General Terms of Use for Users

1. Scope of Application

These terms of use govern the rights and obligations when using the platforms operated by Hosttest in the area of hosting comparison. This includes in particular the country-specific domains of Hosttest (e.g. for Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the United Kingdom). Additional terms may apply to individual services and must be accepted prior to use.

Hosttest is aimed at both consumers and business users. Where individual provisions apply only to consumers or only to business users, this is expressly indicated.

2. Service Description

1. Hosttest is a comparison portal where users can compare web hosting offers, submit tenders, write reviews about hosting providers and use a server monitor to monitor their own websites.
2. The subject matter of performance is exclusively the provision and operation of this internet portal. Hosttest is not a provider of hosting services and does not become a contractual party to agreements between users and hosting providers.
3. The use of comparison functions is free of charge. Paid service packages may be offered for certain extended services (e.g. advanced monitoring functions in various plans). The respective conditions and scope of services are detailed on the relevant offer page on Hosttest at the time of contract conclusion.
4. Free services and free quotas (e.g. credits for the server monitor) are provided as a voluntary service. Hosttest reserves the right to change, restrict or discontinue the scope, availability and conditions of free quotas at any time with reasonable prior notice. There is no entitlement to the continuation of the previous scope of free services.
5. The platform is advertising-funded. Hosttest reserves the right to display advertising and affiliate links on the platform. Affiliate partnerships may influence the presentation and order of offers; user reviews remain unaffected.

3. User Agreement and Registration

1. Registration as a user is required to create a tender, write reviews or use the server monitor.
2. Eligible users are natural persons (hereinafter "Users" or "Members") and legal entities. Registration is only permitted from a minimum age of 16 years. Minors between 16 and 18 years of age require the consent of their legal guardians.
3. Registration is free of charge. Upon registration, an open-ended user agreement is concluded, which enables the technical use of the platform and access to the internal area.
4. During registration, the member chooses an email address and a password. These access credentials as well as any API keys must be kept confidential and must not be shared with third parties. The user is liable for all activities carried out under their access credentials, unless they were not responsible for the unauthorized use. Any suspected unauthorized access to the account must be reported to Hosttest immediately.
5. The data requested during registration must be provided completely and truthfully. Changes to data must be updated promptly in the internal area.
6. During the registration process, Hosttest sends a message to the email address provided by the applicant. Registration is only complete when the applicant clicks the confirmation link sent via email. The user agreement comes into effect upon successful confirmation.
7. There is no entitlement to membership. Hosttest reserves the right to reject registrations without giving reasons.
8. The account is linked to the registered person and is not transferable to third parties.
9. Each user may only register one account. Creating multiple accounts by the same person is not permitted and may result in the suspension of all affected accounts.

4. Paid Services

1. All services provided by Hosttest are currently free of charge.
2. Hosttest reserves the right to offer paid service packages in the future (e.g. advanced monitoring functions). In this case, the respective conditions, scope of services and prices will be transparently presented before the conclusion of the contract.
3. Paid services are exclusively available to business users within the meaning of § 14 BGB (German Civil Code). By concluding a paid service package, the user confirms that they are acting as a business user. The separate contractual terms for paid services will be announced upon their introduction.

5. Right of Withdrawal

Cancellation Policy

Users who are consumers within the meaning of § 13 BGB (German Civil Code) have the right to withdraw from the user agreement concluded through registration within fourteen days without giving any reason.

The withdrawal period is fourteen days from the date of the conclusion of the contract (confirmation of registration).

To exercise the right of withdrawal, a clear declaration (e.g. by email or letter) must be sent to the following address:

Hosttest – Marco Keul
Gerhart-Hauptmann-Str. 5
33824 Werther
Email: request[at]hosttest.co.uk

To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient to send the communication concerning the exercise of the right of withdrawal before the deadline has expired.

Consequences of withdrawal: In the event of withdrawal, the account will be deleted and all stored data will be removed in accordance with data protection regulations. Since registration and all currently offered services are free of charge, no payment claims arise from the withdrawal.

Note: Regardless of the right of withdrawal, the user agreement may be terminated at any time in accordance with Section 15 of these terms of use.

Model withdrawal form

(If you wish to withdraw from the contract, please complete this form and return it.)

