SiteGround vs DreamHost Comparison (Hands-On)

Both are quality options with WordPress-specific features, as well as general plans for other types of websites. However, there are some notable differences when it comes to factors such as performance, price, support, etc.

Just in case, you’re in a hurry – here’s the short version:

Now, let’s get into the details:

⚙️ Which company offers the best features?

Both SiteGround and DreamHost are affordable hosting companies that come with modern technology. They use SSD storage and the latest HTTP and PHP versions.

SiteGround

SiteGround offers three shared plans. You can host any tool on these plans, but WordPress users get access to useful managed WordPress hosting features.

There’s the basic StartUp Plan, and the higher GrowBig and GoGeek plans. What differentiates the higher plans are advanced caching, on-demand backups, number of sites, and Git integration.

Here’s what you get with SiteGround’s StartUp plan:

• Pre-installed WordPress, and access to a setup wizard
• Free SSL certificate via Let’s Encrypt
• Automatic WordPress updates
• Free automated backup and restore up to 30 days (on-demand backup in higher plans)
• Free website migration, free professional migration of one site in higher plans
• 10-40 GB website storage
• One website on StartUp plan, unlimited sites in other plans
• Integration with the Cloudflare content delivery network (CDN)
• Built-in static caching to make your site load faster. Higher plans also cache dynamic data
• Free PCI compliance – helpful for eCommerce
• WP-CLI pre-installed on all accounts (helps you update WordPress/ add plugins from the command line)
• Unlimited email accounts featuring your website’s domain
• Staging/restore (on GrowBig and GoGeek)

DreamHost

DreamHost also offers shared WordPress plans. Beyond that, they also offer a dedicated WooCommerce solution, as well as a high-priced DreamPress plan (for which we have a detailed review).

However, since we’re comparing basic plans, we’ll look into the features offered in their Shared Starter and Shared Unlimited WordPress plan.

• WordPress comes pre-installed and ready to go
• Free SSL, pre-installed in Unlimited
• Free domain with annual plans, including privacy protection
• Automatic updates
• Automatic scheduled backups
• Free website migration free
• 50 GB storage, no limit in Unlimited
• One website, no limit in Unlimited
• Unlimited email accounts for your domain only in Unlimited
• WP website builder, 200+ starter templates
• WP-CLI free
• PCI compliance

Analysis

As far as features go, both hosts appear to share the honors equally in this SiteGround vs DreamHost comparison. However, you do not have to make a blind choice – there are important differences in the features basket.

SiteGround offers free CDN integration, caching, staging/restore, and email accounts in their basic plans. On the other hand, DreamHost offers enhanced storage, bandwidth, and free domain/ privacy.

Making a choice may really come down to the question – is it missing the specific feature you’re looking for?

Forced to pick one, I’d choose SiteGround over DreamHost, as I consider staging and email important requisites for a website.

🙋 Is SiteGround or DreamHost easier to use?

As an administrator, you’re going to spend a lot of time at the control panel. It helps greatly if this panel is user-friendly. Fortunately, both hosts make it very easy to create a new WordPress site and thereafter to streamline management.

SiteGround

SiteGround gives you three options to set up WordPress – using a WordPress wizard or Softaculous (autoinstaller), or manually. You can choose to create a new site or migrate an existing site.

Moving on, a WordPress starter tool lets you pick from a collection of professional designs. Not only that, but you’ll also be able to add key functions like a contact form or an online store. That way your site will be fully functional in a matter of minutes.

There’s not much you cannot do from the custom control panel – manage hosting subscriptions, access support, or add websites and users. The dashboard comes pre-set with optimal settings, but you can always change them.

If you want to transfer an existing site, the SiteGround Migrator plugin will help. On higher plans, SiteGround will also professionally migrate one website for free.

DreamHost

When it comes to user experience, DreamHost is not lagging behind. All plans come with WordPress pre-installed, as well as with a powerful one-click installer.

A website creation wizard holds your hand during the website setup process, guiding you through theme selection and adding functions. To make it all smoother, a drag-and-drop editor combines with design blocks to make website-building faster.

There’s also a guided walk-through for adding pages, entering important information, and more. Want more help? Check out the 200+ starter sites covering every industry.

From the custom control panel, you can access your account, domain, and hosting details. Additionally, you can migrate your existing site for free using DreamHost Automated Migrator plugin.

Analysis

It’s difficult to make a call between the two hosts. But I must give it to DreamHost for making it smooth for beginners by throwing in a free domain with all it’s hosting plans. It’s particularly attractive to folks desiring to finish the entire website creation process in one place. Important to note though that this freebie is available only to annual subscribers.

🏎️ Who wins in SiteGround vs DreamHost performance tests?

Speed and uptime play a big part in user experience of any website. To see how SiteGround and DreamHost fare on this point, we tested the loading times of both from different places using Pingdom

The response times for both are great when the test servers are geographically close to the host servers. Not too impressive for distant locations though.

When it comes to uptime, both hosts keep their promise of 99.9% uptime. You can view historical data for the last seven months below. For live data, visit our uptime monitor page.

Analysis

Both SiteGround and DreamHost use SSD (Solid State Drive) in their servers. While SiteGround uses Nginx, DreamHost uses Apache. Looking deeper, with custom caching (even on cheaper plans) and a consistent focus on response time, SiteGround is the winner when it comes to performance.

📞 Does SiteGround or DreamHost offer better customer support?

Interestingly, in our WordPress hosting survey, we found that 17.32% of the 6,500+ respondents valued support above all else, so this should be an important consideration when choosing between DreamHost and SiteGround.

Like most hosting service providers, SiteGround and DreamHost offer 24/7 tickets, live chat, and phone callback. SiteGround also offers priority support to GoGeek users. In addition, both hosts give all visitors access to a wide knowledge base.

In previous surveys, we asked 800+ respondents to rate hosting services on the basis of Overall support quality and WordPress-specific support quality.

Overall, SiteGround clearly offers better support.

💰 How does SiteGround vs DreamHost pricing compare?

While both SiteGround and DreamHost offer shared hosting at budget prices, the features and benefits vary depending on plan type and duration. This calls for a careful SiteGround vs DreamHost price comparison.

Generally hosting companies offer a promotional price for the first billing cycle, which increases substantially thereafter. SiteGround and DreamHost are no different here.

SiteGround

DreamHost

If you’re looking for rock bottom prices, look no further than DreamHost’s Shared Starter Plan, and lock in the promotional price for a full three-year term.

But if you want to pay on a monthly basis, DreamHost’s Shared Starter at $2.59 beats SiteGround’s Starter at $2.99.

SiteGround has a 30-day money back policy, while DreamHost users can cancel in 97 days.

Overall, DreamHost is surely the more affordable host.

Final thoughts on SiteGround vs DreamHost

• SiteGround is the overall best host with better features, performance, and support.
• DreamHost doesn’t fare too badly either, being more affordable and user-friendly. The Shared Unlimited Plan is the best value for money.

If you want to consider other hosts in this price range, check out our collections of the:

• Best cheap WordPress hosting
• Best cheap web hosting

Do you have any questions about how to choose between SiteGround and DreamHost? Ask away in the comments section!