OVERALL RATINGS
Best for?
- Individuals
- Businesses
Price
Starting at $6.99 per month
Our Verdict
Excellent Speed with 99.83% uptime. Seperate backup payment plan.
DreamHost may not enjoy the same level of popularity as GoDaddy and Bluehost among average internet users, but it holds a strong reputation among developers, designers, and digital marketers.
Having been established in 1996 in Los Angeles, DreamHost has experienced significant growth, now hosting over 1.5 million websites, with more than 750,000 of them powered by WordPress. They boast an impressive customer base of over 400,000.
DreamHost is widely endorsed and recommended across various platforms, including by WordPress itself.
However, one should approach such endorsements with some caution, considering they also endorse Bluehost, which may not be as reliable, as demonstrated in a comparison between DreamHost and Bluehost or through our comprehensive Bluehost review.
DreamHost Feature Images
DreamHost Product Offer
As DreamHost provides more than just shared hosting plans, let’s explore the additional services they offer, such as dedicated servers, cloud hosting, and more.
Domain Names: In addition to hosting packages, DreamHost also provides domain name registration.
They offer a wide range of options, including over 400 TLDs like .com, .org, and .net, as well as more unique extensions like .club or .guru. They also offer country-specific TLDs such as .es, .fr, .co.uk, and .de.
The prices for domain names vary, and for instance, a .com domain name costs $17.99 upon renewal.
Shared Hosting: DreamHost offers shared hosting as an entry-level option with competitive pricing. The renewal cost for the 1-site plan is $6.99 per month, while the Unlimited tier costs $12.99 per month.
This straightforward pricing makes it an attractive option for beginners. However, it’s important to note that if your website experiences significant growth, such as surpassing 50,000 visitors a month, you may need to consider upgrading to accommodate the increased traffic.
On the DreamHost website, you’ll also find “WordPress Basic” hosting, which is essentially the same as the Shared Starter and Shared Unlimited plans mentioned earlier.
VPS (Virtual Private Server): DreamHost offers Virtual Private Server (VPS) plans, which can be likened to shared hosting servers that have been divided into smaller, independent servers.
This allows for greater customization according to your website’s needs, and the resources are not shared with other clients.
VPS hosting plans start at $15.99 per month upon renewal and can go up to $114 per month depending on the chosen configuration.
Dedicated Hosting: For websites that have grown significantly and require dedicated resources, DreamHost offers dedicated hosting accounts.
However, it’s important to consider that dedicated hosting is more expensive.
The price for dedicated hosting at DreamHost starts at $149 per month and goes up to $279 per month.
Cloud Hosting: DreamHost also provides cloud hosting plans, which involve interconnected cloud servers hosting your website.
This option is ideal for handling traffic peaks, as additional resources like RAM and CPU can be added as needed.
The pricing for cloud hosting varies depending on the required resources, such as RAM and storage. DreamHost’s cloud server packages start at $4.50 per month.
Managed WordPress Hosting: In addition to the above services, DreamHost offers managed WordPress hosting plans.
These plans include features like automatic updates, staging areas, and dedicated WordPress support. The Managed WordPress hosting account starts at $19.99 per month upon renewal for one site only.
Please note that for the purpose of this review, we will primarily focus on DreamHost’s shared hosting plans.
DreamHost Pricing
Shared Hosting:
Starter Plan: Starting at around $2.59 per month. Features include hosting for one website, 50 GB storage, and 6 databases.
Unlimited Plan: Starting at around $3.95 per month. Features include hosting for unlimited websites, unlimited storage, and unlimited databases.
VPS Hosting:
VPS plans start at around $15.99 per month (renewal price) and can go up to $114 per month, depending on the chosen configuration.
Dedicated Hosting:
Dedicated hosting plans can start at approximately $149 per month and go up to $279 per month, depending on the level of resources and features.
Cloud Hosting:
Cloud hosting plans can start at around $4.50 per month, with pricing varying based on the resources you need.
Managed WordPress Hosting:
Managed WordPress hosting plans start at around $19.99 per month (renewal price) for one site, with additional features like automatic updates and dedicated WordPress support.
