Bluehost vs GoDaddy – “The Real Winner Is …”

Bluehost vs GoDaddy

96.8 %

Overall Score

Bluehost vs GoDaddy

88.8 %

Overall Score

Bluehost and GoDaddy are popular web hosting providers, each with unique strengths. Bluehost, known for its reliability, is officially recommended by WordPress, which makes it a top choice for WordPress-based sites. It offers various hosting options like shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting, with easy-to-use management tools, solid security, and a free domain for the first year.

GoDaddy is a versatile hosting and domain service provider with a strong reputation in domain registration and web hosting. It offers a range of hosting types, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting, and also provides website building tools, which are helpful for beginners. GoDaddy’s plans are often tailored to those looking for both hosting and a simple website builder in one package.

In terms of pricing and performance, Bluehost generally provides better value for WordPress users, while GoDaddy may appeal to users seeking a combined domain and hosting solution. Both offer 24/7 customer support, but Bluehost’s support is known for its WordPress expertise, while GoDaddy is popular for its accessible website builder.

BlueHost

Performance: |5.0| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bluehost is known for its optimized performance with WordPress, delivering consistent speeds and uptime. It includes built-in caching, SSD storage, and a CDN, helping boost load times, especially for WordPress sites.

Uptime: |4.9|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bluehost offers a reliable uptime, typically around 99.98%, ensuring websites experience minimal downtime. Its infrastructure is designed to handle high traffic, and it includes tools like built-in caching to maintain site availability.

Customer Service: |4.8|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bluehost offers 24/7 customer support through live chat, phone, and email, and its team is highly regarded for WordPress expertise. The support quality is consistent, with agents well-versed in hosting issues and platform-specific troubleshooting.

GoDaddy

Performance: |4.8| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

GoDaddy offers solid performance across its plans but is generally geared toward users needing a straightforward setup. Its speed and uptime are decent, though less optimized for WordPress compared to Bluehost, making it better suited for smaller sites or those focused on ease of use.

Uptime: |4.9|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

GoDaddy provides competitive uptime, often around 99.9%, though it can vary depending on the plan. While suitable for small to medium sites, it may experience slight fluctuations, making it less consistent than Bluehost for highly demanding sites.

Customer Service: |4.7|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

GoDaddy also provides 24/7 support through phone and live chat, along with a vast knowledge base. While support is accessible, response times can sometimes vary, especially during high-traffic periods, and its expertise may not be as strong with WordPress-specific queries.

Both providers offer comprehensive customer service, but Bluehost is often preferred by WordPress users for its specialized assistance, while GoDaddy is known for broad accessibility and support options that cover a wide range of hosting needs.

Overall Comparison Bluehost vs. SiteGround

Bluehost and GoDaddy are both top players in the web hosting industry. With Bluehost hosting over 2 million websites and GoDaddy supporting more than 5 million, each is known for budget-friendly prices (particularly in the first year), free SSL certificates, the popular cPanel control panel for managing hosting, user-friendly website builders, fast uptimes, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

FeatureBluehostGoDaddy
Best for WordPress users and reliable performanceBeginners needing all-in-one solutions
Hosting Types Shared, VPS, DedicatedShared, VPS, Dedicated
WordPress SupportOfficially recommended by WordPressBasic WordPress support
Uptime 99.98% 99.9%
Speed OptimizationBuilt-in caching, SSD storage, CDN Decent speed, better with higher plans
Customer Support 24/7, WordPress-focused 24/7, general support
Website Builder Limited builder optionsEasy-to-use website builder included
Domain ServicesFree for the first year Strong domain registration options
SSL Certificate Free on all plans Free on select plans
Money-Back Guarantee 30 days 30 days

1. Plans and Pricing

When choosing a hosting provider, pricing is a crucial factor. You’ll want to ensure you’re getting the best value, with maximum features for your investment, and that a better deal isn’t available elsewhere.

