This DreamHost reviews guide explains why we think DreamHost is good and includes pricing, features, alternatives, and pros & cons of choosing this web host.
Yes, DreamHost is worth it. They host over 1.5 million websites, making them one of the largest and best web hosting choices available in 2022. DreamHost has also been in business since 1996, making them one of the oldest web hosts still around.
DreamHost offers shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated servers as well as domain registration and SSL certificates.
One particular DreamHost review we found on the internet states:
“We’ve been using DreamHost hosting for our website for a few years now. And in that time, we’ve had fairly good experiences with their service.“
That’s all great but when it comes to searching for web hosting plans that DreamHost testimonial doesn’t necessarily mean that they are best for you!
We wrote this DreamHost review a source to help you decide if they are a good fit for your website and also share with you a few alternative hosting options. Let’s get started.
DreamHost Overview
DreamHost is a web hosting company that was founded in 1996. It is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and it has data centers all over the world.
DreamHost provides various types of sustainable hosting services, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated servers, and WordPress hosting.
They also offer a wide range of domain name services, such as domain registration, email hosting, and DNS management.
DreamHost has an extensive control panel that makes it easy to manage your hosting account and website(s).
They also offer 24/7 customer support via live chat and email.
DreamHost Reviews
Editor’s Rating – 4.7/5
We believe that the best way to get an accurate sense of a web hosting company is to see how they treat their customers. For the purpose of our DreamHost reviews we might ask question such as:
Is DreamHost attentive? Do they offer good tech support?Â
Is DreamHost up-front about their pricing? Do they have a good reputation?
To get a sense of DreamHost, we looked at what actual users had to say about the company. We read through dozens of reviews, both positive and negative, to get a clear picture of what it’s like to be a DreamHost customer.
Besides, we’ve been using DreamHost for over two years now. Their uptime has been excellent, and their customer support is always helpful and responsive.
We also liked that DreamHost is up-front about its pricing.
There are no hidden fees or surprises, which is always appreciated. And their reputation is good.
Recently, we also experimented with them by signing up for a DreamHost hosting account for a test site and reached out to their support team with some questions.
Overall, we were happy with the experience. The customer service reps were friendly and helpful and quickly answered our questions.
DreamHost Hosting Plans Review
When it comes to web hosting services, DreamHost is one of the top providers in the business. They have been around for over 20 years and offer a variety of services that are sure to meet the needs of any website owner.
DreamHost provides reliable hosting services that are perfect for businesses and individuals. With unlimited storage and bandwidth, you can host as many websites as you like on DreamHost’s servers.
Whether you need shared hosting, VPS hosting, cloud hosting, or even managed WordPress hosting, DreamHost has a plan that will fit your needs.
1. DreamHost’s Shared Hosting Plans:
Shared hosting is the most popular and affordable type of web hosting.
With DreamHost shared hosting server, your website will be sharing digital space with other websites. This means that you will be splitting the cost of the server with other customers.
DreamHost offers two different shared web hosting plans: Starter and Unlimited.
- DreamHost Shared Starter: The starter plan is DreamHost’s most basic and affordable shared hosting plan. It includes one website, unlimited bandwidth, and 50 GB of storage.
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- DreamHost Unlimited: The unlimited plan is the most popular shared web hosting plan offered by DreamHost. It includes unlimited websites, bandwidth, and storage.
2. DreamHost’s VPS Hosting Plans:
VPS (Virtual Private Servers) hosting is a type of web hosting that gives you more control and flexibility over your server than shared hosting but at a higher price.
With Dreamhost’s VPS plans, your website will be on a server that is partitioned off from other websites. This means that you will have your own virtual private server (VPS) and will not be sharing it with other customers.
DreamHost offers four different VPS hosting plans: Basic, Business, Professional, and Enterprise.
- DreamHost Basic VPS – This is the most basic plan, and it includes 1 CPU core, 1 GB of RAM, 30 GB of storage, and 1 TB of bandwidth.
