Do you want to skip the read and get right to my pick in this Bluehost vs Dreamhost vs Siteground comparison? The better web hosting provider for most people is Siteground.
Introduction:
Welcome to our no-holds-barred Bluehost vs Siteground vs Dreamhost comparison!
For this particular review, we present a comparison of three managed hosting providers – Bluehost Dreamhost or Siteground – that all have their own loyal following. In our Bluehost vs Dreamhost vs Siteground review, we will be comparing these hosting services on the following points:
- Features and Functionality;
- Network and System Performance;
- Technical Support and Assistance; and
- Pricing and Value for Money.
Overview:
Let's get a brief overview of each platform – Bluehost vs Siteground vs Dreamhost.
Bluehost:
Bluehost has been around in 2003 and has consistently made the global Top 20 list for best hosting providers for nearly two decades now. A great favourite among WordPress users – indeed, this hosting platform is considered a premium partner by WordPress – it is the hosting service of choice for over two million websites from across the globe.
Dreamhost:
Dreamhost has been around since 1996, but don’t make the mistake of assuming that it’s a legacy platform. Indeed, along with its standard hosting services, this Los Angeles, CA-based provider has expanded its service line to include file and application hosting, cloud hosting, and even a dedicated technical resources depository online that can be used by software and application developers.
Siteground:
“Easy does it” may well be the corporate motto for Siteground, as this particular hosting service has a reputation for being one of the easiest ones to learn and use. This may pretty much explain why it has become the hosting provider of choice for over two million websites since the platform first began operations in 2004.
Ease of Use:
When choosing a web hosting service out of Bluehost vs Siteground vs Dreamhost, they have to be user-friendly.
Bluehost:
Unfortunately, Bluehost will need a considerable learning curve. You will need to manually set your FTP, DNS, and CMS before you start working, which means you’re either knowledgeable on all three or you have someone who can do the job for you on call or on staff.
Dreamhost:
User-friendliness has long been the hallmark of Dreamhost: you can create an account now, and start working on hosting your site within minutes of verification. Dreamhost’s well-organised user interface (UI) has menus within the user’s line of sight and everything is within reach.
Siteground:
Siteground isn’t mucking around about the ease of use surrounding its platform. The expertly designed proprietary user dashboard is simple enough for even beginners to use. Siteground also has the additional benefit of allowing customers have several sub-accounts for the efficient management of individual websites.
Winner – Siteground! This round goes to Siteground in this Bluehost vs Dreamhost vs Siteground showdown.
Features:
Let's talk about the standout features of each platform in this Bluehost vs Siteground vs Dreamhost comparison?
Domain Names:
Does Bluehost Dreamhost or Dreamhost offer domain registration?
Bluehost:
Where Bluehost is concerned, one subscriber = one domain. For additional domains/domain names, users need to pay additional fees.
Dreamhost:
Can you say “unlimited” here? Of course, you can! Dreamhost offers an unlimited number of domains, domain names, as well as sub-domains across all subscription plans.
Siteground:
In Siteground’s case, the number of domains and domain names you get with your subscription all depends on the type of subscription plan you signed up for. Siteground users can have just one domain in their account or unlimited domains under a single account.
Email Rating:
What's the quality of email service to expect from Bluehost Dreamhost or Siteground?
Bluehost:
The number of emails you get is dependent on the type of hosting plan you have. At its most basic, Bluehost only allows five mailboxes for account holders.
Dreamhost:
Dear Dreamhost: we are very disappointed with your basic plan – you don’t get any emails with it! Indeed, Dreamhost’s email service is only available for those who are subscribed to their mid- and premium tier hosting plans.
Siteground:
Siteground isn’t stingy where email is concerned, as users are allowed to create an unlimited number of email addresses with their domains.
Databases:
What about databases – what specifics do Bluehost vs Siteground vs Dreamhost provide?
Bluehost:
Those subscribed to Bluehost’s most basic hosting plans may have only 20 databases for their accounts. Mid-tier and premium subscribers, on the other hand, can create an unlimited number for their sites.
Dreamhost:
In this Bluehost vs Dreamhost vs Siteground review, regardless of hosting plan, Dreamhost clients are allowed to create an unlimited number of MySQL databases for their websites.
Siteground:
Siteground allows users to have an unlimited number of databases with their standard subscription plans.
Applications:
Let's talk about the number of applications each provider allows in this Bluehost vs Siteground vs Bluehost showdown.
