If you have been working on a website in Webflow and you are wondering whether you can use Hostinger to host it, you are not alone. This is one of the most common questions asked by beginners who are trying to manage both a beautiful Webflow design and an affordable hosting plan at the same time.
The short answer is: yes and no. It depends on what you actually mean by “using Hostinger with Webflow.” There are a few different ways these two platforms can work together, and each one requires a different approach. This guide will walk you through all of them in plain, simple language so that even a complete beginner can understand exactly what to do.
By the time you finish reading this article, you will know exactly how Webflow hosting works, how Hostinger fits into the picture, when it makes sense to use one over the other, and how to connect your Hostinger domain to your Webflow site without any confusion.
Table Of Contents
Understanding Webflow and Hostinger as Separate Platforms
What Is Webflow?
Webflow is a visual website builder that lets you design and build professional websites without writing code. It is popular among designers, freelancers, and small business owners who want a high degree of design control without needing to hire a developer.
What makes Webflow different from most other website builders is that it comes with its own built-in hosting infrastructure. When you publish a website on Webflow, it goes live on Webflow’s own content delivery network (CDN), powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Fastly. This means your site loads fast from anywhere in the world, and you do not need a separate hosting provider just to publish your Webflow site.
Webflow also handles the technical side of things for you, including SSL certificates, automatic backups, uptime monitoring, and content delivery. All of this is included in the Webflow site plan pricing.
What Is Hostinger?
Hostinger is a web hosting company known for offering affordable hosting plans, primarily for websites built on platforms like WordPress, HTML, PHP, or other code-based frameworks. Hostinger gives you server space, bandwidth, and tools to deploy and run a website that lives on their servers.
Hostinger is also one of the most well-known domain registrars, meaning you can buy a custom domain name (like www.yourbusiness.com) directly from them. Their domain registration service is separate from their hosting service, and this distinction becomes very important when we talk about using Hostinger alongside Webflow.
The Core Difference Between the Two
Webflow is a design-and-build platform that also hosts your website. Hostinger is purely a hosting and domain service that does not have a built-in website builder for visual, no-code design like Webflow offers.
This means they serve somewhat different purposes, and they can work together in specific ways – but not in the way many beginners initially imagine.
Can You Host a Webflow Site on Hostinger?
This is the most common question, and the answer requires a bit of explanation. Technically, Hostinger does not directly “host” a Webflow site in the traditional sense. Here is why:
Webflow is a closed platform, meaning your website is built and stored within the Webflow ecosystem. The Webflow editor, CMS, and hosting are all tightly integrated. You cannot simply take your Webflow project and upload it to Hostinger like you would upload a WordPress site or a static HTML file.
When you build a site in Webflow and publish it, the content, interactions, animations, and CMS data all live within Webflow’s infrastructure. Hostinger has no way to replicate that environment. So, if your goal is to move your entire Webflow website and host it exclusively on Hostinger servers, the answer is: not directly.
What About Exporting Webflow Code to Hostinger?
Webflow does offer a code export feature on certain paid plans. This allows you to download the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files that make up your website. Once you have those files, you can theoretically upload them to any hosting provider, including Hostinger.
However, there is an important catch: when you export your code from Webflow and host it elsewhere, you lose access to the Webflow CMS (content management system). This means you can no longer edit your website visually inside Webflow and have those changes automatically update on your live site. Instead, you would have to manually edit the HTML and CSS files and re-upload them to Hostinger every time you want to make a change.
This option works well for:
- Simple, static websites that do not need frequent updates
- Landing pages or portfolio sites that are mostly fixed in content
- Projects where cost savings on hosting are a priority
- Developers comfortable with editing raw code outside of Webflow
It is not ideal for:
- Sites that use the Webflow CMS for dynamic content like blog posts, product listings, or team member pages
- Sites that rely on Webflow’s dynamic interactions and animations tied to CMS data
- Non-technical users who want an easy editing experience without touching code
The Most Common Use Case: Connecting a Hostinger Domain to Webflow
Even though you cannot directly host your Webflow site on Hostinger’s servers, there is a very popular and practical way to use both platforms together: you buy your domain name from Hostinger and then connect that domain to your Webflow-hosted website.
