Dreamhost vs ScalaHosting: guide for 2024

Dreamhost vs ScalaHosting: Final verdict

Looking over DreamHost vs. ScalaHosting, it’s clear why both hosts are so popular. They have both hosted millions of
websites that run on WordPress for decades, building up a loyal customer base.

• 
  ScalaHosting (Overall grade: 8.8)
  
  provides a versatile hosting environment, excelling with robust security features and a user-friendly SPanel for comprehensive site management. Its variety of hosting plans, including ecommerce and reseller hosting, cater to businesses and agencies, while its performance benefits from premium hardware and extensive global data center coverage. Users benefit from intuitive scaling options and excellent 24/7 customer support, making it an excellent choice for tech-savvy users and growing enterprises.
• 
  DreamHost (Overall grade: 8.2)
  
  is known for its reliable performance and user-friendly control panel, making it ideal for WordPress users and those prioritizing ease of use. Offering wide-ranging features like daily backups, free SSL certificates, and a 100% uptime guarantee, DreamHost is well-suited for high-traffic websites and multimedia projects. While it lacks dedicated phone support and some advanced backend management features, its affordability and strong customer service make it a popular choice for beginners and those needing a solid, straightforward hosting solution.

Hosting types offered

Both platforms provide a variety of hosting types, each designed to meet the different needs of users.

Although both offer a variety of hosting plans tailored to different needs, in
certain cases, one platform may prove to be more suitable.

Detailed comparison

🏆 Winner
ScalaHosting: ScalaHosting provides exceptional uptime and comprehensive global coverage.

ScalaHosting offers a robust uptime guarantee of 99.9%, backed by compensation credits for any excessive downtime. Their performance during testing was spotless, maintaining 100% uptime. Additionally, ScalaHosting uses a blend of native and third-party data centers across various global locations, ensuring consistent speeds and reliability. Their proprietary SPanel offers detailed monitoring, enhancing user experience and management.

DreamHost also delivers reliable hosting with a remarkable 100% uptime guarantee and solid performance metrics. It uses SSD drives to boost loading times and has a user-friendly proprietary control panel. However, ScalaHosting’s broader global data center presence and commendable stress-test performance make it the top choice for web hosting needs.

🏆 Winner ScalaHosting: delivers high performance with impressive security features and advanced support options.

ScalaHosting and DreamHost both offer competitive hosting solutions, but there are differences in their general performance. ScalaHosting utilizes industry-leading hardware with OpenLiteSpeed and LiteSpeed Enterprise web servers, promising robust speed and high uptime thanks to self-healing cloud tech. DreamHost emphasizes speed with NGINX hosting and server-level caching, leveraging SSD storage for better performance. While DreamHost highlights a 100% uptime guarantee with multiple data centers, ScalaHosting’s custom servers and redundancy aim to minimize downtime. Both offer a range of hosting plans, but enhancements like DDOS protection and server monitoring vary.

Website Speed

DreamHost optimizes website speed through server-level caching and SSD storage, making file transfers quicker. Their use of NGINX hosting efficiently handles multiple connections, enhancing overall speed without needing extra plugins. ScalaHosting achieves fast speeds with OpenLiteSpeed and LiteSpeed Enterprise web servers. The use of advanced hardware ensures quicker load times, and their custom-built servers aim to prevent lag. While both hosts prioritize fast performance, ScalaHosting edges out slightly due to its high-performance web servers.

Scalability

DreamHost offers expandable RAM and storage, supporting easy upgrades as your site grows, with options like VPS and dedicated hosting starting at $10.00/mo and $199.00/mo respectively. This upgradable model allows for step-by-step growth. ScalaHosting features on-demand scalability, enabling resource adjustments with a single click. You can scale CPU, RAM, and storage based on current needs. Prices for managed cloud VPS start from $29.95/mo, but details on dedicated servers are not specified. Both platforms offer solid scalability, with ScalaHosting providing more immediate flexibility.

🏆 Winner ScalaHosting: ScalaHosting offers a diverse range of advanced security measures and comprehensive compliance standards, making it a reliable hosting choice.

Both DreamHost and ScalaHosting, have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.

Technical security measures:

DreamHost offers free SSL certificates and the choice to purchase professionally-signed or third-party SSL certificates, though it does not support wildcard certificates. ScalaHosting, on the other hand, has a variety of SSL certificates with instant activation and free installation. Both providers support the current PHP versions up to PHP 8, but ScalaHosting supports a wider range of versions, including PHP 8.2. DreamHost has unique IPv4 and IPv6 addresses and local MySQL servers with full root access, while ScalaHosting enhances security with a real-time malware protection system called SShield which blocks 99.998% of attacks.

