InMotion Hosting vs DreamHost – “You Might be Wondering …”

InMotion vs DreamHost

94.8 %

Overall Score

InMotion vs DreamHost

84.8 %

Overall Score

InMotion Hosting offers reliable web hosting with shared, VPS, and dedicated options. Known for fast SSD-powered servers and excellent customer support (24/7), it includes features like free site migration, backups, and a 90-day money-back guarantee, making it ideal for small-to-medium businesses.

DreamHost provides a variety of hosting services, including shared, VPS, cloud, and managed WordPress hosting. It’s notable for its focus on open-source software, green hosting, and a user-friendly control panel, with a strong 97-day money-back guarantee and developer-friendly tools.

InMotion excels in performance and support, while DreamHost stands out for its sustainability and flexible hosting options, making it ideal for environmentally-conscious users and developers. Both offer competitive pricing.

InMotion Hosting

Performance: |5.0| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

InMotion Hosting delivers strong performance with SSD-powered servers, ensuring fast loading times and high uptime. It also offers a variety of optimization tools, including caching and content delivery network (CDN) integration, which enhance overall speed and reliability, especially for business websites.

Uptime: |4.9|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

InMotion Hosting boasts a strong uptime guarantee of 99.9%, backed by its use of high-quality hardware and data centers. This ensures minimal downtime and reliable service for websites, making it a trusted choice for businesses that depend on consistent availability.

Customer Service: |4.8|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

InMotion Hosting is known for its excellent customer support, offering 24/7 assistance via phone, live chat, and email. Their support team is highly rated for responsiveness and expertise, helping resolve issues quickly. They also provide a large knowledge base and video tutorials for self-service support.

DreamHost

Performance: |4.8| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

DreamHost also provides solid performance, with SSD storage and excellent uptime. Its cloud hosting and managed WordPress plans offer scalability, while tools like caching and automatic updates ensure consistent speed. DreamHost’s emphasis on sustainability does not compromise performance, making it a reliable choice for eco-conscious users.

Uptime: |4.9|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

DreamHost also offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee, with its cloud infrastructure and reliable server management. DreamHost’s redundant systems and focus on server health contribute to stable performance, making it a reliable option for users who prioritize uptime.

Customer Service: |4.7|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

DreamHost provides customer service through live chat, email, and a support ticket system, with 24/7 availability. While DreamHost is known for being responsive, some users report slower response times compared to InMotion. However, DreamHost also has an extensive knowledge base for self-help.

InMotion’s customer service is often considered superior due to faster response times and more accessible support channels. DreamHost, while reliable, may not offer the same immediate response or the same level of assistance across all support options.

Overall Comparison InMotion Hosting vs DreamHost

DreamHost provides affordable web hosting solutions that allow you to get online quickly, but there is a catch. To keep prices low, most plans come with only basic features.

After extensively testing and comparing InMotion Hosting and DreamHost, I found that while InMotion Hosting’s shared hosting plans are slightly more expensive, they offer significantly more value. For this reason, I consider InMotion Hosting the better choice.

With InMotion Hosting, you get unlimited resources, additional websites, enhanced security features, free website migration, and a range of performance tools—all of which justify the higher cost.

Click here to check out the best deals from InMotion Hosting, or continue reading to see how these two hosting providers stack up.

FeatureInMotion Hosting DreamHost
Hosting TypesShared, VPS, Dedicated, WordPressShared, VPS, Cloud, Managed WordPress
Performance SSD-powered servers, fast load times SSD storage, cloud options, good uptime
Uptime Guarantee 99.9% 99.9%
Customer Support24/7 phone, chat, email 24/7 live chat, email support
Money-Back Guarantee 90-day 97-day
Special FeaturesFree migration, automatic backups, SEO tools Developer tools, open-source focus, green hosting
Target AudienceSmall-to-medium businesses Developers, eco-conscious users
PricingCompetitive, often higher for premium plans Competitive, especially for long-term plans

1. Plans and Pricing

DreamHost is more affordable, but InMotion Hosting offers better value overall

When comparing InMotion Hosting and DreamHost purely based on price, DreamHost takes the lead, particularly with shared hosting plans, VPS (virtual private server), and dedicated servers. However, this advantage doesn’t extend to managed WordPress hosting.

