Is Bluehost SiteLock security worth it? The answer has changed: Bluehost no longer sells SiteLock. Its help center confirmed on September 29, 2026 that "SiteLock Security is no longer available as a service", and existing SiteLock plans won't renew.
Bluehost replaced it with its own Bluehost Malware Protection. New Starter plans include the basic level, and the paid upgrades are sold in your account and at checkout. Below I cover what changed for existing SiteLock customers, what the replacement costs, and whether you need it. If you host with iPage, Bluehost's sister brand (both are owned by Newfold Digital), the same advice applies: check whether your SiteLock add-on still renews, and look at the free alternatives below.
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What happened to Bluehost SiteLock?
Bluehost ended its SiteLock partnership in 2026. Its help article on the change answers the main questions:
- Will my SiteLock plan renew? No. It won't auto-renew at your next renewal date.
- What should I do? Put a replacement in place before it expires, so your site isn't left without scanning.
- How do I see when it expires? Check your billing history and the Renewal Center in your Bluehost account.
When I went through Bluehost's checkout and account Marketplace on November 7, 2026, SiteLock wasn't offered anywhere. The security products are now Bluehost Malware Protection and a Website Security add-on at checkout.
What replaced SiteLock: Bluehost Malware Protection
Bluehost Malware Protection comes in three tiers. This is how they appeared in my Bluehost account's Marketplace:
Screenshot from the Marketplace in my Bluehost account (36-month term), November 7, 2026.
| Tier | Price (24- or 36-month term) | Renews at | What it adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malware Scan and Clean | $1.99/mo | $47.76 / 24 months, $71.64 / 36 months | Automatic malware removal, Google blacklist monitoring, security seal, live reports |
| AI Malware Defense | $2.99/mo | $239.76 / 24 months, $359.64 / 36 months | + ThreatShield web firewall, AI file scanning, brute-force and SQL-injection protection (WordPress) |
| Complete Security | $19.99/mo | $479.76 / 24 months, $719.64 / 36 months | + Human expert cleanup and database scanning (one WordPress site) |
Every tier includes continuous scanning, unlimited pages scanned and 24/7 support.
Two details matter more than the advertised prices:
- Renewals jump. AI Malware Defense starts at $2.99 a month but renews at about $10 a month on a 24-month term.
- New plans include part of it. Bluehost's security page says Malware Scan and Clean is included with Starter hosting, and AI Malware Defense with Business hosting and above. Older plans, like a client's WordPress Basic plan I manage, have to buy it.
At checkout, the paid upgrade appears as Website Security for $5.99 a month, billed annually at $71.88, described as AI-powered protection with on-demand expert cleanup. Unlike SiteLock in the past, it wasn't pre-selected when I checked.
Do you need Bluehost Malware Protection?
For most new sites, no paid upgrade is needed:
- If you buy a new Starter or Business plan, the included tier already scans and removes malware.
- A free security plugin and good habits (updates, strong passwords, fewer plugins) cover the rest.
Don't buy the paid tiers. Even if you're on an older plan without included scanning, the free tools below do the same job, and the paid tiers renew at several times their starting price. If your site has already been hacked, a one-time cleanup from a security company usually costs less than a year of Complete Security at its renewal rate.
Free alternatives
Alternative 1: a security plugin
Wordfence (free) adds a firewall, malware scanning and login protection inside WordPress. It does most of what the middle tier offers, and it moves with your site if you change hosts.
Alternative 2: Cloudflare
Cloudflare's free plan sits in front of your site and blocks a lot of bad traffic before it reaches Bluehost's server. It also serves your images and other static files faster.
Alternative 3: backups you control
Security tools reduce the risk; backups determine how quickly you recover. Keep a backup plugin running and store copies off the server. Bluehost's own backup add-ons are covered in my CodeGuard page.
SiteLock vs SSL
An SSL certificate and malware protection do different jobs. SSL encrypts traffic between visitors and your site, and every Bluehost plan includes a free one. It doesn't scan for malware. See whether a paid SSL from Bluehost is ever worth it.
Final verdict: is it worth it?
SiteLock itself is gone, so if you still have it, plan your replacement before your renewal date.
As for the replacement, don't buy Bluehost's security add-ons. Use the scanning included with new plans, a free security plugin and Cloudflare, and keep your own backups. Bluehost's other add-ons are in my package extras guide, and my advice there is the same.
If you still need hosting, Bluehost itself is a beginner-friendly choice. Just check every add-on in the cart before you pay:
