This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission for purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Hostinger vs Systeme.io: Which is the Best for Making Money Online
Building a profitable website involves choosing the right tools. Two popular options are Hostinger and Systeme.io, each with its own strengths. In this detailed comparison we’ll cover website building features, marketing tools, e-commerce capabilities, pricing, and ease of use for making money online. We’ll also include real user opinions and success story highlights. By the end, you’ll know which platform might be best for your online business. (Whether you’re searching for the best website builders or wondering how to build a website to make money online, this guide has you covered.)
Website Building Features
Both Hostinger and Systeme.io offer drag-and-drop website builders, but with different focuses. Hostinger provides an AI-powered Website Builder that can generate a site for you in seconds or let you choose from 150+ designer templates. You get a free domain name (first year), free SSL, unlimited bandwidth, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee. Hostinger’s builder includes an intuitive editor, mobile-friendly themes, and built-in SEO tools (even an AI SEO assistant, so you can design pages without coding. As one Hostinger user noted, the drag-and-drop interface lets you “Customize your online store” easily, moving elements with a click.
Systeme.io’s site builder is also user-friendly but is geared toward marketing funnels. It provides *proven* templates for websites and sales funnels, and promises you’ll be live in minutes. The interface is simple: a sidebar menu and clean dashboard that “won’t overwhelm you”. In practice, you can pick a template, adjust colors/fonts, and publish quickly. Unlike Hostinger (which is primarily hosting+builder), Systeme.io includes websites as part of its all-in-one platform, replacing separate tools. For example, systeme.io lets you build blog pages and landing pages within the same account. Its page editor is basic but effective – great if you want a no-code way to get a professional site up fast. One marketer praised systeme.io’s simplicity, saying the interface kept things “focused” so they could build funnels in “about half the time compared to other software”.
Key Website Builder Comparison: Hostinger gives you a full hosted website (with domain/email included) and an AI-enabled builder with hundreds of templates. Systeme.io provides a simpler site builder integrated into its funnel tool, with templates and quick setup. Both are beginner-friendly, but Hostinger’s builder feels more like a traditional web builder, while systeme.io focuses on marketing pages.
Marketing and Sales Tools
Marketing is a major area where these platforms differ. Hostinger is primarily a hosting and site-builder company, so its built-in marketing tools are basic. Its Website Builder includes Google Ads integration and an AI blog/content assistant, but for serious email or automation you’d usually plug in a third-party service. (Hostinger does offer a separate email hosting service for $0.99–$2.99/month with unlimited templates and 50GB storage, which you can use for newsletters.) In short, Hostinger helps you set up and optimize a website (with things like SSL, analytics, SEO suggestions), but it does not include a full email campaign or funnel system out of the box.
Systeme.io, by contrast, is built as an all-in-one marketing suite. It has email marketing (with unlimited emails), sales funnels, automation, and more – all integrated. For example, you can send email campaigns directly from systeme.io (no extra tools needed). Its dashboard shows modules for Email Marketing, Sales Funnels, and even Evergreen Webinars. You can manage your email list, build autoresponders, and track analytics on one platform. Systeme.io also offers a built-in blogging platform and content editor (to attract organic traffic). On top of that, it has affiliate program management – you can recruit partners and set commissions all inside the system. And its automation tools mean you can chain funnels, emails, and actions together to nurture leads and close sales automatically.
In plain terms: Hostinger is best for building and hosting your site, and any marketing beyond basic SEO/ads is done via external tools. Systeme.io is a one-stop shop: website pages, email marketing, funnels, courses, and affiliate management all in one dashboard. As one reviewer put it, systeme.io “has everything you need under the same roof,” so you don’t have to piece together multiple services. Many users praise systeme.io’s straightforward interface: a blogger noted that the dashboard and menu made features “super easy to find”.
Key Marketing Tools Comparison: Hostinger’s builder offers SEO tools and ad integrations (e.g. a Google Ads app), but relies on add-ons for email and automation. Systeme.io provides unlimited emailing, funnels, automation, webinars, courses, and affiliate tools as core features. If you want an all-in-one system to market and sell online, systeme.io is stronger. If you mainly need a site host with optional marketing plugins, Hostinger works well.