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- DreamHost Business VPS – This plan includes 2 CPU cores, 2 GB of RAM, 60 GB of storage, and 2 TB of bandwidth.
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- Dreamhost Professional VPS – This plan includes 4 CPU cores, 4 GB of RAM, 120 GB of storage, and 3 TB of bandwidth.
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- DreamHost Enterprise VPS – This plan includes 8 CPU cores, 8 GB of RAM, 240 GB of storage, and 4 TB of bandwidth.
All DreamHost plans come with a free domain name and a free SSL certificate. You also get unlimited free email hosting and MySQL databases.
The different plans offer a variety of features, such as the number of CPUs, amount of memory, and storage space. You can also choose the operating system that you want to use on your server.
The DreamHost Unmanaged VPS (aka DreamCompute)
DreamHost also offers Unmanaged VPS called DreamCompute. This plan is for experts who want to have full control over their servers.
It includes 16 CPU cores, 30 GB of RAM, and 240 GB of storage. In addition, you can choose the operating system that you want to use on your server.
3. DreamHost’s Fully Managed Dedicated Hosting Service
Dedicated server hosting is the most expensive type of web hosting but is also the most powerful.
With dedicated hosting, your website will have its own private server. This means that you will not be sharing your server with any other websites.
DreamHost offers two different dedicated hosting plans: Standard & Enhanced.
- The Standard Dedicated Server Plan is designed for small businesses and offers 10GB of storage space.
- The Enhanced Dedicated Server Plan is designed for larger businesses and offers 20GB of storage space.
Both plans come with unlimited bandwidth and a free SSL certificate.
4. DreamHost’s WordPress Hosting Plans Review:
Managed WordPress hosting is a type of web hosting specifically designed for WordPress sites.
With managed WordPress hosting, your website will be hosted on a server that is optimized for WordPress.
Plus, you will have access to a team of WordPress experts who can help you choose the right plugins and optimize your site for performance.
DreamPress is DreamHost’s managed WordPress hosting platform. DreamPress is designed to make it easy for you to create and manage a WordPress website.
Additionally, DreamPress comes with a number of features that are designed to make managing your WordPress site easier, including free migration, automatic updates, and daily backups.
Does DreamHost Offer WooCommerce Hosting?
Yes. DreamHost’s WooCommerce hosting is an excellent option for businesses that are looking to start selling products online.
With unlimited storage and bandwidth, as well as a free SSL certificate, you can be sure that your WordPress website will be able to handle any amount of traffic.
Additionally, DreamHost’s WooCommerce hosting comes with a one-click installer, so you can get your store up and running in no time.
5. DreamHost’s Cloud Hosting Packages with DreamCompute
DreamHost offers cloud hosting with DreamCompute, which is built on OpenStack technology.
- You can launch and manage virtual machines (VMs) and containers and use a wide variety of applications from the DreamObjects app store.
- DreamCompute provides you with full root access to your server so you can install any software you need.
- You also get a free domain name when you sign up for a 12-month service term.
Additional Services Offered By DreamHost
In addition to their various hosting plans, DreamHost also offers a number of other services, such as domain registration, email hosting, and more.
1. Domain Names
DreamHost offers a wide selection of domains for your website. You can choose from over 400 TLDs (top-level domains), including .com, .net, .org, .info, and more. They also offer free WHOIS privacy for all domain names registered through them.
Namecheap or Domain.com would typically be a better place to purchase domain names.
However, DreamHost is offer a free domain with several of their hosting plans such as their WordPress Starter Hosting Plan. You have to sign-up for a year or more to get that offer.
2. WordPress
DreamHost is the perfect host for a WordPress blog. With one click, you can install the WordPress software on your website and get started building your blog or website.
3. Website Builder
DreamHost’s wp website builder is a dream come true for those who want to create a website without any coding knowledge.
The website builder is simple to use and comes with pre-made templates that you can customize according to your needs.
You can also add your own images and logo to make your website more unique. Overall, the website builder is a great way to create a professional-looking website without any hassle.
