In this SiteGround vs Bluehost comparison, I’ll examine both providers to learn everything there is to know about them; we’ll see which one is best for your website. I’ll discuss pricing, ease of use, performance, security, and customer support.
If there is one thing that is clear, it is that both Bluehost and SiteGround are industry giants. Nonetheless, each of them appears to have a distinct purpose. Bluehost, in my opinion, is the best choice for newbies because to its ease of use. SiteGround, on the other hand, is frequently appealing to corporations.
However, I should highlight that Bluehost and SiteGround are focused on and endorsed by WordPress. That’s a strong endorsement, and I’m curious whether it means both of these services are good.
So, in our Bluehost vs SiteGround comparison, let’s look at what makes these companies so highly recommended. Let’s also figure out which of them should be trusted with your website.
SiteGround vs Bluehost -- Overview
SiteGround and Bluehost are both household names in the web hosting market. Bluehost is frequently used to introduce new customers to web hosting and web development. Meanwhile, SiteGround is well-known for its WordPress performance features and excellent customer service. Nonetheless, Bluehost and SiteGround appear to be quite comparable at first look.
They both focus on WordPress and neither has a difficult user interface. The most noticeable changes are in pricing and performance.
Here’s a short rundown of how these suppliers compare in each key category. You may also skip straight to the conclusion.
WINNER
Bluehost
SiteGround vs Bluehost Pricing Review
Bluehost is somewhat less expensive than SiteGround in terms of pricing. Bluehost’s shared hosting plans start at $2.95/month, whilst SiteGround’s cheapest shared hosting plan is $2.99/month.
Furthermore, both hosts have more to offer:
Most people stop at shared hosting, which is why I’ve focused my comparison on it.
However, there are few parallels. Both services feature free SSL certificates, a CDN, and the ability to host a single website on the lowest package. There are significant differences:
- SiteGround’s StartUp ($2.99/month) plan includes 10GB of storage space, 10,000 visitors per month, daily backups, and advanced caching.
- Bluehost’s Basic plan ($2.95/month) comes with 50GB of storage space, unlimited bandwidth, and a free domain.
So, even at a much lower price, Bluehost provides additional server capacity as well as a free domain. Simultaneously, SiteGround adds daily backups and superior caching, both of which might be worth more than $5 per month. When it comes to the cheapest plans, the decision is based on your needs: do you need more storage space for a personal website or greater security and performance for a small company website?
In any event, advertised pricing are only accessible for the first term, and you must purchase the plan for a set amount of time to qualify.
Discounts are approached differently by the suppliers. Bluehost raises pricing with each shorter billing period while maintaining the same renewal price. Meanwhile, SiteGround raises pricing for longer billing terms while discounting renewals.
But, when it comes to making a decision, is the lowest plan ideal for you, and does it provide the most value? I rapidly reviewed all of the blueprints available, and this is what I discovered.
SiteGround Pricing Review
SiteGround offers three options with yearly subscriptions ranging from $2.99 to $7.99 per month. However, not all of them provide the same benefits.
GrowBig and GoGeek plans from SiteGround are worth considering since they include all of the extra high-end services:
- GrowBig now includes a staging area, a collaboration tool, and an Ultrafast PHP configuration for even greater speed.
- If you want to host your clients’ websites, GoGeek provides enough server capacity as well as a white-label management panel.
Our Recommendation
Bluehost Pricing Review
Bluehost, on the other hand, provides four options ranging from $2.95/month to $13.95/month, with each choice providing more and more functionality.
The most basic plan is fairly simple, however it includes a substantial 50GB storage space. In my perspective, the most costly plan is too pricey for shared hosting. As a result, it is essential to consider:
- It also provides limitless websites and storage, so you won’t have to upgrade if you require a second website.
- Choice Plus appears to be a nice option for the same price. It includes domain privacy and a year of free backups. However, it is just affordable for the first month because it renews at $16.99/mo.
