Both DreamHost and BlueHost have the distinct feather-in-the-cap of being recommended by WordPress.org. This rare honor is only extended to three web hosts, out of literally hundreds of thousands that litter the web hosting landscape today. So who’s better among the two? Read on to learn more.
DreamHost & BlueHost HostScore
63.2%
62.9%
BlueHost vs DreamHost: Key Differences
BlueHost has often landed on my biased list since I am not overly fond of EIG-owned companies. But – there is no debating the fact that it has been around for a long time. In fact, both BlueHost and DreamHost are industry veterans having survived in this competitive environment for close to two decades.
Yet at the end of the day these two hosts are more closely matched than likely many will realize. Read on to discover the highlights of a head to head comparison.
DreamHost vs. BlueHost: A Detailed Comparison for Web Host Buyers
By understanding these key points, web host buyers can make an informed decision based on their specific needs and priorities.
Pricing:
- DreamHost starts at $2.59/month, while Bluehost starts at $2.95/month for a 36-month plan.
- Both providers increase their prices significantly after the promotional period ends.
Uptime and Refunds:
- DreamHost offers a 100% uptime guarantee, surpassing the typical 99% to 99.999% from most web hosts, and a 97-day money-back guarantee, one of the longest in the industry.
- Bluehost is known for reliable uptime but doesn’t match DreamHost’s 100% guarantee and offers a standard 30-day money-back guarantee.
Customer Support:
- DreamHost offers extensive support resources, including a comprehensive knowledge base and forums. However, phone support costs $9.95 per callback.
- BlueHost provides 24/7 customer support via phone, chat, and email, ensuring users can get help anytime.
Control Panels:
- DreamHost uses a custom dashboard, which may frustrate some users, while Bluehost features a user-friendly custom cPanel, simplifying website management for beginners.
Email Services:
- DreamHost charges an additional $1.67/month for custom email services, while Bluehost includes email in their hosting packages, adding value for users.
Server Performance:
- DreamHost’s shared hosting has limited performance optimization. For features like NGINX hosting and built-in caching, users need the pricier Managed WordPress Hosting plans.
- Bluehost provides reliable hosting with technologies like HTTP/2 and server upgrades to boost speed, ensuring steady website performance.
Server Locations:
- DreamHost has data centers in the United States, specifically in Virginia, Oregon, and California, ensuring high reliability and performance in these regions.
- BlueHost operates data centers globally, including in the US, Europe, and Asia, reducing latency and improving performance for a geographically diverse audience.
Reputation and Recommendations:
- BlueHost has a strong reputation among site owners and bloggers. In a survey of 200 respondents, BlueHost ranked third in popularity.
- Both DreamHost and BlueHost are officially recommended by WordPress.org, indicating strong performance and reliability.
Hosting Service Offering
| Feature | DreamHost | BlueHost |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Services | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Cloud Hosting | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Cloud Hosting |
| Specialized Services | Managed WordPress, Adult Websites, Email, and Game Server Hosting | Managed WordPress, and Email Hosting |
| Server Locations | USA and Netherlands | USA, Germany, France, Brazil, Australia, UK, India, Canada, Spain |
| Control Panel | In-House | cPanel |
| Uptime Guarantee | 100% | 99.9% |
| Money Back (Days) | 97 | 30 |
| Free Migration | No | Yes |
| Support Channels | Phone, live chat, and email | Phone, live chat, and email |
Plans & Pricing
| Hosting Type | DreamHost | BlueHost |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.89 - 9.99/mo | $3.99 - 14.99/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $13.75 - 110.00/mo | $4.69 - 25.99/mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $149.00 - 399.00/mo | $144.19 - 315.19/mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $4.50 - 48.00/mo | $65.00 - 230.00/mo |
| Managed WP Hosting | $16.95 - 71.95/mo | $3.99 - 14.99/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| Coupon | - | - |
| Coupon Details | - | - |
Development Features & Others
| Feature | DreamHost | BlueHost |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, Django, Perl, and Ruby on Rails | PHP, 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 | No | Built-in |
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Cache | Higher plans | Yes |
| Global CDN | No | Yes |
| Free Malware Scan | Need purchase | Higher plans |
| DDoS Protection | No | Yes |
| Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Yes | Yes |
DreamHost vs BlueHost: Our Recommendation
It is not often that we see two web hosts that compete so closely on so many levels. In terms of reputation, features, performance and even pricing, BlueHost and Dreamhost are both closely matched.
In fact, given their similarities they are even competing for the same market share and are uniquely suitable for both smaller, personal sites as well as being excellent choices for small businesses. Either way, if you’re considering between these two web hosting companies, I feel that you won’t really go far wrong either way.
Personally though, I would feel very much drawn by the 100% uptime and 97-day money back guarantee that Dreamhost offers – but that’s just me.
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
- No free site migration assistance
About BlueHost
Bluehost is a long-running web hosting and domain services company founded by Matt Heaton and Danny Ashworth in 2003 and now owned by Newfold Digital, LLC. The company sells shared hosting, managed WordPress hosting, VPS, cloud hosting, dedicated hosting, domains, email, security tools, and website services. It is one of the better-known WordPress hosting brands, partly because of its long relationship with WordPress.org, but today it operates as part of a much larger hosting group rather than as an independent boutique provider.
BlueHost Pros
- Easy account dashboard for beginners
- WordPress setup is fast and automatic
- cPanel is still available when needed
- Free SSL was auto-installed in our test account
- NVMe storage, free CDN, and WordPress tools are included in all shared plans
BlueHost Cons
- Speed performance slower than expected
- Renewal prices are much higher
- Email setup is misleading and can push users toward paid Pro Email
- Heavy (and some misleading) upsells during checkout and inside the portal
- Better value exists elsewhere for many use cases
