Introduction

Are you struggling to choose between Arvixe and DreamHost for your web hosting needs? Let’s break down the key differences to help you make an informed decision.

Comparison Table

Detailed Comparison

Ease of Use

• Arvixe: Uses the familiar cPanel, which is great for those who are accustomed to it. However, their managed WordPress hosting lacks clear documentation and support understanding.

  

• DreamHost: Offers a proprietary control panel, which can be a learning curve for those used to cPanel. However, it is designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate.

  

Stability

• Arvixe: Offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee, which is standard in the industry. However, they do not provide compensation for downtime like some other hosts.
• DreamHost: Boasts a 100% uptime guarantee, which is exceptional. They also offer a 97-day money-back guarantee, showing their confidence in their service.

Speed

• Arvixe: Known for its fast page load times, with an average of 303 ms. This makes it a great choice for performance-sensitive websites.
• DreamHost: Has a slightly slower average load time of 648 ms, but still within acceptable ranges. Their performance is consistent and reliable.

Security

• Arvixe: Offers free SSL certificates, but not in all plans. They also provide spam protection and other security features, but these can vary by plan.
• DreamHost: Includes free SSL, domain, email, and privacy protection in their plans, making it a more secure option out of the box.

Pricing and Cost

• Arvixe: Pricing starts at $8.8, which is higher than DreamHost. However, Arvixe offers more flexible plans, including Windows-based servers and dedicated hosting options.
• DreamHost: Starts at $2.59, making it a more affordable option. They also offer a free domain and email with their plans.

Customer Support Service

• Arvixe: Provides 24/7 support, but there have been mixed reviews on the quality of support. Some users have reported issues with the understanding of managed WordPress hosting.
• DreamHost: Offers 24/7 support, but the live chat feature can be temporarily disabled during high ticket volumes. You can pay extra for a “Chat and Call-back” service to ensure continuous live chat availability.

Client Reviews

• Arvixe: Generally positive reviews for performance and features, but some users have complained about the lack of clear documentation and support for managed WordPress hosting.
• DreamHost: Known for its excellent customer service and reliable performance. However, some users find the proprietary control panel a bit challenging to use initially.

Pros and Cons

Arvixe Pros

• Fast Performance: Arvixe offers exceptionally fast page load times.
• Flexible Plans: Includes a variety of hosting options, such as Windows-based servers and dedicated hosting.
• Unmetered Bandwidth: Provides unlimited bandwidth, which is beneficial for high-traffic sites.
• 24/7 Support: Available support around the clock.

Arvixe Cons

• Higher Pricing: More expensive than DreamHost.
• Mixed Support Quality: Some users have reported issues with support, especially for managed WordPress hosting.
• No Clear Documentation: Lacks clear documentation for managed WordPress hosting.

DreamHost Pros

• 100% Uptime Guarantee: Offers an unbeatable uptime guarantee.
• Affordable Pricing: Starts at a very competitive price point.
• Free Domain and Email: Includes free domain, email, SSL, and privacy protection.
• Easy-to-Use Control Panel: Despite being proprietary, the control panel is user-friendly.

DreamHost Cons

• Proprietary Control Panel: Can be a learning curve for those used to cPanel.
• Limited Live Chat Availability: Live chat can be temporarily disabled during high ticket volumes.
• No cPanel Support: Cannot import data from cPanel hosts, making migration challenging.

FAQs

1. Which web host offers better performance?

Arvixe is known for its fast page load times, averaging 303 ms, making it a better choice for performance-sensitive websites.

2. What is the uptime guarantee for each host?

Arvixe offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee, while DreamHost boasts a 100% uptime guarantee.

3. Do both hosts offer free SSL certificates?

Yes, both hosts offer free SSL certificates, but Arvixe’s inclusion of SSL varies by plan, while DreamHost includes it in all plans.

4. How does the customer support compare between Arvixe and DreamHost?

Both hosts offer 24/7 support, but Arvixe has mixed reviews on support quality, especially for managed WordPress hosting. DreamHost’s live chat can be temporarily disabled during high ticket volumes, but you can pay extra for continuous availability.

5. Which host is more affordable?

DreamHost is more affordable, starting at $2.59, compared to Arvixe’s starting price of $8.8.