Written By
Daren LowUpdated On
December 26, 2024
When comparing Bluehost vs IONOS, we find Bluehost to be the better web host overall. Bluehost excels in ease of use and WordPress compatibility, which makes it ideal for beginners. IONOS offers wide data center coverage but is not quite as beginner friendly and offers limited email accounts.
In this article, we compare Bluehost vs IONOS on the grounds of plans, pricing, features included, and performance. We also compare the software supported, developer tools, data center coverage, customer support, and security features. Finally, we answer the question of “Bluehost vs IONOS: Which is better for you?”
bluehost vs ionos
Plans
| Hosting Plan Type | Bluehost (US$ /month) | IONOS (US$ /month) |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.95 – $13.95 | $4 – $9 |
| VPS Hosting | $46.99 – $94.99 | $2- $30 |
| WordPress Hosting | $2.95 – $13.95 | $4 – $8 |
| Cloud Hosting | $29.99 – $109.99 | $7 – $420 |
| Dedicated Hosting | $141.19 – $312.19 | $75 – $590 |
| Reseller Hosting | Not Available | Not Available |
| Managed Hosting | Shared, Cloud, WordPress | Available for All Plans |
Bluehost provides five hosting types: Shared, VPS, WordPress, Cloud, and Dedicated Hosting. Its managed hosting services are limited to Shared Hosting, Cloud Hosting, and WordPress Hosting. IONOS provides a broader range with six hosting types, with the addition of Reseller Hosting. Managed hosting is available across all its plans.
Pricing
| Pricing Type | Bluehost (US$ /month) | IONOS (US$ /month) |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Price | $2.95 | $3 |
| Renewal Price | $11.99 | $6 |
| Monthly Payment Option | Yes | Yes |
Bluehost offers an introductory price of $2.95 per month, which is only slightly lower than IONOS’s $3 per month. Upon renewal, Bluehost’s price increases to $11.99 per month, reflecting a 306% rise. IONOS has a lower renewal price at $6 per month, representing a 100% increase. Both hosts offer monthly payment options.
Features Included
| Feature | Bluehost | IONOS |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Space | 10 GB SSD storage | 10 GB HDD storage (SSD on higher plans) |
| Bandwidth | Unmetered | Unlimited |
| Websites | 10 | 1 |
| Email Hosting | Separate service ($14.99/yr – $24.99/yr) | Yes, 1 email account w/ 2 GB inbox |
| Free Domain | Yes | Yes |
| AI Website Builder | Yes, Bluehost WordPress Website Builder | Separate service |
| Unlimited Storage | No | Higher plans |
| Unmetered/Unlimited bandwidth | Higher plans | Unlimited |
Bluehost provides 10 GB of SSD storage, which offers faster data access compared to IONOS’s 10 GB HDD storage on its basic plans. Both hosts include unmetered or unlimited bandwidth, though IONOS extends this benefit across all plans while Bluehost reserves it for higher-tier plans only. Bluehost allows up to 10 websites, whereas IONOS limits its entry-level plans to one. Email hosting on Bluehost requires a separate service fee, while IONOS includes one email account. Both hosts offer a free domain for the first year. Bluehost also provides an AI website builder integrated into its WordPress service.
Performance
| Performance Feature | Bluehost | IONOS |
|---|---|---|
| CDN | Yes, Cloudflare with Argo Routing | Higher plans (Cloudflare) |
| Type of SSD Server | SSD | HDD |
| Caching | Higher plans | Higher plans |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% | 99.9% |
| Additional Performance Features | HTTP/2, NGINX+ Cache | HTTP/2 with multiplexing and compression |
Both Bluehost and IONOS guarantee an industry-standard of 99.9% uptime. However, Bluehost uses faster SSD servers across all plans. IONOS still uses HDD for its basic plans, which affects overall speed. Both hosts offer caching and CDN services, but both restrict this to higher-tier plans. Bluehost’s integration with Cloudflare includes advanced Argo routing, giving it an edge for users needing faster, optimized routing. Both hosts use the HTTP/2 protocol for enhanced performance, but Bluehost offers additional features like NGINX+ caching.
Data Center Coverage
| Geographical Coverage | Bluehost | IONOS |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Data Centers | 1 | 31 |
| HQ Location | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | Montabaur, Germany |
| Data Center Locations | USA (Utah) | USA, Europe (UK, Germany, Spain) |
Bluehost operates a single data center located in the USA (Utah), while IONOS has a much broader presence with 31 data centers globally. IONOS’s data centers are spread across the USA and Europe, with locations in the UK, Germany, and Spain. This global reach makes IONOS a better option for users targeting international audiences. Bluehost’s single data center limits its performance for non-US-based users.