For example, DreamHost’s basic managed WordPress plan is much pricier than InMotion Hosting’s equivalent. With the same budget, you can opt for InMotion Hosting’s third-tier plan designed for developers and businesses, which provides more storage, the ability to host additional websites, and a free CDN (content delivery network).

Plan TypeInMotion Hosting DreamHost
Basic Shared Hosting $2.99/month$2.59/month
Cloud Hosting N/A $4.50/month
VPS Hosting$19.99/month $15.00/month
Dedicated Hosting$139.99/month$149.00/month
Managed WordPress Hosting $3.99/month$16.95/month
Money-Back Guarantee 90-day97-day

Even with shared hosting, InMotion Hosting’s pricing is justified by the inclusion of unlimited storage, at least one website, and a free SSL. DreamHost offers fewer features for a similar price.

It’s also important to note that InMotion Hosting’s lower-tier plans require a minimum one-year billing cycle, while DreamHost offers a monthly payment option. However, if you choose the monthly option with DreamHost, the advertised prices can nearly double.

Hosting Management

FeatureInMotion Hosting DreamHost
Control Panel cPanel (Linux) / Plesk (Windows) Custom control panel
Site Management Tools Free website migration, backups, SSLFree website migration, backups, SSL
Performance OptimizationCaching, CDN, SSD, performance tools Caching, SSD, automatic updates
Security Features Free SSL, DDoS protection, firewallFree SSL, DDoS protection, firewall
Scalability Easy upgrades with VPS and dedicatedCloud hosting, scalable VPS options
Email Hosting Free email accounts, spam protection Free email accounts, spam protection
Support 24/7 support via phone, chat, email 24/7 support via live chat, email

2. Features

InMotion Hosting Goes Above and Beyond, While DreamHost Sticks to the Basics

Both InMotion Hosting and DreamHost offer a WordPress website builder with all their plans, but InMotion Hosting stands out by providing free site migration when you choose a shared hosting plan.

InMotion Hosting includes its premium features with most shared hosting plans, while DreamHost requires an upgrade to its Shared Unlimited plan to enjoy the same benefits. For example, DreamHost’s Shared Starter plan doesn’t include free email addresses, and it limits you to just one website, unlike InMotion Hosting, which offers more flexibility.

FeatureInMotion HostingDreamHost
Hosting TypesShared, VPS, Dedicated, WordPressShared, VPS, Cloud, Managed WordPress
Storage SSD-powered servers for faster performance SSD storage for improved speed
Free DomainYes, for one year on all plans except LiteYes, for one year
Disk SpaceUnlimited on shared hosting, 50 GB to 200 GB on WP hostingUnlimited on shared hosting, 30 GB to 120 GB on WP hosting
BandwidthUnmeteredUnmetered
Automatic BackupsAvailable for an additional feeYes
Control PanelcPanelProprietary control panel
SEO toolsMarketing and SEO tools Developer-friendly tools and APIs
Free CDNOnly on WordPress plansOnly on higher-tier managed WordPress plans
Free Site MigrationYesOnly on higher-tier managed WordPress plans
Money-Back Guarantee90-day money-back guarantee 97-day money-back guarantee
hosting optionsLinux and Windows hosting options Primarily Linux-based hosting options
Support 24/7 customer support via phone, chat, email24/7 support via live chat and email

DreamHost and InMotion Hosting are long-established players in the hosting industry, each with over 20 years of experience. Unlike some more attention-grabbing providers, they tend to keep a low profile and operate quietly behind the scenes.

3. Performance

InMotion Hosting Outperforms DreamHost in Speed and Performance

When it comes to performance, InMotion Hosting clearly outshines DreamHost. Both hosts offer SSD drives on all plans (which are up to 20 times faster than standard HDDs), but InMotion Hosting includes a free Jetpack CDN with all its WordPress bundles. DreamHost, however, requires an upgrade to a higher-tier plan to access a CDN.

A CDN enhances loading speeds for visitors, regardless of their location, which is especially important for InMotion Hosting and DreamHost, as both only have data centers in the US.

InMotion Hosting offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee, with compensation for downtime provided to customers on its Business Pro shared hosting plan. However, those using the Launch or Power Plans do not receive compensation for downtime. DreamHost offers a 100% uptime guarantee, providing one day of service for every hour of downtime.