What Do Their Shared Plans Include?
| FEATURE | STARTER | UNLIMITED |
|---|---|---|
| Websites | 1 | Unlimited |
| Tech support & customer service | 24-hour Live chat support and ticket (email) | 24-hour Live chat support and ticket (email) |
| Free domain name registration | First year | First year |
| Web hosting Storage | 50 GB | Unlimited |
| Max. files (inodes) | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited bandwidth | Unlimited bandwidth |
| Databases | 6 | Unlimited |
| Free SSL certificate | Included | Included |
| Email accounts | $1.67 a month for 25 GB | Included |
| Daily backups | 5 days database 14 days website | 5 days database 14 days website |
| Monthly pricing | 1st month $4.95, thereafter $7.99 a month | 1st month $8.95, thereafter $13.99 a month |
| Annual price | 1st year $2.95 a month thereafter $6.99 a month | 1st year $2.95 a month thereafter $12.99 a month |
| More information | DreamHost.com | |
I truly appreciate how DreamHost maintains a transparent and straightforward approach to their pricing and plan structure. They offer just two shared hosting plans, which cover most essential features without any aggressive or expensive upsells.
Now, let’s explore which plan suits your needs:
If you’re looking to host only one website, the Shared Starter hosting plan is the ideal choice. It provides all the basics you require. However, please note that email accounts are not included in this plan and can be added separately at a reasonable price (starting at $1.67 per month extra).
The plan also comes with a limitation of 6 databases and 50 GB of storage, which is typically more than sufficient for the majority of small to medium-sized websites.
For hosting more than one website, the Shared Unlimited package is a highly affordable option.
This plan includes email accounts, unlimited storage, and databases, in addition to the generous features already provided in the basic plan, such as FTP accounts and bandwidth.
If you’re a WooCommerce user, there are also optimized pricing plans available, specifically tailored to meet your requirements, which you can find here.
Overall, DreamHost’s approach to pricing and plan offerings is commendable, making it easier for users to find the most suitable option without any unnecessary complications or hidden fees.
DreamHost Pros and Cons
- Budget Friendly: DreamHost provides budget-friendly web hosting services, and even their highest-tier shared hosting plan is more economical compared to many other alternatives.
- No aggressive upsells or forced upgrades: Unlike numerous competitors who employ aggressive pitches to push add-ons and upgrades, DreamHost offers a refreshing experience by not pressuring customers into unnecessary purchases.
- Unrestricted bandwidth and ample storage: DreamHost provides accounts with truly unlimited bandwidth and generous storage capacity, setting them apart from others by not imposing any inodes limitations.
- Limited Customer Support for Basic Plans: While DreamHost provides excellent customer support, the level of assistance may vary based on the hosting plan chosen.
- Migration Fee for Some Plans: While DreamHost offers free site migration for some hosting plans, certain lower-tier plans may incur a migration fee.
- No email account in the starter plan: With the Shared Starter plan, email accounts are not included in the package, but they are reasonably priced and can be purchased separately.
- Absence of advanced features: Certain functionalities required for larger projects appear to be absent.
Best Time to Use DreamHost
DreamHost stands out as an irresistible choice for countless website owners, especially those on the hunt for dependable and budget-friendly web hosting solutions.
They’ve nailed it by bringing together affordability and top-notch quality – a rare combo in the hosting game.
For smaller projects like a dentist’s website, DreamHost delivers unmatched value for your hard-earned cash. It’s a serious contender worth considering!
And hey, even if your website is bigger and bolder, DreamHost’s shared web hosting services got your back with blazing speed, rock-solid uptime, and decent customer service.
They’ve got something for all you passionate bloggers and experienced site developers out there!
So, if you’re after a hosting solution that’s both reliable and wallet-friendly, DreamHost has got your back! Trust me, it’s a choice you won’t regret! Go ahead and check DreamHost out now – you’ll be glad you did!
Worst Time to Use DreamHost
However, there are certain situations where I wouldn’t suggest DreamHost.
For instance, if your target audience is beyond North America and they don’t have servers outside the US, it might not be the most suitable option. You might want to consider WP Engine, SiteGround, or A2 Hosting instead – they could be a better match.
Moreover, tech-savvy users like developers or agencies might find themselves longing for some advanced features like staging areas, an integrated caching system, or pre-installed Git repositories.
If you’re into these functionalities, then SiteGround or DreamPress (by DreamHost) should be on your radar.
DreamHost Feature Ratings
EASE OF USE
DreamHost’s control panel has a modern and sleek design, featuring easy access to all options from the left sidebar. Unlike cPanel-based interfaces, it showcases a unique design. However, some users may notice the absence of a few advanced options that they might be accustomed to.
UPTIME
During my recent round of tests, DreamHost achieved a 99.83% uptime, which falls short of being satisfactory. However, in the past, they have demonstrated higher uptime rates, so we can hope that this year’s results are just a temporary setback.
