Dreamhost Reviews 2023

DreamHost: A Comprehensive Review of Secure and Scalable Hosting
DreamHost is a reputable and award-winning web hosting company providing reliable hosting services since 1997.
With a focus on secure and scalable hosting solutions, DreamHost has become one of the most popular choices for individuals and businesses.

In this comprehensive review, we will delve into DreamHost’s performance, reliability, customer support, features, and pricing to help you determine if it is the right hosting provider for your needs.
About DreamHost
Founded by four friends at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California, DreamHost has become a leading web hosting provider with over 1.5 million websites hosted on their platform, including over 750,000 WordPress installations.
With a commitment to green initiatives, DreamHost is a certified carbon-neutral host and a member of the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce.
Pros and Cons of DreamHost
Before diving into the detailed features of DreamHost, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of choosing this hosting provider:
Pros:
- Award-winning hosting: DreamHost has received accolades, including PCMag’s Readers’ Choice Award for Best Web Hosting Service.
- DreamHost offers a 97-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try their services risk-free.
- Free domain and privacy: Every DreamHost plan includes free domain registration and domain privacy protection.
- Monthly billing with no setup fee: DreamHost offers flexible billing options, including monthly payments without any setup fees.
- Automatic daily backups: DreamHost takes the hassle out of backups by providing automatic daily website backups.
Cons:
- Limited support options: DreamHost offers email and live chat support during specific hours, which may be better for those in different time zones.
- No email included in the Starter plan: The basic Starter plan of DreamHost’s WordPress hosting does not include email accounts. However, it is available as an add-on or through external email providers.
Performance Tests
To assess the performance of DreamHost, we conducted several tests to evaluate their speed, reliability, and response time.

Speed Test Results
We used Pingdom to measure the loading speed of a test site hosted on DreamHost. The results showed that the site loaded in less than half a second, indicating excellent speed performance.
Stress Test Results
To test the server’s performance under heavy traffic, we used K6 to simulate 100 unique visitors accessing the site simultaneously.
The stress test revealed that DreamHost’s server handled the increased requests well, with an average response time of 77 ms and the site remaining available throughout the test.
Response Time Test Results
Using Bitcatcha, we measured the server response time from different geographic locations. The response times remained steady globally, particularly in North America and Europe.
Uptime Test Results
Throughout our testing, the website hosted on DreamHost did not experience any downtime, highlighting the reliability of their hosting platform.
Hosting Plans and Features
DreamHost offers a range of hosting plans tailored to the needs of web designers, developers, bloggers, and online businesses.

Their hosting options include shared hosting, managed WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated servers, and cloud hosting.
Shared Hosting
DreamHost’s shared hosting plans provide a cost-effective solution for individuals and small businesses.
With unlimited storage, bandwidth, and an easy-to-use control panel, shared hosting is ideal for those starting their online presence.
Additionally, DreamHost offers a one-click installation of WordPress to simplify the setup process.
Managed WordPress Hosting
DreamHost’s managed WordPress hosting, known as DreamPress, offers optimized servers specifically designed for WordPress sites.
It includes automatic WordPress core updates, SSL certificates, SSD storage, and unmetered bandwidth. DreamPress provides one-click staging for easy website testing and a free website builder.
The DreamPress Pro and plans offer additional features such as unlimited CDN and Jetpack Professional add-ons.
VPS Hosting
DreamHost’s VPS hosting provides dedicated server resources in a virtual environment for users needing more resources and control.
With different plans offering varying levels of RAM and storage, VPS hosting is suitable for high-traffic websites or resource-intensive applications. DreamHost’s VPS hosting also includes a 100% uptime guarantee and managed services.
Dedicated Servers
DreamHost’s dedicated server plans offer the ultimate in performance and control. With customizable CPU, RAM, and storage options, dedicated hosting provides maximum reliability and scalability.
DreamHost’s dedicated servers come with fully managed services, including security patches and 24/7 monitoring. Additionally, they offer a 100% network uptime guarantee.
Support and Customer Service
DreamHost provides support through a ticket system and live chat during specific hours.
While the support may take time, customers have reported positive experiences with the knowledgeable and friendly support team.
DreamHost also maintains a comprehensive knowledge base and a forum where users can find answers to common questions and interact with the community.
Pricing
DreamHost offers competitive pricing for its hosting plans. Shared hosting plans start at $2.59 per month (billed for 3 years), while DreamPress-managed WordPress plans start at $12 per month.
VPS hosting plans range from $10 to $80 per month, depending on the resources required. Dedicated server plans start at $149 monthly and can be customized to meet specific needs.
Conclusion
DreamHost is a reliable and secure hosting provider with various hosting options to suit different needs.
Their performance tests demonstrate excellent speed, reliability, and uptime. While their support options may take time, their knowledgeable support team and extensive knowledge base provide valuable assistance.
With competitive pricing and a 97-day money-back guarantee, DreamHost is a solid choice for individuals and businesses seeking secure and scalable hosting solutions.