Our Recommendation
The Plus plan with the 3-year membership offers the best value. That works out to $5.45 each month, with a renewal price of $11.99 per month.
Bluehost vs WP Engine Pricing Review -- Summary
Both suppliers, by the way, provide a 30-day money-back guarantee. Keep in mind that third-party services and domains are non-refundable, and there may be additional terms.
In the end, Bluehost is less expensive than SiteGround. So, if you need anything cheap, Bluehost is your man. SiteGround’s plans provide more premium features, which I believe justifies the higher pricing. Nonetheless, based only on pricing, Bluehost comes out on top.
WINNER
Bluehost
SiteGround vs Bluehost -- Ease of Use
I was delighted with the ease of use of Bluehost and SiteGround after using them for a few months. Both service providers have good dashboards. For more complex settings, SiteGround developed the Site Tools control panel, whereas Bluehost decided to incorporate cPanel.
I’d also want to point out that both SiteGround and Bluehost made excellent decisions in terms of user interface. They are intuitive, so even a novice can easily find everything.
Account management dashboard
When you initially enter SiteGround’s dashboard, it gives you with website setup and optimization advice and processes. If you do everything correctly, you’ll have a fully operating website in no time. It’s an excellent primer for novices.
Meanwhile, the top menu, which contains both website and account administration options, is excellent for navigation. The Websites area allows you to create new websites and access the control panel, the most significant element of the main dashboard.
Speaking of which, each website has its own administrative section where you can simply use Site Tools or WordPress Kit, as well as set up extra and necessary services like Cloudflare CDN and SSL.
Bluehost has a menu as well, although it is on the left. It’s extremely user-friendly, making it ideal for novices. This is where you may add additional websites (My Sites) and access unique administrative sections for each of them. If you want to install something other than WordPress, Marketplace offers options like Joomla and Drupal.
Paid email accounts are displayed on the Email & Office page, while Domains allows you to customise anything related to your website name, such as adding subdomains and managing redirects. Furthermore, if you’re seeking for advanced options, the Advanced button will send you directly to cPanel.
The distinct control section for each of the websites is what I loved best about this design. My Sites showcases all of your constructed websites, and clicking on them takes you to highly detailed settings.
It is comparable to SiteGround, except Bluehost offers additional administrative choices. This is where you can manage backups, implement free CDN with a single click, check security settings, see all of your site’s plugins, and manage basic settings. Oh, and I almost forgot to include the handy Log in to WordPress button.
Of course, nothing is perfect, and while I looked for defects in both dashboards, I couldn’t discover anything substantial. One thing I didn’t like was how SiteGround kept logging me out for inactivity. Please excuse my attempt to educate myself by perusing the knowledge base. In terms of Bluehost, I didn’t appreciate the constant switching from one page to another.
The bottom line is that Bluehost and SiteGround designed simple and user-friendly interfaces to ensure that even novices have a pleasant experience.
Control panel comparison
Bluehost selected a smooth cPanel integration over SiteGround’s decision to construct its own proprietary control panel called Site Tools. I’ve always been a fan of cPanel, but SiteGround’s Site Tools are just as effective. Perhaps even more so.
Because SiteGround focuses exclusively on WordPress, Site Tools has a plethora of tools for configuring, creating, and maintaining WordPress websites.
I’ve tested several hosting companies over the years, and those with a bespoke control panel almost never function. They all aim for cPanel’s perfection, but they seldom achieve it. SiteGround, for one. Site Tools is simple to use and effective.
The menu on the left is plain and simple to use. SSLs are readily found in the Security area, and you may add more domains or create subdomains under Domain, as well as activate or disable performance-boosters under Speed. You may also pin the most frequently used tools to the home page for easy access.
I had no problems performing a variety of tasks, such as building a new website or generating an email account. Everything went swimmingly.
