Compare between DreamHost and other vendors

The starting price for a popular domain extension like a .com on DreamHost is about $9.99 for the first year. This price includes free private WHOIS registration (domain privacy) at no extra charge. Pricing will vary for other domain extensions, but .com is one of the most affordable options.

Yes – domain renewals are higher than the first-year promotional price. For example, a .com domain at DreamHost renews at about $19.99 per year after the initial term. Such renewal hikes are standard across the industry – many registrars offer a low first-year price and then charge the regular rate upon renewal. DreamHost’s renewal pricing (around $19.99/year for .com) is in line with typical rates at other hosts, and your domain privacy remains free through renewal as well.

Yes, there is a fee to transfer your domain to DreamHost, but it’s essentially the cost of a one-year renewal. Transferring a .com domain to DreamHost costs around $9.99, which extends your registration by one year from the current expiration. In other words, that fee isn’t extra money to DreamHost – it pays for the next year of your domain registration (ICANN requires extending the domain by a year when you transfer). This pricing is comparable to other registrars, and DreamHost also continues to include free WHOIS privacy on transferred domains.

DreamHost offers multiple support channels to help you 24/7. You can reach out to their support team via live chat or through the email/ticket system at any time. If your issue isn’t urgent, you can also send a support ticket or email, and you’ll typically get a prompt, thorough reply. Note that DreamHost does not have a direct phone support line you can call; however, they do offer a callback service, for an extra fee, if you prefer to speak to a technician by phone.

The entry-level Shared Starter plan begins at about $2.59 per month if you sign up for a 3-year term. If you choose a shorter term, the price is a bit higher – for instance, the cost on a month-to-month basis is $4.95 for the first month. The feature-rich Shared Unlimited plan, which allows unlimited websites and includes email hosting, starts around $3.95 per month with an annual commitment. Keep in mind that after your initial term, the Shared Starter renews at about $5.99/month, and Shared Unlimited at around $10.99/month.

DreamHost has an award-winning in-house support team that is known for being helpful and responsive. Support is available 24/7 via live chat and email, so assistance is always on hand when you need it. Many customers report positive experiences with DreamHost’s support agents, finding them knowledgeable in resolving issues ranging from website setup to troubleshooting.

DreamHost doesn’t have a free hosting tier for the general public, but they do offer free hosting for nonprofits. If you are a nonprofit organization registered in the US with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) status, DreamHost will provide you with a free Shared Hosting plan (Shared Starter) for the lifetime of your account. This special offer even includes free email hosting on that plan and one free domain registration for the first year of the account. Keep in mind the nonprofit discount is limited to one hosting account per nonprofit and must be used for the organization’s own website.

Yes, DreamHost offers a 97-day money-back guarantee on their shared hosting plans. This is over three times longer than the typical 30-day guarantees most hosts provide. There are just a few conditions to be aware of: the 97-day guarantee applies only to shared web hosting (DreamHost’s other products, like VPS, domain registrations, etc., have their own refund rules), and it only applies if you paid by credit card. Domain registration fees cannot be refunded (you still keep the domain name if you registered one).

DreamHost is a green web hosting provider with several initiatives to reduce their environmental impact. Their data centers are designed for efficiency – using high-efficiency cooling infrastructure and power-saving processors to minimize energy use. DreamHost also participates in clean wind energy programs and sources power for their facilities from renewable energy grids.