⏳Do you want to skip the read and get right to my pick in this GreenGeeks vs Bluehost comparison? The better web hosting provider for most people is Bluehost.
Introduction to my GreenGeeks vs Bluehost Comparison Test:
Reliable hosting is a key factor for consideration among site owners, but most especially for WordPress users and ecommerce creators. But we have to ask how reliable today’s hosting services are and how much value they give people who subscribe to them.
In our GreenGeeks vs Bluehost comparison, we will see how these two hosting providers perform in terms of features, functionality, technical assistance, ecommerce, site security, and pricing.
Quick Comparison Table of GreenGeeks vs Bluehost
| Criteria | GreenGeeks | 🥇 Bluehost (My Pick!) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Hosting | Shared, WordPress, VPS, Reseller Hosting | Shared, WordPress, VPS, Dedicated Hosting |
| Features |
|
|
| Performance | Standard performance, CDN available | Standard performance, CDN available |
| Security Features |
|
|
| Pricing and Plans | Starts at $2.49/month | Starts at $3.95/month |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Customer Support | 24/7 Live Chat, Phone, Email, Knowledgebase | 24/7 Live Chat, Phone, Knowledgebase |
| Scalability | Easy plan upgrades, Reseller options | Easy plan upgrades, VPS and Dedicated options |
| User Reviews/Ratings | Generally positive, praised for eco-friendliness | Mixed to positive |
| Environment Friendliness | 300% Green Energy Commitment | Efforts for reducing carbon footprint |
| My View | Best for eco-conscious users looking for green hosting with unlimited features. | Best for users looking for reliable and widely recognized hosting services. |
| Official Website | Visit GreenGeeks | Visit Bluehost |
GreenGeeks vs Bluehost Overview:
Let's kick off our Bluehost vs GreenGeeks review with a little background of our contenders:
GreenGeeks:
Founded in 2008, GreenGeeks claims to be the “world’s leading eco-friendly website hosting provider.” It’s a claim they’ve backed up quite well, too: the maximum use / no-waste hosting platform matches any electricity it takes from conventional power grids with thrice the amount pulled from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.
Bluehost:
Ranked among the world’s 20 largest web hosting services, Bluehost was founded in 2003 and has long been considered a technical partner for WordPress. The platform currently hosts over two million sites worldwide.
GreenGeeks vs Bluehost Ease of Use:
So which between Bluehost vs GreenGeeks is the more user-friendly web hosting option?
GreenGeeks:
The UI is presented in a classic cPanel configuration – essentially putting everything within the user’s view, and it is very easy to orient yourself with the menus. While it looks like a really retro site creation UI, you have to admit that it lets you take care of both front and back-end site management easily.
Bluehost:
Bluehost may appear to be easy enough to use on the surface, but it can prove challenging in the backend. For example, settings for FTP, DNS, and CMS all need to be done manually, so you either need to have a strong working knowledge of all three or have a handy person who does on hand.
Winner – GreenGeeks! This ‘Ease of Use' phase of the GreenGeeks vs Bluehost battle goes to GreenGeeks.
GreenGeeks vs Bluehost Features:
In this Bluehost vs GreenGeeks comparison, let's get to know what features each of these web hosts has for you:
Types of Hosting:
Bluehost
Shared Hosting:
- Bluehost's shared hosting is designed for small businesses and individuals.
- It features a free domain name for the first year, free SSL certificate, 1-click WordPress installations, and 24/7 customer support.
VPS and Dedicated Hosting:
- Bluehost's VPS hosting provides enhanced virtual servers with SSD storage, guaranteed resources, and full root access.
- Their dedicated hosting includes a free SSL certificate, improved cPanel, and minimum 3 IP addresses.
Specialized Hosting:
- Bluehost excels at WordPress hosting with official endorsement from WordPress.org. This hosting type features automatic WordPress installations and updates.
- They also provide WooCommerce hosting for online stores, which comes with a store-front theme installed and pre-configured.
GreenGeeks
Shared Hosting:
- GreenGeeks’ shared hosting is known for its environmentally-friendly approach as it’s 300% powered by renewable energy.