Bluehost:
In order for Bluehost users to bring in third-party software and/or applications, the platform has a tool already built into this system that allows its clients to install several building platforms, including WordPress, Joomla, Magento, and other applications to enhance their sites’ appearance and functionality.
Dreamhost:
As a developer, Dreamhost has a number of proprietary applications that can be used to augment the functionality of its hosting service.
Siteground:
Siteground easily interfaces with more than 500 third-party applications, including platforms like WordPress, Joomla, and osCommerce.
WordPress:
All three platforms – Bluehost Dreamhost or Siteground – allow users to download WordPress.org through their respective UIs, and the full functionality of the building platform / CMS editor can be used along with access to WordPress’ extensive selection of plugins.
Site Staging:
Do Bluehost Siteground or Dreamhost offer site staging?
Bluehost:
As Bluehost is primarily used for websites made with WordPress’ open-source version, there is a one-click staging tool pre-installed in the dashboard for testing out websites prior to deployment. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a staging tool ready for sites hosted with it but created on different platforms.
Dreamhost:
Unfortunately, site staging is a WordPress-only feature for Dreamhost users.
Siteground:
Siteground’s staging tool is only available for mid-tier and premium subscribers. But we have to state at this point that, depending on your subscription, the tool available to you will be different.
Website Builder:
What does Bluehost vs Siteground vs Dreamhost offer in their website builder?
Bluehost:
It’s easy to assume that, just because Bluehost is the preferred hosting provider for both WordPress.com and WordPress.org sites, that platform’s CMS-driven editing platform is the only allowable tool for site creation. It’s a trifle basic, so you might want to consider a different third-party builder if you want to create a site with lots of bells and whistles.
Dreamhost:
If it’s a unique aesthetic you’re after, then Dreamhost may be the service for you. The platform has its own hybrid website builder which comes with more than 200 design templates pre-installed into its UI. These templates are organised by both industry and aesthetic, so it’s easy to choose what works for you and your site.
Siteground:
In this Bluehost vs Siteground vs Dreamhost, while this platform doesn’t have its own proprietary builder, it does offer users a choice between Weebly and WordPress as their default site creation platform. While the former is fully functional, Weebly's website builder is pretty basic.
eCommerce and SSL certificate:
What features do Bluehost vs Siteground vs Dreamhost provide in the way of eCommerce?
Bluehost:
Bluehost supports websites using the WooCommerce plugin, but does not offer hosting packages specific for ecommerce site creation and hosting. SSL certificates are already included when you sign up for a hosting plan.
Dreamhost:
We could say the same thing for Dreamhost: it depends on WooCommerce to help its clients create ecommerce sites and online shops. Again, SSL certificates are included with every subscription plan.
Siteground:
In this Bluehost vs Dreamhost vs Siteground review, we’ve mentioned that Siteground plays well with other platforms, so it doesn’t just offer WooCommerce, but you can also create a shop using Magento and PrestaShop if you want to create an engaging online store that goes beyond the basics.
Security and Backups:
How does Bluehost Dreamhost or Siteground get your back should the unthinkable happen?
Bluehost:
Bluehost offers a host of security features, including password-protected directories, one-click integration with Cloudflare to work against potential DDoS attacks, and even a multi-layer spam filter against unwanted messages or marketing materials,
While site backup is only available for those on mid-tier and premium hosting, these are fully automated and performed on a daily basis.
Dreamhost:
Dreamhost covers all of its clients, regardless of hosting plan, with a privacy protection feature along with Let’s Encrypt SSL Automated backups are also offered across all plans. Ecommerce users may also avail of backups on demand for an additional cost.
Siteground:
With its own proprietary site monitoring system in place paired with a web application firewall, Siteground users are fairly well-protected.
Winner – Siteground! In terms of features and functionality in this Bluehost vs Dreamhost vs Siteground, this battle belongs to Siteground.
Performance:
Now that we've dealt with features in this Bluehost vs Dreamhost vs Siteground comparison, let's now turn to performance.
Server Locations:
Where are Bluehost Siteground or Dreamhost's servers located?
Bluehost:
Bluehost’s nerve center is located in Provo, Utah with s secondary data center in the neighboring town of Orem. Global servers are in the UK, India, and China.
Dreamhost:
Dreamhost only has two data centres and both of them are in the United States. One is in Ashburn, Virginia, and the other is in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Siteground:
Siteground servers are in the US, UK, The Netherlands, and Singapore.
