When comparing DreamHost vs SiteGround, we find SiteGround to be the better web host overall. SiteGround’s large network of global data centers and Google Cloud infrastructure make it ideal for businesses and developers. DreamHost’s limited geographical reach and lack of proactive security make it far less suitable for global users or advanced needs.
In this article, we compare DreamHost vs SiteGround 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 SiteGround: Which is better for you?”
Plans
| Hosting Type | DreamHost | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $2.59/mo – $3.95/mo | $3.99/mo – $10.69/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $10/mo – $60/mo | Not Available |
| WordPress Hosting | $2.59/mo – $71.95/mo | $3.99/mo – $10.69/mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $4.50/mo – $48/mo | $100/mo – $400/mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $199/mo – $749/mo | Not Available |
| Reseller Hosting | Not Available | $6.69/mo – $100/mo |
| Managed Hosting Available? | All plans | Shared, Cloud, WordPress |
DreamHost offers 5 types of hosting: Shared, VPS, WordPress, Cloud Hosting, and Dedicated Hosting. SiteGround offers 4 types of hosting: Shared, WordPress, Cloud, and Reseller Hosting. Both offer managed hosting across their plans. DreamHost covers a broader range of hosting types, including VPS and Dedicated Hosting for larger projects. SiteGround appeals to users needing Reseller Hosting.
Pricing
| Pricing Type | DreamHost | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Price | $2.59/mo | $3.99/mo |
| Renewal Price | $5.99/mo | $17.99/mo |
| Monthly Payment Option? | Yes | Yes |
DreamHost’s shared hosting starts at $2.59 per month, while SiteGround begins at $3.99 per month. SiteGround’s renewal price jumps to $17.99 which is a very significant increase of 350%. DreamHost’s renewal price is $5.99, which is a more modest increase of 130%. SiteGround’s higher pricing is a drawback in the long-term for users, whilst DreamHost remains fairly budget friendly.
Features Included
| Feature | DreamHost | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Space | Unlimited SSD storage | 10 GB SSD storage |
| Bandwidth | Unmetered | Unmetered |
| Number of websites | 1 | 1 |
| Email Hosting | Add-on feature, unlimited for higher plans | Unlimited accounts |
| Free Domain | Yes | No |
| AI Website Builder | Yes, WP Website Builder | No, Weebly only |
| Unlimited Storage? | Yes | No |
| Unlimited/Unmetered bandwidth? | Unlimited | Yes |
| Additional Features | Automated WordPress migrations, AI Business Advisor powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 | Automated updates and custom tools, Advanced priority support, Easy Git integration |
DreamHost provides unlimited storage for even its cheapest shared plans. SiteGround offers 10 GB of SSD storage on the basic shared plan. DreamHost includes an AI-powered website builder, and SiteGround offers Weebly. DreamHost users need to pay for email hosting, while SiteGround includes unlimited email accounts. DreamHost offers automated WordPress migrations and OpenAI-powered AI tools, whereas SiteGround’s managed WordPress hosting comes with Git integration and collaborator options.
Performance
| Performance Feature | DreamHost | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| CDN | Only for WordPress hosting (Jetpack CDN) | Yes, inhouse (SiteGround CDN) |
| Type of SSD Server | SSD | SSD |
| Caching | Higher plans | Yes |
| Uptime Guarantee | 100% | 99.9% |
| Additional Performance Features | None | NGINX-based static and dynamic cache, SuperCacher, Google Cloud infrastructure |
DreamHost offers a higher 100% uptime guarantee, while SiteGround offers the industry standard of 99.9%. SiteGround’s in-house CDN supports all plans. DreamHost provides CDN only for WordPress hosting via Jetpack. SiteGround also integrates caching technology such as SuperCacher and leverages Google Cloud infrastructure. This gives it an edge in global performance. DreamHost offers caching on its higher plans, but lacks the more advanced performance features SiteGround offers.
Data Center Coverage
| Geographical Coverage | DreamHost | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Data centers | 2 | 11 |
| Headquarter Location | Los Angeles, California, United States | Sofia, Bulgaria |
| Data center locations | USA (Virginia, Oregon) | USA (Iowa, Virginia, Texas, California), Netherlands (Eemshaven), UK (London), Germany (Frankfurt), France (Paris), Spain (Madrid), Australia (Sydney), Singapore |
DreamHost operates 2 data centers in the US, located in Virginia and Oregon. SiteGround boasts a global presence with 11 data centers spanning 4 continents. This extensive coverage makes SiteGround a better choice for website owners targeting global audiences. DreamHost remains more suited for US-based users due to its localized data centers.