Software Supported
| Software Feature | Bluehost | IONOS |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Click WordPress Install | Yes | Yes |
| OS Supported | Linux | Linux, Windows (shared ASP.NET, VPS) |
| Control Panel | cPanel | Custom control panel, Plesk |
Bluehost supports Linux hosting exclusively. It uses the cPanel control panel, which is familiar and widely used by many hosting customers. IONOS offers both Linux and Windows hosting. Windows hosting is offered via its Shared ASP.NET and VPS hosting plans. IONOS uses a custom control panel but also supports Plesk. Both hosts provide 1-click WordPress installation. For users familiar with cPanel, Bluehost would be a better choice, while IONOS offers more variety in operating system and control panel options.
Developer Tools
| Developer Tool | Bluehost | IONOS |
|---|---|---|
| Staging Tools | Yes | Higher plans |
| Root Access | Yes for VPS and dedicated hosting | Yes for virtual, dedicated, or cloud hosting |
| GIT Access | Yes | Yes |
| WP-CLI | Yes | Yes |
| Cron Jobs | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple PHP Versions | Yes | Yes |
| SSH | Yes | Yes |
| Node.js Support | Yes | Yes |
| Python Support | Yes | Yes |
| Java Support | Yes | Yes |
| Django Support | Yes | Yes |
| Perl Support | Yes | Yes |
| Ruby on Rails Support | Yes | Yes |
| ASP.NET | No | Yes |
Both Bluehost and IONOS offer a robust set of developer tools, including staging environments, GIT access, and WP-CLI. They both support multiple programming languages like Python, Java, and Node.js. However, IONOS supports ASP.NET, making it more suitable for users who need Windows-based development. Bluehost provides staging tools by default, while IONOS reserves them for higher-tier plans.
Customer Support
| Customer Support Feature | Bluehost | IONOS |
|---|---|---|
| Support Methods | Live chat, phone support, email | Phone, email, or chat |
| Support Hours | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Website Migration | For WordPress plans only | Yes |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
Both Bluehost and IONOS offer 24/7 support through phone, email, and chat. Bluehost provides free website migration only for WordPress plans, while IONOS offers migration services across all plans. Both hosts have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Security Features
| Security Feature | Bluehost | IONOS |
|---|---|---|
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes |
| Backups | Yes (Daily) for Choice Plus and above plans | Daily backups |
| DDoS Protection | Yes, in house | Yes, in house |
| Firewalls | Yes | Yes |
| Proactive Monitoring | No | No |
| Unique Security Features | Partnership with SiteLock (paid add-on) | DDoS Protect Basic, DDoS Protect Advanced |
Both Bluehost and IONOS offer strong security via free SSL certificates and in-house DDoS protection. IONOS includes daily backups across all plans. Bluehost only provides this for higher-tier plans like Choice Plus. Both hosts also offer firewalls but neither provides proactive monitoring. Bluehost partners with SiteLock for additional paid security features, while IONOS offers DDoS Protect Basic and Advanced options.
Bluehost vs IONOS: Which Is Better For You?
Bluehost is the better host. Use Bluehost if you’re a beginner or small business owner looking for an easy-to-use platform with an AI website builder. Also use Bluehost if you’re hosting a WordPress site, thanks to its seamless WordPress integration, managed WordPress hosting options, and free domain for the first year. Additionally, use Bluehost if you’re targeting US-based visitors, as its single US data center and Cloudflare integration provide solid performance for American audiences.
Use IONOS if you’re targeting audiences in regions further away from the US, since it has a a global network of 31 data centers. Also use IONOS if you require Windows hosting or more advanced security features, as it includes daily backups on all plans.
Compare more web hosting options here.
Who is Bluehost?
Bluehost is a web host that was founded in 2003 and headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. It specializes in hosting for small businesses and beginners. Key benefits include ease of use and strong security. A major drawback is its single data center in the US. See the full breakdown in our Bluehost review.
Who is IONOS?
IONOS is a web host that was founded in 1988 and headquartered in Montabaur, Germany. It offers a wide range of hosting options with a large network of global data centers. Its main strengths are advanced security and flexible hosting. It has limited email accounts on basic plans. Get a closer look with our IONOS review.