The control interface on Bluehost, on the other hand, was more familiar. cPanel is now part of my muscle memory. To get to it, go to the main dashboard and click the Advanced option.
There isn’t much need for me to explain cPanel. It is the location where you may access databases, establish free email accounts, use the file management, and update PHP versions. Don’t be concerned if you’re a newbie. cPanel is simple to use and has explanations for each tool. Furthermore, if you need to discover a certain function, there is a small search bar at the top.
Bluehost, on the other hand, removed the whole Domains category from the cPanel and merged its own tool into the main menu on the left. I’m not sure why Bluehost didn’t like cPanel’s native tool, but it took me a while to get the hang of that one.
What you should remember is that, while Bluehost integrated cPanel wonderfully, I believe SiteGround takes this round. It designed a unique control panel to make some tasks less time-consuming and more clear.
Website staging environments
SiteGround supports website staging beginning with GrowBig, but Bluehost allows you to create staging environments even on the most basic plan.
You may construct a carbon clone of your website in a staging environment. If you make changes and make a mistake, the original site is not harmed. Once you get the desired results, you may deploy the modifications to the live site and you’re done.
SiteGround has a fantastic WordPress staging environment. All you have to do is name it and click the Create button.
The supplier will make a backup copy of your website on which you may operate freely. Once you’re satisfied with the adjustments, publishing them is as simple as producing the copy in the first place. This is all done using the Site Tools control panel.
Bluehost’s staging feature is immediately integrated into WordPress and is similarly simple to use. You just initiate the production of the duplicate, work on it, and then push the modifications to live whenever you’re satisfied.
I’d want to give Bluehost high marks on this one. Even though staging is one of the services that can really prevent your website from breaking, including it on the lowest plan is quite rare. SiteGround is also fantastic, however you must have at least a mid-tier plan to utilise the tool.
Overall, both SiteGround and Bluehost have great UI and website administration features. However, there are a few distinctions. SiteGround provides an all-in-one custom panel, but Bluehost leads in site staging, general simplicity, and functionality.
WINNER
Bluehost
SiteGround vs Bluehost -- Performance
When comparing SiteGround vs Bluehost performance, it’s evident that SiteGround is more concerned about speed. While both services were similarly dependable, with 99.99 percent uptime, SiteGround was faster in loading webpages and could manage more traffic on a consistent basis.
Uptime and response time
Bluehost and SiteGround both achieved 99.99 percent uptime. Bluehost was tracked for little more than two months, whereas SiteGround was monitored for just a few days less.
During this period, SiteGround experienced three outages, totaling seven minutes of downtime. To be honest, the reaction time was fairly constant, average around 217ms – one of the greatest results I’ve ever had.
In terms of uptime, both providers achieved good results. Nothing better can be expected. SiteGround, on the other hand, was a little speedier.
However, as a general rule, response times of up to 500ms are regarded excellent. In general, shared hosting services score about 600ms, making SiteGround and Bluehost market leaders.
Website speed
LCP is really significant in this case since it indicates both users and Google whether or not the page is speedy. A time of up to 2.5 seconds is considered acceptable.
Bluehost is a touch slower, with LCP at 1.8 seconds and no more wait till completely loaded.
While Bluehost falls into the “good” category, it leaves a narrower space to fall out of this category. Having your site loaded in 1.8 seconds is still something that very few websites achieve.
Overall, SiteGround wins the speed contest, although Bluehost is also fast enough. Furthermore, it’s no surprise that SiteGround is quicker; it employs the most recent technology available, whereas Bluehost employs older technology.
Stress testing results
SiteGround executed the test flawlessly. If you look at the blue line that depicts speed, you’ll notice that it’s basically static. Even when additional visitors (the grey line) join in.
This graph indicates that when tremendous pressure was applied to the server, SiteGround did not even flinch.