- Users can expect a free domain name for the first year, free nightly backups, unlimited web space, and data transfer.
VPS and Dedicated Hosting:
- GreenGeeks offers VPS hosting with managed security and round-the-clock monitoring.
- Though GreenGeeks does not offer conventional dedicated servers, their array of VPS plans can cater to most needs that dedicated servers are used for.
Specialized Hosting:
- GreenGeeks provides managed WordPress hosting that’s optimized for performance with automatic updates, daily backups, and advanced security.
- They also offer WooCommerce hosting with a one-click installer for quick setup.
Domain Names:
GreenGeeks:
Subscribers can get a single domain name with their subscription. However, domain names are only free for the first year; you’ll need to pay $13.95 for every succeeding year.
Bluehost:
The same deal goes for Bluehost: one subscriber = one domain, and additional domains/domain names need additional payment.
Email Rating:
GreenGeeks:
The platform offers an unlimited number of email addresses regardless of the subscription plan, and email storage is pretty much unlimited.
Bluehost:
The most basic plan only allows users to create five mailboxes. Those on mid-tier and premium accounts can create as many as they wish.
Databases:
GreenGeeks:
Users may create an unlimited number of databases regardless of their subscription plan.
Bluehost:
At its most basic, users may have only 20 databases for their Bluehost account. However, mid-tier and premium subscribers can create an unlimited number.
Applications:
GreenGeeks:
GreenGeeks depends on the third-party enabler app Softaculous. With this, users can download and install numerous applications to work with, like WordPress and Joomla, and even ecommerce-specific platforms like Magento and PrestaShop.
Bluehost:
Bluehost has its own in-platform installer, which enables users to bring in WordPress, Joomla, and Magento, among others.
WordPress:
Both platforms work well with WordPress. Note, however, that the Bluehost install for WordPress will automatically include a number of plugins you might not need, so it’s best to check after installation.
Site Staging:
GreenGeeks:
Unless you’re using it with WordPress, GreenGeeks doesn’t offer site staging before deployment.
Bluehost:
As Bluehost is primarily a managed WordPress hosting provider, the one-click staging feature is pre-included across all plans.
Website Builder:
Which has a better website builder – Bluehost vs GreenGeeks?
GreenGeeks:
GreenGeeks doesn’t have its own proprietary site builder and, instead, depends on sub-platforms like WordPress for site creation.
Bluehost:
Technically, you can use the WordPress installed with Bluehost for your site creation needs. But the platform does have its own builder bundled in and, while very basic for our tastes, we feel that this gives users a viable alternative, especially if they’re just starting.
eCommerce:
GreenGeeks:
GreenGeeks allows users to build their stores through several ecommerce platforms as well as WordPress’ WooCommerce shop-builder plugin. An SSL certificate is already included across all subscription packages.
Bluehost:
This platform 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.
Winner – Bluehost! It was the proprietary site builder that did it: we’re giving this GreenGeeks vs Bluehost match to Bluehost.
GreenGeeks vs Bluehost Security:
Which between Bluehost vs GreenGeeks can ensure better security for your site?
GreenGeeks
SSL:
- GreenGeeks offers free Let's Encrypt Wildcard SSL certificates on all hosting plans, ensuring secure data transfer between the server and users' browsers.
Backups:
- GreenGeeks provides nightly backups and allows customers to request a restore from the past 24 hours at no additional cost.
Malware Protection:
- GreenGeeks offers real-time security scanning, automatic app updates, and custom security rules to help protect websites from malware.
Additional Security Features:
- Secure vFS (Virtual File System) ensures the security and isolation of accounts on shared servers.
- Pro-active server monitoring to detect and mitigate threats in real time.
- Brute force and DDoS protection to safeguard websites from various online attacks.
Bluehost
SSL:
- Bluehost provides free SSL certificates on all hosting plans, enhancing the security of data transferred between users and the website.
Backups:
- Bluehost offers basic backup options on its lower-tier plans, and advanced backup and restoration options on higher-tier plans through CodeGuard.
