Introduction
When it comes to getting online, one of the first decisions is where to register your domain and host your website. Enter 123-reg, a long-standing UK-based domain registrar and web hosting company. Whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner, or a blogger, choosing the right provider can make a big difference — and in this review, we’ll take a close look at whether 123-reg is the right fit for you.
Founded in 2000, 123-reg has built a strong reputation for being straightforward, reliable, and tailored to UK customers. 123 Reg+2Wikipedia+2 Over the years, it has evolved from a domain-only business into a full-service hosting provider, backed by GoDaddy, with eco-friendly data centres and a broad range of products. hosting-review.com+1
In this review, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about 123-reg: their services, pricing, performance, customer support, and reputation. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of whether 123-reg is a smart choice for your online needs — or whether you might be better off looking elsewhere.
Company Overview / History
123-reg is a well-established UK domain registrar and web hosting provider, founded in the year 2000. Wikipedia+2123 Reg+2 Originally started by brothers Jonathan and Tim Beresford-Brealey (the same people behind Web fusion), 123-reg focused from the start on simplifying the process of getting online for everyday users and small-business owners. Wikipedia+1
In 2003, 123-reg was acquired by Host Europe Group (HEG), which helped scale its operations. Wikipedia+2HandWiki+2 Over the years, 123-reg grew rapidly: by 2004, it had become one of the UK’s leading domain registrars. 123 Reg+1
By 2009, the company had crossed a milestone of 2 million domain registrations, and by 2012 it reached 3 million registered domains — a major achievement that underscores its popularity in the UK market. 123 Reg+1
In April 2017, a significant change occurred: GoDaddy, a global hosting giant, acquired 123-reg’s parent company (HEG) for about €1.69 billion. Wikipedia+2HandWiki+2 Since then, 123-reg has operated under GoDaddy’s umbrella, while retaining a strong focus on UK customers. hostings.info+1
According to 123-reg’s own site, they now host more than 1.7 million websites and remain deeply committed to simplicity, value, and accessibility. 123 Reg Their infrastructure includes eco-friendly data centres powered by energy-efficient hardware (e.g. Intel-based servers), aligning with their mission to make hosting both powerful and green. 123 Reg
On its 25th anniversary (in 2025), 123-reg reflected on its journey from a humble registrar to a trusted web hosting brand for small businesses across the UK — emphasising again that “getting online should be simple, affordable, and built around what real people need.” 123 Reg
Products & Services Offered
123-reg provides a wide range of products and services tailored to help individuals, small businesses, and growing websites get online easily and securely. Here’s a breakdown of their core offerings:
1. Web Hosting
123-reg’s web hosting plans are designed for simplicity and scalability. Their shared hosting packages include:
- A free domain for the first year. 123 Reg+1
- Professional email addresses bundled in. 123 Reg
- Daily automated backups, helping protect against data loss. 123 Reg
- Built-in security: free SSL certificates, DDoS protection, and 24/7 monitoring. 123 Reg
- Unmetered bandwidth, allowing growth without traffic restrictions. 123 Reg
- A user-friendly cPanel dashboard to manage domains, databases, email, and more. 123 Reg
They offer several tiers based on how much you want to scale: Economy, Deluxe, Ultimate, and Maximum — so users can pick based on their current website needs. 123 Reg
2. Premium Hosting
For users who need more performance and guaranteed resources, 123-reg Premium Hosting is a step up:
- Dedicated CPU and RAM resources for more consistent performance. 123 Reg
- Unmetered bandwidth and databases. 123 Reg
- Free SSL certificates included. 123 Reg
- Easy management via cPanel. 123 Reg
- Plans scale with business needs — from “Launch” to “Expand.” 123 Reg
3. VPS Hosting
If you outgrow shared hosting or want more control, 123-reg’s VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting is a good option:
- Both Linux and Windows versions available. 123 Reg
- Flexible plans: from 1 vCPU with 2 GB RAM and 40 GB NVMe SSD, up to 8 vCPU with 16 GB RAM and 400 GB storage. 123 Reg
- Automated snapshots / backups included. 123 Reg
- 99.9% uptime SLA backed by 24/7 network monitoring. 123 Reg
- Full root-level SSH access for Linux; Plesk / cPanel available for server management. 123 Reg+1
4. Email Hosting
123-reg offers a suite of email hosting options to fit different business needs: 123 Reg+1
- Individual Email plan: professional email tied to your custom domain, with POP/IMAP support, 10 GB storage, and spam protection. 123 Reg
- Team Email: more storage (30 GB), collaboration tools, 500 sends/day, and shared document storage. 123 Reg
- Microsoft 365 Business Essentials / Professional: includes 50 GB mailbox, OneDrive storage, shared calendars, and access to Microsoft Office apps (online or desktop). 123 Reg
5. SSL Certificates
Security is a big part of what 123-reg offers:
- They provide a variety of SSL certificates: Domain Validation (DV), Organisational Validation (OV), and Extended Validation (EV). 123 Reg
- They also offer Wildcard SSL to secure subdomains. 123 Reg
- Encryption strength is high (128–256 bit), and certificates are compatible with all major browsers. 123 Reg
- SSL issuance is generally fast — some are approved in as little as 10 minutes. 123 Reg
- Using SSL helps with trust (padlock icon), and improves SEO by enabling HTTPS. 123 Reg
6. Backup & Security Tools
- Daily automated backups are available in their shared hosting plans. 123 Reg
- For VPS, they offer automated snapshot backups. 123 Reg
- SSL certificates add encryption and trust. (See above)
- Monitoring and security defenses (e.g. DDoS protection) are built into their hosting infrastructure. 123 Reg
| Category | Details |
| Services | Domains, Web Hosting, VPS, Email Hosting |
| Founded | 2000 in the UK |
| Strengths | Easy to use, beginner-friendly, wide product range |
| Best For | Small businesses, beginners, UK-based websites |
Conclusion
Choosing the right hosting and domain provider is one of the biggest decisions when building an online presence. After reviewing everything that 123-reg offers — from domain registration to hosting, email services, SSL certificates, and VPS options — it’s easy to see why it remains one of the most popular choices for UK users.
123-reg stands out for its simplicity, wide product range, and focus on helping beginners and small businesses get online quickly. Its shared hosting is beginner-friendly, the email hosting options are flexible, and the VPS plans offer room to grow. Features like automated backups, free SSL certificates, and unmetered bandwidth add real value for users who want a reliable, straightforward service.
However, like any provider, it’s not perfect. Customer support reviews are mixed, and some users may prefer more advanced hosting features or more transparent renewal pricing. Still, for everyday users, freelancers, and small businesses — especially those based in the UK — 123-reg delivers a solid balance of affordability, usability, and essential online tools.
If you’re looking for a simple, UK-focused hosting provider that offers everything you need in one place, 123-reg is definitely worth considering. Take some time to compare the plans, explore the features that matter most to your website, and decide whether this long-standing provider is the right match for your online goals.