BlueHost Review

BlueHost Pros & Cons

Evaluating BlueHost: A Breakdown of Performance, Security, and Other Key Features

Founded in 2003 by Matt Heaton and Danny Ashworth, Bluehost has grown to become one of the world’s largest web hosting providers. Initially acquired by Endurance International Group (EIG) in 2010, it is now a flagship brand under NewFold Digital. Bluehost offers a comprehensive range of hosting services, including shared hosting, VPS, dedicated servers, and WordPress hosting. As one of the few hosts officially recommended by WordPress.org, it remains a popular choice for both beginners and experienced website owners.

In the following sections, we’ll take a closer look at how BlueHost performs across critical areas like hosting speed, server security, customer support, and overall value.

What Can You Expect from BlueHost in Terms of Speed & Uptime Performance?

Yes, Bluehost offers solid hosting speed and performance, especially for WordPress sites. Recently rated as a top-tier WordPress host by ReviewSignal for both site speed and uptime, Bluehost has made noticeable improvements. All shared plans now include built-in caching and Cloudflare CDN, which enhance page load times.

However, its data centers are US-based, which may impact performance for international visitors. To optimize speed globally, users may need to add more CDN options for consistent performance across different regions.

Is Your Website Safe with BlueHost’s Security Measures?

Yes, websites hosted at BlueHost are safe. The hosting provider implements a range of security measures designed to protect your data and ensure website reliability. Key server security features include:

• DDoS protection, which shields your site from malicious traffic.
• Web Application Firewall (WAF), which blocks potential threats before they reach your site.

Additionally, BlueHost offers free SSL certificates with an easy installation system, enabling users to secure their websites effortlessly. This encrypts communication and protects the data exchanged between your site and its visitors.

With these measures in place, you can trust that your website is well-protected against online risks.

What Can You Expect from BlueHost’s Customer Support?

BlueHost offers a range of 24×7 customer support options to ensure users get timely assistance. Help is available via phone, live chat, and email. Additionally, you can also access the knowledge base for self-help guides and troubleshooting. User feedback indicates that customer support is generally satisfactory, with response times and issue resolution being adequate, though not exceptional.

Is BlueHost’s Pricing Justified by the Value and Features It Offers?

Bluehost’s pricing can be seen as reasonable when matched with the features it offers, especially for beginners. The Basic shared hosting plan starts at $1.99 per month (renewing at $6.99 per month), which allows users to host up to 10 websites, includes 24/7 support, a free domain, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. While this is appealing, users should be aware of potential upsells and feature limitations – such as the absence of NVMe storage, daily backups, and staging environments – that are included by some competitors at slightly higher rates.

Additionally, the advertised cheap signup rate applies only to an annual subscription, with longer terms offering more favorable renewal rates.

For those considering higher-tier services, such as VPS (starting at $94.99 per month) and dedicated hosting (starting at $141.19 per month), the costs may seem high. Yet, these plans come with enhanced resources, making them suitable for businesses needing more power. While Bluehost’s upsell tactics can be frustrating, the overall value aligns well with the price point, as long as you understand the renewal structure and additional costs.

How is BlueHost Rated Based on Overall Market Satisfaction?

Based on our market research, BlueHost receives a mix of feedback regarding user satisfaction. Customers frequently appreciate its affordability and user-friendly interface, making it an appealing choice for beginners and small businesses. The simplicity of setting up and managing websites on BlueHost is often lauded.

On the other hand, some users report issues with server reliability and occasional downtime, which affects their overall experience. There are also instances of slow responses from customer support and technical services. If you’re thinking about choosing BlueHost, it’s important to take these customer complaints into account before making your final decision.

For additional insights, please refer to the user reviews section below.

Is BlueHost Suitable for Beginners?

Bluehost is a solid choice for beginners, particularly due to its competitive pricing and user-friendly features. With shared hosting plans starting as low as $1.99 per month for hosting up to 10 sites, it offers an affordable entry point for new website owners. This low-cost option allows beginners to explore website management without significant financial commitment, making it ideal for those just starting.

BlueHost WonderSuite – AI Powered WordPress Builder

A standout feature for beginners is Bluehost’s WonderSuite, which is included in all shared plans. WonderSuite provides an intuitive experience with tools like WonderStart for easy onboarding, WonderTheme for customizable site design, and WonderBlocks for simple editing. These features are tailored to help those new to WordPress quickly build and launch their websites without needing extensive technical knowledge. This streamlined process makes it easier for beginners to get their websites up and running smoothly.

However, while Bluehost offers a user-friendly experience, beginners should be aware of some limitations, such as the lack of daily backups in lower-tier plans and the absence of NVMe storage. Additionally, upsells for features that might be included for free with other hosts can add to the costs. Despite these considerations, Bluehost remains a viable option for those prioritizing ease of use and a quick start in website creation.

Is BlueHost Suitable for Small Businesses?

Bluehost is a solid choice for small businesses, offering affordable plans with built-in tools like WonderSuite for easy setup and scalability options. The integrated Cloudflare CDN makes performance management simpler, but keep in mind that you can get Cloudflare for free directly. Additionally, be aware of aggressive upsells and free daily backups that last only for the first year.

Beyond hosting, Bluehost also offers digital marketing and web design services, making it a convenient one-stop solution for small businesses looking to establish and grow their online presence without juggling multiple providers.