Speaking of building your webite, you are going to want to check out the Envato Element review on our blog after you find your host.
4. Email Hosting
DreamHost offers powerful email services that are perfect for small businesses and individuals. You can create an unlimited number of email addresses and access your email from anywhere in the world.
5. DreamHost Academy
DreamHost Academy offers a comprehensive, step-by-step guide that takes you from a complete beginner to a proficient web developer. The course is structured in such a way that you can easily follow along, regardless of your previous experience.
What Are The Pro Services Offered By DreamHost?
DreamHost offers a variety of professional services to help you get the most out of your website. These services include:
1. Website Design and Development
If you need help designing or developing your website, DreamHost can assist you. They offer a wide range of website design and development services, including custom WordPress themes and plugins, eCommerce solutions, responsive web design, and more.
2. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
DreamHost’s team of SEO experts can help you improve your website’s search engine rankings. They offer a variety of SEO services, including keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and more.
3. Social Media Marketing
DreamHost’s social media marketing services can help you promote your brand and engage with your customers on social media. They offer a variety of services, including social media strategy, content creation, influencer outreach, and more.
4. Email Marketing
With DreamHost’s email marketing services, you can reach and engage your audience with targeted email campaigns. They offer a wide range of email marketing services, including email list management, campaign development, and more.
Setting Up A DreamHost Account
Signing up for DreamHost is pretty straightforward. You can choose your hosting plan and then select your domain name. After that, you’ll be asked to enter your personal information and billing details.
Once everything is set up, you can start using your account immediately. However, there are a few things worth noting before we move on.
- First of all, DreamHost offers a free domain name when you sign up for a yearly plan.
This is a nice perk, but it’s important to remember that the domain name is only free for the first year. After that, you’ll need to renew it at the standard rate (which isn’t too expensive). - Secondly, DreamHost doesn’t offer any sort of phone support. This means that you cannot reach out to them through phone calls. However, live chat and email support are available.
With that said, let’s take a look at some of the features DreamHost offers.
Features Of DreamHost: 9/10
DreamHost offers a wide range of features that make it an ideal hosting solution for both small businesses and enterprises. Some of its key features include:
- Unlimited everything: DreamHost provides unlimited bandwidth, emails, domain names, and unlimited monthly data transfers with most of its plans. This makes it an excellent option for businesses that are expecting to grow their online presence.
- Free SSL certificate: All plans come with a free SSL certificate that helps your website rank higher on search engines and improve security.
- 1-click WordPress installation: DreamHost makes it easy to install WordPress with just a few clicks. You can also use other popular CMSs such as Drupal and Joomla.
- 24/7 customer support: DreamHost offers 24/7 customer support via phone, chat, and email. This means that you can get help whenever you need it.
- Money-back guarantee: DreamHost offers a 97-day money-back guarantee. This gives you plenty of time to try out the service and see if it’s right for you.
DreamHost Pricing: 7/10
The cost of DreamHost’s services varies depending on the type of service you select.
Shared hosting plans start at $7.95 per month, VPS plans start at $15 per month, dedicated plans start at $149 per month, and cloud hosting plans start at $4.50 per month.
While DreamHost’s shared hosting packages are a bit pricier than some of its competitors, they do offer a wide variety of features and perks.
Plus, their VPS and dedicated server plans are very competitively priced. So it’s fair to say that their pricing is pretty standard for the industry.
They do have some unique features that could justify the slightly higher cost, but ultimately it’s up to the individual user to decide if those features are worth the price.
DreamHost Performance: 9/10
Speed and uptime are essential considerations for any web host.
So how does DreamHost stack up?
According to our tests, DreamHost is one of the fastest web hosts around, with an average page load time of under 1 second. In addition, they use solid state drives (SSDs) for all of their servers, which helps speed up loading times.
They also boast a 100% uptime guarantee, which means your website will be up and running 24/7. Honestly, we’ve found DreamHost to be consistently fast and reliable in our own tests.
