DreamHost Review (2024)
TL;DR: What We Think of DreamHost
A veteran in the web hosting arena, with over two decades under its belt. While DreamHost’s features may not dazzle, its endorsement by WordPress.org speaks volumes. The verdict? Reliable, with a control panel that’s a coin toss for adaptation.
Suitable for:
Beginners-friendly, Budget, or Adult Website Hosting
Our Evaluation: DreamHost Pros and Cons
DreamHost Pros
- Reliable server uptime performance
- Daily backup included in all shared hosting plans
- 97-day Money back guarantee
- Extensive knowledgebase
DreamHost Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Live chat support can be better
- Server location in the United States only
- No free site migration assistance
Our Detail Findings & Experience with DreamHost
About DreamHost: Quick Introduction
DreamHost has established itself in the web hosting and domain services sector since its founding in 1996 by Dallas Bethune, Josh Jones, Michael Rodriguez, and Sage Weil. Based in Los Angeles, California, DreamHost’s origin and location underscore its longstanding role and innovation in web hosting and domain registration services.
| Performance |
Is DreamHost fast in terms of hosting speed and performance?DreamHost offers very limited performance optimization in their shared hosting plans. For better speed features, such as NGINX hosting and built-in caching, you will have to go with their more expensive Managed WordPress Hosting plans. The company publishes their server and network service status publicly, click here to visit. |
| Security |
Are websites hosted on DreamHost secure with server-side security?Websites hosted at DreamHost are safe for basic security needs. DreamHost includes essential security tools such as advanced web application firewall (WAF), free SSL certificates, daily backup, However, for websites requiring advanced security, DreamHost may not provide the high-level protection needed. |
| Supports |
What types of customer support does DreamHost offer?Customer support at DreamHost has room for improvement, with some users experiencing longer response times and less personalized assistance. You can reach out to their support team via phone, live chat, and email. |
| Value for Money |
Is DreamHost worth its pricing in term of value?DreamHost is very cheap when weighed against its feature offerings and long-term cost. At $2.95 per month (renews at $6.99/mo), basic shared hosting allows you to host 1 website with 24/7 customer support, a free domain name, daily backup, and 97-days money back guarantee. Higher plans with better features like VPS starts at $13.75/mo, cloud hosting at $4.5/mo and dedicated hosting at $149/mo. |
| Overall Users Satisfaction |
What do users say about DreamHost?Overall, users are happy with Dreamhost server performance and pricing. The company also receives high praise for its email support, which is quick and efficient according to some long-term customers. However, some users are disappointed that phone support is not free, as sometimes it’s better to talk to someone directly. For additional insights, please refer to the user reviews section below. |
| Beginners Friendliness |
Is DreamHost suitable for beginners?Users who are new to website hosting can benefit from DreamHost’s extensive knowledge base and 97-day money back guarantee. The long wait time with their live chat support and limited choices in server location can be a turn off though. |
| Small Business Friendliness |
Is DreamHost suitable for small businesses?Yes and no. On one hand, DreamHost’s affordable pricing and reliable hosting performance are great for businesses looking for a cost-efficient hosting solutions. On the other hand, limited choice in server locations and poor live chat support are hard to look pass. |
| Web Developers Friendliness |
Is DreamHost suitable for web developers?No, there isn’t many features that benefit web developers at DreamHost. We do not recommend them for hosting complex web projects. |
| Host Own Email |
Can you host custom email accounts with DreamHost?Yes, you can host your own email accounts with DreamHost. This significantly reduces your costs by eliminating the need for expensive third-party email services. |
| Onboarding |
Is DreamHost easy for new customers to start with?The onboarding process at DreamHost is straight forward and smooth. Making payment will trigger their system to send you your account details. This will contain all the information you need to get started with them. |
| Free Trial |
Is DreamHost available for a free trial?Yes, DreamHost offers a 97-day free trial period. If you are not satisfied with their services for any reason, you can cancel within this period and receive a full refund. |
DreamHost Plans & Pricing
DreamHost provides a range of web hosting solutions, including Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Cloud hosting plans. The company also offers specialty hosting services such as Managed WordPress, Adult Websites, Email, and Minecraft hosting.