Bluehost, on the other hand, was unable to manage 50 bots. I went into great detail about it in the provider’s performance rating. I had to knock out 5 bots at a time to see how much it could handle. It turns out that there are 15 virtual users
Nonetheless, the blue line rises alongside the grey line, suggesting that the provider has slowed.
This is not an ideal outcome, and it demonstrates that Bluehost lacks some power when compared to SiteGround.
Nonetheless, we anticipate a shared hosting service to manage a maximum of 50VUs. So a performance-focused one, like SiteGround, can offer. Meanwhile, 15 visits at the same time is not insignificant.
So, once again, the decision is based on your requirements. Do you require the finest of the best for a highly competitive website, or are you just starting started and prefer a less expensive choice with trustworthy but less powerful servers?
Overall, both services deliver satisfactory outcomes. SiteGround, on the other hand, proved to be speedier and more powerful than Bluehost. It loaded sites twice as quickly and could handle more than three times the traffic.
WINNER
SiteGround
SiteGround vs Bluehost -- Security
It’s clear who the best security supplier is in the industry. SiteGround goes above and beyond by including several security elements on its plans. Bluehost, on the other hand, provides the bare minimum and charges you for the rest.
Both vendors will now provide you the fundamentals. SSL certificates, simple Cloudflare integration, and spam protection are all available from SiteGround and Bluehost. SiteGround, on the other hand, includes extras like daily backups. If you want this option with Bluehost, you must pay $1.99/month or select at least the Choice Plus plan.
SiteGround also provides the following services:
- Web Application Firewall (WAF) – detects and prevents harmful traffic.
- A real-time monitoring system that checks the servers every 0.5 seconds
- AI anti-bot system – daily blocking of millions of security risks
Bluehost will charge you an additional $1.99 per month if you want the same level of security.
Given that shared hosting involves several users on the same server, you’d assume security is treated much more seriously. SiteGround understands. Bluehost, on the other hand.
Overall, both SiteGround and Bluehost provide minimal security. Nonetheless, SiteGround goes above and above by providing you with more than the basic need. Needless to say, it takes the prize.
WINNER
SiteGround
SiteGround vs Bluehost -- Support
In terms of customer service, SiteGround and Bluehost are fairly comparable. They both provide live chat, phone, and email support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, you will have access to documents and tutorials in knowledge bases. When I tested Bluehost’s live chat, it performed admirably, although not as well as SiteGround.
One thing is certain: reaching Bluehost support is easier now that every page includes a button for it. SiteGround, on the other hand, encourages that you first consult the knowledge base before contacting support. Even yet, not every category or issue will lead you to live chat. As SiteGround optimises its assistance for efficiency, some issues are sent to tickets. And it is effective.
The conversation with SiteGround was one of the most enjoyable I’ve ever had. An agent immediately connected, and she was really personable from the start. I was curious how many websites I could link with the GrowBig plan.
Toni provided the most truthful response to this question. Normally, agents would avoid it. She even went so far as to tell me how many WordPress blogs and one-page HTML sites I could link. She even had a motive for being so forthright: why would she lie if once I started using the service, I would discover all of the limitations for myself?
It made so much sense that I’m curious why the other companies are so coy about telling you this. Oh, tsk, tsk!
My interaction with Bluehost’s customer service representative was similar, although not as polite.
I had to wait less than a minute for an agent to connect, so that was immediate. This time, I was curious in the collaboration features provided by Bluehost. If any.
I received the impression that the agent didn’t completely get what I was asking. She suggested BlueSky, a programme that lets you design a website with the assistance of Bluehost specialists. But it wasn’t the response I was looking for.
When I indicated to the customer service representative that I was not interested in BlueSky collaborators, she informed me that there are no alternative collaboration options accessible.
So, after some initial confusion, I received my response. However, I like my experience with SiteGround.
You may also consult the providers’ knowledge bases in addition to the live chat. SiteGround includes a help widget on every page. In addition, depending on the page you’re on, you’ll get a list of the most frequently asked questions about that page. If necessary, it will lead you to the information base.