DreamHost Security: 9/10
DreamHost takes security seriously, which is evident in its many security features. For example, their servers are protected with firewalls, and they offer daily backups to keep your data safe. Plus, they have a strict zero-tolerance policy for malware and spam.
Ease Of Use: 7/10
DreamHost is pretty user-friendly, especially if you’re familiar with cPanel. Their custom panel is a bit different from what most people are used to, but it’s not too tricky to get the hang of. However, it may be a bit confusing for beginners at first sight.
Customer Service: 8/10
DreamHost offers 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. We contacted customer support several times, and we always received prompt and helpful responses.
The customer support representatives are also very knowledgeable, and they were able to answer all our questions satisfactorily. The only reason for not rating customer service as 10/10 is that no phone support is available.
What Are Some DreamHost Pros and Cons?
There are a lot of good things to say about DreamHost, but there are also a few cons that you should consider before signing up.
Here are the main DreamHost pros and cons of using them as your web host:
Pros of DreamHost:
- Reliable uptime: DreamHost is known for its reliable uptime. The company offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee, which means your site will be up and running most of the time.
- Fast loading speeds: Your website’s loading speed is essential for two reasons: first, it affects your user experience, and second, it can impact your search engine ranking. Fortunately, DreamHost is one of the fastest web hosts out there. In fact, our tests showed that DreamHost’s average page loading time is just under two seconds.
- Affordable plans: DreamHost offers some of the most competitively priced plans in the web hosting industry. For example, its shared hosting plans start at just $2.59/month.
- Free domain name registration: DreamHost will give you a free domain name when you sign up for a 12-month or longer plan. This is a great perk if you’re on a budget.
- Excellent customer support: DreamHost offers 24/7 live chat and email support to all of its customers. We tested the company’s customer support and found that they are very knowledgeable and helpful.
- Green Hosting: DreamHost is a green web hosting company. The company offsets its carbon emissions by investing in renewable energy projects.
Cons of DreamHost:
- No phone support: DreamHost does not offer phone support, which may be an issue if you prefer to speak to a customer support representative over the phone.
- No cPanel: DreamHost uses its own custom control panel instead of the industry-standard cPanel. While the DreamHost control panel is pretty easy to use, some may prefer cPanel.
- Long contract required for a free domain name: If you want a free domain name from DreamHost, you’ll need to sign up for a 12-month or longer plan. This could be a problem if you’re only interested in a short-term plan.
Ready to Get Started? Visit DreamHost
Is DreamHost Any Good? Who Should Use Them?
Yes. DreamHost is certainly a good web host. Their web hosting services are an excellent choice for individuals and businesses that are looking for an affordable, reliable, and feature-rich web hosting solution.
DreamHost offers a variety of plans to suit different needs, and its shared hosting plans are particularly well-suited for small businesses and bloggers.
However, there are some drawbacks to using DreamHost. For example, the company doesn’t offer telephone support, which can be frustrating if you need help with your website outside of regular business hours.
Additionally, DreamHost’s Control Panel can be difficult to use for beginners. While they offer unlimited bandwidth and storage, their prices are significantly higher than other web hosts offering similar services.
Overall, we believe that DreamHost is a great web hosting provider offering excellent value for your money. If you’re looking for an affordable and reliable host, we recommend that you give them a try.
DreamHost Web Hosting Alternatives
Now, let’s look at how DreamHost stacks up against the other web hosting services.
What Makes DreamHost Stand Out From Its Competitors?
There are a few key differences between DreamHost and other hosting providers:
- First, DreamHost offers a 97-day money-back guarantee, which is one of the longest in the industry.
This means that you can test out the service for almost three months to make sure it’s a good fit for your needs. - DreamHost also has a reputation for being one of the most customer-friendly providers around. Besides, they provide excellent customer support through live chat, and email.
- Finally, DreamHost is one of the few hosting providers that offer true unlimited storage and bandwidth plan.
This means that you can host as much data as you want on their servers without having to worry about going over your limit.