Operational security measures:

DreamHost implements multi-factor authentication (MFA), malware scanning with DreamShield, and offers DDoS protection, SSH access, and SFTP. It also runs daily backups and allows .htaccess password protection. ScalaHosting incorporates similar security measures like brute-force protection, SSH access, and Gzip compression. Additionally, ScalaHosting uses daily automated backups, offers CloudFlare CDN for free, and provides advanced security features like a dedicated firewall and anti-spam tools.

Compliance and certifications:

DreamHost is compliant with GDPR regulations and applies these measures globally. It also follows PCI compliance standards but is not HIPAA compliant. ScalaHosting’s U.S.-based data centers are compliant with NIST, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GLBA, SOC 1 and SOC 2, SSAE 18, ITAR, and the EU-US Privacy Shield. This wide range of certifications makes ScalaHosting a versatile option for various regulatory needs.

🏆 Winner: DreamHost: A versatile hosting provider known for its extensive range of features and robust support.

DreamHost and ScalaHosting cater to different user needs with unique features that set them apart. DreamHost provides an integrated website builder and offers a user-friendly experience, especially for WordPress users, with its instant setup and automated backups. The hosting plans come with free domain registration, professional email addresses, and a 100% uptime guarantee, making it an attractive option for those prioritizing stability and hassle-free setup. Unique selling points such as free SSL certificates and privacy protection across all plans, combined with in-house 24/7 support, further enhance its appeal.

On the other hand, ScalaHosting offers robust support for developers with features like a Custom PHP.ini Editor, SSH access, and resilience across different PHP versions. Unlike DreamHost, which offers specific website builders and tools tailored to WordPress, ScalaHosting focuses heavily on the backend management of web applications, making it a preferred choice for tech-savvy users. With tools like GIT & SVN support and file manager options, it ensures a comprehensive management experience. The flexibility to restart servers and services and its strong commitment to security with Mod_security underline ScalaHosting’s developer-friendly environment.

Both providers support a range of users from beginners to experts with user-friendly website builders and WordPress staging areas. However, in terms of developer tools, both DreamHost and ScalaHosting offer robust options including SSH access, support for multiple programming languages, and Git for version control, thus appealing to developers looking for advanced capabilities.

Email services:

DreamHost supports email hosting and provides professional email addresses with all its plans. It focuses on offering privacy protection and straightforward options for domains and SSL. ScalaHosting also offers extensive email management features, including adding/removing accounts, forwarders, auto-responders, and catch-all options, catering to a wide array of email-related needs. Both hostings offer capabilities for hosting transactional emails and support custom email setups, but neither resells third-party email services like Google Workspace or Outlook directly.

🏆 Winner ScalaHosting: A versatile hosting provider offering competitive pricing and comprehensive features for various user needs.

Evaluating the pricing of plans among various hosting providers can be complex due to their differing pricing and renewal strategies. Additionally, certain plans require annual commitments, which adds to the difficulty of making comparisons. The prices listed are based on monthly commitments; plans requiring annual commitments are indicated. Although some providers offer identical plans for WordPress and shared hosting, we have created separate tables for each to enhance clarity.

When comparing DreamHost and ScalaHosting, ScalaHosting offers a broader range of features at competitive prices, particularly in their WordPress and web hosting plans. DreamHost provides strong VPS and dedicated hosting options but at higher prices. Notably, DreamHost’s Managed WordPress Hosting delivers specialized support with a focus on high traffic sites, while ScalaHosting presents more affordable plans with guaranteed resources and additional security features. Both providers include freebies like SSL certificates and domains, but ScalaHosting edges out with more inclusive daily backups and real-time malware protection.

Enterprise plans

DreamHost’s enterprise-level dedicated hosting plans like Standard 16 and Enhanced 32 offer substantial RAM, SSD storage capacities, and CPU cores, ensuring unmetered bandwidth and full root access with around-the-clock support and a 100% uptime guarantee. ScalaHosting’s Managed Cloud VPS plans, such as Build #4, provide the benefits of unmetered bandwidth, dedicated IP addresses, state-of-the-art security protection, and daily backups at lower pricing. ScalaHosting’s priority support and additional security features make it an attractive option for enterprises seeking comprehensive yet affordable hosting solutions.

🏆 Winner DreamHost: DreamHost provides a streamlined setup and extensive support resources.

DreamHost offers a custom-built control panel, designed to simplify website management. This control panel includes features such as SFTP, Shell Access, and WP-CLI, making it accessible to both technical users and beginners. The panel’s interface is intuitive, allowing users to efficiently manage their websites, domains, and email. DreamPress hosting, within DreamHost, pre-installs WordPress, further simplifying setup for users focused on WordPress sites.

ScalaHosting, on the other hand, uses SPanel, an all-in-one solution allowing comprehensive control over web hosting services. SPanel includes vast features for managing websites, domains, emails, files, and databases. Its user-friendly design caters to both complete beginners and seasoned web administrators. SPanel does not require additional licensing fees, which reduces overhead costs and simplifies the user experience.

