Bluehost vs DreamHost Shared Starter
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Bluehost and DreamHost Shared Starter.
Bluehost Managed WordPress hosting with WordPress.com backing | DreamHost Shared Starter Affordable shared hosting for small sites and blogs | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 4.0 (281 reviews) | 4.5 (237 reviews)✓ |
| Pricing model | paid | paid |
| Best for | Small business owners and WordPress beginners who prioritize ease of setup and native WordPress support over advanced configuration options. | First-time site owners and small bloggers who need a simple, low-cost entry point into web hosting without performance-critical requirements. |
| Pricing transparency | ||
| Intro price | $2.95/mo | $2.59/mo✓ |
| Renewal price | $10.99/mo | $7.99/mo✓ |
| Renewal hike | +273% | +209%✓ |
| Renewal transparency | poor | good |
| Money-back days | 30 days | 97 days✓ |
| Uptime guarantee | 99.9% | 99.9% |
| Hosting amenities | ||
| cPanel included | ✓ | |
| WordPress 1-click | ||
| Staging environment | ||
| Daily backups | ||
| Free SSL | ||
| Free domain | ||
| Free migration | ||
| Phone support | ✓ | |
| Live chat | ||
| LiteSpeed server | ||
| Green hosting | ✓ | |
| Data-center locations | ||
| Regions | United States | United States |
| Tags | ||
| Tags | free domainfree sslcpanelphone support24 7 supportwordpress optimised1 click installer | free domainfree sslgreen hostingwordpress optimised1 click installer |
| Visit Bluehost → | Visit DreamHost Shared Starter → | |
Bluehost
Pros
- + Enable WordPress site in under 5 minutes with one-click setup
- + Access WordPress-native tools and automatic core updates
- + Receive 24/7 phone support with WordPress-trained staff
- + Scale resources as traffic grows with managed upgrades
Cons
- - Renewal pricing significantly higher than introductory rates
- - Performance degrades during traffic spikes on shared servers
- - Limited server-level customization for advanced users
DreamHost Shared Starter
Pros
- + Enable unlimited bandwidth and storage at entry-level pricing
- + Include free domain registration and SSL certificate
- + Support WordPress with automatic installation and updates
- + Access 24/7 customer support via multiple channels
Cons
- - Shared resources mean performance depends on neighboring sites' traffic
- - Limited to one website on the Starter tier
- - No dedicated IP address included
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