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This DreamHost review covers one of the longest running independent web hosts in the United States. Employee friendly, privacy focused and officially recommended by WordPress.org, DreamHost has built a loyal following with month to month billing, unlimited traffic and a famously long money back guarantee. Here is how it holds up on performance, price and support.
Key takeaways
- DreamHost is an independent US host officially recommended by WordPress.org.
- Plans include unlimited traffic, free SSL, and a free domain on annual terms.
- It offers unusual flexibility with month to month billing and a 97-day money back guarantee.
- Live chat support is not 24/7, which is the main trade off versus some rivals.
What is undefined?
DreamHost is a US based hosting company founded in 1996 and known for its independence and strong privacy stance. It offers shared hosting, managed WordPress through DreamPress, VPS, dedicated servers and cloud hosting.
Being one of only a handful of hosts officially recommended by WordPress.org gives DreamHost extra credibility with WordPress users. It runs its own custom control panel rather than cPanel, which is clean but takes a little getting used to.
undefined features and plans
DreamHost plans come with unlimited bandwidth, free SSL certificates, a free domain on annual plans, and automated daily backups. Managed WordPress users get built in caching and a site builder, while developers get SSH, SFTP and staging.
The custom panel keeps things simple, and DreamHost includes free privacy protection on domains. Uptime is backed by a 100 percent uptime guarantee, which is rare and shows confidence in their infrastructure.
undefined pricing
DreamHost is competitively priced, with shared plans among the cheaper mainstream options, especially on longer terms. Unusually, it also offers a true month to month plan for people who do not want to commit to years up front.
The standout is the 97-day money back guarantee, one of the longest in the industry, which makes trying DreamHost genuinely low risk. Renewal prices rise from intro rates, as with most hosts, so factor that in.
undefined pros and cons
Pros:
- Officially recommended by WordPress.org
- Unlimited traffic and free SSL on all plans
- Month to month billing option and a 97-day money back guarantee
- Strong privacy stance with free domain privacy
Cons:
- Live chat support is not available 24/7
- Custom control panel instead of the familiar cPanel
- Phone support is a paid callback add-on
Who is undefined best for?
DreamHost is best for WordPress users, bloggers and small businesses who value independence, privacy and flexible billing. The long money back guarantee makes it especially appealing if you want to test a host properly before committing.
If you rely on instant 24/7 phone support or prefer cPanel, another host may suit you better, but for most WordPress sites DreamHost is a dependable, fairly priced choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is DreamHost good for WordPress?
Yes. DreamHost is one of the few hosts officially recommended by WordPress.org, and its managed DreamPress plans add caching and easy management for WordPress sites.
How much does DreamHost cost?
DreamHost shared hosting is among the more affordable mainstream options, with cheaper rates on longer terms and a flexible month to month plan available.
Does DreamHost offer a money back guarantee?
Yes. DreamHost has a 97-day money back guarantee on shared hosting, one of the longest in the industry, so you can try it with low risk.
Where are DreamHost servers located?
DreamHost operates data centers in the United States, with additional points of presence that help serve a global audience.
The bottom line
DreamHost is a solid, independent host that earns its WordPress.org recommendation. It trades 24/7 phone support and cPanel for privacy, flexible billing and an industry leading money back guarantee. For WordPress users and small businesses, this DreamHost review rates it a trustworthy, good value option.
For more options, compare our DigitalOcean review, or learn more about web hosting.