This is the setup that most people are actually looking for when they ask whether Hostinger works with Webflow. Hostinger is used as a domain registrar only, while Webflow handles everything related to hosting and publishing the site.
Here is why this combination makes sense: Hostinger is one of the cheapest places to buy and renew a domain name. If you already have a Webflow site plan, it makes complete financial sense to buy a domain from Hostinger and point it to your Webflow site rather than paying the higher domain prices inside the Webflow dashboard.
Step-by-Step: How to Connect a Hostinger Domain to Webflow
The process involves updating the DNS (Domain Name System) settings in your Hostinger account so that your domain points to Webflow’s servers. Here is how to do it.
Step 1: Get the Required DNS Information from Webflow
Log in to your Webflow account and navigate to your project. Go to the Project Settings and click on the “Hosting” tab. Under the “Custom Domains” section, click “Add Domain” and type in your domain name (for example, www.yourwebsite.com). Once you add the domain, Webflow will display a set of DNS records that you need to configure. These typically include a CNAME record and sometimes an A record. Copy this information or keep this page open in a browser tab – you will need it in the next steps.
Step 2: Log In to Your Hostinger Account
Go to Hostinger.com and log in with your account credentials. Once inside, navigate to the “Domains” section. Find the domain name you want to connect to Webflow and click on “Manage” or “DNS/Nameservers.” This will take you to the DNS zone editor for your domain.
Step 3: Add the DNS Records in Hostinger
In the DNS zone editor, you will see a list of existing DNS records. You need to add the records that Webflow gave you. Webflow typically requires:
- A CNAME record for “www” pointing to proxy-ssl.webflow.com
- An A record for the root domain (often shown as “@”) pointing to Webflow’s IP address (185.35.62.5)
To add a CNAME record in Hostinger, click on “Add Record,” select CNAME as the type, enter “www” in the Name field, and paste the value provided by Webflow. Save the record. Do the same for the A record – select A as the type, use “@” as the name, and enter the IP address Webflow provided.
Note: Always check the current DNS values directly in your Webflow dashboard, as these can be updated over time. The values provided in this article are commonly used examples, but Webflow is the authoritative source for your specific requirements.
Step 4: Wait for DNS Propagation
DNS changes do not take effect instantly. They need time to propagate across the internet, which can take anywhere from a few minutes to up to 48 hours. In most cases, you will see the changes reflected within a few hours. During this time, your site may briefly show a “Not Secure” warning or a temporary error page – this is normal and will resolve once propagation is complete.
Step 5: Verify in Webflow and Publish
Once DNS has propagated, go back to your Webflow project settings and verify the domain. Webflow will automatically provision an SSL certificate for your custom domain, which means your site will show the padlock icon and use HTTPS without any extra work on your end. After verification, publish your site and visit your domain in a browser to confirm everything is working correctly.
Understanding Webflow Hosting Plans
Before you decide whether to stay entirely on Webflow or use an external host like Hostinger, it helps to understand what Webflow’s hosting plans actually offer and what they cost.
Webflow has two main categories of site plans: Basic plans for simple websites, and CMS plans for websites that need content management capabilities. There are also E-commerce plans for online stores and Business plans for high-traffic sites.
What Is Included in Webflow Hosting?
- Global CDN (Content Delivery Network): Your site is served from data centers around the world, ensuring fast load times for visitors regardless of their location.
- Free SSL Certificate: Every Webflow-hosted site automatically gets a secure HTTPS connection.
- Automatic Backups: Webflow keeps version history of your designs.
- High Uptime and Reliability: Webflow maintains strong uptime guarantees backed by enterprise infrastructure.
- Custom Domain Support: You can connect any domain name, including one purchased from Hostinger.
Why Some People Look for Alternatives
The main reason people explore options like Hostinger for hosting their Webflow content is cost. Webflow’s site plans can feel expensive compared to basic web hosting. For a simple static site, paying for a Webflow plan every month may feel unnecessary.
However, it is important to keep in mind that Webflow’s hosting is not just server space. You are paying for the Webflow editor, the design system, the CMS, the publishing workflow, and the hosting all in one. When you compare it to using a basic HTML host like Hostinger plus a design tool plus a CMS, the combined cost may not be as different as it first appears.
