Dreamhost vs Bluehost: Here’s My Honest Take in 2023!

Do you want to skip the read and get right to my pick in this Dreamhost vs Bluehost comparison? The better web hosting provider for most people is Bluehost.

---

Introduction:

We have mentioned time and again that the simplest way to get a website up and running is to build it with WordPress.

Fortunately, WordPress.org users are spoilt for choice when it comes to managed hosting services, as a number of providers offer stable and secure hosting plans to suit their needs. In this review, we will look at how Bluehost or Dreamhost stacks up against one another.

Our Dreamhost vs Bluehost review will consider how each platform performs in terms of usability, features and functionality, ecommerce capabilities, and pricing.

---

Overview:

Dreamhost:

DreamHost is a Los Angeles, California, USA-based web hosting provider that started as the brainchild of a group of friends Dallas Bethune, Michael Rodriguez, Josh Jones, and Sage Weil. Founded in 1996, it hosts around 1.5 million websites worldwide and is owned by New Dream Network, LLC.

Bluehost:

Bluehost is considered one of the biggest and most-studied web hosting providers in the world. The service now hosts over  2 million domains around the world. Founded by Matt Heaton in 1996, it is now owned by the Endurance International Group. The Orem, Utah, USA-based provider offers a large menu of hosting solutions, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, WordPress hosting, WooCommerce hosting, and dedicated hosting.

---

Ease of Use:

So which is the easier platform to use – Bluehost or Dreamhost?

Dreamhost:

Between Bluehost or Dreamhost, Dreamhost is one of the easier hosting platforms to navigate in the sense that it is Spartan-simple with a fair learning curve. It is fairly easy to create an account – but we have to warn you that verifying your subscription can be a pain in the backside. It takes significantly longer than for other hosting services, and that can be a downer if you want to get your site up and running ASAP.

Bluehost:

As a hosting service, Bluehost is easy enough to set up. However, when you’re going into the backend of the platform, you may run into a number of challenges. Customised settings need to be done manually in this scenario, which means you ought to have at least some working knowledge of how to set up connections for FTP, DNS, and CMS.

Winner – Bluehost! In this Dreamhost vs Bluehost match, we're calling Ease of Use for Bluehost. Dreamhost is is better suited to seasoned developers while Bluehost is perfect even for beginners.

---

Features:

Which platform between Bluehost or Dreamhost offers superior features?

Domain Names:

Dreamhost:

This platform offers users an unlimited range of domains to use with their accounts; the same proviso goes for subdomains – you can have as many as you need. Domain privacy is also assured via a feature called WHOIS, and the platform has its own registry.

Bluehost:

Comparing Bluehost or Dreamhost, Dreamhost users are only entitled to a single domain with each hosting plan. Should they need more, they need to pay an additional fee.

Email Rating:

Dreamhost:

It would have to depend on what sort of service you’ve signed up for. On Dreamhost’s Shared Starter plan, you will have to shell out an additional $1.67 monthly for at least one email box under your domain. On the Shared Unlimited plan, however, you can create as many email inboxes as you need.

Bluehost:

At its most basic, Bluehost allows users to create just five mailboxes for their accounts. Those on mid-tier and premium plans, however, have the option to create as many inboxes as they deem necessary.

Databases:

Dreamhost:

Those on shared web hosting plans are allowed to create an unlimited number of MySQL databases for their websites.

Bluehost:

Like Dreamhost Bluehost also uses MySQL for database management, users will find themselves stifled because of the limits imposed. Depending on the hosting plan, users are only allowed between five and ten GB for their site databases.

Applications:

Which offers more apps integrations – Bluehost or Dreamhost?

Dreamhost:

Users can install and use the full range of plugins offered by the site-building platform, including the WooCommerce store-builder and the Jetpack migration tool.

Bluehost:

You can use all 60,000 apps and plugins offered for the builder. However, one particular caveat we need to stress at this point is that the bulk of these plugins are community-developed, so better be careful – or understanding – if these do not work as promoted.

WordPress:

Both Dreamhost Bluehost allow one-click installation of WordPress.org for users.

Site Staging:

Dreamhost:

Staging is only available for users with shared WordPress hosting plans. The staging feature included in the WordPress interface gives users and developers a sandbox in which they can test sites for functionality and browser appeal before going live.

Bluehost:

As Bluehost is primarily a managed WordPress hosting provider, the one-click staging feature is pre-included across all plans.

Website Builder:

Dreamhost:

Dreamhost offers a hybrid website builder: all the standard bells and whistles of WordPress CMS with a drag-and-drop interface that makes site creation so much easier.

The hosting service also offers over 200 templates for its builder, allowing users to choose one that will give their sites a look appropriate to their brand identity and the nature of their business.

Our only issue here, though, is that the block-driven design module can be cumbersome to work with after a while.

Bluehost:

Like Dreamhost Bluehost does have its own site-building platform, we can’t help but feel that it is a little too basic for creating more engaging websites for its users. Like WordPress, Bluehost’s website builder is also CMS-driven, so there’s little going for it in terms of flexibility and creativity.

eCommerce and SSL certificate:

Dreamhost:

The thing about Dreamhost’s ecommerce plans is that they work with WordPress’ WooCommerce plugin to help users create the perfect online store. The hosting service gives users options that range from basic utilities to help them set up shop to the high-capacity site architecture for growing businesses.

In which case, all plans covered already have WooCommerce preinstalled, along with the proprietary Storefront design template.

Also, regardless of whether these are for ecommerce or standard use, all hosting plans already have a free SSL certificate.

