If you’re new to building a website, the terms web hosting and website builder can be confusing – and it’s not always clear what you actually need to get your site online. In 2025, understanding the difference between these two and how they work together will save you time, money, and frustration.
In this post, we’ll clarify what web hosting and website builders do, whether you need hosting when you choose a website builder, and why an all-in-one solution like UltimateWB could be the best option for you.
What Is Web Hosting?
Think of web hosting as the home for your website on the internet. It’s the service that stores all your site’s files, images, and data on servers that people can access 24/7. Without hosting, your website can’t be seen online.
Web hosting services come in many forms – shared hosting, VPS, dedicated servers – and each offers different speed, security, and pricing levels. You typically pay a monthly or annual fee for hosting.
What Is a Website Builder?
A website builder is the tool you use to create and manage your website. It usually includes:
- Templates or design tools to build your pages
- Content management features to add text, images, and videos
- Built-in SEO tools and other marketing options
Website builders let you build your site without needing to code. Popular examples include UltimateWB, Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com.
Web Hosting vs Website Builder: How Do They Work Together?
The key thing to understand: a website builder is not the same as hosting. A website builder helps you design and manage your site, but your site’s files still need to be hosted somewhere online to be accessible.
Many website builders include hosting as part of their packages, but this can come with limitations like:
- Higher costs bundled into the builder fee
- Less control over server performance and security
- Restrictions on plugins, custom code, or scalability
On the other hand, some builders require you to purchase hosting separately, adding complexity.
Do You Need Hosting with a Website Builder?
Yes, your website always needs hosting – but how you get it depends on your choice of website builder:
- All-in-One Website Builders (like Wix, Squarespace): Hosting is included but come with restrictions and higher prices.
- Self-Hosted Builders (like WordPress.org): You buy hosting separately and install the builder software yourself. This offers more control but requires more technical knowledge.
Why Choose UltimateWB’s All-in-One Solution in 2025?
UltimateWB offers a true all-in-one web design and hosting platform designed to simplify the process while giving you more control and better value than most competitors:
- Built-in Hosting Integration: No need to buy separate hosting or worry about compatibility. Your site and hosting are managed seamlessly together.
- Fast, Secure Servers Optimized for Your Website: Enjoy reliable performance and strong security without hidden fees.
- Flexible Website Builder Tools: Design your site with intuitive tools that don’t require coding skills.
- Scalable and Customizable: UltimateWB grows with your business, whether you want a simple site or a complex web presence.
- Transparent Pricing: No surprises – get web hosting and web design features in one affordable package.
Final Thoughts
If you’re wondering, “web hosting vs website builder – what do I really need?” the answer in 2025 is simple: You need both. But instead of juggling separate providers or risking restrictive all-in-one platforms, UltimateWB gives you the best of both worlds – powerful website building tools paired with integrated hosting you can trust.
Ready to design & build your own website? Learn more about UltimateWB! We also offer web design packages if you would like your website designed and built for you.
Got a techy/website question? Whether it’s about UltimateWB or another website builder, web hosting, or other aspects of websites, just send in your question in the “Ask David!” form. We will email you when the answer is posted on the UltimateWB “Ask David!” section.