Exporting Your Webflow Site and Hosting It on Hostinger: A Detailed Look
Let us explore in more detail what happens when you export your Webflow site and upload it to Hostinger. This is a legitimate option, and for the right use case, it can work quite well.
Which Webflow Plans Allow Code Export?
Code export is available on Webflow’s paid plans. The free Webflow plan does not include this feature. If you are on a paid site plan or a paid workspace plan in Webflow, you can access the code export option from the site settings.
To export your code from Webflow, go to the project Settings, click on the “Export Code” tab, and click the “Export” button. Webflow will generate a ZIP file containing all the HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and asset files that make up your site.
Uploading the Exported Code to Hostinger
Once you have the ZIP file from Webflow, you can upload it to your Hostinger hosting account. Here is how:
- Log in to your Hostinger account and go to the hPanel (Hostinger’s control panel).
- Navigate to “File Manager” and open the public_html folder. This is the root directory where your website files must be placed.
- Upload the extracted files from your Webflow export. Make sure the index.html file is in the public_html folder, not inside a subfolder.
- Visit your domain to see if the site loads correctly.
Alternatively, you can use Hostinger’s FTP access to upload files via an FTP client like FileZilla, which gives you more control when dealing with large numbers of files.
What You Lose When Hosting Exported Code on Hostinger
It is critical to understand what you give up when you move away from Webflow hosting:
- Webflow CMS: All your dynamic CMS content (blog posts, portfolio items, etc.) will not function. The export only gives you the static HTML snapshot of your pages.
- Webflow Visual Editor: You will no longer be able to edit your site in the Webflow designer and publish changes with one click. Every update requires downloading a new export and manually re-uploading.
- Webflow Forms: Forms built natively in Webflow (with Webflow’s form handling and email notifications) will not work on an external host. You would need to replace them with a third-party form service.
- E-commerce: Webflow’s e-commerce functionality is tied to Webflow’s servers and cannot be exported.
- Interactions and Animations: Some Webflow interactions depend on Webflow’s JavaScript libraries hosted on their servers. While most basic animations will still work after export, complex ones may break or require manual fixes.
Hostinger vs. Webflow Hosting: Which Should You Use?
To help you make the best decision for your situation, here is a practical comparison of using Hostinger hosting versus Webflow hosting for your Webflow-built site.
Use Webflow Hosting If…
- You want to continue editing your site using the Webflow designer without touching any code.
- Your site uses the Webflow CMS for blogs, portfolios, products, or other dynamic content.
- You want automatic SSL, CDN, and backups without any configuration.
- You are building an e-commerce store using Webflow.
- You prefer a fully managed, all-in-one solution where you do not have to worry about server management.
Use Hostinger Hosting (with Exported Code) If…
- Your Webflow site is static (no CMS, no forms, no e-commerce) and rarely changes.
- You want to reduce your monthly costs and are comfortable managing files manually.
- You or your team are developers who can maintain the exported HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files independently.
- You are building a one-time project like an event landing page, portfolio showcase, or informational website that does not need ongoing updates.
Use Hostinger for the Domain Only If…
- You want to keep your Webflow site active and hosted on Webflow but need a cheaper place to register or renew your domain.
- You already have a domain on Hostinger and want to point it to Webflow.
- You want the best of both worlds: affordable domain pricing from Hostinger and premium hosting from Webflow.
Common Questions Beginners Ask
Can I use Hostinger email hosting with my Webflow site?
Yes, this is actually one of the best reasons to use Hostinger alongside Webflow. When you buy a domain from Hostinger, you can set up a professional email address using that domain (like [email protected]) through Hostinger’s email hosting service. Your Webflow site will use the domain for web traffic, while Hostinger handles the email side of things. You simply need to make sure the email MX records in Hostinger’s DNS settings are kept intact while you add the Webflow-related DNS records.
Will my Webflow site be slow if I connect a Hostinger domain to it?
No. The domain registrar has almost no effect on your website’s loading speed. When visitors go to your domain, they are still served your Webflow site from Webflow’s CDN. The domain simply acts as a pointer that tells browsers where to find your site. As long as your Webflow hosting is active, your site speed will remain unchanged.
Do I need a Webflow site plan to connect a custom domain?