Software Supported
| Software Feature | DreamHost | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Control Panel | DreamHost Control Panel (proprietary) | Site Tools (proprietary) |
| 1-Click WordPress | Yes | Yes |
| OS Supported | Linux | Linux |
Both DreamHost and SiteGround use proprietary control panels. DreamHost offers their custom DreamHost Control Panel and SiteGround provides Site Tools. Both hosts support only Linux as the operating system and do not support Windows hosting. Both include 1-click WordPress installation.
Developer Tools
| Developer Tool | DreamHost | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Staging Tools | Higher plans | Higher plans |
| Root Access | Yes for DreamCompute plans (cloud servers) and Dedicated Hosting | No |
| GIT Access | Yes | Yes |
| WP-CLI | Yes | Yes |
| Cron Jobs | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple PHP Versions | Yes | Yes |
| SSH | Yes | Yes |
| Node.js Support | Yes | No |
| Python Support | Yes | Yes |
| Java Support | Yes | No |
| Django Support | Yes | No |
| Perl Support | Yes | Yes |
| Ruby on Rails Support | Yes | No |
| ASP.NET | No | No |
Both hosts offer essential developer tools like GIT access, WP-CLI, and support for multiple PHP versions. DreamHost provides more extensive support for languages like Node.js, Java, and Django as well as root access for higher plans. This gives DreamHost an edge for developers needing more control.
Customer Support
| Customer Support Feature | DreamHost | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Support Methods | Live chat, email, ticket system | Live chat, phone support, helpdesk tickets |
| Support Hours | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Website Migration | Yes (free automated WordPress migrations) | Yes |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 97 days | 30 days |
Both DreamHost and SiteGround offer 24/7 support. SiteGround adds phone support alongside live chat and tickets. DreamHost relies more on email and chat-based systems. DreamHost offers an industry-leading 97-day money-back guarantee, whereas SiteGround limits refunds to 30 days. DreamHost focuses specifically on WordPress migrations, while SiteGround offers a more general migration service.
Security Features
| Security Feature | DreamHost | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes |
| Backups | Automated Daily Backups (Higher Plans: On-Demand Backups & 1-Click Restore) | Automatic daily backups |
| DDoS Protection | Higher plans, Cloudflare | Yes, in-house |
| Firewalls | Yes | Yes |
| Proactive Monitoring | No | Yes |
| Unique Security Features | Firewalls (mod_security, lua-resty-waf), Custom rules and patches for Apache and NGINX | Custom WAF, AI Anti-Bot System |
Both hosts provide free SSL certificates and daily backups, but SiteGround’s security includes proactive monitoring for stronger protection against potential threats. SiteGround’s use of an AI-powered anti-bot system and custom WAF further enhances its security. DreamHost offers robust firewall protection but lacks proactive monitoring.
DreamHost vs SiteGround: Which Is Better For You?
SiteGround is the better host. Use SiteGround if you need a wide choice of data centers or are targeting a worldwide audience. Also use SiteGround if you’re a medium to large eCommerce business that wants managed hosting with proactive and AI-powered security features. Lastly, use SiteGround if you prioritize speed and performance, thanks to its integration with Google Cloud and in-house CDN.
Use DreamHost if you’re building a new or simple website on a budget. Their website builder and free domain and low pricing make it great for building a basic WordPress site like a portfolio or small blog. Also use DreamHost if you’re a developer needing support for Node.js, Java, or Django.
Browse our curated web hosting comparisons here.
Who is DreamHost?
DreamHost is a web host founded in 1997 and headquartered in Los Angeles. It specializes in WordPress hosting, offers unlimited storage, and provides a 97-day money-back guarantee. Its data centers are limited to the US which makes it less suitable for sites with international audiences. Read our expert analysis of DreamHost for more details.
Who is SiteGround?
SiteGround is a web host founded in 2004 and headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria. It focuses on managed hosting with global data centers, excellent customer support, and proactive security. Higher renewal prices are a notable drawback. Get all the facts about SiteGround in our expert review.