Malware Protection:
- Bluehost’s SiteLock feature scans websites for malware and vulnerabilities. SiteLock is an additional paid service.
Additional Security Features:
- Two-factor authentication for added account security.
- Spam protection through SpamAssassin, Spam Experts, and Spam Hammer.
- Secure Shell (SSH) Access for secure remote management of hosting environments.
Winner – GreeGeeks! Both GreenGeeks and Bluehost offer free SSL certificates and nightly backups. GreenGeeks offers real-time security scanning as part of their plans, while Bluehost provides malware scanning through an additional paid service (SiteLock). GreenGeeks has proactive server monitoring and brute force protection, while Bluehost has two-factor authentication and advanced spam protection. Both hosts have strong security features, but GreenGeeks has a slight edge with more built-in security options, while Bluehost requires some additional purchases for full protection.
GreenGeeks vs Bluehost Performance:
We've dealt with each of Bluehost vs GreenGeeks features – but what about their performance?
Performance Summary Table for Bluehost vs GreenGeeks
| Criteria | Bluehost | GreenGeeks |
|---|---|---|
| Server Locations | Provo, Utah, USA |
|
| Speed (Load Time) | Approx. 600ms | Approx. 450ms |
| Uptime | 99.98% | 99.95% |
| Server Response Time (US, East Coast) | Approx. 75ms | Approx. 65ms |
| Server Response Time (Europe, London) | Approx. 120ms | Approx. 80ms |
| Server Response Time (Asia, Singapore) | Approx. 225ms | Approx. 175ms |
| Bandwidth | Unmetered | Unmetered |
| Webspace Limits | 50GB to Unlimited depending on the plan | Unlimited |
| Global CDN | Yes | Yes |
| Scalability | Scalable with plan upgrades | Scalable with plan upgrades |
Server Locations:
GreenGeeks:
Servers are located in the US, Canada, and Europe; users may opt for a server closest to their geographical location for immediate service.
Siteground:
Bluehost’s nerve center is located in Provo, Utah, with a secondary data center in the neighboring town of Orem. Global servers are in the UK, India, and China.
Speed Results:
GreenGeeks:
GreenGeeks sites load at a respectable 2.32 seconds.
Bluehost:
Definitely not impressive: average loading time for sites hosted through the service is currently at 3.22 seconds.
Average Uptime, Bandwidth, and Webspace limits/Storage:
GreenGeeks:
Average uptime is at 99.98%, and both bandwidth and data storage is unlimited.
Bluehost:
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.
Bluehost’s uptime is currently pegged at 99.98%, putting it on equal footing with its competitor.
Winner – GreenGeeks! We’re giving the performance round of our GreenGeeks vs Bluehost match to GreenGeeks.
GreenGeeks vs Bluehost Support and Resources:
So which among Bluehost vs GreenGeeks provides better and more timely support?
GreenGeeks:
Multi-channel technical support is available. Note, however, that while online options run 24/7, phone support is only available from 9 AM to 12 AM EST. Be sure to check out the tutorials they run on their knowledge base.
Bluehost:
Bluehost offers 24/7 customer and technical service via email, LiveChat, and phone. Its knowledge base is also well-maintained.
Winner – Bluehost! The ‘Support' round of the GreenGeeks vs Bluehost battle goes to Bluehost.
GreenGeeks vs Bluehost Pricing:
At this point, let's deal with the all-important value for money question in this GreenGeeks vs Bluehost comparison.
Quick Comparison Table for GreenGeeks vs Bluehost Pricing Plans and Transparency:
| Criteria | GreenGeeks | Bluehost | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lite | Pro | Premium | Basic | Plus | Choice Plus | |
| Initial Price | Starts from $2.95/month | Starts from $5.95/month | Starts from $10.95/month | Starts from $2.95/month | Starts from $5.45/month | Starts from $5.45/month |
| Renewal Price | $9.95/month | $14.95/month | $24.95/month | $9.99/month | $12.99/month | $18.99/month |
| Free Domain | Yes (1 year) | Yes (1 year) | Yes (1 year) | Yes (1 year) | Yes (1 year) | Yes (1 year) |
| Free Trial | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Refund Policy | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Check Pricing | Check GreenGeeks Pricing | Check Bluehost Pricing | ||||
Plans
Let's do a a more detailed rundown of GreenGeeks vs Bluehost plans.
