Bluehost vs DreamHost (March 2024) – “The Winner Is …”

Bluehost Review Rating
DreamHost Review Rating

In this comparison of Bluehost vs DreamHost we take a detailed look at how these two web hosts, that are recommended by WordPress.org, match up when it comes not only to WordPress hosting but other types of websites as well.

Bluehost and DreamHost are two of the most established and well-known web hosting companies. Bluehost is part of the Newfold Digital group while DreamHost continues to operate as an independent hosting company. Which one should you choose? Let’s take a more detailed look at both.

Bluehost vs DreamHost: Differences

Advantages of Bluehost over DreamHost:

  • Guided WordPress Website Setup
  • Customized WordPress Dashboard
  • Customized cPanel Interface

Advantages of DreamHost over Bluehost:

  • Faster Website Speeds
  • WordPress Website Builder
  • Host Unlimited Websites
  • 100% Uptime Guarantee
  • 97 Day Money Back Guarantee

The Winner

Category Bluehostbluehost DreamHostDreamHost Comments
Data Centers   Winner DreamHost has data centers on the east and west coasts.
Server Hardware   Winner  
Network   Winner 100% Uptime Guarantee
Account Sign Up/Provision Winner   Bluehost will guide you through creating your first site.
Control Panel   Winner  
Speed and Performance   Winner See Below.
Security Winner Winner Tie. Both provide Free Let’s Encrypt SSL Certificates.
Data Backup Winner Winner Tie. Both include automated daily backups.
Developer Tools   Winner DreamHost currently supports PHP 8.2
WordPress   Winner DreamHost includes Pre-Installation of WordPress, free migrations, and a better WordPress website builder. They also offer advanced WordPress hosting plans.
Customer Support Response Time Winner    
Customer Support Issue Resolution   Winner  
Money Back Guarantee   Winner DreamHost offers a 97 Day Money Back Guarantee.
Price/Value   Winner $2.95 mo.

Bluehost vs DreamHost: WordPress

As I mentioned above, both Bluehost and DreamHost are recommended by WordPress.org. And when it comes to WordPress, they both have advantages for beginning WordPress users as well as for advanced WordPress applications.

If you’re new to WordPress, Bluehost has really simplified website creation by preinstalling WordPress and also guiding you through selecting your theme and setting up your site. Bluehost also provides a customized WordPress dashboard that gives you easy access to your website functions. On the other hand, if you prefer using a website builder, DreamHost offers their WP website builder that lets you quickly and easily create a WordPress site.

DreamHost also offers advanced level WordPress hosting plans that include premium features such as website staging, advanced caching, and on-demand data backups. Although it’s close, because DreamHost provides more WordPress options and features, they are the winner in this category.

WordPress Feature Comparison
Included with Hosting Plan

Bluehost DreamHost
Preinstallation Feature Included Feature Included
Auto Updates Feature Included Feature Included
Auto Data Backups Feature Included Feature Included
On Demand Backup and Restore   Feature Included DreamPress
Website Staging Feature Included Feature Included DreamPress
Optimized Caching   Feature Included DreamPress
WordPress Security Feature Included Feature Included
Managed WordPress Available? Feature Included Feature Included

While both Bluehost and DreamHost deliver hosting worthy of their WordPress.org recommendation, overall in this category DreamHost is the winner.

Bluehost vs DreamHost: Website Speed

Both Bluehost and DreamHost have improved their website speed performance in recent years. DreamHost is slightly faster in our head to head testing, as well as in my personal experience using both of these WordPress.org recommended web hosts.

Below are some sample speed test results from GTmetrix:

DreamHost Speed Test Results

Bluehost Speed Results

Bluehost vs DreamHost: Customer Support

Both Bluehost and DreamHost have made great strides in recent times regarding customer support. Response times are now excellent and both support teams have provided quick resolutions when I’ve contacted them. It’s a very close call in this category, but DreamHost gets a slight edge with more consistency in providing helpful resolutions.

Bluehost
Bluehost

Started Business: 1996
Data Center Location: Provo, UT

Price: Price: $2.95 mo. – $5.45 mo.
Unlimited Bandwidth: No
Unlimited Storage: No
Unlimited Email: Yes
Host Multiple Domains: Yes (Except Basic Plan)

Hosting Interface: cPanel
Server Uptime: N/A
Full Refund Period: 30 Days
Dedicated Hosting Available: Yes

Advantages of Choosing Bluehost:

  • Automatic Installation of WordPress
  • User Friendly Guided WordPress Site Creation
  • Customized WordPress Dashboard Interface
  • Performance Caching
  • Automatic WordPress Plugin and Theme Updates
  • Responsive Customer Support via Phone, Email, and Live Chat
  • Fast Website Provisioning

Click here to see more details on Bluehost


dreamhost
DreamHost

Started Business: 1997
Data Center Location: Irvine, CA; Ashburn, VA; and Hillsboro, OR

Price: $2.59 mo. – $3.95 mo.
Unlimited Bandwidth: Yes
Unlimited Storage: Yes
Unlimited Email: Yes
Host Multiple Domains: Yes

Hosting Interface: DreamHost Control Panel
Server Uptime: 100%
Full Refund Period: 97 Days
Dedicated Hosting Available: Yes

Advantages of Choosing DreamHost:

  • Faster Website Speeds
  • Optimized WordPress Hosting
  • WordPress Partner since 2005
  • 100% Uptime Guarantee
  • WordPress Website Builder
  • More Consistent Customer Support
  • Cloud Storage Services Available

Click here for more details on DreamHost

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How Does DreamHost Compare with Other Web Hosts?

DreamHost vs A2 Hosting
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These two web hosting companies both have their roots in California. InMotion and DreamHost are very well known as quality hosting providers…

DreamHost vs Jaguar PC
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DreamHost vs SiteGround
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Recommendation

While both Bluehost and DreamHost are indeed quality web hosts, overall in this comparison DreamHost is the winner. See our DreamHost review ratings below.

DreamHost Review Ratings

Features - 88%
Speed and Performance - 90%
Customer Support - 87%
Value - 86%

88%

DreamHost

User Rating: 5 ( 1 votes)

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