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
DreamHost Pros & 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
Evaluating DreamHost: A Breakdown of Performance, Security, and Other Key Features
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.
In the following sections, we’ll take a closer look at how DreamHost performs across critical areas like hosting speed, server security, customer support, and overall value.
What Can You Expect from DreamHost in Terms of Speed & Uptime Performance?
While DreamHost offers essential performance features, its speed and uptime may not match the top-tier hosting providers. Key performance-enhancing features offered include:
- HTTP/2 for improved communication between the server and visitors.
In short, DreamHost provides reasonable speed and uptime for basic needs, but may not be the best option for users with demanding performance requirements.
Is Your Website Safe with DreamHost’s Security Measures?
Websites hosted at DreamHost are safe for basic security needs. While the provider may not offer advanced security measures, it still covers the fundamental safeguards necessary for most websites, including:
- Web Application Firewall (WAF), which blocks potential threats before they reach your site.
Daily backups are included as a standard feature, allowing for quick restoration of your website in case of any issues. Additionally, DreamHost 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.
However, for websites requiring advanced security, DreamHost may not provide the high-level protection needed.
What Can You Expect from DreamHost’s Customer Support?
DreamHost 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 DreamHost’s Pricing Justified by the Value and Features It Offers?
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.
How is DreamHost Rated Based on Overall Market Satisfaction?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Is It Possible to Host Custom Email 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.
How Easy Is the Onboarding Process with DreamHost?
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.
Does DreamHost Offer 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.
Try now: Visit & Sign Up at DreamHost Official Website
DreamHost Plans & Pricing
DreamHost 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, Adult Websites, Email, and Game Server Hosting.
- Shared Hosting: Starting from $2.95 – $2.95 per month
- VPS Hosting: Starting from $13.75 – $110 per month
- Dedicated Hosting: Starting from $149 – $399 per month
- Cloud Hosting: Starting from $4.5 – $48 per month
- WordPress Hosting: Starting from $16.95 – $71.95 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 DreamHost 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 DreamHost services with several other providers we monitor.
Compare DreamHost’s Signup Cost Against Competitors
Web Host | Shared Hosting Signup Fees | Shared Hosting Renewal Fees | VPS Hosting Signup Fees | VPS Hosting Renewal Fees |
---|---|---|---|---|
DreamHost | $2.95 – 2.95/mo | $6.99 – 12.99/mo | $13.75 – 110.00/mo | $15.99 – 114.99/mo |
GreenGeeks | $2.95 – 8.95/mo | $11.95 – 26.95/mo | $39.95 – 109.95/mo | $39.95 – 109.95/mo |
KnownHost | $3.47 – 19.97/mo | $3.47 – 19.97/mo | $43.25 – 103.25/mo | $43.25 – 103.25/mo |
Ultahost | $3.08 – 12.99/mo | $4.39 – 17.32/mo | $4.67 – 40.50/mo | $7.33 – 48.93/mo |
Web.com | $2.95 – 6.95/mo | $9.99 – 16.99/mo | $ – /mo | $ – /mo |
InMotion Hosting | $3.19 – 10.99/mo | $9.99 – 23.99/mo | $9.99 – 44.99/mo | $16.99 – 111.99/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.
Final Thought: Is DreamHost Right 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.