E-commerce Capabilities
Selling products is a common goal for online entrepreneurs. Both platforms support e-commerce, but in different ways. Hostinger’s Website Builder has an AI-driven online store. It can generate an e-commerce site for you, and lets you add up to 500 products with inventory and shipping options. Crucially, Hostinger charges 0% transaction fees on payments and supports 100+ payment methods (so your profit isn’t hit by extra fees). You get standard store features: product pages, stock management, coupons, and more. Hostinger even provides a built-in shipping calculator and tax settings in the store editor. (The catch: it’s a relatively simple store; for advanced shops you might still install WooCommerce on WordPress.) An AI image generator and product description writer can help upload items quickly, saving time. And remember, your Hostinger plan includes a free domain and fast hosting, so your store has good performance and security.
Systeme.io also supports selling products, but in its own way. You can sell physical products with shipping (it has basic inventory and COD settings as part of its funnel checkout pages and digital goods like ebooks or courses. In fact, the platform shines for online courses – it includes a course/membership site builder so you can deliver content to students. Like Hostinger, Systeme.io does not charge transaction fees on Stripe or PayPal, which is a big plus. You can easily add order bumps and one-click upsells in the checkout to boost revenue. Plus, if you want to scale via partners, systeme.io lets you create your own affiliate program for your products. The shopping experience is simple (it’s more like filling out a sales page than browsing a full storefront), but it covers the essentials for making money.
Key E-commerce Comparison: Hostinger’s builder is like a classic online store – you can showcase up to 500 products with a sleek storefront, and enjoy free domain/SSL and no transaction fees. Systeme.io treats e-commerce as part of the funnel: you create sales pages and process payments (with Stripe/PayPal) without fees, and even set up affiliates. Hostinger is great for medium-sized catalogs and 0% fees; systeme.io is great if you’re selling services/digital products or want built-in affiliate support. Both make money easily with zero extra fees on payments.
Pricing Plans
Cost is always a key factor. Hostinger is known for affordable pricing. Their Website Builder plans (which include e-commerce features) currently start around $2.99/month for the basic plan, $3.99/month for premium, and $7.99/month for business tier. All plans come with a free domain (for 1 year), free SSL, unlimited bandwidth, and 24/7 support. They even throw in 100 free email accounts for the first year. Hostinger often runs sales, so you might pay even less upfront. (After the initial term, plans renew at higher prices, typically $9–$15/mo depending on term and plan.)
Systeme.io has a free forever tier and paid tiers. The free plan ($0) already includes 2,000 email contacts, unlimited sending, up to 3 sales funnels, 1 membership site, and 1 blog – which is very generous for starting out. Above that, the paid plans are roughly: Startup $27/month ($19/mo if billed annually), Webinar $47/month ($33 annual), and Unlimited $97/month ($69 annual). Even the Startup plan unlocks all major features; the higher plans just raise limits (more contacts, funnels, students, etc.). For comparison, Hostinger’s cheapest site plan is under $3, while systeme.io’s advanced features (beyond free) start around $19/mo with an annual commitment. One nice thing: systeme.io’s free plan has no credit card required, so you can try all tools risk-free.
In summary, Hostinger wins on low monthly cost for hosting/builder (especially if you just need a site). Systeme.io wins on the free plan and the fact that you get email marketing/funnel tools included with each plan. For a tight budget, start with Hostinger’s basic plan if you just need a site; or start with systeme.io’s free plan to test funnels and email (then upgrade as your business grows).
Ease of Use (Making Money Online)
Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, ease of use determines how quickly you can start making money.