Speed Results:
How do Bluehost Dreamhost or Siteground perform in terms of speed?
For this Bluehost vs Siteground vs Dreamhost review, Bluehost is not among the best, unfortunately. Bluehost’s average loading time for hosted sites is currently at 3.22 seconds. Dreamhost's average loading speed is 2.27. Moreover, sites hosted via Siteground load in as fast as 2.67 seconds. The platform also works with Cloudflare CDN to help speed up loading time.
Average Uptime, Bandwidth, and Webspace limits/Storage:
Server downtime can cost you money – so how does Bluehost Dreamhost or Siteground help?
Bluehost:
Bluehost’s uptime is currently pegged at 99.98%. Unlimited bandwidth is provided across all plans, but storage is another story. Those on the most basic plan only get 50GB; on other tiers, storage is unlimited.
Dreamhost:
In this Bluehost Dreamhost or Siteground, Dreamhost’s current uptime guarantee is at 100%. Bandwidth is unlimited, while storage can run between 30GB and 120GB depending on your hosting plan.
Siteground:
Siteground’s standard uptime is at 99.99%. Bandwidth is unlimited, but storage size ranges between 10 and 40GB for managed hosting plans.
Winner – Dreamhost! The ‘Performance' round in this Bluehost vs Dreamhost vs Siteground is Dreamhost’s to win.
Support and Resources:
What's the level of support and resources that Bluehost Dreamhost or Siteground provide?
Bluehost:
Bluehost offers 24/7 customer and technical service via email, LiveChat, and phone. Its knowledge base is also well-maintained.
Dreamhost:
The platform offers a 24/7 multi-channel service, but their live-chat widget needs work. The bot-driven service can take a while before service options load, and it’s only available between 8 am and 4 pm PST from Monday to Friday.
For this Bluehost Dreamhost or Siteground review, we recommend that users browse through the platform’s excellently kept knowledge base and check out various topics on the highly active discussion forums.
Siteground:
In this Bluehost vs Siteground vs Dreamhost review, Siteground users can avail themselves of 24/7 multi-channel tech support via phone, email, and live chat, and response time is quite fast.
The platform also offers online how-to guides and tutorials on using WordPress, setting up an online store, and even a marketing guide to help drive traffic to an online store. You can also get updates on fresh developments through its Geek 2 English podcasts.
Winner – Siteground! In this Bluehost vs Dreamhost vs Siteground comparison, for super-convivial – and useful – technical support, we’re giving the win to Siteground.
Pricing:
After dispensing with features, performance, and support, let's look at the pricing details of this Bluehost vs Dreamhost vs Siteground comparison.
Plans:
What pricing plans do Bluehost Dreamhost or Siteground offer?
Bluehost:
The average cost of Bluehost’s standard plans runs between $2.75 and $13.95 every month. Take note, however, that key security features are only offered for all plans except for Basic Hosting.
Scalable corporate or enterprise plans can cost up to $119.99 per month.
>> Check for our latest Bluehost discount code pricing plans <<
Dreamhost:
Under basic WordPress hosting, users can choose between two plans: WordPress Starter at $2.59 monthly and WordPress Unlimited at $3.95 a month. While the packages share the bulk of the features, the former doesn’t have free email.
Managed WordPress hosting under the DreamPress umbrella will set users back by a reasonable $16.95 to a staggering $71.95 monthly.
For those who want a more secure option, the VPS WordPress hosting plans are reasonably priced. The range runs between $10.00 and $80.00.
>> Check for our latest Dreamhost discount code pricing plans <<
Siteground:
In general, Siteground’s standard web, managed WordPress, and WooCommerce subscription plans will set you back by $4.99 to $14.99 monthly.
Their cloud hosting plans are certainly more expensive, but we recommend these for corporate sites or ecommerce hubs that are scaling up their operations. On average, the monthly cost for Siteground cloud hosting will set you back between $100 and $400 per month.
>> Check for our latest Siteground discount code pricing plans <<
Free trial, refund policy, and money-back guarantee:
Do Bluehost Dreamhost or Siteground offer a free trial or money-back guarantee?
Bluehost:
Bluehost offers a thirty-day free trial; after which, users must commit to a paid subscription plan. If you aren’t satisfied with the service, you may cancel your paid subscription within the first thirty days for a refund.
Dreamhost:
Dreamhost doesn’t offer free trials, but it has one of the longest money-back guarantees in the industry: you can ask for a refund within 97 days of signing up. Note, however, that this only applies to basic and VPS hosting; the managed WordPress hosting plans only allow for the standard 30-day period.
