If you’re starting a WordPress site in 2025, two names you’ll see everywhere are DreamHost and Bluehost. Both are officially recommended by WordPress.org, both are affordable, and both claim to be beginner-friendly.
But which one actually gives you better value, performance, and support.
In this comparison, we’ll break down DreamHost vs Bluehost side-by-side to help you choose the best WordPress hosting for your blog or small business.
Pricing & Plans
| Feature | Bluehost | DreamHost |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $2.95/month | $2.59/month |
| Free Domain | ✅ First year | ✅ First year |
| Free SSL | ✅ | ✅ |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 97 days |
Bluehost has more plan variety but slightly higher renewal rates.
DreamHost offers one of the longest money-back guarantees in the industry.
Performance & Speed
Bluehost:
- Solid uptime (~99.98%)
- Integrated caching with higher-tier plans
- Free CDN on select plans
DreamHost:
- 100% uptime guarantee (with credit if downtime occurs)
- SSD storage on all plans
- Built-in caching and fast TTFB (Time To First Byte)
Winner: DreamHost – Slight edge on uptime and performance reliability.
Ease of Use
Bluehost:
- Custom dashboard + traditional cPanel
- Ideal for beginners
- 1-click WordPress install
DreamHost:
- No cPanel, uses a custom control panel
- Clean UI but may require adjustment
- Also offers 1-click WordPress install
Winner: Bluehost – Slightly easier for beginners, thanks to cPanel familiarity.
Customer Support
Bluehost:
- 24/7 live chat and phone support
- Mixed reviews on response quality
DreamHost:
- 24/7 ticket support + live chat during business hours
- Better reputation for technical support
- Knowledge base is very detailed
Winner: DreamHost – Better long-term support for WordPress-specific issues.
Security & Backups
Bluehost:
- Free SSL
- Basic security features included
- Paid backup tools on lower-tier plans
DreamHost:
- Free SSL
- Free automated daily backups (even on cheapest plan)
- Strong anti-spam + malware monitoring
Winner: DreamHost – More inclusive features for free, including backups.
Summary: DreamHost vs Bluehost
| Feature | Winner |
|---|---|
| Pricing | DreamHost |
| Performance | DreamHost |
| Ease of Use | Bluehost |
| Customer Support | DreamHost |
| Security & Backups | DreamHost |
Final Verdict
Choose Bluehost if you’re a complete beginner who prefers a familiar dashboard and lots of hand-holding.
Choose DreamHost if you want better value, longer money-back protection, and built-in performance features — without needing to upgrade plans.