what’s available:
| SSL Type | First Year Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Simple (DV) | £49.99/yr | SHA-2, 2048-bit encryption, browser padlock |
| Organisational | £89.99/yr | Includes business name on certificate |
| Extended (EV) | £249.99/yr | Highest level of validation, green address bar |
Why SSL Still Matters?
- Encrypts user data (vital for forms, logins, and eCommerce)
- Helps with Google SEO rankings
- Builds visitor trust by removing browser security warnings
Beyond SSL, Heart Internet also claims to provide:
- Constant server monitoring
- Firewall protection
- Daily malware scans (WordPress hosting only)
- Secure UK data centres with CCTV and controlled access
On paper, this looks like a comprehensive security setup.
Where Security Becomes a Concern?
Despite the available features, multiple customer reviews highlight serious problems during upgrades, migrations, and support delays, which can directly impact SSL availability and site trust.
“Having gone through a nightmare over the last few weeks with the ‘super’ upgrade. I thought things had at last been sorted out. No such luck. It was found that I did not need the power of the new upgrade, so it was decided to move my site to a shared group. For the last few days our website displayed is one over a month old. I now no longer have an SSL, so some people trying to access the site are getting the message that it may be a problem site and finally I cannot update the site as I cannot access it, so I have a backlog of changes. I have not had a reply to my messages from Heart Internet for over 24 hours. Aghhhhhh!!”
— Lizzyk
This kind of scenario is particularly damaging for businesses, as even a short loss of SSL can result in browser warnings, lost trust, and reduced conversions.
Long‑term customers have also criticised Heart Internet’s approach to SSL provisioning:
“I’ve held a Heart Internet Reseller account for almost 20 years, but I’m leaving them. After years of increasingly slow or poor tech support, and mediocre server performance, I’ve had enough. Also, not offering free, basic SSL is very poor. I’ve contacted their support recently about a billing issue and it’s now been 5 days and the issue persists. Cannot recommend”
— Barry
While Heart Internet now includes SSL with many plans, these reviews suggest that SSL management during account changes isn’t always seamless, and support response times can be too slow for security‑critical issues.
My Experience vs. Wider Feedback
In my own case, activating a Simple SSL certificate was quick, and WordPress integration was automatic. However, based on user feedback, this smooth experience is not guaranteed, especially during:
- Hosting upgrades or downgrades
- Server migrations
- Account restructuring or reseller changes
When SSL fails or is removed unexpectedly, the lack of fast support can quickly turn a manageable issue into a business‑impacting problem.
Heart Internet’s security offering is adequate for basic websites, and their SSL options provide strong encryption at reasonable prices. However, inconsistent support, poor communication during migrations, and reports of lost SSL certificates raise concerns, particularly for business‑critical or revenue‑generating sites.
If security stability and rapid support are top priorities, Heart Internet may not always deliver the reassurance you’d expect. For low‑risk projects, it may suffice, but professional websites should proceed with caution.
10. Green Hosting & Sustainability
One standout feature that genuinely surprised me while researching Heart Internet reviews is their commitment to green hosting. In an industry often criticised for energy-intensive data centres, Heart Internet has taken a bold and commendable step forward by powering all its hosting services with 100% renewable energy.
According to the provider, their energy usage is verified by the Green Web Foundation, meaning their eco-claims aren’t just marketing fluff. For environmentally-conscious website owners, this is a major selling point, especially if sustainability is a core part of your brand or business ethos.
Hosting packages, from shared hosting to VPS and dedicated servers, all run on renewable energy, a rarity in the UK market. This commitment applies across:
- Their UK-based data centres
- Their day-to-day office operations
- Website hosting, email hosting, and domain infrastructure
From a practical point of view, going green doesn’t mean performance sacrifices. During my experience, the hosting speed and uptime were on par with other non-green competitors, you’re not paying extra or losing out on quality just for being eco-conscious.
More businesses and site owners are looking to reduce their digital carbon footprint. By choosing Heart Internet, you contribute to greener web infrastructure without lifting a finger.
If you’re looking for a sustainable web host that aligns with modern environmental goals while still delivering reliable performance, Heart Internet is a smart, future-proof choice, especially for UK entrepreneurs, educators, NGOs, and eco-focused startups.
11. Customer Support & Help Channels
Support can make or break your experience with a hosting provider, and while Heart Internet’s support structure looks reasonable on paper, real‑world customer feedback suggests that reliability and accessibility are major weaknesses.