6. User Obligations

1. The user undertakes to use the platform only within the framework of applicable laws and these terms of use.
2. The user ensures that the data provided (in particular email address, name) is correct and up to date.
3. The user is responsible for all actions taken under their account.
4. It is prohibited to use the platform in a manner that impairs the operation of Hosttest or violates the rights of other users.
5. The server monitor may only be used to monitor the user's own websites and services for which the user is responsible as the operator, owner or authorised administrator. Monitoring third-party websites without authorisation is prohibited.
6. The user bears sole responsibility for ensuring that the use of the server monitor does not infringe the rights of third parties or cause excessive load on monitored servers.
7. Circumventing quota or functional limitations of the service plan in use (e.g. by creating multiple accounts or automated access) is prohibited.

7. Prohibited Content and Actions

1. User content must not violate applicable law, the rights of third parties or these terms of use.
2. The following are prohibited in particular:
   • false, misleading or defamatory content,
   • infringement of protective rights of third parties (e.g. trademark, copyright or personal rights),
   • manipulated or purchased reviews,
   • use of contact data of other users or providers for advertising purposes without express consent,
   • uploading malware (e.g. viruses, trojans),
   • automated scraping or other misuse of the platform,
   • use of the server monitor to monitor websites or servers for which the user has no authorisation, in particular for the targeted loading of third-party servers or the collection of data about third parties.
3. Hosttest is entitled to take appropriate measures in the event of violations, in particular: deletion of content, warning, restriction of usage options, temporary suspension, permanent suspension and deletion of the account.
4. In the case of serious violations, in particular the manipulation or purchase of reviews, Hosttest may immediately suspend or delete the account after careful examination. There is no claim to restoration.

8. Reviews

1. Users have the option to write reviews about hosting providers. The separate Review Guidelines apply to writing and publishing reviews and must be accepted before submitting a review.
2. The Review Guidelines are an integral part of these terms of use. In the event of contradictions, the Review Guidelines shall prevail insofar as they contain more specific provisions regarding reviews.
3. Hosttest reserves the right to moderate, deactivate or delete reviews if they violate the Review Guidelines or these terms of use.

9. Tenders and Savings Alert

Tenders

1. Registered users may use the tender function to create free hosting requests to which listed providers can respond with individual offers.
2. Tenders are non-binding. Hosttest does not guarantee that any offers will be received in response to a tender. There is no entitlement to receiving any or a specific number of offers.
3. To protect the user's privacy, only the anonymised name (first name and abbreviated last name) and the formulated tender text are displayed to providers. Contact details such as email address or phone number are not disclosed to providers.
4. Tenders are reviewed by Hosttest before publication. Hosttest reserves the right to reject, edit or delete tenders that violate these terms of use or applicable law.
5. Any contract concluded between the user and a hosting provider is made exclusively and directly between these parties. Hosttest does not become a contractual party and assumes no liability for the offers, services or contractual terms of the providers.

Savings Alert

1. The Savings Alert is a free service that enables registered users to store existing hosting contracts and receive reminders before the expiry of the cancellation period regarding contract renewal.
2. The contract data entered by the user (e.g. provider, contract term, cancellation period) serves exclusively for the user's individual contract management. The user is responsible for the accuracy and currency of the data entered.
3. Hosttest does not guarantee the timely or complete delivery of reminder notifications. The user remains solely responsible for the timely cancellation of their contracts.

10. Intellectual Property

1. All content published on Hosttest (texts, graphics, logos, databases, software) is subject to the copyright and other protective rights of Hosttest or third parties.
2. The use of the platform does not entitle the user to reproduce, distribute, edit or otherwise exploit the content beyond its intended use.
3. Partial results, comparisons or awards may only be used with the express consent of Hosttest and with attribution of the source.
4. The use of the platform does not grant any right to reproduce, resell, sublicense or commercially exploit the service or data derived from it (e.g. monitoring results, comparison data) for third parties.

11. Platform Availability

1. Hosttest strives to ensure the most uninterrupted availability of the platform and the services offered (including server monitoring).
2. There is no entitlement to uninterrupted availability. Temporary restrictions may occur in particular due to maintenance work, technical disruptions or force majeure.
3. Hosttest is not liable for damages resulting from the temporary unavailability of the platform or individual services, unless Hosttest is responsible for the unavailability.