Hostinger is designed to be beginner-friendly. Its website builder is mostly drag-and-drop, so even someone with no coding can point, click, and see instant results. The control panel (hPanel) is simplified, with one-click installers for WordPress and other apps. Hostinger also offers extensive tutorials and 24/7 support in multiple languages. Customers often praise the support team: one user story noted how Hostinger’s agents helped them even on Christmas Eve, saying “you were still kind enough to help me… I will never forget it”. Another commented that Hostinger’s success team “goes above and beyond” to understand a user’s needs. (In practice, this means if you get stuck building or optimizing your site, Hostinger’s support is eager to help.) On the flip side, if you ever want more control, Hostinger’s setup is compatible with WordPress/Drupal/Vue/etc., so you can switch gears anytime.
Systeme.io is also easy, but in a different way. Its promise is “no need to use a different tool for every part of your business”. All the tools (site, emails, payments) live in one unified interface. Many users find the dashboard very intuitive. As one reviewer noted, new users see a “clean, tidy dashboard” with everything clearly labeled. You pick a funnel or site to work on, and all the steps are clearly laid out. Building pages is straightforward (choose a template, click to edit text/images), and connecting email sequences or automations is done via simple toggles. Even marketing novices can follow the visual builder without technical skills. The trade-off is that systeme.io’s all-in-one simplicity means there are fewer customization quirks – but for most people making money online, that’s actually a benefit. One marketer said once they got used to it, they could assemble funnels in about half the time it would take in a more complex tool.
In practice: If you just want to build a website and start selling quickly, Hostinger is very easy: pick a template, add products or blog posts, and you’re done (with friendly support if you need it). If you want to build and automate funnels/email marketing, systeme.io makes those tasks easy by consolidating everything on one platform. Both platforms score high on usability, but in slightly different ways.
User Reviews and Success Stories
Real users often speak volumes. Hostinger and systeme.io each have many success stories:
Hostinger: Small business owners and bloggers often praise Hostinger’s reliability and support. For instance, one entrepreneur said Hostinger has been “amazing” and that they’ve “not really had any issues at all,” calling the customer service “incredible”. Another creative agency owner noted they’ve used Hostinger “for every stage” of their growth, calling the platform “fantastic” over many years. These and other Hostinger testimonials highlight fast site performance and helpful support as key benefits. (Hostinger also publicly shares many client stories, showing diverse success – from fitness coaches to small shops – all using its hosting and tools.)
Systeme.io: Entrepreneurs building online courses, affiliate businesses, or coaching programs often share positive experiences. While systeme.io’s own blog highlights many successful affiliate marketers, independent reviewers also chime in. One user wrote that systeme.io “strips away all the fancy bells and whistles” so they could focus on selling; they ended up creating funnels in about half the time of previous tools. Another commented on the clear interface – noting the dashboard is “super easy to find what you need”, which is especially helpful if you want to launch products without hiring a tech team. In summary, many systeme.io users say the platform helped them launch funnels and email campaigns faster than expected, letting them make sales online more easily.
Quick Highlights from Real Users:
- Hostinger user: “Ever since we’ve been with Hostinger, it’s been amazing… their customer service is incredible.”
- Hostinger user: “Hostinger’s team goes above and beyond to understand my needs.”
- Systeme.io user: “Systeme.io’s clean, tidy dashboard… makes it super easy to find what you need.”
- Systeme.io user: “Once you understand the basics, you can build funnels in about half the time compared to other software.”
These voices reinforce what the features say: Hostinger excels in support and stability, while Systeme.io shines in simplicity and all-in-one marketing.
