Last updated: 23 October 2026 · By Maurice, freeehouse team · About 3 minutes to read
IONOS and STRATO head to head
According to the plan pages, accessed on 22 October 2026, including VAT.
| Point | IONOS Plus | STRATO Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Promotion | €1 per month for 12 months | €1 per month for 12 months |
| afterwards | €18 per month | €12 per month |
| over 3 years | €444 | €300 |
| Mailbox | 12 GB | included |
| Web space | 50 GB | not stated in the overview |
| Subpages | not stated in the overview | 100 |
| Promotion term | partly a minimum term | 12 months |
| Cancellation | Contracts & Subscriptions, whole contract or single service | one month before the term ends |
Where is IONOS better?
On the mailbox: according to the plan page, the Plus plan includes 12 GB. If you work a lot by email and want just one contract, IONOS is a good fit. According to the IONOS help pages you can also cancel individual services, which makes a later website switch easier.
Where is STRATO better?
On the long-term price and on subpages. After the promotion, Plus costs a third less than at IONOS and, according to the plan page, allows 100 subpages. If you want to explain many services on their own pages, there is room there.
What should I watch for with both?
- Price after the promotion. Budget for €18 or €12 a month, not €1.
- Domain and email in the contract. According to STRATO, cancelling the package also cancels the domains in it, and at IONOS the whole contract can cover domain and mailbox.
- Add-on modules. SEO tools, SSL packages or extended support raise the bill.
- Export. With both, a site built in the builder can't be taken with you as an editable website.
Our recommendation
- Lots of email, everything from one source: IONOS.
- Low long-term price, many subpages: STRATO.
- A website without a builder, with domain and mailbox staying where they are: a built website.
At freeehouse, domain and mailbox stay with IONOS or STRATO, only the website is new, built by hand and with no build cost. You only pay for hosting, cheaper than today. Claim your spot on the waiting list
What does it cost over three years?
| Plan | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IONOS Plus | €12 | €216 | €216 | €444 |
| STRATO Plus | €12 | €144 | €144 | €300 |
| IONOS Starter | 6 × €6 plus 6 × €12 = €108 | €144 | €144 | €396 |
| STRATO Basic | €0 plus 11 × €7 = €77 | €84 | €84 | €245 |
All figures according to the plan pages of 22 October 2026, including VAT, without add-on modules and without domain costs after the first year.
What if I'm already a customer?
Then what counts is not the new-customer price but your contract. Many existing customers are still on older plans with different prices. Look at your latest invoice and compare against that amount.
Frequently asked questions
Is STRATO cheaper than IONOS?
After the promotion, yes: according to the plan pages, Plus costs €12 a month at STRATO and €18 at IONOS.
Do IONOS and STRATO belong together?
Yes, both belong to the same company group.
Which builder is easier?
Both can be used without prior knowledge, and they are similar in concept.
Can I switch from IONOS to STRATO?
Yes, with a rebuild of the site. Domain and mailbox can move or stay.
Sources
- IONOS: Homepage-Baukasten, Tarife, accessed 23 October 2026
- STRATO: Homepage-Baukasten, Tarife, accessed 23 October 2026
- STRATO FAQ: Wie kann ich kündigen?, accessed 23 October 2026
- IONOS Hilfe: Gesamten IONOS Vertrag kündigen, accessed 23 October 2026
Providers' prices and terms change often. What counts is what's in your customer account and your contract. Not legal advice.
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