Yes, you need a paid Webflow site plan to connect a custom domain. On the free Webflow plan, your site is only accessible at a subdomain like yoursite.webflow.io. To use a custom domain purchased from Hostinger or any other registrar, you need to upgrade to a paid Webflow hosting plan.
What happens if I transfer my domain from Hostinger to Webflow?
Webflow also offers domain registration directly within the platform. If you prefer to manage everything in one place, you can transfer your domain from Hostinger to Webflow. However, keep in mind that domain prices through Webflow may be higher than through Hostinger. Transferring a domain is generally straightforward but requires an authorization code from Hostinger and a short waiting period.
Can I use Hostinger’s website builder instead of Webflow?
Hostinger offers its own basic website builder for customers on certain plans. However, it does not come close to matching the design capabilities, animation system, or CMS features that Webflow offers. If you have invested time in learning Webflow and are happy with your design, there is no reason to switch to Hostinger’s website builder. The two tools are aimed at very different levels of design sophistication.
Tips for Getting the Best Setup
Based on what we have covered, here are some practical recommendations for different types of users.
For Beginners Building Their First Website
If you are just starting out and want to keep costs low, the best approach is to build your site in Webflow using the free plan to start. Once you are happy with your design and ready to go live, purchase a domain from Hostinger (they often offer very low prices for the first year), then upgrade to a basic Webflow site plan and connect your Hostinger domain using the DNS instructions in this guide.
For Freelancers Building Client Sites
If you are building websites for clients, keep the Webflow hosting active so clients can log in to the Editor mode and update their own content. Instruct clients to register their domain at Hostinger for cost savings, then connect it to Webflow. This way, your client gets a professional website with easy content editing and an affordable domain setup.
For Developers Who Want Full Control
If you are a developer who built a Webflow site for design purposes but wants to deploy it on your own infrastructure, export the code and upload it to Hostinger. Make sure to replace any Webflow-dependent features (like forms and CMS) with self-hosted alternatives before making the switch. This gives you maximum flexibility at the lowest hosting cost.
For Business Owners Who Want Everything Simple
If you want a simple, hassle-free experience, just use Webflow for both the site and the hosting. Buy your domain from Hostinger for a lower price, connect it to Webflow, and then manage everything from the Webflow dashboard. You will not need to deal with server settings, FTP uploads, or technical DNS complexity beyond the initial one-time setup.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Domain Not Connecting After 48 Hours
If your domain is still not connecting to Webflow after 48 hours, double-check that you entered the DNS records correctly in Hostinger. A single typo in the record value can prevent the connection. Also confirm that there are no conflicting DNS records already in place – for example, if there is an existing A record pointing to Hostinger’s servers, it may conflict with the new one pointing to Webflow.
SSL Certificate Not Activating
Webflow automatically provisions an SSL certificate once it detects that your DNS is properly configured. If the SSL certificate is not activating, it usually means the DNS has not fully propagated yet, or there is an error in your DNS records. Check again in a few hours. If the problem persists, visit Webflow’s support documentation or reach out to their customer service team.
Exported Site Looks Different on Hostinger
If your exported Webflow site looks different when uploaded to Hostinger compared to how it looked inside Webflow, the most common reason is missing assets or incorrect file paths. Make sure all image, font, and CSS files are present in the correct folder structure as they were in the ZIP export. Avoid renaming or reorganizing files from the export unless you know what you are doing.
Conclusion
So, does Hostinger work with Webflow? The answer is yes – but in a specific, well-defined way. Hostinger cannot directly host an active, CMS-powered Webflow site, but it works perfectly as a domain registrar whose domain you can connect to your Webflow-hosted site. It also works as a hosting platform if you export your Webflow site’s code and upload it manually, though you will lose CMS and editor functionality when you do so.
For most people reading this, the best approach is to use Webflow for hosting (because it is deeply integrated with the designer and CMS) and use Hostinger only for the domain. This combination gives you the power and flexibility of Webflow with the cost savings of Hostinger’s domain pricing.
If you are a developer or working on a simple static site, exporting your Webflow code and hosting it on Hostinger is a fully viable route that can reduce your monthly overheads. Just be aware of the limitations before you make that move.
Whichever path you choose, the steps in this guide will help you set things up correctly from the start. With a clear understanding of what each platform does and how they interact, you can build a professional, fast, and affordable web presence that works exactly the way you need it to.
