DreamHost
Affordable web hosting with transparent pricing and strong WordPress support
DreamHost is a Los Angeles-based web hosting provider offering shared hosting, managed WordPress (DreamPress), VPS, dedicated servers, and cloud infrastructure. The company is officially recommended by WordPress.org and serves 1.5M+ sites with a custom control panel, generous 97-day money-back guarantee, and unlimited bandwidth on most plans.
How we scored it
Six-factor weighted score. Each dimension scored 0–10 by our editorial team across testing periods of 3–18 months. No vendor influence.
What it actually costs
Intro pricing shown — see the renewal note for what you'll pay after the introductory term. We don't hide the second-act price.
The real cost
What you'll actually pay across 4 years, including the renewal cliff. We blend the math so you see the true monthly cost.
When the bill actually arrives
Most hosts advertise intro pricing prominently and renewal pricing in the fine print. Here\'s the trajectory drawn to scale.
DreamHost against the field
The highest-scoring alternatives in the same category, compared on the figures we hold for all of them.
| DreamHostThis page | SiteGround | DigitalOcean | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReviewCost score | 7.4/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.3/10 |
| Cheapest plan | Shared Starter | — | — |
| From | $2.89/mo | $17.99/mo | — |
| Renews at | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Biggest strength | Introductory pricing starting from $2.89/month for shared hosting makes it accessible to beginners | Outstanding 24/7 customer support with average 15-minute response times and knowledgeable staff | Transparent, predictable pricing with per-second billing since January 2026 |
| Biggest drawback | Renewal prices jump significantly—some plans see 171% increases after the first year | Renewal prices increase 500%+ after promotional period ends (StartUp jumps from $2.99 to $17.99/month) | Limited support on free tier—ticket responses can be slow, no phone support at any tier |
Prices are the published figures at the time of writing and change often. Renewal pricing is shown where the vendor publishes it. See how we review.
What people ask about DreamHost
Straight answers to what buyers actually ask, drawn from the documentation and published user reports.