When comparing DreamHost vs InMotion Hosting, we find DreamHost to be the better web host overall. DreamHost stands out with its 100% uptime guarantee, fast speeds for US-based audiences, and unlimited resources. It also offers strong support for WordPress and a generous 97-day money-back guarantee. InMotion Hosting offers fast speeds and solid security, but has steep renewal prices.
In this article, we compare DreamHost vs InMotion Hosting on the grounds of plans, pricing, features included, and performance. We also look at their data center coverage, software supported, developer tools, customer support, and security features. Finally, we answer the question of “DreamHost vs InMotion Hosting: Which is better for you?”
Plans
| Hosting Type | DreamHost | InMotion Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.59/mo – $3.95/mo | $2.29/mo – $9.49/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $10/mo – $60/mo | $2.79/mo – $9.99/mo |
| WordPress Hosting | $2.59/mo – $71.95/mo | $9.99/mo – $44.99/mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $4.50/mo – $48/mo | Not Available |
| Dedicated Hosting | $199/mo – $749/mo | $35.00/mo – $249.99/mo |
| Reseller Hosting | Not Available | $13.99/mo – $59.99/mo |
| Managed Hosting | All plans | All plans |
DreamHost offers 5 types of hosting: Shared Hosting, VPS Hosting, WordPress Hosting, Cloud Hosting, and Dedicated Hosting. InMotion Hosting provides 5 types: Shared Hosting, VPS Hosting, WordPress Hosting, Dedicated Hosting, and Reseller Hosting. DreamHost has Cloud Hosting, but InMotion Hosting compensates with its Reseller Hosting and more affordable entry-level options for Shared, VPS, and Dedicated Hosting. Both hosts provide managed hosting across all their plans.
Pricing
| Pricing Type | DreamHost | InMotion Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Price | $2.59/mo | $2.99/mo |
| Renewal Price | $5.99/mo | $10.99/mo |
| Monthly Payment Option | Yes | Yes |
DreamHost starts at $2.59/month for shared hosting, while InMotion Hosting begins at $2.99/month. DreamHost renews at $5.99/month, while InMotion Hosting renews at $10.99/month. This represents an 83% price increase for DreamHost and a 267% increase for InMotion Hosting. DreamHost is significantly more budget-friendly.
Features Included
| Feature | DreamHost | InMotion Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Space | Unlimited SSD storage | 100GB SSD storage |
| Bandwidth | Unmetered | Unlimited |
| Number of Websites | 1 | 2 |
| Email Hosting | Add-on feature, unlimited on higher plans | 10 email addresses |
| Free Domain | Yes | Yes |
| AI Website Builder | Yes, WP Website Builder | No, regular WordPress site builder only |
| Unlimited Storage | Yes | Higher plans |
| Unlimited Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Additional Features | Automated WordPress migrations, AI Business Advisor powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 | Website builder, email on any device, free advertising credits, customer management tools |
DreamHost offers unlimited SSD storage on their cheapest shared plan, while InMotion Hosting provides 100GB SSD storage. DreamHost also includes AI website building tools, while InMotion Hosting does not. DreamHost charges for email hosting on lower plans, but offers unlimited email on higher plans. InMotion Hosting offers 10 email addresses.
Performance
| Performance Feature | DreamHost | InMotion 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 | UltraStack powered hosting, NVMe SSD on Launch plans and higher |
DreamHost offers a 100% uptime guarantee. InMotion Hosting has the industry standard uptime guarantee of 99.9%. Both hosts provide SSD storage, though the key advantage for InMotion Hosting lies in its UltraStack technology and NVMe SSD options on higher plans.
However, DreamHost’s 100% uptime guarantee is a significant benefit for users prioritizing reliability. DreamHost also includes a CDN for WordPress plans only, while InMotion does not offer a CDN at all.
Data Center Coverage
| Geographical Coverage | DreamHost | InMotion Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Data Centers | 2 | 3 |
| Headquarter Location | Los Angeles, United States | Virginia, United States |
| Data Center Locations | USA (Virginia, Oregon) | USA (Los Angeles, Virginia), Netherlands (Amsterdam) |
DreamHost operates 2 data centers in the USA. InMotion Hosting runs 3, including one in Europe. DreamHost’s US-only data center coverage makes it better for American audiences. InMotion Hosting’s additional data center in the Netherlands gives it an advantage for those targeting European audiences.