Siteground:
Siteground doesn’t offer a free trial, but it does have a 30-day money-back guarantee that will allow you to collect a full refund if you cancel your subscription within the first month of service.
Winner – Bluehost! If we are looking at ‘Pricing' in this Bluehost vs Siteground vs Dreamhost, at the least expensive service, then Bluehost takes the win in this category.
Comparison Winner: Bluehost Dreamhost or Siteground?
In this Bluehost vs Dreamhost vs Siteground review, all three platforms have their respective merits. But if you’re looking for a hosting service that is pretty much well-performing all around, this is Siteground’s fight to win. Therefore, in this Bluehost vs Dreamhost vs Siteground showdown, we declare Siteground as Comparison Winner.
Conclusion and Recommendations:
Now, let's conclude this Bluehost vs Siteground vs Dreamhost review;
What is Bluehost best for?
Bluehost is a great choice for both novice and expert WordPress users, but we also recommend it for those who are scaling up their sites.
What is Dreamhost best for?
Dreamhost is excellent for those who are just starting out because of its easier-to-use site-building platform. It’s also a great choice if you’re already scaling up your site to meet the demands of a growing business.
What is Siteground best for?
Siteground is recommended for those who want to build everything from basic websites to scalable ecommerce hubs.
Alternatives:
| Ranking | Key Features | Price (Basic Plan) | My View |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Bluehost | 50GB storage, unmetered bandwidth, free domain 1st year, free SSL certificate | $2.95/month Check Pricing | Best for beginners and WordPress websites |
| 2. SiteGround | 10GB Web Space, ~10,000 Visits Monthly, Unmetered Traffic, Free WP Installation, Free WP Migrator, Free SSL, Free Email, Daily Backup, Free CDN, Managed WordPress, Unlimited Databases, 100% renewable energy match | $3.99/month Check Pricing | Best for WordPress websites and features excellent customer support |
| 3. DreamHost | Fast SSD storage, free domain, automatic WordPress updates, free SSL certificate | $2.49/month Check Pricing | Best for non-profits as it offers a free plan for them |
| 4. A2 Hosting | Unlimited SSD Space & Transfer, Free & Easy Site Migration, Free Automatic Backups, Anytime Money Back Guarantee | $2.99/month Check Pricing | Best for speed with their turbo servers |
| 5. HostGator | Unmetered bandwidth & disk space, free domain, free SSL certificate | $2.75/month Check Pricing | Best for small businesses and startups |
| 6. WPX Hosting | High-speed, custom CDN, unlimited site migrations, unlimited SSLs, 24/7 fast-response support | $20.83/month Check Pricing | Best for those seeking high-speed hosting and excellent customer support |
| 7. Kinsta | Google Cloud Platform, 24 global locations, next-generation infrastructure, free migrations, 24/7 support | $30/month Check Pricing | Best for those wanting Google Cloud hosting and multiple global locations |
| 8. Nexcess | Auto-scaling, automatic plugin updates, automatic backups, 24/7 support | $19/month Check Pricing | Best for eCommerce with its auto-scaling feature |
| 9. LiquidWeb | Fully managed, dedicated IP, DDoS protection, 24/7 support | $19/month Check Pricing | Best for fully-managed hosting and those needing a dedicated IP |
| 10. Scala Hosting | Free domain, SSD powered, free website migration, 24/7 support | $3.95/month Check Pricing | Best for those looking for a free domain and SSD powered hosting |
Final word:
To wrap up this Bluehost Dreamhost or Siteground showdown, Siteground may have taken the lead in our comparison of Bluehost vs Dreamhost vs Siteground, but we recommend that you trial for a viable hosting service that is in sync with your specific needs.
click for the best Siteground pricing
FAQs:
What platforms can I use with Siteground?
You may use Siteground to host sites built with WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, and osCommerce.
Do any of Bluehost vs Siteground vs Dreamhost have cloud hosting options?
Only one out of three does. Dreamhost offers cloud hosting through its Dream Options service.
Does Bluehost offer its own site builder?
Yes. It’s pretty basic, but it does and works quite well for those learning how to build sites from scratch.
That’s all for now:
If you've read our Bluehost vs Dreamhost vs Siteground comparison review up to here, we are grateful. Remember always to keep abreast of the latest developments on website builders, eCommerce, and other articles, such as the ones below;
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