DreamHost Review 2026
Detailed analysis of DreamHost's WordPress hosting plans, hidden renewal costs, and performance features.
Expert Analysis
"The "geek" choice focusing on privacy and freedom, suitable for users who dislike excessive marketing."
DreamHost offers a range of managed WordPress hosting solutions designed for different needs, from personal blogs to high-traffic business sites. Currently, they provide 3 main tiers: DreamPress 1, DreamPress 2, DreamPress 3.
Pricing & Value
The entry-level plan, DreamPress 1, starts as low as $11.99/mo (for the longest term). However, it's important to note the renewal rates. Like most providers, DreamHost's promotional prices increase after the initial term. Our comparison table below clearly shows the "Due Today" cost versus the renewal price to help you avoid surprises.
Key Features
Most DreamHost plans include essential features like Free SSL certificates, a free domain for the first year, and managed WordPress updates.For performance, the DreamPress 2 plan and above include Object Caching, which significantly speeds up dynamic WordPress sites.
Is DreamHost Right for You?
If you are looking for an affordable way to start, DreamHost is a strong contender. We recommend checking the DreamPress 2 plan for the best balance of price and features.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- True Power of DreamPressEven shared environments are Nginx-optimized; their DreamPress managed service offers isolated resources for extreme stability.
- No BloatwareWordPress installations are pure, without the forced pre-installation of marketing plugins found with other providers.
- Unlimited Traffic & StorageThe "Unlimited" plan genuinely offers unlimited storage (for normal site content), perfect for portfolios with many images.
Cons
- Custom Panel Learning CurveNo cPanel; database and file management uses a proprietary panel, which might be confusing for those used to standard tutorials.
- Migration Plugin ExperienceCompared to the smooth automated migration of SiteGround or Cloudways, their free tool can sometimes fail with large, complex sites.
Plans & Pricing
3 Plans Available| Specs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Specs | |||
Websites | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Storage | 15GB NVMe | 25GB NVMe | 30GB NVMe |
Bandwidth | ~25k Visits | ~30k Visits | ~50k Visits |
Free Email | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Free Domain (1st Year) | |||
Backups | Daily | Daily | Daily |
| Performance & Speed | |||
Performance Level | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Uptime | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Free CDN | |||
Object Cache | |||
Global Data Centers | |||
Dedicated IP | - | - | - |
| WordPress & Ease of Use | |||
Managed WordPress | |||
Free Migration | |||
One-Click Install | |||
Staging Environment | |||
Website Builder | |||
| Security & Protection | |||
Free SSL | |||
DDoS Protection | |||
Malware Scanner | |||
Domain Privacy | |||
Firewall | |||
| Support & Developer | |||
Support | 24/7 Chat | 24/7 Chat/3 Phone | 24/7 Chat/3 Phone |
Money-Back Guarantee | 30 Days | 30 Days | 30 Days |
SSH Access | |||
Git Integration | - | - | - |
Databases | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Node.js Support | - | - | - |
Frequently Asked Questions about DreamHost
DreamHost User Reviews
See what real users are saying about their experience with DreamHost.
Sharon Taylor
App Developer
"I love the developer tools DreamHost provides. Staging environments work seamlessly."
Daniel Martin
Frontend Dev
"For WordPress hosting, DreamHost is simply the best. Everything is optimized out of the box."
Rebecca Collins
Digital Marketer
"I run a high-traffic blog and DreamHost handles the load spikes without breaking a sweat."
Margaret Perez
Operations Manager
"I was worried about migration, but DreamHost support team handled everything perfectly."
Gary Collins
Online Coach
"My client sites load 2x faster since I moved them to DreamHost. Highly recommended."
Jerry Moore
Small Business Owner
"I run a high-traffic blog and DreamHost handles the load spikes without breaking a sweat."
Gregory Hall
Business Consultant
"Switching to DreamHost was a game-changer for my site speed. Core Web Vitals are finally green."
Frank Hernandez
IT Consultant
"DreamHost's dashboard is so intuitive. It makes managing multiple sites a breeze."
Sharon Taylor
App Developer
"I love the developer tools DreamHost provides. Staging environments work seamlessly."
Daniel Martin
Frontend Dev
"For WordPress hosting, DreamHost is simply the best. Everything is optimized out of the box."
Rebecca Collins
Digital Marketer
"I run a high-traffic blog and DreamHost handles the load spikes without breaking a sweat."
Margaret Perez
Operations Manager
"I was worried about migration, but DreamHost support team handled everything perfectly."
Gary Collins
Online Coach
"My client sites load 2x faster since I moved them to DreamHost. Highly recommended."
Jerry Moore
Small Business Owner
"I run a high-traffic blog and DreamHost handles the load spikes without breaking a sweat."
Gregory Hall
Business Consultant
"Switching to DreamHost was a game-changer for my site speed. Core Web Vitals are finally green."
Frank Hernandez
IT Consultant
"DreamHost's dashboard is so intuitive. It makes managing multiple sites a breeze."
Elizabeth Scott
Marketing Lead
"I love the developer tools DreamHost provides. Staging environments work seamlessly."
Linda Anderson
WordPress Expert
"DreamHost's dashboard is so intuitive. It makes managing multiple sites a breeze."
Catherine Turner
Marketing Lead
"The security features included with DreamHost give me total peace of mind."
Gregory Robinson
WordPress Expert
"Finally a host that doesn't nickel and dime you. DreamHost's pricing is transparent."
Frank Adams
Backend Engineer
"My client sites load 2x faster since I moved them to DreamHost. Highly recommended."
Ruth Johnson
Tech Reviewer
"I love the developer tools DreamHost provides. Staging environments work seamlessly."
Shirley Young
Web Developer
"I've tried five other hosts, but DreamHost is the one I'm sticking with. Consistent quality."
Patricia Johnson
Online Coach
"My client sites load 2x faster since I moved them to DreamHost. Highly recommended."
Elizabeth Scott
Marketing Lead
"I love the developer tools DreamHost provides. Staging environments work seamlessly."
Linda Anderson
WordPress Expert
"DreamHost's dashboard is so intuitive. It makes managing multiple sites a breeze."
Catherine Turner
Marketing Lead
"The security features included with DreamHost give me total peace of mind."
Gregory Robinson
WordPress Expert
"Finally a host that doesn't nickel and dime you. DreamHost's pricing is transparent."
Frank Adams
Backend Engineer
"My client sites load 2x faster since I moved them to DreamHost. Highly recommended."
Ruth Johnson
Tech Reviewer
"I love the developer tools DreamHost provides. Staging environments work seamlessly."
Shirley Young
Web Developer
"I've tried five other hosts, but DreamHost is the one I'm sticking with. Consistent quality."
Patricia Johnson
Online Coach
"My client sites load 2x faster since I moved them to DreamHost. Highly recommended."