Heart Internet advertises support seven days a week via:
- Live chat (during business hours)
- Ticket system (claimed response times of 4–8 hours)
- Support Database with setup guides and tutorials
However, in practice, live chat is frequently unavailable, and support tickets can take days, sometimes weeks to receive meaningful responses.
Real Customer Experiences Tell a Different Story
Several long‑term users report extended periods of downtime, poor communication, and a complete lack of real‑time support, particularly during server migrations and maintenance.
“Three months ago, Heart began carrying out some ‘essential’ maintenance; this took a number of our websites offline, and we were constantly reassured that it would be resolved shortly. The fact that I’m writing this three months later probably makes clear where this is going, but for anyone considering transferring to Heart: the sites and servers are still a mess, and they are yet to provide the ‘support‘ service which was also taken offline at the same time. Trying to reach them for live support still results in a
“Live Chat Temporarily Unavailable – We’re Still Here to Help. As we focus on assisting customers with essential migrations, our live chat service is temporarily unavailable. If you need assistance, please raise a support ticket via your Customer Area, and our team will respond as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.”
Three months isn’t temporary, nor is it acceptable. We are working to migrate everything away that we can, which is a nightmare as they had been reliable for over a decade.”
— Karim
“Absolute bag of rubbish. I have been left in the lurch for well over a month and have been unable to see or access my emails as they have done some sort of migration on their system without informing me – I did not receive any notification or heads up. There is no telephone or chat support and only way is to create a help ticket. The response back from them takes days to be received with little or no technical support/information to resolve the problem they have created for me. My situation should be a simple easy fix but they are of no help and I am loosing business.”
— Dean Rajwadi
These aren’t isolated frustrations. A recurring pattern emerges across reviews:
- Unannounced migrations
- Prolonged outages
- Live chat disabled for months
- Slow, generic ticket replies
- No phone support at all
Documentation Can’t Replace Real Support
Heart Internet’s Support Database is fairly extensive and covers:
- Domain and DNS troubleshooting
- CMS and hosting setup (WordPress, Joomla, etc.)
- SSL installation
- Email client configuration
But documentation alone cannot compensate for absent human support, especially when users face account‑level issues, migrations, or service outages that require direct intervention.
Where Support Falls Short?
Based on customer feedback, Heart Internet’s support struggles with:
- Crisis response during downtime or email failures
- Clear communication about maintenance and migrations
- Timely resolution of business‑critical issues
- Accessibility, with no phone support and unreliable live chat
For beginners, agencies, or businesses that need fast reassurance and hands‑on help, this can be a serious limitation.
While Heart Internet may still be adequate for technically confident users running low‑risk sites, its current support model is not well suited for business‑critical hosting.
Extended outages, delayed responses, and the lack of real‑time assistance mean that when something goes wrong, you’re largely on your own, sometimes for far too long.
For a UK‑based host at this price point, the support experience is below modern expectations, and recent Heart Internet reviews suggest this is an ongoing issue rather than a temporary phase.
12. Promotional Offers & Savings
This is where Heart Internet truly excels and why it’s worth paying close attention during the Black Friday and January Sale 2026.
Right now, they’re offering unbeatable value across their core services:
Hosting Savings
- Up to 55% off all shared hosting plans
- Use code jan26 to get:
- Free domain (save £11.99)
- Free SSL (save £49.99)
- Hosting starting from just £3.39/mo
Domain Deals
- .co.uk from £0.99/yr
- .com from £5.99/yr
- Bulk credits available for up to 500 domains
Business Email
- £0.99/month for Essential Email (first month)
- 75% off email bundles (up to 10 or 25 mailboxes)
VPS & SSL Discounts
- VPS hosting up to 50% off first month
- SSL Certificates up to 80% off (DV, OV, and EV)
What makes Heart Internet’s promotions unique is their transparency; prices and VAT are clearly displayed, and you can calculate savings easily during checkout. There are no surprise upsells, and their freebies (domain & SSL) actually hold real value.
The combination of affordability, flexibility, and powerful features during sale periods makes Heart Internet a top choice for startups, bloggers, and UK businesses launching in 2026.
Tip: If you’re planning a new site launch or switching providers, this sale is the perfect opportunity to lock in a full year of hosting, a domain, and security all for under £50.
Is Heart Internet Customer Support Helpful and Accessible?
One of the areas I paid close attention to while using Heart Internet was customer support, because hosting issues are inevitable at some point, and how a provider handles them matters a lot.
My Personal Interaction with the Support Team
I contacted Heart Internet support on multiple occasions for DNS-related queries, email configuration, and a minor hosting setup issue. I used their ticket system, and once managed to connect via live chat.