Something similar may be found at Bluehost’s dedicated help centre. However, there are other categories available, such as FAQs, WordPress, domains, email, and anything else of interest.
Both companies take good care of their documentation and tutorials, however SiteGround may be somewhat more up to date.
Overall, both SiteGround and Bluehost provide excellent customer service. SiteGround’s live chat is superior since its representatives are more personable. They appear to be more knowledgeable as well. It’s also quite simple to discover tutorials with each of the suppliers.
WINNER
SiteGround
SiteGround vs Bluehost -- Our Recommendation
While both companies specialise in WordPress, the SiteGround vs Bluehost comparison highlighted all of the differences between the two. SiteGround is unquestionably a more costly and performance-focused solution, whereas Bluehost strives to be as user-friendly as possible.
Each of the important regions was compared as follows:
Bluehost appears to have won this Bluehost vs SiteGround comparison. Bluehost is a very fantastic alternative for both personal and business-oriented sites, with considerably lower costs, a staging tool, and outstanding simplicity of use.
At the same time, the providers are fairly varied, and certain consumers will require services other than those provided by Bluehost. So, for smaller sites that are still safe and speedy, SiteGround is more than a feasible solution.
WINNER
Bluehost
SiteGround and Bluehost Alternatives
While SiteGround and Bluehost are excellent choices, there are a few more options worth considering. Hostinger, for example, is very inexpensive. DreamHost is a safe and reliable WordPress hosting option. WP Engine, on the other hand, provides a high-end platform for WordPress-only websites.
Hostinger
Are you on a tight budget? Then Hostinger is the most affordable solution. Its entry-level package starts at $2.59 per month. In comparison, Bluehost charges $2.95 per month and SiteGround charges $2.99 per month. You just cannot. Furthermore, it lets you to select one of its seven data centre locations, making it an excellent choice if your target audience is in a certain place.
When you see pricing like these, you might wonder, “What gives?” Nothing, it appears. Hostinger provides fantastic speed that I can vouch for, a bespoke control panel called hPanel that is simple to use, and trustworthy 24/7 customer service.
HostGator
For total newbies in the field, HostGator is a wonderful choice. It not only has very low cost choices, but it is also really simple to use and design your website with.
Hatchling, Baby, and Business are the three major plans offered by HostGator. They are $2.75, $3.50, and $5.25 each month, respectively. It provides an easy-to-use cPanel control panel as well as its own website builder, making administering and creating a website from scratch straightforward.
DreamHost
DreamHost, like SiteGround and Bluehost, is a WordPress-focused service that has been endorsed by the platform’s designers. It’s a less expensive option, with costs beginning at $2.59 per month.
Simultaneously, DreamHost introduces new security features like as daily backups and domain privacy. Consider this web host if you need a dependable and safe web host at a low cost.
InMotion Hosting
InMotion Hosting is a versatile solution for nearly any website building project. The service provider is well-known for its dependable performance and wide range of hosting options.
You may select from shared, WordPress, dedicated, and VPS hosting options. If you want traditional cPanel hosting, shared hosting options beginning at $2.29/month are ideal.
SiteGround vs Bluehost FAQs
Which is better, Bluehost or SiteGround?
It all depends on your requirements. Bluehost is preferable for novices because of its more user-friendly interface. SiteGround is superior for corporations since it offers superior performance.
Which is better for WordPress hosting: SiteGround or Bluehost?
SiteGround and Bluehost both specialise on WordPress, making them both very functional and simple to use. However, SiteGround prioritises security, which is critical for all websites, particularly WordPress ones. It also provides greater speed and features if you want to construct and host websites for clients.
When it comes to data centres, do SiteGround and Bluehost provide you a choice?
No, only SiteGround allows you the option of data centre location. Bluehost only has servers in the United States. SiteGround operates data centres across the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, and Singapore.