SECURITY FEATURES
DreamHost provides free SSL certificate activation through their integration with Let’s Encrypt, ensuring secure connections for websites.
They go the extra mile in enhancing security by offering SSH and SFTP access. Moreover, they support the latest versions of PHP 7 and PHP 8, along with HTTP/2 for improved performance.
SERVER LOCATION
DreamHost’s data centers are exclusively located in the United States, specifically in Virginia and Oregon. However, they have fewer server locations compared to competitors such as SiteGround or A2 Hosting.
SERVER SPEED
In our speed assessments, DreamHost proved to be a dependable provider, although not the swiftest. They utilize SSD (solid-state drives), HTTP/2, and PHP 7, contributing to improved performance.
WEBSPACE LIMIT
Under the Shared Starter plan, storage is confined to 50 GB. On the other hand, the Unlimited plan doesn’t impose any storage limitations, but it’s essential to note the existence of a fair usage policy, which restricts certain activities like file-sharing sites.
MONTHLY DATA TRANSFER LIMIT
DreamHost’s shared hosting plans do not impose any bandwidth restrictions. Nevertheless, users must adhere to their Terms of Use, which includes refraining from utilizing the hosting service as a backup device.
FTP ACCOUNTS AND SECURE FTP
You can access FTP, SFTP, and SSH with DreamHost’s hosting services. The Starter plan allows up to 6 of these connections, while the Unlimited package offers unrestricted access without any limitations.
SERVER FEATURES
DreamHost’s control panel allows you to access MySQL 5, PHP 7, and PHP 8. Beyond that, you have the flexibility to utilize various programming languages such as Perl, Ruby, and Python.
While their servers are not PCI compliant by default, with some technical expertise, you have the capability to implement PCI compliance.
DATABASES
DreamHost enables users to create MySQL databases. However, the Starter plan is restricted to a maximum of 6 databases.
Under the Unlimited plan, you have the freedom to create an unlimited number of databases.
DOMAIN NAMES
DreamHost provides a complimentary domain name registration for annual (or longer) plans, but this offer is applicable only for the first year.
From the second year onwards, a .com domain will be priced at $17.99. You have a variety of domain name options to choose from, including .com, .net, .org, .info, .global, .blog, .shop, or .club.
Under the Shared Starter plan, you are limited to having just one domain name and up to 5 subdomains. However, with the Shared Unlimited plan, you have the liberty to host an unlimited number of subdomains.
APPLICATIONS
This web hosting service provides scripts for effortless installations of a select few popular CMSs like WordPress, Zen Cart, or Joomla.
However, the range of available options is limited, and you won’t find popular CMSs like Drupal, Magento, or PrestaShop among the choices offered.
EMAIL RATING
DreamHost Starter plan does not include free email hosting, and it is available as an add-on starting at $1.67 per month.
However, with the Unlimited tier, you have the advantage of creating and managing an unlimited number of email accounts. Each email account size is capped at a maximum of 25 GB.
BACKUPS
DreamHost performs daily backups of all your files, giving you access to the most recent 14 backups of your website and 5 backups of your database.
For more advanced backup features like on-demand backups, you have the option to add them on separately for an additional cost.
CDN
DreamHost does not offer a built-in CDN, you have the option to integrate a third-party provider like Cloudflare to meet your content delivery needs.
REFUNDS AND GUARANTEES
DreamHost offers an outstanding 97-day money-back guarantee, which is quite impressive.
Additionally, their Terms of Service specify that they will compensate users if they fail to deliver 100% uptime, further showcasing their commitment to customer satisfaction.
ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT
DreamHost provides round-the-clock customer support through live chat and a ticket support system (email). However, they do not offer phone customer service.
In my experience, I’ve found their tech support agents to be friendly and helpful. Their help materials are user-friendly, regularly updated, and provide detailed instructions.
OVERALL RATINGS
DreamHost is a dependable and budget-friendly hosting provider, ideal for small to medium websites. It lacks some advanced features, but overall offers good value and simplicity.
DreamHost Performance Tests
Before entrusting your website to a new hosting provider, it’s crucial to assess their performance. To save you time, I’ve conducted recent tests on DreamHost’s performance and compared it with its competitors.
DreamHost Speed Test
Everyone desires a fast-loading website as slow page load times can negatively impact user engagement metrics and organic search rankings.
