Quick Verdict: DreamHost wins
DreamHost wins overall due to its 100% uptime guarantee, 97-day money-back window, and higher 4.5 rating versus Hosting.com's 99.9% uptime and 30-day guarantee. Both start at $1.99/mo, but DreamHost's longer refund period and perfect uptime SLA make it the safer, more reliable choice for most users.
At a Glance
Both providers match on entry price ($1.99/mo) but diverge sharply on uptime guarantees, refund windows, data-center reach, and support channels.
Provider Profiles
DreamHost has operated since 1996 and is officially recommended by WordPress.org. It emphasizes reliability with a 100% uptime guarantee, NVMe on all plans, and industry-leading 97-day money-back protection, appealing to small business owners and WordPress users who prioritize stability over lowest renewal costs.
- 97-Day Money Back Guarantee (Industry's Longest)
- WordPress.org Officially Recommended
- 100% Uptime Guarantee with Service Credits
- NVMe SSD Storage on All Plans (10x Faster)
- Free Domain Privacy for Life
Hosting.com (rebranded from A2 Hosting in 2024) is based in Michigan and offers 27 plans across shared, WordPress, VPS, and managed hosting with 10 global data-center options. It targets performance-conscious users willing to accept steeper renewals in exchange for LiteSpeed Turbo servers and live phone support at low introductory prices.
- Turbo Servers — LiteSpeed + NVMe SSD (up to 20x faster)
- Formerly A2 Hosting — 20+ Years of Performance
- Free SSL, Free Migration & cPanel Included
- 24/7 Live Chat, Phone & Ticket Support
- Choose Your Data Center at Signup
1 Features
DreamHost bundles free SSL, free domain, and free WordPress migration across all hosting types, while Hosting.com adds free CDN and extends LiteSpeed Turbo availability to more tiers.
DreamHost
Includes free SSL, free domain, and WordPress 1-click migration on all plans. NVMe SSD is standard across the entire lineup. Free domain privacy protection is lifetime. No CDN included, and email is a paid add-on on the entry Starter plan.
Hosting.com
Round winner
Offers free SSL, free domain, free migration, and free CDN across its portfolio. LiteSpeed and NVMe are available on Turbo servers. cPanel is included, giving users familiarity with industry-standard control. Managed WordPress tiers add Cloudflare Enterprise CDN.
2 Pricing & Plans
Both start at $1.99/mo, but renewal rates and money-back guarantees differ substantially.
DreamHost
Round winner
Entry pricing is $1.99/mo with no early-renewal pressure. Money-back guarantee lasts 97 days, the longest in the comparison. Pricing sub-rating is 4.5, reflecting transparent, stable costs. Annual billing unlocks the lowest rates.
Hosting.com
Also opens at $1.99/mo but renewal rates spike significantly — shared plans jump from ~$2.99 intro to ~$11.99+ on renewal. Money-back window is 30 days. Pricing sub-rating is 3.7, acknowledging steep renewal shock. Free domain requires a 2-year commitment.
3 Performance
DreamHost guarantees 100% uptime; Hosting.com commits to 99.9% and claims verified Q4 2025 performance at 99.98%.
DreamHost
Round winner
Backs a 100% uptime guarantee with service credits if breached. NVMe SSD is on every plan, delivering consistent speed. Two USA-only data centers limit geographic optimization for international traffic. No LiteSpeed or built-in CDN.
Hosting.com
Offers 99.9% uptime SLA with independent testing showing 99.98% measured uptime. Turbo servers combine LiteSpeed, NVMe, and AMD EPYC/Ryzen CPUs for high-load resilience. Ten global data centers (USA, UK, Germany, Singapore, etc.) allow users to pick location at signup, reducing latency for distributed audiences.
4 Customer Support
DreamHost offers 24/7 live chat and tickets; Hosting.com adds live phone support, a rare advantage at this price tier.
DreamHost
24/7 live chat and ticket support are included. Phone support is callback-only and requires a paid add-on. Support sub-rating is 4.5, indicating strong satisfaction. No phone line for immediate voice contact.
Hosting.com
Round winner
24/7 live chat, phone, and ticket support are all included at no extra charge. Phone support is a standout feature at entry-level pricing. Support sub-rating is 3.9, slightly below DreamHost, with some users reporting slower tickets post-rebrand.
5 Ease of Use
DreamHost uses a custom control panel; Hosting.com uses industry-standard cPanel, each with trade-offs.
DreamHost
Round winner
Custom DreamHost control panel is beginner-friendly but proprietary, with no portability to other hosts. Sub-rating of 4.5 reflects user satisfaction with simplicity. WordPress.org endorsement signals strong ease-of-use for that specific use case.
Hosting.com
cPanel is the industry standard, familiar to most users and portable across many hosts. Sub-rating of 4.0 is slightly lower, and post-rebrand UI inconsistencies have surfaced in support feedback. Not labeled as most beginner-friendly.
6 Privacy & Security
Both include free SSL and daily backups; DreamHost emphasizes privacy while Hosting.com integrates Cloudflare Enterprise CDN on managed tiers.