In terms of website speed, InMotion Hosting performed excellently in our tests, earning nearly perfect results. For more details on how this can benefit your website, check out our expert review of InMotion Hosting.

On the other hand, DreamHost performed poorly in our performance tests, earning very low scores. To learn more about the issues, read our full review of DreamHost.

Page Performance of InMotion Hosting

InMotion page perfromance

Page Performance of DreamHost

Page Pefromance of DreamHost

4. Ease of Use

InMotion Hosting

User-Friendly cPanel: Provides an easy-to-navigate interface for managing websites, emails, and databases.

Free Website Migration: InMotion offers hassle-free site migration, making it simple for users to move from another host.

24/7 Customer Support: Comprehensive support through phone, live chat, and email ensures users can resolve issues quickly.

Pre-installed Software: Includes popular applications like WordPress, making it easier for users to get started with minimal setup.

Optimized Tools: Features like built-in caching and automatic backups simplify site management for both beginners and advanced users.

DreamHost

Custom Control Panel: Provides a user-friendly, intuitive interface for managing hosting settings, with easy access to all features.

Free Website Migration: Like InMotion, DreamHost offers free site migration, which simplifies the transition process.

One-Click Installers: Easily install popular applications like WordPress and other CMS platforms.

Automatic Backups and Updates: DreamHost handles backups and updates automatically, reducing the need for manual intervention.

Knowledge Base: An extensive help center and resources guide users through troubleshooting and common tasks.

Hosting Provided by InMotion Hosting vs DreamHost

What Our Customers Have to Say?

InMotion Hosting

Great Customer Support: Many users praise the 24/7 support team for being responsive and helpful in resolving issues quickly.

Reliable Uptime: Customers appreciate the consistent uptime, ensuring their websites are accessible without frequent disruptions.

Fast Performance: Users often highlight the speed of websites hosted on InMotion’s SSD-powered servers, contributing to improved user experience.

User-Friendly Tools: Many reviews mention the ease of use of cPanel and the convenience of the website builder, making site management simple for beginners.

Good Value for Money: Customers feel they get great service and features at a competitive price, especially for small-to-medium businesses.

DreamHost

Easy-to-Use Interface: Customers frequently mention the custom control panel as being intuitive and easy to navigate for managing websites.

Solid Uptime: DreamHost’s 99.9% uptime is well-received by users, with minimal downtime reported in most cases.

Eco-Friendly Hosting: Many customers appreciate DreamHost’s commitment to renewable energy and sustainable practices.

Developer-Friendly Features: Developers often praise the flexibility and tools available for customization, such as SSH access and API integrations.

Positive Pricing Feedback: Many users find DreamHost’s pricing attractive, particularly with long-term contracts offering good value.

Advantage of InMotion Hosting and DreamHost

InMotion HostingDreamHost
24/7 customer support via phone, chat, email Easy-to-use custom control panel
SSD-powered servers for faster performance Focus on sustainable, eco-friendly hosting
Free website migration and backups Flexible hosting options (cloud, VPS, etc.)
99.9% uptime guarantee Developer-friendly tools and APIs
Free SSL certificates and security features 97-day money-back guarantee
Excellent for small-to-medium businesses Strong focus on open-source software
Built-in caching and performance optimization Competitive pricing, especially long-term

Disadvantage of InMotion Hosting and DreamHost

InMotion HostingDreamHost
Higher renewal rates after initial termLimited phone support (only for billing)
Setup fees for some hosting plans Custom control panel can be challenging for beginners
Limited data center locations (primarily U.S.) No cPanel for managing hosting
Some plans have restricted features (e.g., storage) VPS and dedicated hosting plans can be expensive
Backup services not always included in lower plans Limited support options outside live chat/email

5. Support

InMotion Hosting might be slower, but its support is more responsive and helpful than DreamHost’s

InMotion Hosting offers support through phone, live chat, ticket, and email, but you may experience longer wait times during peak hours. However, once you connect with an agent, they are dedicated to providing assistance. Plus, all of InMotion Hosting’s support is based in the U.S., which adds an extra layer of convenience.

InMotion Hosting

24/7 Availability: Provides around-the-clock customer support via phone, live chat, and email.

Highly Rated Support: Known for quick response times and knowledgeable staff who resolve issues efficiently.

