Overall
With DreamHost achieving a HostScore of 66.9%, it marginally falls below the industry average of 67% (based on our latest market study). This suggests DreamHost is in line with the general market performance, providing reliable hosting solutions. In comparison, A2 Hosting holds a HostScore of 58.1% and sits further below the industry benchmark.
Service Offering
| Feature | A2 Hosting | DreamHost |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Services | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller Hosting | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Cloud Hosting |
| Specialized Services | Managed WordPress, Email, and Minecraft Hosting | Managed WordPress, Adult Websites, Email, and Minecraft Hosting |
| Server Locations | USA, Netherlands, Singapore | USA |
| Control Panel | cPanel | In-House |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% | 100% |
| Money Back (Days) | 30 | 97 |
| Free Migration | Yes | No |
| Support Channels | Live chat and email | Phone, live chat, and email |
Plans & Pricing
| Hosting Type | A2 Hosting | DreamHost |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.99 - 14.99/mo | $2.95 - 2.95/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $2.99 - 99.99/mo | $13.75 - 110.00/mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $109.99 - 529.99/mo | $149.00 - 399.00/mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $ - /mo | $4.50 - 48.00/mo |
| WordPress Hosting | $11.99 - 41.99/mo | $16.95 - 71.95/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| Coupon | - | - |
| Coupon Details | - | - |
Development Features & Others
| Feature | A2 Hosting | DreamHost |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, Django, Perl, and Ruby on Rails | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, Django, Perl, and Ruby on Rails |
| Dev Features | GIT access, WP-CLI, cron jobs, Multiple PHP versions, and SSH access | GIT access, WP-CLI, cron jobs, Multiple PHP versions, and SSH access |
| Staging Tool | Softaculous | No |
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Cache | Higher plans | Higher plans |
| Global CDN | Yes | No |
| Free Malware Scan | Yes | Need purchase |
| DDoS Protection | Yes | No |
| Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Yes | Yes |
About A2 Hosting
A2 Hosting's origins trace back to 2003 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where it was founded by Bryan Muthig. Starting as a hobby project offering web hosting for friends and family, A2 Hosting swiftly transitioned into a professional business focusing on high-performance hosting solutions, particularly for WordPress sites. Responding to customer demands for speed and reliability, A2 Hosting pioneered SSD hosting to boost website loading times and developed the A2 Optimized solution, enhancing WordPress site performance through optimized settings for speed and security.
A2 Hosting Pros
- Server locations in North America, Europe, and Asia
- Free website migration assistance
- Developer-oriented features even on shared hosting
- Custom performance optimizations tools available in higher shared plans
A2 Hosting Cons
- Steep price increase during the renewal
- Free site transfers mainly for cPanel installations
- HTTP/2 only on TURBO plans
- Lowest shared plan does not support automatic backup
About DreamHost
DreamHost has established itself in the web hosting and domain services sector since its founding in 1996 by Dallas Bethune, Josh Jones, Michael Rodriguez, and Sage Weil. Based in Los Angeles, California, DreamHost's origin and location underscore its longstanding role and innovation in web hosting and domain registration services.
DreamHost Pros
- Reliable server uptime performance
- Daily backup included in all shared hosting plans
- 97-day Money back guarantee
- Extensive knowledgebase
DreamHost Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Live chat support can be better
- Server location in the United States only
- No free site migration assistance
Our Recommendation
Key Considerations
- Service Offering: DreamHost provides a wide array of services, including shared, VPS, dedicated, and cloud hosting, with strong WordPress integration. A2 Hosting offers a similar range but emphasizes performance optimization across its hosting plans.
- Pricing and Value: DreamHost’s pricing structure is competitive, offering plans that cater to a broad user base with the added assurance of an extensive money-back guarantee.
- Development Features: Both A2 Hosting and DreamHost support extensive development features, including multiple programming languages and developer tools. DreamHost’s custom control panel and A2 Hosting’s cPanel offer distinct management experiences catering to different user preferences.
A2 Hosting or DreamHost for Your Website?
DreamHost is recommended for users seeking reliable WordPress hosting solutions backed by a strong reputation in uptime performance. Its near-industry-average HostScore, combined with unique offerings such as a 97-day money-back guarantee and comprehensive knowledge base, makes it suitable for users ranging from bloggers to small businesses.
A2 Hosting, despite its below-average HostScore, remains a valuable option for users looking for performance-optimized hosting solutions with a broad geographical reach. Its focus on developer-friendly features and server locations in North America, Europe, and Asia caters to a niche market requiring high performance and technical flexibility.