Comparison Table: Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Hostinger | Systeme.io |
|---|---|---|
| Website Builder | AI-powered site builder with 150+ templates and drag‑n‑drop editing, free domain and SSL included, 99.9% uptime. | Drag‑n‑drop site/funnel builder with proven templates, set up a live site in minutes; built-in blog tool. |
| Marketing Tools | SEO and AI tools for on-page optimization, Google Ads app integration, optional email hosting service (unlimited templates). | Complete suite: unlimited emails and campaigns, sales funnels, email automations, evergreen webinars, membership sites, blogging, and affiliate management. |
| E-commerce | Dedicated online store builder: manage up to 500 products, inventory, shipping, taxes 0% transaction fees and 100+ payment methods, (no extra selling fees) | Sell digital/physical products via funnel checkouts. Basic inventory/shipping support, 0 transaction fees on Stripe/PayPal, includes affiliate program and one-click upsells. |
| Pricing (per mo.) | Website builder plans from $2.99 to $7.99. Shared hosting starts even lower. Free domain (1st year) included; 30-day money-back. | Free Forever plan (2,000 contacts, 3 funnels, etc.). Paid plans: Startup ~$27 ($19 annual), Webinar ~$47 ($33 annual), Unlimited ~$97 ($69 annual). |
| Ease of Use | Simple UI with one-click installers; highly praised support staff. Beginner-friendly site setup; full control if needed. | All-in-one dashboard; intuitive menu. Many find funnels/emails easy to build – “super easy to use”. Geared for marketers, even non-techies. |
| Key Benefits | Budget-friendly hosting + builder; solid performance; strong customer support; excellent uptime. | All-in-one marketing platform; no need for multiple subscriptions; integrated affiliate and course tools; unlimited emailing. |
Making Money Online: Which Is Right for You?
If your main goal is to build a classic website or online store, Hostinger offers a very fast route. You get hosting, a free domain, and a drag-and-drop site builder all in one plan. The e-commerce features mean you can start selling products immediately without worrying about extra transaction fees. Hostinger’s simple dashboard and helpful tutorials also make the learning curve small, so you can focus on your content or products.
If you plan to focus on digital products, courses, or automated funnels, Systeme.io might be the better choice. It’s designed for online entrepreneurs who want to combine a website with email marketing and sales funnels. With systeme.io, you can gather leads, send newsletters, run webinars, and even set up affiliate programs all on the same platform. This means you can build a revenue stream (from ads, affiliate links, memberships, etc.) with fewer tools to juggle. Many users find that having everything integrated helps them make money more quickly and keep costs down (since systeme.io’s free/low-cost plans cover so many features.)
Bottom Line: Both platforms are excellent “best website builder” candidates, but for slightly different paths to making money online. Hostinger is like building a strong foundation (fast site + store + support), while Systeme.io is like building a complete sales machine (funnel + email + automation). Your choice depends on your priorities: a no-fuss site vs. an all-in-one marketing system.
My Opinion After Using Both
I’m always building something or experimenting with System.io. It really is an all in one for running a business, especially if you want to have full control and build from scratch. The layout is super simple, even for this midlife “advanced computer skills dropout”. I’ve never upgraded to a paid plan because I simply haven’t had to with everything else going on. That said, it is a huge learning curve if you are not tech savvy. Not that it is hard, it’s not, it’s super simple, but it is a lot to learn. They also offer a step by step library of tutorials for everything from email marketing to connecting your domains and everything in between. A great option if you are starting out with no capital to invest, but you must have time to invest depending on your business needs and goals. System.io is a good option for making money online with a robust long haul goal.
I’m currently using Hostinger for this website using WordPress to build it out. When you sign up for this Hostinger Business plan, it will give you the option to let Hostinger’s AI Builder build out your site for you, or use WordPress AI Builder. WordPress is free with your business plan, so why not. It has been fairly easy to build so far. Back in the day I used WordPress for my blog and it is still almost the same layout, but offers much more in my opinion. As mentioned with Hostinger and WordPress you will have to integrate your marketing needs. Not a big deal really especially if you are already used to doing so or already have your own preferred system. A cool bonus of this plan is that it automatically connects with your Amazon Affiliates links if that is something you are doing or plan to do. It also has an AI content creator to reduce the need to jump over to ChatGPT. Hostinger is a good option for making money online with a need to do it fast plan.
Conclusion
Hostinger and Systeme.io each shine in their own way. Hostinger gives you a powerful, easy site host with solid e-commerce for a very low cost. Systeme.io gives you a complete toolkit for creating and selling through funnels and emails, with unlimited contacts on all plans. I hope this comparison helps you see the technical differences and real-world benefits of each. As you consider “how to build a website to make money online,” think about which set of features will get you there faster. Whichever you choose, both Hostinger and Systeme.io have already helped thousands of entrepreneurs succeed – so can you!