DreamHost
Round winner
Free SSL is included. Daily automated backups are standard. Free domain privacy protection is lifetime, a unique long-term security perk. No mention of advanced DDoS or enterprise CDN, though DDoS protection is listed in key features.
Hosting.com
Free SSL is included. Managed WordPress plans feature Cloudflare Enterprise CDN for DDoS and WAF protection. Standard backups are included. Free domain privacy is available but typically requires a 2-year term.
7 Server Locations
DreamHost operates 2 USA-only data centers; Hosting.com offers 10 global locations including USA, UK, Germany, and Singapore.
DreamHost
Two data centers in the USA only. No choice of location at signup. Limited geographic diversity increases latency for users far from the US, and redundancy is domestic-only.
Hosting.com
Round winner
Ten data centers across the USA, UK, Germany, Singapore, and other regions. Users choose their preferred location at signup to minimize latency and comply with data residency rules. Global footprint is ideal for international audiences.
Final Verdict: DreamHost vs Hosting.com
Why choose DreamHost
- 100% uptime guarantee with service credits — the strongest reliability pledge in this matchup.
- 97-day money-back guarantee — longest window to try risk-free; no other major host matches it.
- WordPress.org officially recommended — credible endorsement for WordPress-focused projects.
- Lifetime free domain privacy — unique ongoing security perk that Hosting.com does not offer.
- NVMe SSD on all plans — consistent performance from entry tier upward.
When to consider Hosting.com
- You need live phone support included and want to avoid callback queues.
- Your audience spans multiple continents and you want to pick your data center.
- You're willing to accept higher renewal rates for LiteSpeed Turbo performance gains.
- You want built-in CDN and prefer cPanel's familiar interface and portability.
Alternatives to Consider
Frequently Asked Questions
Which provider has better uptime protection?
DreamHost offers a 100% uptime guarantee with service credits; Hosting.com commits to 99.9% and measures 99.98% in practice. DreamHost's guarantee is stronger, though Hosting.com's measured performance is slightly higher in real-world conditions. The difference is negligible operationally, but DreamHost's SLA is more generous.
Can I get my money back if I'm unhappy?
DreamHost grants 97 days to request a full refund — the longest window in this comparison. Hosting.com offers 30 days with prorated refunds after that. If you want maximum time to evaluate, DreamHost's 97-day guarantee is a substantial advantage.
What happens to my renewal price?
DreamHost maintains transparent pricing with no surprise renewal spikes. Hosting.com's renewal rates can jump significantly — entry shared plans may rise from ~$2.99 to ~$11.99+/mo. Read renewal terms carefully at checkout with Hosting.com to avoid sticker shock.
If I have an urgent issue at 2 a.m., how do I reach support?
Hosting.com lets you call live phone support 24/7 at no extra charge. DreamHost offers live chat and tickets 24/7, but phone support requires a paid add-on callback service. If phone access is critical, Hosting.com is the better choice.

DreamHost Plans
24 plans available across all hosting types.
Shared Hosting 3
| Plan | Price | Storage | CPU | RAM | Bandwidth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web Hosting Launch | $1.99/mo | 25 GB NVMe SSD | Shared CPU | Shared RAM | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
| Web Hosting Growth Best | $3.49/mo | 50 GB NVMe SSD | Shared CPU | Shared RAM | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
| Web Hosting Scale | $7.99/mo | 100 GB NVMe SSD | Shared CPU | Shared RAM | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
Web Hosting 3
| Plan | Price | Storage | CPU | RAM | Bandwidth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DH Web - Launch | $1.99/mo | 25 GB NVMe SSD | Shared CPU | Shared RAM | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
| DH Web - Growth Best | $3.49/mo | 50 GB NVMe SSD | Shared CPU | Shared RAM | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
| DH Web - Scale | $7.99/mo | 100 GB NVMe SSD | Shared CPU | Shared RAM | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
WordPress Hosting 6
| Plan | Price | Storage | CPU | RAM | Bandwidth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress Hosting Launch | $1.99/mo | 25 GB NVMe SSD | Shared CPU | Shared RAM | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
| WordPress Hosting Growth Best | $3.49/mo | 50 GB NVMe SSD | Shared CPU | Shared RAM | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
| WordPress Hosting Scale | $7.99/mo | 100 GB NVMe SSD | Shared CPU | Shared RAM | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
