Helio Host Mars, $ 5.00/mo. on Linux VPS

Mars has been added on Jul 11, 2025, Aggregate Rating (4.4 out of 10 from 42 reviews)

💪 CPU/Cores :	4 vCPU
🔋 RAM :	1000 MB
🔌 Hosted domains :	unlimited
🆓 free domains :	0
📌 Dedicated IPs :	1
💳 Payment Methods :	PayPalBitcoin
🔧 Category :	Self Managed
✍️ Support Options :	EmailForum
⚑ Targeting :	US

See also initial Mars plan location on their website!

*📜 Plan description

📄 Editorial Review

Community-Driven Free Hosting with Full-Featured Services

HelioHost, founded in 2005, operates as a nonprofit web hosting provider run entirely by a volunteer community. Over the years, the organization has remained committed to its mission of offering genuinely free, fully equipped hosting solutions, backed by an open, donation-supported infrastructure.

With nearly two decades of presence in the hosting space, HelioHost has carved out a niche by offering services that rival many paid hosting providers. Despite the zero-cost entry point, their platform includes a surprisingly rich set of features, from support for multiple programming languages to advanced control panel tools and database access.

Hosting Features and Programming Support

HelioHost primarily offers shared hosting plans, many of which are free or available at minimal cost. Each account includes unmetered bandwidth and support for hosting multiple domains. The service supports a wide range of web technologies, appealing to developers looking for flexibility. These include:

• PHP (versions 5 through 8)
• Python (multiple versions, with Django support)
• Java and JSP via Apache Tomcat
• ASP.NET and Node.js
• Ruby on Rails and Perl scripting

In addition to scripting language flexibility, users gain access to MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite for database management, all with remote access and no imposed limits on database creation.
HelioHost also integrates Softaculous, allowing users to deploy hundreds of scripts with just a click, simplifying the setup of websites, blogs, forums, and e-commerce platforms.

Storage and Email Capabilities

Free accounts include up to 1 GB of storage, and users can upgrade to paid tiers if more space is needed. File transfers are supported via FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and through the Plesk file manager. Email functionality is included as well, enabling users to create personalized domain-based email addresses and access them via webmail or standard email clients.

Data Center and Infrastructure

HelioHost owns and manages its physical servers housed in a professional-grade data center located in Silicon Valley. Full hardware ownership allows the team to offer features that many free hosts avoid—such as unmetered bandwidth and unlimited inodes—without external limitations.

Support Channels and Community

Support is largely community-driven, with volunteers providing help via support forums, Discord, email, and even phone calls. While there is no formal SLA, the community support model is responsive and active. HelioHost also maintains an extensive Wiki and FAQ library to guide users through common tasks and troubleshooting.

Donations, Refunds, and Uptime Policy

Unlike commercial hosting providers, HelioHost relies on voluntary contributions to maintain its infrastructure. Donation tiers unlock certain features (e.g., server priority or extended resources), and while they don't provide a standard uptime guarantee, the servers are relatively stable for a community-supported service.

Refund policies are somewhat complex due to the nonprofit model. Refunds are available for most donation-based services within specified windows, though transaction fees are typically non-refundable. Exchange options are offered to allow users to shift between plans, such as moving from a shared account to a VPS.