Plan TypeBluehostGoDaddy
Basic SharedStarting at $2.95/month (3 years)Starting at $5.99/month (3 years)
Plus Shared Starting at $5.45/month (3 years) Starting at $7.99/month (3 years)
Choice Plus Shared Starting at $5.45/month (3 years)Starting at $8.99/month (3 years)
VPS Starting at $19.99/month Starting at $29.99/month
Dedicated Starting at $79.99/monthStarting at $89.99/month
WordPress HostingStarting at $2.95/monthStarting at $6.99/month
Renewal RatesHigher upon renewal (varies by plan)Higher upon renewal (varies by plan)
Money-Back Guarantee 30 days 30 days

Keep in mind that these prices are based on a 12-month sign-up. Bluehost also allows you to choose between 12- and 36-month terms, with the 36-month plan offering a lower monthly rate but requiring a longer commitment.

Most hosting providers, including Bluehost and GoDaddy, use introductory pricing as a standard industry practice. They often attract customers with low initial rates for the first 12 months or more, followed by a price increase at renewal. For example, basic plans increase to $3.99 per month on Bluehost and $9.99 per month on GoDaddy once the introductory period ends.

2. Features

Bluehost and GoDaddy are both highly popular among website creators, especially small businesses.

Bluehost stands out for its user-friendly control panel and generally lower service costs. GoDaddy, on the other hand, offers more flexibility by allowing multiple websites under the same subscription.

The features included in your hosting plan vary based on the provider and plan you select. To simplify your decision, we’ve outlined some key features offered by both GoDaddy and Bluehost in the table below.

FeatureBluehostGoDaddy
Hosting TypesShared, VPS, and dedicated hostingShared, VPS, and dedicated hosting
Storage Built-in caching and SSD storage Domain registration services
Free DomainFree domain for the first year Free domain for the first year
SSL CertificateFree SSL certificate Free SSL on select plans
Disk Space10 GB SSD25 GB SSD
Automatic BackupsDaily Website Backups (Free 1st year),
not with Basic Plan
Yes (daily)
Email AccountsFree (up to 10 accounts)Free (first year)
Site MigrationFree WordPress migration (1 site)
or paid (up to 5 sites)
Free GoDaddy's automated hosting migration tool
Money-Back Guarantee30-day money-back guarantee 30-day money-back guarantee
Support24/7 WordPress-focused support 24/7 general support

3. Performance

SiteGround Offers Superior Uptime and Faster Loading Speeds

If you’re deciding between GoDaddy and Bluehost, you likely want to know which offers better reliability and performance. A crucial aspect to consider is uptime—after all, you want your website accessible to users around the clock.

While no host can promise 100% uptime, top providers come very close. Here’s a comparison of Bluehost and GoDaddy’s uptime rates:

Bluehost: 99.98%

GoDaddy: 99.97%

As you can see, the difference is minimal. Both provide a reliable uptime guarantee to keep your website online as consistently as possible.

Page Performance of Bluehost

Performance of BlueHost

Page Performance of GoDaddy

Performance of GoDaddy

Both Bluehost and GoDaddy deliver fast website performance. However, while Bluehost’s data centers are located solely in the U.S., GoDaddy has data centers across North America, Europe, and Asia. This makes GoDaddy a better choice for targeting an international audience, as it can provide faster load times globally.

The features included in your hosting plan will vary by provider and plan. To help simplify your decision, we’ve outlined some of the main features offered by both GoDaddy and Bluehost.

4. Ease of Use

Bluehost and GoDaddy both offer two options for managing your hosting account: a custom dashboard and the classic cPanel. Both dashboards cover essentials like app installation, while cPanel is used for more advanced tasks, so there’s little difference between them in this regard.

However, Bluehost may offer a bit more functionality, thanks to its additional features.

Bluehost:

User-Friendly Control Panel: Utilizes cPanel, which is widely recognized for its intuitive layout and ease of navigation.

WordPress Integration: Offers a one-click WordPress installation, making it simple for users to set up and manage their WordPress sites.

Streamlined Setup Process: New users find the onboarding process straightforward, with guided steps to help set up their websites.

Comprehensive Tutorials: Provides a wealth of tutorials and documentation tailored for beginners, enhancing the overall user experience.

Managed WordPress Hosting: Bluehost handles many technical aspects, allowing users to focus on content creation rather than technical maintenance.