In my experience, the support staff were polite, professional, and clearly UK-based, which made communication smoother and more relevant. The responses weren’t overly scripted, and for technical queries, the agent showed a solid grasp of hosting infrastructure, rather than just redirecting me to generic knowledge base articles.
Response Time and Technical Knowledge
Ticket response times averaged between 4 to 8 hours in my case, which is acceptable for non-critical issues. More complex questions sometimes took longer but were handled properly once picked up. The technical knowledge was solid, especially around domains, DNS, and email hosting, which aligns with Heart Internet’s strengths.
Where Support Falls Short
However, not all users share the same experience — and recent reviews highlight serious weaknesses in Heart Internet’s support structure, especially during unexpected migrations, service interruptions, and outages.
“Three months ago, Heart began carrying out some ‘essential’ maintenance; this took a number of our websites offline, and we were constantly reassured that it would be resolved shortly. The fact that I’m writing this three months later probably makes clear where this is going, but for anyone considering transferring to Heart: the sites and servers are still a mess, and they are yet to provide the ‘support‘ service which was also taken offline at the same time. Trying to reach them for live support still results in a
“Live Chat Temporarily Unavailable – We’re Still Here to Help. As we focus on assisting customers with essential migrations, our live chat service is temporarily unavailable. If you need assistance, please raise a support ticket via your Customer Area, and our team will respond as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.”
Three months isn’t temporary, nor is it acceptable. We are working to migrate everything away that we can, which is a nightmare as they had been reliable for over a decade.”
— Karim
“Absolute bag of rubbish. I have been left in the lurch for well over a month and have been unable to see or access my emails as they have done some sort of migration on their system without informing me – I did not receive any notification or heads up. There is no telephone or chat support and only way is to create a help ticket. The response back from them takes days to be received with little or no technical support/information to resolve the problem they have created for me. My situation should be a simple easy fix but they are of no help and I am loosing business.”
— Dean Rajwadi
These reviews show that when something goes seriously wrong — like a downtime issue or email outage — Heart Internet’s support becomes unreliable, slow, and difficult to access. In particular, users have reported:
- Live chat being disabled for extended periods
- No phone support whatsoever
- Slow ticket response times (days, not hours)
- Minimal updates during ongoing issues
Support Channels & Availability
Here’s what Heart Internet currently offers:
- Live Chat – only during business hours and only if cookies are enabled (frequently disabled for long periods)
- Support Tickets – available 7 days a week
- Support Database – covers most common topics and tasks
There’s no phone support, which can be frustrating for users who need quick, direct answers during downtime or urgent client issues.
In short, Heart Internet’s support is a mixed bag. If you’re comfortable managing your own hosting, and your needs are straightforward, the support ticket system can be sufficient, as it was in my experience.
However, if you’re running business-critical sites or need rapid resolutions in emergencies, the absence of phone support, long delays, and inconsistent live chat availability could be deal-breakers.
My experience was mostly positive, but based on wider user feedback, I recommend caution if fast, responsive support is a priority for your website or business.
What Common Issues or Limitations Do Heart Internet Users Face?
While many Heart Internet reviews are positive, no hosting provider is without criticism, and Heart Internet is no exception. Over the years, several users have reported issues that are worth considering if you’re thinking about using their services.
Frequent Complaints from Forums and Trustpilot
Based on feedback from platforms like Trustpilot, Reddit, and hosting forums, the most common complaints include:
- Slow support response times, especially during migrations or outages
- Confusion around billing, renewals, and VAT charges
- A control panel that feels outdated compared to other modern hosts
- Lack of phone support or long wait times for ticket replies
- Email and SSL issues during server upgrades or changes
Examples of Reported Issues
Here are a few examples of specific complaints users have shared:
- Lost SSL certificates after account changes or server moves
- Unplanned downtime during infrastructure updates
- Delayed or unhelpful support replies via ticket system
- Live chat frequently unavailable, sometimes for months
- Domain transfer requests ignored or delayed
- Email services going offline without warning
A Balanced View
Not all users experience these problems. In fact, many long-term customers, especially resellers and developers, report stable hosting once everything is set up and running smoothly.
In my own experience, support tickets were answered professionally, and features like DNS and email were reliable day to day. However, I can understand why users needing fast, on-demand help might feel frustrated.
From my perspective, most of Heart Internet’s limitations are related to support access and interface usability, not core hosting performance.