While there are measures to enhance site speed, the hosting company plays a critical role. Regrettably, DreamHost didn’t fare well in our recent web host speed tests compared to its competitors.
| Page Load Time in Seconds | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GreenGeeks | 1.56 | 1.29 | 1.21 |
| A2 Hosting | 2.01 | 1.30 | 1.25 |
| GoDaddy | 1.94 | 1.44 | 1.28 |
| Cloudways | 1.73 | 1.46 | 1.30 |
| SiteGround | 1.54 | 1.56 | 1.35 |
| Hostinger | 1.61 | 1.63 | 1.35 |
| WP Engine | 1.65 | 1.66 | 1.37 |
| Namecheap | 1.60 | 1.69 | 1.40 |
| Dreamhost | 1.84 | 1.75 | 1.63 |
| Kinsta | 1.77 | 1.82 | 1.70 |
| Bluehost | 2.87 | 2.07 | 1.89 |
| IONOS | 1.95 | 2.32 | 2.20 |
| InMotion | 2.75 | 2.58 | 2.35 |
| iPage | 2.76 | 2.60 | 2.58 |
| HostGator | 2.78 | 2.72 | 2.70 |
In our evaluation of 15 hosting providers, DreamHost ranked 9th with an average speed of 1.74 seconds for the test site.
While there were faster web hosts, a 1.74-second average load time is considered satisfactory.
DreamHost Uptime
Certain web hosting providers experience frequent interruptions, leading to compromised availability (uptime).
This can be detrimental for projects reliant on hosting, such as online stores and digital marketing agencies, affecting search engine rankings as well.
To address this, I continuously monitor hosting providers’ uptime. Now, let’s examine DreamHost’s 2023 performance in comparison to other web hosts.
| Uptime Chart | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SiteGround | 99.97 | 100 | 100 |
| WP Engine | 99.99 | 99.99 | 100 |
| Namecheap | 99.99 | 100 | 100 |
| Kinsta | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| InMotion | 99.73 | 99.95 | 100 |
| A2 Hosting | 99.99 | 99.98 | 99.99 |
| Cloudways | 100 | 100 | 99.99 |
| HostGator | 99.91 | 99.99 | 99.98 |
| GreenGeeks | 99.98 | 99.98 | 99.97 |
| GoDaddy | 99.90 | 99.96 | 99.95 |
| Hostinger | 99.48 | 99.92 | 99.95 |
| Bluehost | 99.96 | 99.99 | 99.95 |
| iPage | 98.45 | 99.85 | 99.95 |
| Dreamhost | 99.99 | 99.96 | 99.83 |
| IONOS | 99.91 | 99.93 | 99.71 |
DreamHost’s uptime levels over the past year have been subpar at 99.83%. As indicated in the table, other providers achieved significantly better uptime rates.
My Verdict on DreamHost: Do I Recommend It?
DreamHost presents both advantages and drawbacks in their hosting plans. Their affordable prices and transparent pricing structure make them appealing for small to medium websites.
The 97-day money-back guarantee and uptime compensation display their commitment to customer satisfaction. Additionally, their free SSL and SSH add to website security.
On the flip side, DreamHost has some limitations. Their data centers are solely located in the US, which might not suit global audiences.
DreamHost doesn’t include some advanced features like staging areas and GIT repositories, potentially disappointing tech-savvy users.
They don’t include email hosting for their Starter plan, which usually incur additional costs for users that require email support for their website.
Dreamhost lack of phone support might inconvenience users that prefer direct communication with customer support agents.
DreamHost is not PCI compliance and ensuring PCI compliance for your ecommerce projects requires technical expertise and can impact on your hosting budget.
I recommend, DreamHost as a dependable choice for budget-friendly and reliable hosting.
However, users seeking advanced features or server locations beyond the US might find better alternatives.
>Experience DreamHost risk-free for a generous 97-day trial period.
DreamHost Alternatives
DreamHost Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I host multiple websites under the Shared Unlimited plan?
Yes, the Shared Unlimited plan allows you to host an unlimited number of websites, making it an excellent choice for users looking to manage multiple sites without any limitations on domains.
Does DreamHost provide free SSL certificates for website security?
Yes, DreamHost offers free SSL certificates with all of their hosting plans. SSL certificates encrypt data transmitted between your website and your visitors, ensuring secure and protected communications.
Can I host my WordPress website with DreamHost?
Absolutely! DreamHost is a great choice for hosting WordPress websites. They offer specialized WordPress hosting plans, including DreamPress, designed to optimize the performance and security of WordPress sites. Additionally, you can host your WordPress website on their shared hosting plans as well.
DreamHost provides easy one-click installations for WordPress, making it simple to get your website up and running. With their reliable uptime and 24/7 customer support, DreamHost is an excellent option for hosting your WordPress site.