GoDaddy:

Custom Control Panel: While it has a clean interface, some users find it less intuitive than cPanel, particularly for those familiar with traditional hosting dashboards.

Website Builder: Offers an easy-to-use website builder, ideal for users who prefer a drag-and-drop approach to design.

One-Click Installations: Provides one-click installations for popular CMSs, but the process may feel less integrated than Bluehost’s approach.

Domain Management: GoDaddy excels in domain registration and management, offering easy access to domain settings within the dashboard.

Learning Curve: Some users report a steeper learning curve, particularly when navigating more advanced features or migrating websites.

Hosting Provided

What Our Customers Have to Say?

Bluehost

Positive Experiences: Many users praise Bluehost for its reliable uptime, performance, and seamless WordPress integration. Customers often highlight the ease of use of the cPanel interface.

Support Quality: Users appreciate the responsive customer support, especially for WordPress-related queries, citing quick and knowledgeable assistance.

Migration Services: Customers are generally satisfied with Bluehost’s free site migration service, noting a smooth transition process.

GoDaddy

Domain Management Praise: Users frequently commend GoDaddy for its robust domain management tools, making it easy to register and manage multiple domains.

Mixed Reviews on Support: While some customers appreciate the availability of 24/7 support, others report longer wait times and less helpful responses, especially for more complex issues.

Ease of Use: Many users find the website builder user-friendly but express that navigating the custom control panel can be confusing for newcomers.

Advantage of Bluehost & GoDaddy

BluehostGoDaddy
Officially recommended by WordPressStrong domain management features
User-friendly cPanel interface Comprehensive range of hosting options
Excellent customer support Easy-to-use website builder
Free domain for the first year 24/7 customer support
Optimized for WordPress Competitive initial pricing
Built-in caching and SSD storage Integrated marketing tools

Disadvantage of Bluehost & GoDaddy

Bluehost GoDaddy
Higher renewal ratesCustom control panel may be less intuitive
Limited website builder optionsMixed reviews on customer support quality
Migration service may be limitedHigher prices for add-ons and renewals
Performance may vary during high traffic Performance can fluctuate on lower-tier plans
Limited eCommerce tools Migration services often come with fees
No Windows hosting option Complex pricing structure for plans

Hosting Management

FeatureBluehost GoDaddy
Control PanelUser-friendly interface (cPanel) Custom control panel
Account Management Easy navigation and setup Straightforward but less intuitive
Domain ManagementIntegrated domain managementStrong domain management tools
One-Click Installations Supports one-click WordPress installOne-click installations for various CMS
Website MigrationFree site migration services Paid migration service available
Performance Monitoring Built-in monitoring tools Basic performance monitoring
Security FeaturesFree SSL, site backups, and security tools Free SSL on select plans, additional security features available
Support Resources Extensive knowledge base and tutorials Comprehensive knowledge base
Support ResourcesExtensive knowledge base and tutorialsComprehensive knowledge base
Scalability Options to upgrade easily Options to upgrade but can be complex

Bluehost Hosting Price

Bluehost hosting price

GoDaddy Hosting Price

GoDaddy Hosting price

5. Support

Naturally, you want reliable hosting, but in a fair Bluehost vs. GoDaddy comparison, we also need to look at the customer support each offers.

Bluehost provides extensive support options, including live chat and phone assistance. When we tested their live chat, we received clear, helpful responses in about 3 minutes.

Additionally, Bluehost has an on-site knowledge base with a wealth of articles and resources, including the WordPress Academy, an online course dedicated to building and hosting WordPress websites.

Bluehost 

24/7 Availability: Offers round-the-clock support via live chat, phone, and email, ensuring assistance is always accessible.

WordPress Expertise: Customer service agents are well-versed in WordPress, making them particularly helpful for users on that platform.

Responsive Support: Users generally report quick response times and effective problem resolution.

Comprehensive Knowledge Base: Provides extensive articles, tutorials, and FAQs that help users troubleshoot common issues independently.

Ticketing System: Allows users to submit support tickets for non-urgent inquiries, with timely follow-ups.