GreenGeeks:
Their basic plans are a bit pricey, as they run between $10.95 and $25.95 monthly.
VPS plans are, of course, more expensive, as they range from $39.95 to $109.95 a month.
>> Check for our latest GreenGeeks discount code pricing plans <<
Bluehost:
The average cost of Bluehost’s standard plans runs between $3.95 and $13.95 every month.
However, note that key security features are only offered for all plans except for Basic Hosting. In addition, scalable corporate or enterprise plans can cost up to $119.99 per month.
>> Check for our latest Bluehost discount code pricing plans <<
GreenGeeks vs Bluehost Free trial, refund policy, and money-back guarantee:
Please also check the legal page for GreenGeeks, and legal page for Bluehost for detailed information on Free trial, refund policy, and money-back guarantee.
GreenGeeks:
You can try GreenGeeks risk-free for 30 days, then opt for a subscription at the end of the period. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee, and in the event your uptime drops, they give subscribers a sum equivalent to the amount of lag time.
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.
Winner – Bluehost! If it’s value for money you’re looking for, this GreenGeeks vs Bluehost ‘Pricing' round goes to Bluehost.
GreenGeeks vs Bluehost User Reviews
GreenGeeks
GreenGeeks is particularly known for its eco-friendly approach to web hosting, and many users admire this aspect.
Trustpilot
- GreenGeeks has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
- Users often praise GreenGeeks for its excellent customer support, both in terms of responsiveness and helpfulness.
- The environmentally friendly aspect of the company is highlighted and appreciated by many.
- Some users have mentioned that the performance and reliability of the hosting service are very good.
- On Reddit, GreenGeeks is recommended for those who are environmentally conscious and looking for solid hosting performance.
- Users often praise the support and the value for money offered by GreenGeeks.
Bluehost
Bluehost is a widely known web hosting provider, especially recommended for WordPress hosting.
Trustpilot
- Bluehost has a rating of 2.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
- Despite its popularity, Bluehost receives mixed reviews. Users who are happy with the service commend its ease of use, particularly for WordPress sites.
- However, there are complaints regarding customer support and unexpected charges.
- Some users have also mentioned experiencing downtime and performance issues.
- On Reddit, Bluehost is often recommended for beginners due to its user-friendly interface and integration with WordPress.
- However, advanced users sometimes look elsewhere for better performance and support.
Comparison Winner: GreenGeeks vs Bluehost?
Now that we've evaluated both contenders on several points, who is the winner? Overall, we find Bluehost as Comparison Winner in this Bluehost vs GreenGeeks showdown. Functionality and value for money are what secured the win for Bluehost.
Personal Experience with GreenGeeks and Bluehost
Signing Up
GreenGeeks
Signing up with GreenGeeks is a breeze. Their website is well-organized, and the registration process is clear and simple. They offer transparent pricing and don’t pressure you with too many upsells.
Bluehost
Bluehost also has a user-friendly sign-up process. Their pricing is clear, but they do present several upsells during the registration process, which can be a bit overwhelming for some.
Setting Up a Website
GreenGeeks
GreenGeeks uses the popular cPanel control panel for managing hosting accounts. They also provide Softaculous for easy one-click installations of popular web applications including WordPress.
Bluehost
Bluehost features a customized version of cPanel, which is easy to use and navigate. They also offer one-click installations for applications like WordPress and provide a built-in website builder.
Performance
GreenGeeks
GreenGeeks excels in performance with its commitment to eco-friendly hosting. They offer SSD storage, free CDN integration, and robust server technology which contributes to fast loading times.
Bluehost
Bluehost offers good performance, with a strong focus on uptime and loading speeds. They also provide SSD storage and free CDN integration, though GreenGeeks has an edge in eco-friendly operations.
Customer Support
GreenGeeks
GreenGeeks offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, phone, and email tickets. The support staff is knowledgeable and responsive, and they have a reputation for being genuinely helpful.