Is BlueHost Suitable for Web Developers?

Bluehost offers some developer-friendly features, including SSH access and WP-CLI support for managing WordPress sites from the command line. However, it lacks some advanced options, such as custom server configurations or more sophisticated staging environments, which are common in developer-centric hosts. While it can meet the basic needs for WordPress developers, those looking for a more versatile setup may want to explore other providers that offer deeper customization and control.

Is It Possible to Host Custom Email with BlueHost?

Yes, you can host your own email accounts with BlueHost. This significantly reduces your costs by eliminating the need for expensive third-party email services.

How Easy Is the Onboarding Process with BlueHost?

Getting started with BlueHost is relatively pain-free. However, you have to be careful and consider what you really need before you sign up. Along the way, BlueHost will try to upsell you on other products besides their basic hosting plans. The disappointment here is that those additional options (which cost extra money) are selected by default. Unless you are prepared to get a shock at the amount you get billed, make sure that you de-select everything that you don’t want before you make your payment.

Thankfully, everything else is a breeze and their excellent control panel coupled with that comprehensive help system will get you going in no time at all.

iPage, Hostmonster, FatCow, and IX Web Hosting are Now BlueHost

In a significant move by Newfold Digital, several well-known hosting brands, including iPage, FatCow, IX Web Hosting, and HostMonster, are now being marketed under the Bluehost umbrella. Visitors to these sites are redirected to a dedicated landing page on Bluehost.com (see screenshots below), while existing users can still access their accounts via their original login pages.


This shift makes it clear that Newfold Digital is consolidating their resources and focused on building a stronger, unified presence for Bluehost in the hosting market. For readers considering Bluehost – this consolidation could mean access to a platform with improved resources, as the combined expertise and infrastructure of multiple brands are now directed into strengthening Bluehost’s offerings.

Does BlueHost Offer a Free Trial?

Yes, BlueHost offers a 30-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.

Try now: Visit & Sign Up at BlueHost Official Website

BlueHost Plans & Pricing

BlueHost provides a range of web hosting plans designed to meet the needs of different users, including Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Cloud Hosting. The company also offers specialty services such as Managed WordPress, Email, and Game Server Hosting.

• Shared Hosting: Starting from $1.99 – $9.99 per month
• VPS Hosting: Starting from $46.99 – $94.99 per month
• Dedicated Hosting: Starting from $141.19 – $312.19 per month
• Cloud Hosting: Starting from $29.99 – $109.99 per month
• WordPress Hosting: Starting from $1.99 – $9.99 per month

Web hosting prices are subject to change, and promotional rates may only be available for a limited time or for new customers. To ensure you get the most accurate and current pricing details, we recommend visiting the official BlueHost website.

Consider Renewal Prices When Choosing

When evaluating hosting options, keep in mind that many providers offer substantial discounts during the initial signup period, but prices can rise significantly upon renewal. It’s crucial to research and compare renewal rates alongside introductory offers to get a clear picture of the long-term cost.

To help you in making an informed decision, we have prepared a summary table below comparing the initial signup and renewal costs of BlueHost services with several other providers we monitor.

Compare BlueHost’s Signup Cost Against Competitors

Web Host	Shared Hosting Signup Fees	Shared Hosting Renewal Fees	VPS Hosting Signup Fees	VPS Hosting Renewal Fees
BlueHost	$1.99 – 9.99/mo	$6.99 – 18.99/mo	$46.99 – 94.99/mo	$65.99 – 140.99/mo
DreamHost	$2.95 – 2.95/mo	$6.99 – 12.99/mo	$13.75 – 110.00/mo	$15.99 – 114.99/mo
HostWinds	$5.24 – 8.24/mo	$6.99 – 10.99/mo	$8.24 – 395.24/mo	$10.99 – 526.99/mo
LiquidWeb	$ – /mo	$ – /mo	$20.00 – 55.00/mo	$20.00 – 55.00/mo
HostArmada	$2.99 – 5.49/mo	$11.95 – 21.95/mo	$29.95 – 74.23/mo	$59.90 – 148.45/mo
Nexcess	$ – /mo	$ – /mo	$ – /mo	$ – /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 BlueHost Website.

BlueHost Cancellation Policy

BlueHost offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on its hosting services, allowing users to receive a full refund if they cancel within the first 30 days, excluding domain registration and setup fees.

After 30 days, renewals are non-refundable, but users can request a refund within a 15-day prebill window. Domain registration fees are also non-refundable, as they are third-party purchases, though customers retain ownership of the domain. This policy ensures flexibility for new users while maintaining clear terms for ongoing renewals.

Final Thought: Is BlueHost Right for You?

BlueHost has made significant improvements to its services recently, making it a more compelling choice for budget-conscious users. The starting price has dropped to just $1.99/month, allowing up to 10 websites under the Basic plan – a major upgrade from its previous single-site limit. They’ve also upped their game on security, now offering free automatic malware scanning across all shared plans. Performance is further boosted with full NVMe storage, integrated Cloudflare CDN and Argo Routing, plus built-in object caching to speed up dynamic sites.

For WordPress users, BlueHost’s new “WonderSuite” site builder provides an AI-powered experience that simplifies website creation. While some quirks remain, such as higher renewal rates and servers limited to the US, the recent enhancements make BlueHost a solid choice worth considering.