Last updated: 23 October 2026 · By Maurice, freeehouse team · About 3 minutes to read
Why do IONOS customers look for alternatives?
We hear three reasons most often: the price went up sharply after the cheap start, extra modules have piled up over the years, and the site no longer looks up to date. Some also find it confusing when website, domain, mailbox and modules run under several contracts.
What alternatives are there?
| Alternative | Price according to the provider, long-term | Mailbox | Site is yours |
|---|---|---|---|
| STRATO Website Builder Plus | €12 a month after the first year | Email included | no |
| Wix Light | €14 a month, billed yearly, plus tax | no, extra | no |
| Jimdo Start | €12 a month on a 12-month term | no, forwarding only | no |
| Squarespace Basic | €13.09 a month, billed yearly | no | no, partial export |
| WordPress | Free software, hosting extra | depends on the host | yes |
| Website built for you | depends on provider | stays with your current provider | depends on contract |
All prices taken from the providers' own pages on 22 and 23 October 2026.
Is STRATO a good alternative?
STRATO is similar to IONOS in many ways, and both belong to the same company group. According to its pricing page, the Builder Plus costs €12 a month after the first year, which is less than IONOS Plus. The promotional plan, however, comes with a minimum term of 12 months. A direct comparison is at IONOS or STRATO.
Is switching to Wix, Jimdo or Squarespace worth it?
If you like designing yourself, yes, especially for more design freedom. But factor in the mailbox: with IONOS it is part of the package, with Wix, Jimdo and Squarespace you have to sort it out another way. That is why it is often easiest to keep the domain and mailbox at IONOS and move only the website.
And WordPress?
WordPress gives you full control, and the site is yours. IONOS offers WordPress hosting itself. Whether you stay there or switch, you have to install or pay for updates to WordPress, the theme and the plugins. More at WordPress costs.
What suits which business?
- You want to keep building cheaply yourself: STRATO or Jimdo, compare the prices after the promotion.
- You want more design freedom and enjoy building: Wix or Squarespace, keep the mailbox at IONOS.
- You want no work with your site: a hand-built website, with domain and mailbox staying at IONOS.
freeehouse builds your website from scratch with no bill for the build, and leaves domain and mailbox at IONOS. You only pay for hosting with care, cheaper than today, with no minimum term. How freeehouse works
When is the right time to switch?
Shortly before the minimum term ends or before a price jump after the promotion. Check your contract details for when the promotional price ends. If the new site is ready by then, you will not be paying the higher price for long.
What do I take with me from IONOS?
- the text and images of your site
- the list of all page addresses
- form and shop data
- invoices
- all DNS records, in case the domain moves
Frequently asked questions
What is cheaper than IONOS?
After the promotional period, STRATO Plus at €12 a month is cheaper than IONOS Plus at €18, according to the pricing pages. Do factor in mailbox, domain and extra modules, though.
Can I take my IONOS site to an alternative?
Not as a finished site. You can reuse the text and images, but the site gets rebuilt. Back everything up before you cancel, because according to IONOS an export is no longer possible afterwards.
Do I have to give up my mailbox at IONOS?
No. You can move only the website and keep domain and mailbox at IONOS.
Do IONOS and STRATO belong together?
Yes, both belong to the same company group. Their builders are therefore similar, while the plans differ.
Sources
- IONOS: Homepage-Baukasten, Tarife, accessed 23 October 2026
- STRATO: Homepage-Baukasten, Tarife, accessed 23 October 2026
- Wix: Premiumpakete und Preise, accessed 23 October 2026
- Jimdo: Preise und Pakete, accessed 23 October 2026
- Squarespace: Preise, 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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