Both DreamHost and ScalaHosting offer free site migration services. DreamHost provides an automated process through its Migration Dashboard, guiding users step-by-step and ensuring that the site looks and functions as intended post-migration. Alternatively, ScalaHosting offers free website migration handled entirely by their trained technicians, who notify users once the process is complete. This hands-off approach is beneficial for users who prefer not to handle the technical aspects of migration themselves.

DreamHost’s help center includes a comprehensive knowledge base and WordPress guides. It provides 24/7 support via chat, email, and a range of professional services. ScalaHosting’s knowledge base offers an organized collection of articles and guides covering a wide range of topics. Support is available 24/7 through live chat and ticketing systems. Both hosting providers maintain accessible and detailed resources to assist users with their hosting needs.

The platforms provide extensive knowledge bases filled with guides, how-to articles, and instructional content. DreamHost offers a wide range of resources alongside 24/7 chat and phone support. ScalaHosting also boasts a detailed help center with an intuitive search function and around-the-clock support via live chat, phone, and ticketing, ensuring comprehensive user support.

🏆 Winner: ScalaHosting: ScalaHosting offers a comprehensive suite of user management features, surpassing its competitor in versatility and control.

Both DreamHost and ScalaHosting provide nuanced tools for managing user roles and permissions, but ScalaHosting stands out with its detailed granularity. DreamHost supports unlimited SFTP users, SSH access, and crontab scheduling, which are favorable for advanced users handling extensive projects. In contrast, ScalaHosting provides more defined and flexible controls, allowing administrators to set specific limits on disk space, inodes, databases, and more. This enables a more tailored approach to user management, accommodating varied project sizes and team structures efficiently. Both platforms excel in accessibility, but ScalaHosting offers greater customization for individual user roles.

Each hosting provider offers a distinct user interface designed to streamline user management. DreamHost employs a custom-built control panel that is intuitive and user-friendly, focusing on essential tasks such as managing domains, emails, FTP & SSH, and more. ScalaHosting, on the other hand, provides the SPanel, a powerful admin interface that encompasses advanced user management tools, including detailed monitoring of server health, resource allocation, and API integration. The choice between these platforms depends on the user’s need for simplicity versus comprehensive control.

DreamHost has strong access control measures with features like password protection for directories and access to raw log files for performance analysis. This level of security ensures that sensitive content remains protected. ScalaHosting takes it a step further by incorporating two-factor authentication, CAPTCHA for different user groups, and the ability to suspend and unsuspend accounts with ease. This comprehensive suite of security features ensures that as user numbers grow, the platform remains secure and manageable, accommodating the needs of businesses with extensive user bases.

DreamHost User Roles Table:

ScalaHosting User Roles Table:

🏆 Winner
ScalaHosting: A top choice for its excellent customer reviews and wide-ranging support options.

DreamHost and ScalaHosting both offer 24/7 customer support, but their services differ in several ways. DreamHost offers a multi-channel support system accessible through a chat widget, customer support chat, email, and a ticket system, all available 24/7. DreamHost, however, does not provide direct phone support but offers callbacks for an additional fee, accommodating both English and Spanish-speaking clients. Response times are quick, with live chats attended to within minutes and tickets within an hour or two. DreamHost also features a comprehensive knowledge base for self-help.

On the other hand, ScalaHosting also offers round-the-clock support via live chat, phone, and tickets, with a notable emphasis on providing comprehensive tech support across all plans. On higher-tier plans, ScalaHosting offers advanced technical support, assisting with significant hosting changes like server configurations and software installations. While ScalaHosting generally receives positive feedback, some complaints highlight longer wait times for resolving complex issues, a challenge common in the hosting industry.

Dreamhost vs ScalaHosting: User feedback

DreamHost receives praise for its proactive updates, reliable performance, and a range of hosting options at competitive prices. Users appreciate its intuitive web portal, comprehensive end-to-end domain management tools, and competent customer service, particularly in resolving issues. However, the platform’s technical support is often criticized for slow responses, particularly the lack of phone support, and occasional downtime issues. Despite these drawbacks, many users remain loyal due to the affordability, ease of use for beginners, and strong uptime guarantees, although some have experienced more significant challenges and dissatisfaction.

ScalaHosting has earned high praise from users for its exceptional customer support, reliable uptime, and innovative SPanel technology. Many reviews highlight the company’s fast and knowledgeable technical support team, which ensures a smooth and efficient experience for users. While some users feel the pricing could be more competitive, the overall sentiment is that the services offered justify the cost. Users appreciate the platform’s ease of use, robust security features, and the flexibility of hosting solutions, making ScalaHosting a top choice for web hosting needs.

Dreamhost vs ScalaHosting: FAQ