Bluehost
Bluehost also provides 24/7 support through live chat, phone, and tickets. However, the response times can sometimes be longer, and the quality of support can vary.
Conclusion and Recommendations To My GreenGeeks vs Bluehost Comparison Test:
To conclude our Bluehost vs GreenGeeks comparison;
What is GreenGeeks best for?
GreenGeeks is an excellent choice for those looking for an eco-friendly hosting solution without compromising on performance and features. The user-friendly interface and excellent customer support make it a strong option for both beginners and experienced users.
GreenGeeks is therefore a good choice for site owners who want to lessen their carbon footprint even online. Also, you can actually put one of their badges on your site to prove it.
What is Bluehost best for?
Bluehost is a solid and reliable hosting provider, well-suited for both novice and expert WordPress users, but I also recommend it for those who are scaling up their sites.
GreenGeeks and Bluehost Alternatives:
| Ranking | Key Features | Price (Basic Plan) | My View |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Bluehost | One-click WordPress install, free domain for 1st year, free SSL certificate, unmetered bandwidth, and 24/7 customer support. | $2.95/month Check Pricing | Best for beginners due to its user-friendly interface, affordability, and comprehensive features. It also has strong ties with WordPress. |
| 2. SiteGround | Managed WordPress hosting, free SSL, daily backups, CDN, email, staging tool, and 24/7 support. | $3.99/month Check Pricing | Best for overall performance, features, and exceptional customer support. It’s particularly favored among WordPress users due to its specialized hosting services. |
| 3. Kinsta | Managed WordPress hosting, free migrations, daily backups, automatic scaling, Google Cloud Platform infrastructure. | $30/month Check Pricing | Best for businesses that rely heavily on WordPress. It offers high performance, security, and scalability. |
| 4. A2 Hosting | Turbo servers for faster loading, free account migration, anytime money-back guarantee, and 24/7/365 support. | $2.99/month Check Pricing | Best for developers due to its range of developer-friendly tools, and also for its high-speed performance. |
| 5. WP Engine | Managed WordPress hosting, daily backups, threat detection, SSL, CDN, staging environments. | $30/month Check Pricing | Best for WordPress users looking for high-performance hosting with top-notch security features and support. |
| 6. Hostinger | LiteSpeed Cache, WordPress acceleration, free SSL, 24/7/365 support, 99.9% uptime guarantee. | $1.39/month Check Pricing | Best for budget-conscious users seeking an excellent balance between affordability, performance, and features. |
| 7. InMotion Hosting | Free domain, SSD storage, free SSL, security suite, and 90-day money-back guarantee. | $2.49/month Check Pricing | Best for small to medium-sized businesses due to its solid performance, security features, and customer support. |
| 8. DreamHost | Managed WordPress hosting, free domain, SSD storage, free SSL, 97-day money-back guarantee. | $2.59/month Check Pricing | Best for those looking for strong privacy protection, a long money-back guarantee period, and steady performance. |
| 9. Cloudways | Managed cloud hosting, SSD-based hosting, free SSL, dedicated firewalls, 24/7/365 support. | $10/month Check Pricing | Best for users who want a mix of performance and flexibility without the hassle of managing a cloud server. |
| 10. GreenGeeks | Environmentally friendly, unlimited web space, data transfer, free domain name, nightly backups, and 24/7/365 support. | $3.95/month Check Pricing | Best for eco-conscious users seeking robust hosting features with a focus on renewable energy without compromising speed and security. |
GreenGeeks vs Bluehost Final word:
We may have hailed Bluehost as the winner in our GreenGeeks vs Bluehost review, but we recommend that you trial for a viable hosting service that is in sync with your specific needs.
Click for the best Bluehost pricing
FAQs:
How green exactly is GreenGeeks?
This environmentally-sustainable service gives back thrice the amount of energy they take off conventional grids, but try to use sustainable energy as much as possible.
Does either service have cloud hosting options?
Unfortunately, no; neither of them have options for cloud hosting.
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 GreenGeeks 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;
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