| DreamPress 1 | $11.99/mo | 15 GB NVMe SSD | Managed Dedicated Resources | Managed Dedicated Resources | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
| DreamPress 2 | $14.99/mo | 25 GB NVMe SSD | Managed Dedicated Resources (Higher Tier) | Managed Dedicated Resources (Higher Tier) | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
| DreamPress 3 Best | $16.99/mo | 30 GB NVMe SSD | Managed Dedicated Resources (Top Tier) | Managed Dedicated Resources (Top Tier) | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
VPS Hosting 4
| Plan | Price | Storage | CPU | RAM | Bandwidth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPS Business | $10.00/mo | 60 GB NVMe SSD | 2 Cores | 2 GB RAM (with Auto-Boost RAM Protection) | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
| VPS Professional Best | $20.00/mo | 120 GB NVMe SSD | 2 Cores | 4 GB RAM (with Auto-Boost RAM Protection) | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
| VPS Enterprise | $40.00/mo | 240 GB NVMe SSD | 4 Cores | 8 GB RAM (with Auto-Boost RAM Protection) | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
| VPS Premier | $60.00/mo | 360 GB NVMe SSD | 6 Cores | 12 GB RAM (with Auto-Boost RAM Protection) | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
Dedicated Server 5
| Plan | Price | Storage | CPU | RAM | Bandwidth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DH Dedicated - Standard 16 | $165.00/mo | 480 GB SSD (RAID 1) | 6-Core 12-Thread Processor | 16 GB RAM | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
| DH Dedicated - Enhanced 16 | $229.00/mo | 480 GB SSD (RAID 1) | 12-Core 24-Thread Processor | 16 GB RAM | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
| DH Dedicated - Enhanced 32 Best | $309.00/mo | 960 GB SSD (RAID 1) | 12-Core 24-Thread Processor | 32 GB RAM | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
| DH Dedicated - Enhanced 64 | $455.00/mo | 1920 GB SSD (RAID 1) | 12-Core 24-Thread Processor | 64 GB RAM | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
| DH Dedicated - Enhanced 128 | $625.00/mo | 1920 GB SSD (RAID 1) | 12-Core 24-Thread Processor | 128 GB RAM | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
Website Builder 3
| Plan | Price | Storage | CPU | RAM | Bandwidth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website Builder Launch | $1.99/mo | 25 GB NVMe SSD | Shared CPU | Shared RAM | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
| Website Builder Growth Best | $3.49/mo | 50 GB NVMe SSD | Shared CPU | Shared RAM | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |
| Website Builder Scale | $7.99/mo | 100 GB NVMe SSD | Shared CPU | Shared RAM | Unmetered Bandwidth | Get Plan |

Hosting.com Plans
27 plans available across all hosting types.
Shared Hosting 4
WordPress Hosting 4
| Plan | Price | Storage | CPU | RAM | Bandwidth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small plan for WordPress | $5.83/mo | 20 GB NVMe | — | — | 100 GB | Get Plan |
| Medium plan for WordPress Best | $9.96/mo | 50 GB NVMe | — | — | 300 GB | Get Plan |
| Advanced plan for WordPress | $16.63/mo | 100 GB NVMe | — | — | 600 GB | Get Plan |
| Turbo plan for WordPress | $24.99/mo | 200 GB NVMe | — | — | 1.2 TB | Get Plan |
VPS Hosting 4
Reseller Hosting 4
| Plan | Price | Storage | CPU | RAM | Bandwidth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reseller 30 | $20.42/mo | 100 GB NVMe | 1 vCore per account | 2 GB per account | Unlimited | Get Plan |
| Reseller 60 Best | $32.92/mo | 180 GB NVMe | 2 vCores per account | 2 GB per account | Unlimited | Get Plan |
| Reseller 120 | $53.75/mo | 360 GB NVMe | 2 vCores per account | 2 GB per account | Unlimited | Get Plan |
| Reseller 150 | $66.25/mo | 500 GB NVMe | 2 vCores per account | 4 GB per account | Unlimited | Get Plan |
Managed VPS 8
| Plan | Price | Storage | CPU | RAM | Bandwidth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managed cPanel 4GB | $28.75/mo | 100 GB NVMe SSD | 2 CPU cores (AMD EPYC) | 4 GB dedicated | 1 TB | Get Plan |
| Managed cPanel 8GB | $45.42/mo | 150 GB NVMe SSD | 4 CPU cores (AMD EPYC) | 8 GB dedicated | 2 TB | Get Plan |
| Managed cPanel 16GB Best | $70.42/mo | 300 GB NVMe SSD | 8 CPU cores (AMD EPYC) | 16 GB dedicated | 3 TB | Get Plan |
| Managed cPanel 32GB | $116.25/mo | 400 GB NVMe SSD | 16 CPU cores (AMD EPYC) | 32 GB dedicated | 4 TB | Get Plan |
| Managed cPanel 64GB | $207.92/mo | 800 GB NVMe SSD | 24 CPU cores (AMD EPYC) | 64 GB dedicated | 5 TB | Get Plan |
| Managed cPanel 128GB | $457.92/mo | 1.2 TB NVMe SSD | 32 CPU cores (AMD EPYC) | 128 GB dedicated | 6 TB | Get Plan |
| Managed cPanel 160GB | $582.92/mo | 1.4 TB NVMe SSD | 48 CPU cores (AMD EPYC) | 160 GB dedicated | 7 TB | Get Plan |
| Managed cPanel 256GB | $916.25/mo | 2 TB NVMe SSD | 64 CPU cores (AMD EPYC) | 256 GB dedicated | 8 TB | Get Plan |