Consider Renewal Prices When Choosing
When evaluating hosting options, it is important to note that many hosting companies offer substantial discounts during the initial signup period, but prices often increase significantly upon renewal. Be sure to research and compare the renewal prices and not just the introductory rates to understand the true cost of hosting over time.
To help you in making an informed decision, we have prepared two tables below that compare the initial signup costs and renewal costs of DreamHost services with several other providers we monitor.
Compare DreamHost’s Signup Cost Against Competitors
| Web Host | Shared | VPS | Dedicated | Cloud | Managed WP | Windows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DreamHost | $2.95 – 2.95/mo | $13.75 – 110.00/mo | $149.00 – 399.00/mo | $4.50 – 48.00/mo | $16.95 – 71.95/mo | $ – /mo |
| HostPapa | $2.95 – 12.95/mo | $19.99 – 249.99/mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $19.95 – 114.95/mo | $ – /mo |
| A2 Hosting | $2.99 – 14.99/mo | $2.99 – 99.99/mo | $109.99 – 529.99/mo | $ – /mo | $11.99 – 41.99/mo | $ – /mo |
| Hostalia | $1.06 – 1.06/mo | $ – /mo | $117.89 – 321.7/mo | $11.69 – 294.88/mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo |
| SiteGround | $3.99 – 10.69/mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $100.00 – 400.00/mo | $3.99 – 10.69/mo | $ – /mo |
| OVHcloud | $1.04 – 13.19/mo | $0.97 – 36.24/mo | $49.32 – 828.12/mo | $29 – 429/mo | $4.39 – 13.19/mo | $6.44 – 36.24/mo |
Compare DreamHost’s Renewal Cost Against Competitors
| Web Host | Shared | VPS | Dedicated | Cloud | Managed WP | Windows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DreamHost | $6.99 – 12.99/mo | $15.99 – 114.99/mo | $149.00 – 399.00/mo | $4.50 – 48.00/mo | $16.95 – 71.95/mo | $ – /mo |
| HostPapa | $12.95 – 34.99/mo | $19.99 – 249.99/mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $19.95 – 114.95/mo | $ – /mo |
| A2 Hosting | $12.99 – 29.99/mo | $8.99 – 239.99/mo | $199.99 – 749.99/mo | $ – /mo | $25.99 – 61.99/mo | $ – /mo |
| Hostalia | $5.35 – 16.08/mo | $ – /mo | $117.89 – 321.7/mo | $11.69 – 294.88/mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo |
| SiteGround | $17.99 – 44.99/mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo | $100.00 – 400.00/mo | $17.99 – 44.99/mo | $ – /mo |
| OVHcloud | $1.04 – 13.19/mo | $4.2 – 39.4/mo | $65.99 – 920.99/mo | $29 – 429/mo | $4.39 – 13.19/mo | $7 – 39.4/mo |
Caution: Prices May Vary Web hosting prices can change frequently. For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing information, please visit the official DreamHost website.
Is DreamHost the Right Choice for You?
DreamHost presents a mixed bag with its commitment to quality hosting marred by gaps in live chat support and server locations confined to the United States. The hurdles of no free site migration and looming price hikes upon renewal might give pause to potential users. Nonetheless, DreamHost holds its ground – especially in shared hosting section, with a solid reputation and an enticing 97-day money-back guarantee (longest in the hosting industry!) – making it a contender worth considering despite its quirks.
Summary of DreamHost Pros and Cons
DreamHost Pros
- Reliable server uptime performance
- Daily backup included in all shared hosting plans
- 97-day Money back guarantee
- Extensive knowledgebase
DreamHost Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Live chat support can be better
- Server location in the United States only
- No free site migration assistance
DreamHost Alternatives to Consider
In case DreamHost is not right for you, below are some alternatives to consider. You can also find more options in our hosting reviews page (full list).