If you’re:
- Comfortable managing your hosting independently
- Looking for UK-based infrastructure
- Not relying on instant support or live chat daily
…then these issues may be manageable.
But if you need:
- Fast, hands-on customer support
- Modern dashboards and tools
- Enterprise-level uptime guarantees
…it might be worth exploring other options.
Like any host, Heart Internet works well for the right type of user, but it’s not perfect for everyone.
What Are Users Saying About This Service?
Looking at wider sentiment gives useful context beyond my own experience. Across platforms, Heart Internet reviews are generally mixed-to-positive.
Aggregate Ratings Across Platforms
| Platform | Average Rating | General Sentiment |
|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot | ~4.5 / 5 | Mixed |
| Mixed | More technical | |
| Social Media | ~4.0 / 5 | Generally positive |
Common Praise
Users frequently praise:
- Competitive pricing during sales
- Strong domain management tools
- UK-based servers and support
- Reliable uptime over long periods
Typical feedback includes comments like “Great value for domains and hosting” or “Solid UK host once you’re set up.”
Recurring Complaints
On the flip side, repeated criticisms include:
- Outdated control panel design
- Lack of phone support
- Occasional slow ticket responses
What’s clear is that experienced users tend to rate Heart Internet more favourably, while beginners sometimes struggle initially with the interface or setup process.
How Does Heart Internet Compare to Other Popular Hosting Providers?
Heart Internet positions itself as a UK-centric hosting provider with competitive pricing, solid domain services, and eco-friendly infrastructure. It particularly appeals to freelancers, resellers, and small businesses looking for affordable and scalable solutions, especially during sale periods.
But how does it stack up against other popular names in the UK hosting space?
Here’s a detailed comparison:
Heart Internet vs SiteGround
SiteGround is known for high-speed WordPress hosting, global infrastructure, and premium support. Heart Internet, meanwhile, offers a more budget-friendly, UK-specific experience, especially appealing during sales with free domain + SSL.
| Feature | Heart Internet | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Control Panel | Custom (eXtend) | Site Tools (custom) |
| Free SSL & Backups | SSL only (free annually) | SSL + Daily Backups (all tiers) |
| Data Centres | UK-only | Global (incl. UK, EU, Asia, US) |
| Green Hosting | 100% renewable energy | Not disclosed |
| Reseller Hosting | Available | Not available |
| Support Quality | UK ticket/chat, no phone | 24/7 global support |
| Best For | UK freelancers & resellers | WordPress users, performance-focused |
Heart Internet vs Krystal Hosting
Both are UK-based, with eco-conscious values. Krystal Hosting uses cPanel and is often praised for its stellar support, while Heart Internet wins on promotional pricing and domain flexibility.
| Feature | Heart Internet | Krystal Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Control Panel | Custom (eXtend) | cPanel |
| Free SSL & Backups | SSL included (annual only) | SSL + Backups (all plans) |
| Data Centres | UK | UK |
| Green Hosting | Yes (Green Web Foundation) | Yes (100% renewable) |
| Reseller Hosting | Yes | Yes |
| Support Quality | Ticket/live chat, 7 days | UK-based, highly rated |
| Best For | Low-cost, domain-heavy projects | Agencies, premium UK hosting users |
Heart Internet vs Bluehost
Bluehost is one of the most recognised global hosts, particularly in the US, but it lacks local UK infrastructure. Heart Internet provides a more UK-optimised experience, especially for domain management.
| Feature | Heart Internet | Bluehost |
|---|---|---|
| Control Panel | Custom | cPanel |
| Free SSL & Backups | Free SSL (annual only) | SSL + Backups (premium tiers) |
| Data Centres | UK | US-based only |
| Green Hosting | Yes | No |
| Reseller Hosting | Yes | No |
| Support Quality | UK-based, weekdays + weekends | 24/7, globally outsourced |
| Best For | UK businesses, domain control | US websites, WordPress starters |
Heart Internet vs 123 Reg
Ironically, Heart Internet’s founders also launched 123 Reg. While 123 Reg is heavily focused on domains and beginner-friendly hosting, Heart Internet offers broader hosting options and often stronger uptime.
| Feature | Heart Internet | 123 Reg |
|---|---|---|
| Control Panel | Custom (eXtend) | Custom |
| Free SSL & Backups | Free SSL (annual plans) | SSL free (limited plans) |
| Data Centres | UK | UK |
| Green Hosting | Yes | No |
| Reseller Hosting | Yes | Not available |
| Support Quality | Ticket/chat, 7-day availability | Mixed reviews on responsiveness |
| Best For | Hosting + domain flexibility | Domain registration + basic sites |
Heart Internet vs 20i
20i was founded by the same team that started Heart Internet, but focuses on cutting-edge cloud hosting, offering faster performance and a more modern interface. Heart Internet, on the other hand, provides more budget-conscious plans.