GoDaddy 

24/7 Support: Also offers 24/7 support through phone and live chat, with global reach for international users.

Mixed Reviews on Quality: While some users praise the support, others report longer wait times and less effective responses for complex issues.

Large Knowledge Base: Features a broad range of articles and guides, but users may find it less organized compared to Bluehost’s resources.

Account Management Assistance: Strong focus on domain management and hosting account assistance, catering to users with diverse needs.

Community Forums: Offers community forums where users can ask questions and share solutions, though response times may vary.

6. Security

Security is an area where both providers could improve, but when it comes to essentials like SSL certificates, site backups, and basic server monitoring, Bluehost and GoDaddy provide the standard security features.

Security FeatureBluehost GoDaddy
SSL CertificatesFree SSL included with all plans Free SSL on select plans
Site Backups Optional daily backups (paid feature)Backups available at an additional cost
Security MonitoringBuilt-in security features and monitoring Basic security features
Malware Protection Free SiteLock feature on higher plans Paid SiteLock feature available
DDoS ProtectionBasic DDoS protectionAdvanced DDoS protection available
Firewall Integrated firewall Firewall options available
Security PluginsSupports various security plugins for WordPress Limited plugin support
Password Protection Options for directory password protection Offers password protection for accounts
2-Factor AuthenticationAvailable for account securityAvailable for account security

Here are the core security features provided by Bluehost:

Free SSL certificates with all plans on unlimited domains.

DDoS protection through Cloudflare, accessible from the dashboard.

Basic server monitoring.

These are standard offerings among providers. Additional services, however, require separate purchases: daily backups cost $2.99/month, as does malware removal.

For GoDaddy, the basic security coverage includes:

Free SSL certificates with all plans on unlimited domains.

Server monitoring to detect fraud, viruses, and DDoS attacks.

Email and privacy protection with 256-bit encryption.

A more comprehensive security package, including a web application firewall and malware removal, costs an additional $4.75/month.

Final Recommendations

CriteriaBluehost GoDaddy
Best for WordPress users and those seeking ease of use Users needing a comprehensive domain management solution
PerformanceStrong uptime and optimized for WordPressReliable for small to medium sites
Customer Support Excellent support, especially for WordPress Good support, but quality may vary
Ease of Use Intuitive interface and streamlined setup User-friendly website builder available
PricingCompetitive initial pricing with free domain Good initial pricing, but higher renewal costs
Security Features Comprehensive security features includedBasic security features with optional upgrades
Scalability Easy upgrades as sites grow Scalable plans, but can be complex to navigate
Migration Services Free site migration service Paid migration service
Recommended ForBeginners and WordPress-focused sitesUsers wanting all-in-one domain and hosting solutions

Frequently Asked Questions

Bluehost offers shared, VPS, dedicated, and WordPress hosting plans, catering to a variety of website needs.

Yes, GoDaddy provides WordPress hosting plans that include one-click installations and optimized performance for WordPress sites.

Bluehost typically offers around 99.98% uptime, while GoDaddy provides about 99.9% uptime, making both generally reliable options.

Both Bluehost and GoDaddy offer 24/7 customer support via live chat and phone. Bluehost is noted for its WordPress expertise, while GoDaddy has mixed reviews on support quality.

Yes, Bluehost includes free SSL certificates with all hosting plans, while GoDaddy offers free SSL on select plans.

Bluehost provides free site migration services, while GoDaddy offers paid migration services for transferring websites.

Both Bluehost and GoDaddy offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on their hosting plans.

Yes, both providers allow multiple website hosting; however, you’ll need to select appropriate plans (like Plus or Choice Plus with Bluehost).

Bluehost offers WooCommerce integration for WordPress sites, while GoDaddy provides basic eCommerce tools with its hosting plans.

Both providers accept major credit cards and PayPal for payments.

Bluehost has limited website builder options, while GoDaddy offers a more robust drag-and-drop website builder suitable for beginners.

Both Bluehost and GoDaddy have higher renewal rates than their initial pricing, but the specific increase varies by plan. Always check the renewal terms before signing up.

Shopping Basket