Bluehost:

Similar to Dreamhost Bluehost also supports websites using the WooCommerce plugin but does not offer hosting packages specific for ecommerce site creation and hosting.

As above, SSL certificates are already included when you sign up for a hosting plan.

Security and Backups:

What about protection from threats – who does it better, Bluehost or Dreamhost?

Dreamhost:

Dreamhost already includes a privacy protection feature with all its hosting plans, allowing users and their customers or site visitors to work or browse without worrying that their personal information has been compromised.

Both Dreamhost Bluehost have automated backups offered across all plans, while backups on demand are also offered for ecommerce-specific hosting packages.

Bluehost:

Along with a triple-layer spam filter to keep out unwanted messages or marketing materials, Bluehost gives its users password-protected directories, as well as one-click integration with Cloudflare to work against potential DDoS attacks.

Note, however, that site backup is only available for those on mid-tier and premium hosting. For those who do have the feature available to them, backups are done on a daily basis.

Winner – Draw! In this Dreamhost vs Bluehost Features showdown, we're calling it a tie. Both Dreamhost Bluehost are level with each other in terms of features and scalability.

---

Performance:

Let's measure how Dreamhost vs Bluehost performance by looking at servers, speed, and uptime.

Server Locations:

Dreamhost:

While it can be accessed globally, 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.

Bluehost:

Bluehost’s nerve center is located in Provo, Utah, with an auxiliary data centre in the neighboring town of Orem. Elsewhere, the hosting service has a presence in three countries:

• United Kingdom (London)
• India (Mumbai)
• China (Hong Kong / Shanghai)

Speed Results:

Which has better speed – Bluehost or Dreamhost?

Dreamhost:

Unfortunately, loading speed is not one of Dreamhost’s stronger points. On average, it takes 2.27 seconds for a site hosted on the platform to load completely.

Bluehost:

Like Dreamhost Bluehost users have the same issue – and it does get slower. The average loading time for sites hosted through the service is currently at 3.22 seconds.

Average Uptime, Bandwidth, and Webspace limits/Storage:

Dreamhost:

What it lacks in speed, Dreamhost makes up for in terms of uptime. It isn’t playing around when it says its uptime guarantee is at 100%.

Bandwidth is unlimited, while storage can run between 30GB and 120GB, depending on your hosting plan.

Bluehost:

Unlimited is the keyword where Bluehost is concerned where bandwidth is concerned. 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.

Also, the service falls behind slightly in terms of uptime: Bluehost’s uptime is currently pegged at 99.98%.

Winner – Draw! In this Dreamhost vs Bluehost competition, they are evenly matched in performance. Dreamhost fares better with uptime, but Bluehost makes up for it in bandwidth.

---

Support and Resources:

Dreamhost:

While Dreamhost is said to have been awarded for the excellence of its customer service, we beg to differ. The platform offers a 24/7 multi-channel service, but we were stumped when we tried to use the live chat widget on their site. The bot-driven service is frustrating, to say the least, and it can take a while before service options load. Also, it’s only available between 8am and 4pm PST from Monday to Friday.

Bluehost:

Bluehost offers 24/7 customer and technical service via email, LiveChat, and phone. Its knowledge base is also well-maintained.

Winner – Bluehost! In this Dreamhost vs Bluehost toss-up, Bluehost has an edge over its competitor.

---

Pricing :

Plans:

Dreamhost:

Under shared web hosting, users can choose between two plans: Shared Starter at $2.59 monthly and Shared 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 to $80.00.

>> Check for our latest Dreamhost discount code pricing plans <<

Bluehost:

This hosting service’s shared subscription plans will set users back 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.

WordPress hosting will set users back by a reasonable $3.95 for shared plans up to a reasonable $49.95 monthly.

Scalable corporate or enterprise plans can cost up to $119.99 per month.

>> Check for our latest Bluehost discount code pricing plans <<

Free trial, refund policy, and money-back guarantee:

Both Dreamhost Bluehost comes with a money-back guarantee, but only Bluehost has a free trial option.

Dreamhost:

Unfortunately, Dreamhost doesn't offer free trials.

On the bright side, Dreamhost has one of the longest money-back guarantees in the industry: you can ask for a refund within 97 days of signing up.

Bluehost:

Unlike Dreamhost 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.

Winner – Bluehost! In this Dreamhost vs Bluehost match, we're calling the Pricing round for Bluehost.

---

Comparison Winner: Bluehost or Dreamhost?

In this Dreamhost vs Bluehost comparison, while both platforms have level features and performance, we have to declare Bluehost as Comparison Winner.

---

Conclusion and Recommendations:

Wrapping up this Bluehost or Dreamhost comparison;

What is Dreamhost best for?

We actually think Dreamhost is a great choice if you’re already scaling up your site to meet the demands of a growing business.

What is Bluehost best for?

Bluehost is a great choice for long-time WordPress users who want to step up their site-building game.

Alternatives:

Final word:

We may have called our Dreamhost vs Bluehost comparison for Bluehost, but we recommend that you shop around online for a hosting service that suits your particular requirements.

Click for the best Bluehost pricing

---

FAQs:

Do either of these hosting services offer virtual private servers?

Yes, Dreamhost has several VPS hosting plans with numerous features that users can consider for their sites.

Does either Dreamhost Bluehost have cloud hosting options?

Unfortunately, no; neither of them have options for cloud hosting.

---

That’s all for now:

If you've read our Dreamhost vs Bluehost 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;

• VPS Unlimited Bandwidth

Please share any comments below!