Bluehost vs DreamHost: which is better value?

By The Web Hosting Depot team · Updated Oct 8, 2026 · How we research

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Quick verdict

Bluehost is cheaper over three years ($144 vs $298 on the entry plans). On our overall rating, DreamHost scores higher (3.8 vs 3.6).

Pick Bluehost if

wordPress beginners who want a familiar name and modest renewal prices.

Visit Bluehost

Pick DreamHost if

people who want a low price without a multi-year commitment.

Visit DreamHost

Side by side

	Bluehost 4 wins	DreamHost 3 wins
Cheapest plan	Starter · $3.99/mo	Web Hosting Launch · $2.89/mo
Prepay for intro price	3-year term	1-year term
Renews at	$9.99/mo	$10.99/mo
Renewal jump	+150%	+280%
3-year cost	$144	$298
Money-back	30 days	30 days
Backups	Weekly	Daily automated
Free domain	1st year (redeem within 90 days)	1 year
Control panel	Bluehost Portal (custom)	DreamHost panel (custom)
Data centers	US	US
Performance (our rating)	3/5	4/5
Support (our rating)	3/5	3/5
Ease of use (our rating)	5/5	4/5
Value (our rating)	4/5	4/5

Green = better on that row. Entry plans compared: Bluehost Starter and DreamHost Web Hosting Launch (Shared hosting). Prices checked Oct 8, 2026.

Bluehost: real cost

Intro$3.99/mo3-year term

Renews at$9.99/mo+150%

3-year cost$144intro + renewals

DreamHost: real cost

Intro$2.89/mo1-year term

Renews at$10.99/mo+280%

3-year cost$298intro + renewals

Why Bluehost

Renewals are lower than most big shared hosts (Starter renews at $9.99)
Generous site limits even on Starter
Recommended by WordPress.org for years

Downsides: Email is a paid add-on after a 1-month trial; Weekly backups only; Upsells at checkout.

Why DreamHost

Intro price on a 1-year term, not 3-4 years
Daily backups and 25 sites on the entry plan
Independent, employee-owned company since 1996

Downsides: Email is free for only 3 months; US data centers only; Custom panel instead of cPanel.

The bottom line

Bluehost pairs a beginner-friendly WordPress setup with some of the gentler renewal increases among mass-market hosts: Starter is $3.99 a month on a 3-year term and renews at $9.99. Email and daily backups cost extra.

DreamHost keeps it simple: one Launch plan at about $2.89 a month for the first year, renewing at $10.99, with 25 sites, NVMe storage and daily backups. You do not need to lock in for three or four years to get the price.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bluehost cheaper than DreamHost?

Over three years, Bluehost costs less on the cheapest comparable plans: about $144 versus $298, counting the intro price for its required term and then the renewal price. Month one is misleading: compare the 3-year totals.

Which has the better money-back guarantee?

Bluehost: 30 days. DreamHost: 30 days. Domain fees are usually not refundable.

Can I move from Bluehost to DreamHost later?

Yes. Moving a site means copying its files and database, then pointing your domain at the new host. Check whether the new host offers free migration. See our guide to switching hosts.