| Feature | Heart Internet | 20i |
|---|---|---|
| Control Panel | Custom (eXtend) | My20i Cloud Panel |
| Free SSL & Backups | SSL only (annual) | SSL + Daily Backups (all plans) |
| Data Centres | UK | UK |
| Green Hosting | Yes | Yes |
| Reseller Hosting | Yes | Industry-leading |
| Support Quality | Standard, no phone | Award-winning, UK-based |
| Best For | Low-cost hosting, domain deals | Agencies, high-performance websites |
What Do I Think of Heart Internet? (My Personal Experience & Verdict)
After using Heart Internet across both shared hosting and reseller hosting, my overall impression is that while it can be a dependable and fairly priced UK-based hosting provider, it’s not without its frustrations, particularly in terms of support, user experience, and reliability during changes or migrations.
My Hands-On Experience
I’ve hosted several small sites and test projects on Heart Internet. Once everything was properly configured, the services generally ran without major issues.
- Uptime was stable
- Email delivery worked reliably
- Domain management was one of the smoother parts of the experience
But these positives often apply only after setup is complete. Getting to that point, or making any changes after, can be a slower, less intuitive process than it should be.
Key Pros
- Competitive pricing, especially during promotional sales
- Strong domain and DNS control features
- UK-based infrastructure for faster local performance
- Eco-conscious hosting powered by renewable energy
- Easy WordPress installation and basic SSL support
Key Cons
- No phone support, even for urgent issues
- Live chat frequently disabled, especially during peak times
- Support tickets can take days to be resolved, especially during migrations or outages
- Outdated control panel (eXtend) that feels clunky compared to modern cPanel or custom dashboards
- Email services and SSL certificates prone to breaking during backend changes
- Lack of proactive communication during server migrations and maintenance
- Not ideal for beginners, especially those needing hand-holding or fast technical support
- Long-time users report declining reliability since ownership changes
Who Is Heart Internet Best For?
Heart Internet may be suitable for:
- UK-based freelancers who can troubleshoot on their own
- Small business owners with simple website needs
- Web designers or resellers managing low-risk client sites
- Users managing multiple domains, thanks to their decent domain tools
It’s less suitable for:
- Businesses needing mission-critical uptime or fast recovery from issues
- Beginners looking for guided setup and responsive help
- Global websites that need server location flexibility or a built-in CDN
- Users who expect modern UI/UX and proactive support
My Final Verdict
Heart Internet delivers a functional, affordable hosting experience, especially for users who know their way around domain settings and don’t need hand-holding.
However, it’s let down by:
- Slow or unavailable support
- An outdated interface
- Risk of disruption during back-end changes (like server migrations or SSL updates)
- Limited scalability for growing businesses or high-traffic websites
If you’re on a budget, targeting a UK audience, and confident managing your own hosting, Heart Internet can work well, once it’s up and running.
But if you’re looking for modern features, fast support, and stress-free reliability, there are more advanced alternatives on the market that are better suited to those expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Heart Internet’s contact number and support hours?
Heart Internet primarily offers support via ticket and live chat. Phone support is not available. Live chat is typically open during UK business hours.
Does Heart Internet offer money-back or trial options?
There’s no official free trial, but you can cancel within the billing period. Refunds depend on the service and whether a domain/SSL was bundled.
Is Heart Internet suitable for hosting large eCommerce websites?
For small to mid-sized eCommerce stores, yes, especially with WordPress + WooCommerce. For high-traffic sites, consider their VPS or dedicated plans.
Can I migrate my site from another host to Heart Internet?
Yes, they offer one free basic migration per hosting package. Larger or complex migrations may require support help or self-service.
Does Heart Internet include free SSL and backups in all plans?
Yes, SSL is included with annual plans. Backups aren’t automatic; you’ll need to set up or upgrade for managed backup features.
How does Heart Internet compare to SiteGround or Krystal?
Heart Internet is more affordable but lacks the advanced support and performance features of SiteGround. Krystal offers cPanel and stronger reseller tools.
Can I host multiple websites with one Heart Internet account?
Yes. Plus, Advanced, and Elite plans allow hosting 3, 5, or 10 websites, respectively, with isolated resources per site.
