When comparing DreamHost vs A2 Hosting, we find A2 Hosting to be the better web host overall. A2 Hosting excels in speed with its Turbo servers, faster NVMe storage, and advanced caching options. DreamHost is strong in WordPress hosting but has limited global reach and a custom control panel that is less familiar to users.
In this article, we compare DreamHost vs A2 Hosting on the grounds of plans, pricing, features included, and performance. We also compare their data center coverage, software supported, developer tools, customer support, and security features. Finally, we answer the question of “DreamHost Vs A2 Hosting: Which is better for you?”
Plans
| Hosting Type | DreamHost | A2 Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.59/mo – $3.95/mo | $1.95/mo – $13.95/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $10/mo – $60/mo | $2.99/mo – $45.95/mo |
| WordPress Hosting | $2.59/mo – $71.95/mo | $9.95/mo – $39.95/mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $4.50/mo – $48/mo | $15.95/mo – $37.95/mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $199/mo – $749/mo | $199.99/mo – $535.99/mo |
| Reseller Hosting | Not Available | $15.95/mo – $37.95/mo |
| Managed Hosting | All plans | All plans |
DreamHost offers 5 types of hosting: Shared Hosting, VPS Hosting, WordPress Hosting, Cloud Hosting, and Dedicated Hosting. A2 Hosting offers a broader range with 6 types: Shared Hosting, VPS Hosting, WordPress Hosting, Cloud Hosting, Dedicated Hosting, and Reseller Hosting. Both hosts offer managed hosting across all their plans.
Pricing
| Pricing Type | DreamHost | A2 Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Price | $2.59/mo | $1.95/mo |
| Renewal Price | $5.99/mo | $12.99/mo |
| Monthly Payment Option | Yes | Yes |
DreamHost starts at $2.59 per month. A2 Hosting is slightly cheaper with its cheapest plan costing $1.95 per month. A2 Hosting’s renewal price jumps to $12.99, a 567% increase compared to DreamHost’s 131% increase to $5.99. Users need to be cautious about A2 Hosting’s sharp price jump after the introductory period.
Features Included
| Feature | DreamHost | A2 Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Space | Unlimited SSD storage | 100 GB SSD Storage |
| Bandwidth | Unmetered | Unlimited |
| Number of Websites | 1 | 1 |
| Email Hosting | Add-on feature | Unlimited email accounts |
| Free Domain | Yes | No |
| AI Website Builder | Yes, WP Website Builder | No, regular A2 SiteBuilder only |
| Unlimited Storage? | Yes | Higher plans |
| Unlimited Bandwidth? | Yes | Yes |
| Additional Features | Automated WordPress migrations, AI Business Advisor powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 | None |
DreamHost offers unlimited SSD storage, while A2 Hosting limits storage to 100 GB on its basic plan. Both hosts provide unmetered bandwidth and support one website. DreamHost includes a free domain and an AI-powered website builder, while A2 Hosting offers a traditional site builder. A2 Hosting shines in email hosting with unlimited email accounts at no extra cost. DreamHost charges $1.67/month for email on lower-tier plans.
Performance
| Performance Feature | DreamHost | A2 Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| CDN | Only for WordPress hosting (Jetpack CDN) | No |
| Type of SSD Server | SSD | SSD |
| Caching | Higher plans | Higher plans |
| Uptime Guarantee | 100% | 99.9% |
| Additional Features | None | Turbo plan with 40% faster CPU, 3x faster NVMe storage, Advanced LiteSpeed Turbo caching, Proprietary A2 Optimized plugin |
DreamHost offers an impressive 100% uptime guarantee. A2 Hosting provides a 99.9% guarantee, but excels with advanced performance features on its Turbo plan. This includes faster CPU performance, NVMe storage, and LiteSpeed Turbo caching. DreamHost includes a CDN for WordPress hosting through Jetpack, whereas A2 Hosting does not offer CDN services in its basic plans. A2 Hosting’s Turbo plan is recommended for those who prioritize speed and hardware performance.
Data Center Coverage
| Geographical Coverage | DreamHost | A2 Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Data Centers | 2 | 4 |
| Headquarter Location | Los Angeles, California, USA | Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA |
| Data Center Locations | USA (Virginia, Oregon) | USA (Michigan, Arizona), Netherlands (Amsterdam), Singapore |
A2 Hosting offers broader global data center coverage with 4 data centers in the USA, Europe, and Asia. DreamHost has only 2 locations which are both in the US. This makes A2 Hosting a better choice for those targeting international audiences, while DreamHost is ideal for those targeting US-based audiences.