Phone Support: Offers direct phone support, which many users find helpful for urgent issues.

Live Chat: A convenient live chat option for fast problem-solving.

Comprehensive Knowledge Base: Extensive self-help resources, including articles, FAQs, and video tutorials, available to users.

Free Site Migration: Offers expert assistance in migrating websites from other hosts with no downtime.

DreamHost

24/7 Support via Chat & Email: Provides live chat and email support for customers at any time.

Ticketing System: Uses a support ticket system to handle more complex issues.

Community Forums: Users can access DreamHost’s forums for community-driven help and advice.

Limited Phone Support: Phone support is available but is primarily focused on billing inquiries rather than technical support.

Extensive Knowledge Base: Offers a detailed help center with articles, guides, and troubleshooting tips for self-service.

Developer-Specific Help: Tailored support for developers with tools and resources for troubleshooting code and integrations.

While both hosts offer a solid knowledge base and their own discussion forums, InMotion Hosting comes out on top in this area.

6. Security

DreamHost Offers the Basics, but InMotion Hosting Goes the Extra Mile for Your Website's Security

Both DreamHost and InMotion Hosting provide a free SSL certificate with all plans, but DreamHost goes further by offering daily backups and free domain privacy, which safeguards your registration information and helps reduce spam.

Security FeatureInMotion Hosting DreamHost
SSL CertificatesFree SSL for all plansFree SSL for all plans
DDoS Protection Built-in DDoS protection Built-in DDoS protection
Firewall Advanced firewall protection Advanced firewall protection
Data Encryption Secure data transfer with encryptionSecure data transfer with encryption
Daily Backups Automatic backups (some plans) Automatic backups
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)Available for account login Available for account login
Malware Protection Free malware removal for certain plansMalware scanning and removal (paid option)
Dedicated IP OptionsAvailable for an additional feeAvailable for an additional fee

InMotion Hosting, while charging an additional fee for backups, provides stronger security with enhanced malware and hacking protection, as well as real-time spam filtering on all plans. In this regard, InMotion Hosting offers a bit more security.

Final Recommendation

CriteriaInMotion Hosting DreamHost
Best for Small-to-medium businesses, fast performance,
and responsive support
Developers, eco-conscious users, and those
needing flexible hosting options
Performance Excellent speed with SSD, caching, and CDN integration Solid performance, with cloud hosting and
scalable solutions
Customer Support 24/7 support via phone, live chat, and email
with great response time
24/7 chat and email support, but limited phone support
Ease of Use User-friendly with cPanel and many site
management tools
Custom control panel, great for developers
but may be less intuitive for beginners
Uptime Reliable 99.9% uptime guarantee Reliable 99.9% uptime guarantee
Pricing Competitive, but higher renewal rates Affordable, especially for long-term plans
Security Features Free SSL, DDoS protection, automatic backups Free SSL, DDoS protection, malware scanning (paid)
Best for BeginnersYes, due to excellent support and easy tools Yes, for those looking for eco-friendly options,
but may require some learning curve
Scalability Good, with easy upgrade options Excellent, especially with cloud hosting and flexible VPS plans

Frequently Asked Questions

  • InMotion Hosting offers Shared Hosting, VPS Hosting, Dedicated Hosting, WordPress Hosting, and Reseller Hosting.
  • DreamHost provides Shared Hosting, VPS Hosting, Cloud Hosting, Managed WordPress Hosting, Dedicated Hosting, and Reseller Hosting.
  • Yes, InMotion Hosting offers a 90-day money-back guarantee on most plans.
  • Yes, DreamHost offers a 97-day money-back guarantee on shared hosting plans.
  • InMotion Hosting offers 24/7 customer support via phone, live chat, and email, with quick response times.
  • DreamHost provides 24/7 support via live chat and email, but phone support is limited to billing inquiries.
  • InMotion Hosting offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee.
  • DreamHost also provides a 99.9% uptime guarantee.
  • InMotion Hosting is typically better for beginners due to its user-friendly cPanel and superior customer support.
  • DreamHost is a better choice for developers due to its flexible tools, custom control panel, and open-source hosting options.
  • Yes, InMotion Hosting uses SSD-powered servers, providing faster performance and reliability.
  • Yes, DreamHost uses SSD storage for all its hosting plans, contributing to faster load times and better performance.
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