DreamHost vs WP Engine: Which Is Better in 2026?

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right web hosting tool for your needs.

Our Pick: WP Engine (by a slight margin)

WP Engine edges out with a slightly higher rating (8 vs 7.5)

Quick Comparison

Aspect
D
DreamHost
W
WP Engine(Winner)
Overall Rating
7.5/10
8/10
Starting Price
$2.59/mo
$20/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
small
large
Ease of Use
7/10
8/10
Features
8/10
9/10
Value for Money
8/10
6/10
Support
7/10
9/10

Overview

D

DreamHost

DreamHost is an independent hosting provider known for transparency and WordPress expertise. Also officially recommended by WordPress.org.

W

WP Engine

WP Engine is the premium managed WordPress hosting provider, offering enterprise-grade performance, security, and support. Used by major brands worldwide.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: DreamHost
D

DreamHost

Better Value
Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$2.59/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier
W

WP Engine

Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$20/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

Winner: DreamHost
FeatureDreamHostWP Engine
Shared Hosting
Vps Hosting
Cloud Hosting
Managed Word Press
Free S S L
Free Domain
Cdn Included
Daily Backups
Staging Environment
Uptime Guarantee
100%
99.99%

3

features unique to DreamHost

1

features unique to WP Engine

Pros & Cons

D

DreamHost

Pros

  • WordPress.org recommended
  • 97-day money-back guarantee
  • Transparent pricing
  • Privacy-focused (free WHOIS privacy)
  • Good month-to-month options

Cons

  • No traditional cPanel
  • Email hosting costs extra
  • Support can be slow
  • Custom control panel learning curve
W

WP Engine

Pros

  • Premium WordPress performance
  • Excellent security features
  • Free Genesis themes and StudioPress
  • Great staging and dev tools
  • Enterprise-grade infrastructure

Cons

  • Expensive for small sites
  • WordPress only
  • Visitor-based pricing
  • Some plugins restricted

The Verdict: WP Engine Edges Out

This was a close comparison, but WP Engine edges out DreamHost with a slightly higher overall rating of 8/10 versus 7.5/10. Both are solid choices, but WP Engine offers a marginally better overall package.

WP Engine's advantages include Premium WordPress performance and Excellent security features, though DreamHost counters with WordPress.org recommended and 97-day money-back guarantee.

Our recommendation: We give the slight edge to WP Engine, but don't count out DreamHost if its specific strengths align better with your needs.

Choose DreamHost if you...

  • • Need wordpress users
  • • Need privacy-conscious users
  • • Need those wanting month-to-month

Choose WP Engine if you...

  • • Need business-critical wordpress sites
  • • Need agencies managing client sites
  • • Need high-traffic blogs and stores

Ready to Get Started?

Try DreamHostTry WP Engine

Read our full reviews:

DreamHost Full ReviewWP Engine Full Review

* We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit these tools through our links. This doesn't affect our ratings or comparisons.

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DreamHost vs WP Engine FAQ

Based on our evaluation, WP Engine has a slight edge with an overall rating of 8/10. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs and use case.
Yes, DreamHost is more affordable with plans starting at $2.59/month, compared to $20/month for the other.
WP Engine scores higher in ease of use (8/10) compared to DreamHost (7/10).
Yes, migration between DreamHost and WP Engine is possible. Most tools offer data export features. Check each tool's documentation for specific migration guides and import capabilities.
For small teams, DreamHost is specifically designed for this use case. Consider your budget and specific feature needs when choosing.
For startups, consider your growth trajectory. Both tools require paid plans, so factor pricing into your runway calculations.
Yes, each tool has unique strengths. DreamHost excels at: WordPress users, Privacy-conscious users. WP Engine is better for: Business-critical WordPress sites, Agencies managing client sites. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
WP Engine rates higher in customer support (9/10) compared to DreamHost (7/10).
DreamHost offers better value for money with a rating of 8/10 compared to WP Engine's 6/10.
Consider switching if WP Engine's strengths (Business-critical WordPress sites) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.