Software Supported
| Software Feature | DreamHost | A2 Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Click WordPress | Yes | Yes |
| OS Supported | Linux | Linux, Windows (Shared, Reseller, VPS) |
| Control Panel | DreamHost Control Panel | cPanel, Plesk |
Both DreamHost and A2 Hosting support 1-click WordPress installation. DreamHost uses its proprietary control panel. A2 Hosting offers both cPanel and Plesk, which are more familiar choices for users who prefer mainstream control panels. A2 Hosting supports both Linux and Windows hosting, while DreamHost only supports Linux. This flexibility makes A2 Hosting more attractive to users needing Windows-based services, for Shared, Reseller and VPS hosting.
Developer Tools
| Developer Tool | DreamHost | A2 Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Staging Tools | Higher plans | Yes |
| Root Access | Yes (DreamCompute, Dedicated Hosting) | Yes (VPS, Dedicated 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 DreamHost and A2 Hosting offer an extensive range of developer tools, including GIT, WP-CLI, and SSH. They also both support multiple programming languages like Python, Java, and Node.js. A2 Hosting has the upper hand with support for ASP.NET, ideal for developers who work with Windows environments. A2 Hosting offers staging tools in all its plans, whereas DreamHost limits this feature to higher plans. A2 Hosting’s more comprehensive developer toolset gives it an edge.
Customer Support
| Support Feature | DreamHost | A2 Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Support Methods | Live chat, email, ticket system | Phone, live chat |
| Support Hours | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Website Migration | Free (automated WordPress migrations) | Free |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 97 days | 30 days |
Both DreamHost and A2 Hosting offer 24/7 support. DreamHost provides live chat, email, and a ticket system, while A2 Hosting offers phone and live chat support. Both hosts offer free website migration, but DreamHost’s automated WordPress migration is especially convenient for WordPress users. DreamHost also has a more generous money-back guarantee of 97 days compared to A2 Hosting’s 30 days.
Security Features
| Security Feature | DreamHost | A2 Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes |
| Backups | Automated daily backups | Automatic daily backups (Drive plan and up) |
| DDoS Protection | Higher plans, Cloudflare | Yes, with Cloudflare CDN |
| Firewalls | Yes | Yes |
| Proactive Monitoring | No | Yes, with Imunify360 |
| Unique Security Features | Firewalls, custom rules for Apache and NGINX | Free HackScan, 2FA, KernelCare, virus scanner, brute force defense |
DreamHost and A2 Hosting both offer essential security features like free SSL certificates, firewalls, and automated daily backups. DreamHost provides DDoS protection for higher-tier plans, while A2 Hosting includes DDoS protection across all its plans.A2 Hosting stands out with proactive monitoring through Imunify360, alongside additional security features like HackScan, 2FA, and KernelCare. DreamHost offers firewalls and custom rules for Apache and NGINX but lacks some of the more proactive features available with A2 Hosting.
DreamHost vs A2 Hosting: Which Is Better For You?
A2 Hosting is the better host. Use A2 Hosting if you’re a medium to large business website that needs faster performance with Turbo servers and NVMe storage. Also use A2 Hosting if you require global data centers to reach an audience that is outside the US. Lastly, use A2 Hosting if you need Windows hosting or advanced developer tools like ASP.NET support.
Use DreamHost if you’re focused on building a small or simple WordPress site. Also use DreamHost if you are a cautious user who prefers a generous 97-day money-back guarantee. Finally, use DreamHost if you need affordable unlimited SSD storage since it’s one of the few hosts who offer this.
Explore our expert-reviewed web hosting comparisons.
Who is DreamHost?
DreamHost is a web host founded in 1996 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California. It specializes in WordPress hosting with a 100% uptime guarantee. DreamHost offers unlimited resources but lacks global data centers. Dive into our review on DreamHost to uncover key details.
Who is A2 Hosting?
A2 Hosting is a web host founded in 2001 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It provides fast performance for a wide range of hosting types but has high renewal prices. Read our analysis of A2 Hosting review for more information.