12. Limitation of Liability

1. Hosttest is not liable for content, reviews or comments posted by third parties (users or providers).
2. In the case of negligent breach of duty, Hosttest is only liable for the breach of material contractual obligations (cardinal obligations). In this case, liability is limited to the typical, foreseeable damage.
3. Hosttest assumes no liability for the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the offers, prices and provider information displayed on the platform. These are maintained by the respective providers themselves.
4. Hosttest is not liable for the actions, services or omissions of the hosting providers listed on the platform.
5. Hosttest assumes no liability for restrictions or failures of the platform or individual tools (e.g. monitoring, widgets), unless Hosttest is responsible for the disruption.
6. The above limitations of liability do not apply in cases of intent, gross negligence or in cases of injury to life, body or health.

13. Indemnification

The user shall indemnify Hosttest against all claims by third parties arising from legal violations caused by content posted by the user (in particular reviews) or by other unlawful actions of the user. This also includes the necessary costs of legal defence.

14. Data Protection

Information on the collection and processing of personal data can be found in the Privacy Policy of Hosttest. The Privacy Policy is an integral part of these terms of use.

15. Contract Term and Termination

1. The free user agreement (account) is concluded for an indefinite period and may be terminated by either party at any time with a notice period of seven (7) days.
2. If Hosttest offers paid services in the future, the term and termination will be governed by the separate contractual terms applicable to those services.
3. The right to extraordinary termination for good cause remains unaffected. Good cause exists in particular if the user
   • violates material obligations under these terms of use or the Review Guidelines,
   • posts false, misleading or manipulated content,
   • misuses the platform or impairs its functionality,
   • violates statutory provisions.
4. Termination of the account can be made informally by email to request[at]hosttest.co.uk or via the account deletion function in the internal area.
5. Termination or deletion of the account does not affect any existing paid service packages. These will continue until the end of the agreed billing period.
6. Hosttest is entitled to delete accounts if no login activity has taken place within twenty-four (24) months. A prior notification by email will usually be sent. There is no claim to restoration.
7. The provisions of Sections 10, 12, 13 and 19 shall survive the termination of the contract.

16. Assignment to Third Parties

Hosttest is entitled to transfer the rights and obligations arising from this contractual relationship in whole or in part to a third party with a notice period of four weeks. In this case, the user may terminate the user agreement by email.

17. Amendments to the Terms of Use

Hosttest reserves the right to amend, extend or update these terms of use at any time. Amended terms will be communicated to the user with reasonable notice before they take effect. Communication may be made by email and/or by a prominent notice in the internal area after login. If the user does not object within the notified period, the new terms are deemed accepted. Hosttest will expressly notify of the right to object and its consequences with each amendment.

18. Referral Programme

1. Hosttest offers registered users a referral programme through which rewards can be earned for successfully referring new users. Participation is voluntary and free of charge.
2. A referral is considered qualified when the referred user successfully registers and performs at least one active use of the platform (e.g. creating a monitor, a tender, a review or a savings alert). The specific rewards, tiers and redemption conditions are detailed in the current information provided in the internal area.
3. Hosttest reserves the right to modify, suspend or discontinue the referral programme at any time. Already qualified and unredeemed rewards shall remain unaffected.
4. The following activities are prohibited within the referral programme:
   • creating fake accounts or multiple accounts to manipulate the referral count (self-referrals),
   • distributing referral links via unsolicited mass emails (spam),
   • using misleading or false information (e.g. non-existent discounts or special offers) in connection with the referral link,
   • using referral links that are not assigned to one’s own account.
5. In the event of violations of these conditions, Hosttest is entitled to terminate participation in the referral programme, revoke qualified referrals and cancel reward entitlements without replacement.
6. Rewards are not redeemable for cash and are not transferable to other users.

19. Final Provisions

1. German law shall apply exclusively, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.
2. If the user is a business user within the meaning of § 14 BGB (German Civil Code), a legal entity under public law, or a special fund under public law, the exclusive place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising from or in connection with this contract shall be Werther (Westphalia). This place of jurisdiction also applies if the user has no general place of jurisdiction in Germany or has moved their registered office abroad.
3. Should individual provisions of these terms of use be or become invalid, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions. The statutory provision shall take the place of the invalid provision.
4. For consumers, the mandatory consumer protection provisions of the state in which the consumer has their habitual residence shall apply insofar as they are more favourable to the consumer.

Last updated: March 2026