This is an excellent option for businesses or individuals who need to host a lot of data.
Who Are Some Specific DreamHost Alternatives?
If you’re looking for an alternative to DreamHost, there are a few other options worth considering.
- SiteGround – SiteGround offers solid plans with great customer support, and they don’t have strict limits on storage and bandwidth like some other providers.
However, they don’t offer the same 97-day money-back guarantee as DreamHost.
Read our SiteGround Web Hosting Reviews. - Hostinger – If you need unlimited bandwidth, then your best bet is probably Hostinger.
They offer a variety of very affordable hosting plans with different features, but all of their plans come with unlimited bandwidth.
Read our Hostinger Web Hosting Reviews. - Bluehost – Bluehost is one of the most recommended web hosts for beginners. Bluehost is also an ideal solution to host your WordPress blog. If you are not sure about Dreamhost, give Bluehost a good look.
Read our Bluehost Web Hosting Reviews. - HostGator
If you’re looking for the most affordable web hosting services, then you should consider HostGator.
They offer a variety of budget-friendly plans, and they have no strict limits on storage and bandwidth.
However, they don’t offer the same money-back guarantee as DreamHost.
Still want to stick with DreamHost? Visit the DreamHost website.
DreamHost FAQs
Now that you know the plans, services, features, and pros-cons of DreamHost, you might want to get answers to a few questions.
Here are some DreamHost Frequently Asked Questions to help you get a clearer picture:
1. What services does DreamHost offer?
DreamHost offers shared virtual private server (VPS), dedicated, and cloud hosting services. It also offers domain registration, email hosting, and website builder services.
2. Does DreamHost offer any discounts?
Yes, DreamHost offers a variety of discounts for students, teachers, nonprofits, and businesses. Visit the DreamHost website to learn more.
3. Is DreamHost beginner-friendly?
While DreamHost is a great web hosting service provider, we don’t think it’s the best choice for beginners.
The reason being is that their interface can be pretty confusing for those who are new to web hosting.
For beginners, we think Bluehost is a better choice.
4. DreamHost vs BlueHost: Is DreamHost or BlueHost Better?
We would generally say that DreamHost is the better option for more experienced customers (you’ve had a website hosted before). This is because they offer more features and better overall value for money.
BlueHost is also a great web hosting service provider and we think they are better for beginners (you are starting your first website).
So, if you have never hosted a website, go with BlueHost. If you’ve hosted websites before, go with DreamHost.
There is no simple answer to this question as it depends on your specific needs and preferences.
5. Is DreamHost email delivery reliable?
Yes, DreamHost is a very reliable email provider. In addition, they offer a 100% uptime guarantee, so you can be confident that your emails will be up and running most of the time.
6. How does DreamHost compare to other web hosting providers?
DreamHost is one of the top web hosting providers on the market. They offer great value for money, reliable servers, and good customer support.
However, they are not the best choice for beginners due to their confusing interface. If you’re a beginner, we recommend using a more user-friendly provider like Bluehost or Hostinger.
7. How do I cancel my DreamHost account?
A: You can cancel your DreamHost account anytime by contacting customer support. You will receive a full refund if you cancel within the 97-day money-back guarantee period. Otherwise, you will be responsible for the remainder of your contract.
8. What forms of payment does DreamHost accept?
DreamHost accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal. You can also pay by check or money order.
DreamHost Reviews - Final Thoughts
One of the things we like most about DreamHost is its commitment to environmental sustainability. The DreamHost servers are powered with renewable energy and have been carbon-neutral since 2007.
We also appreciate DreamHost’s 24/7 customer support, uptime, and speed.
DreamHost is a great web hosting provider with some great features that make it a good choice for both individuals and businesses. However, it’s not perfect for everyone (see our DreamHost pros & cons above).
If you’re looking for a reliable and sustainable web hosting provider, we definitely recommend DreamHost.
We hope that this information was helpful! Do you have any web hosting experience with DreamHost? Let us know in the comments below!