Software Supported
| Software Feature | DreamHost | InMotion Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Click WordPress | Yes | Yes |
| OS Supported | Linux | Linux |
| Control Panel | DreamHost Control Panel (proprietary) | cPanel |
Both DreamHost and InMotion Hosting offer 1-click WordPress installation. Both support Linux operating systems only and do not support Windows hosting. DreamHost uses its own proprietary DreamHost control panel, while InMotion Hosting uses the more familiar cPanel. InMotion Hosting is a better choice for those already comfortable with cPanel. DreamHost’s control panel has a learning curve but offers powerful functionality once mastered.
Developer Tools
| Developer Tool | DreamHost | InMotion Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Staging Tools | Higher plans | Higher plans |
| Root Access | Yes for DreamCompute and Dedicated Hosting | On request (VPS and dedicated plans) |
| 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 | No |
| Django Support | Yes | Yes |
| Perl Support | Yes | Yes |
| Ruby on Rails Support | Yes | Yes |
| ASP.NET | No | No |
Both DreamHost and InMotion Hosting provide comprehensive developer tools, including GIT access, WP-CLI, Cron jobs, and multiple PHP versions. Both hosts are also well-suited for most modern development needs, with extensive support for frameworks like Django, Ruby on Rails, and Node.js. However, DreamHost’s Java support gives them an upper hand for developers working with Java-based applications.
Customer Support
| Customer Support Feature | DreamHost | InMotion Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Support Methods | Live chat, email, ticket system | Chat, email, phone support |
| Support Hours | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Website Migration | Yes (free automated WordPress migrations) | Yes |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 97 days | 90 days |
Both DreamHost and InMotion Hosting offer 24/7 customer support. InMotion Hosting stands out with phone support, which DreamHost lacks. DreamHost provides automated WordPress migrations for free. InMotion Hosting also offers website migration services. DreamHost’s 97-day money-back guarantee is slightly more generous than InMotion Hosting’s 90 days. However, both guarantees are significantly longer than the industry standard of 30 days so we aren’t complaining.
Security Features
| Security Feature | DreamHost | InMotion Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes |
| Backups | Automated Daily Backups (Higher Plans: On-Demand Backups) | Automatic (daily, weekly, custom) |
| DDoS Protection | Higher plans, Cloudflare | Yes, Corero |
| Firewalls | Yes | Yes |
| Proactive Monitoring | No | Yes |
| Unique Security Features | Firewalls (mod_security, lua-resty-waf), Custom patches | Monarx Security |
Both DreamHost and InMotion Hosting offer essential security features such as free SSL, daily backups, and firewalls. DreamHost’s DDoS protection relies on higher plans and Cloudflare. InMotion Hosting provides Corero’s DDoS protection on all plans. InMotion Hosting also includes proactive monitoring alongside Monarx Security for enhanced malware protection. DreamHost offers valuable custom rules for Apache and NGINX, but lacks the broader security features InMotion Hosting provides.
DreamHost vs InMotion Hosting: Which Is Better For You?
DreamHost is the better host. Use DreamHost if you’re building a WordPress site and need a 100% uptime guarantee. Also use DreamHost if you’re a developer who is deploying a project that requires Java. Finally, use DreamHost if you’re a small or beginner site looking for budget-friendly hosting.
Use InMotion Hosting if you’re a business site needing more hands-on support, since they offer phone support and proactive security monitoring. Also use InMotion Hosting if you’re an ecommerce site requiring broader DDoS protection and advanced malware defenses with Monarx Security. Lastly, use InMotion Hosting if you’re looking for robust performance enhancements like NVMe SSDs on higher plans.
Explore our expert-reviewed web hosting comparisons.
Who is DreamHost?
DreamHost is a web host founded in 1997 and headquartered in Los Angeles. It’s one of three web hosts officially endorsed by WordPress and has a notable 100% uptime guarantee. Its US-only data centers limit international performance. Get a closer look at review on DreamHost through our review.
Who is InMotion Hosting?
InMotion Hosting is a web host founded in 2001 and headquartered in Virginia. It offers fast speeds, excellent security, and 24/7 support. Its high renewal prices are a potential drawback for long-term users. Get all the facts about InMotion Hosting review in our expert review.