Bluehost is the cheaper WordPress host: Starter costs $143.64 for three years and covers 10 sites, while SiteGround StartUp costs $395.64 over the same period for one site.
SiteGround suits sites that earn money, thanks to daily backups kept for 30 days on every plan.
Bluehost suits beginners on a budget and is on WordPress.org’s current recommended list, which WordPress.org itself calls arbitrary.
This comparison uses each company’s official plan, pricing, policy, and comparison pages, plus WordPress.org’s hosting page, checked on September 25, 2026.
The quick verdict: SiteGround or Bluehost
Bluehost fits budget WordPress sites and multi-site beginners, while SiteGround fits business sites that need daily backups and phone support on every plan.
Choose Bluehost if you’re a beginner on a budget. You get 10 sites, staging, and a three-year price.
Choose SiteGround if your site earns money and you can’t afford to lose a day of changes. Daily backups with 30 days of history come on every plan.
SiteGround vs Bluehost at a glance
| SiteGround StartUp | Bluehost Starter | |
|---|---|---|
| First-term price | $2.99/mo for 12 months | $3.99/mo for 36 months |
| Renewal price | $17.99/mo (12-month term), $14.99/mo (24-month term) | $9.99/mo (36-month term), $11.99/mo (12-month term) |
| Websites and storage | 1 site, 10 GB | 10 sites, 10 GB NVMe |
| Backups | Daily, 30 days kept | Weekly |
| Staging | From GrowBig up | Included |
| Phone support | 24/7, all plans | From Business up, 7 a.m. to midnight Eastern |
| Uptime commitment | 99.9% | 99.99%, with a 5% monthly credit if missed |
| On WordPress.org’s list | No | Yes |
| Current plans and prices | See SiteGround plans | See Bluehost plans |
The WordPress.org recommendation: Bluehost listed, SiteGround not
WordPress.org’s hosting page lists three hosts today, Pressable, Bluehost, and Hostinger, while SiteGround, listed back in 2016, no longer appears.
WordPress.org is the home of the free WordPress software that most sites run on.
It’s separate from WordPress.com, a hosting service, and the WordPress.com vs WordPress.org difference trips up many beginners.
SiteGround announced its own listing in a May 2016 blog post. The current hosting page calls its choices “completely arbitrary.” Its criteria include:
- contributions to WordPress.org and the size of the customer base
- easy WordPress installs and automatic updates
- avoiding GPL license violations, using the correct logo, and spelling WordPress correctly
- up-to-date system software
The list says nothing about speed tests, uptime, or support quality. It also changes, since WordPress.org says it reviews the list several times a year.
So Bluehost’s place on the list tells you it meets WordPress.org’s criteria today. It doesn’t tell you Bluehost is faster or more reliable than SiteGround.
SiteGround’s and Bluehost’s comparison claims, checked
Of six claims SiteGround and Bluehost make about each other, only one still matches the other company’s current official pages.
Both companies publish a page comparing themselves with the other. We checked these claims against each company’s own plan and pricing pages.
| Claim | Who makes it | What the official pages show | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluehost starts at $2.95/mo | SiteGround | Bluehost’s pricing page starts at $3.99/mo | Out of date |
| Bluehost backups cost $3.99/mo extra | SiteGround | Bluehost’s pricing page includes a weekly backup | Partly out of date: a weekly backup is included |
| Migration to Bluehost is paid | SiteGround | Bluehost’s comparison page says migration to Bluehost is free | Contradicted |
| SiteGround GrowBig has 20 GB of storage | Bluehost | SiteGround’s plan page lists 50 GB for GrowBig | Contradicted |
| SiteGround charges separately for a domain | Bluehost | SiteGround’s plan page lists a free domain for the first year | Contradicted |
| SiteGround is not recommended by WordPress.org | Bluehost | SiteGround isn’t on WordPress.org’s current list | Accurate |
Sources: SiteGround’s comparison page, Bluehost’s comparison page, SiteGround’s web hosting page, and Bluehost’s pricing page.
Both pages also make speed claims.
SiteGround says 84% of the sites it identified as moving from Bluehost got faster, based on its data from January 1 to June 1, 2025.
SiteGround adds that results vary by site and region. Bluehost cites a November 2025 speed test by a WordPress blog.
Neither is an independent head-to-head test, so treat both as marketing.
WordPress tools: SiteGround vs Bluehost backups, staging, and migration
SiteGround wins on backups with daily copies kept 30 days, while Bluehost wins on staging by including it on its $3.99 Starter plan.
Backups: SiteGround daily vs Bluehost weekly
SiteGround makes a backup every day on every plan and keeps 30 days of copies. GrowBig and GoGeek also let you create a backup on demand, just before an update.
Bluehost’s plans list a weekly website backup. A problem could cost you up to a week of work, unless you keep your own copies.
For WordPress, where a plugin update can break a site, daily copies make recovery much easier. Winner: SiteGround.
Staging: Bluehost Starter vs SiteGround GrowBig
A staging site is a private copy of your site where you can test updates before visitors see them. Staging environments make plugin and theme updates much less risky.
Bluehost lists a staging site on its Starter and Business plans. SiteGround includes staging only from GrowBig up, so its StartUp plan has none.
Winner: Bluehost, for including it on the cheapest plan.
Migration and control panel
SiteGround lists free website transfer for new customers, and Bluehost’s comparison page says migration to Bluehost is free. Winner: tie.
SiteGround uses its own panel, Site Tools. Bluehost uses its Bluehost Portal, with cPanel available inside it. Both handle WordPress installs in a few clicks.
SiteGround vs Bluehost cost over three years
Over three years, SiteGround StartUp costs $395.64 and Bluehost Starter $143.64, because SiteGround’s discount lasts 12 months and Bluehost’s lasts 36.
| Plan | Websites and storage | First-term price | Renews at | Three-year total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SiteGround StartUp | 1 site, 10 GB | $2.99/mo for 12 months | $14.99/mo (24-month term) | $395.64 |
| Bluehost Starter | 10 sites, 10 GB NVMe | $3.99/mo for 36 months | $9.99/mo (36-month term) | $143.64 |
| SiteGround GrowBig | Unlimited sites, 50 GB | $4.99/mo for 12 months | $24.99/mo (24-month term) | $659.64 |
| Bluehost Business | 50 sites, 50 GB NVMe | $6.99/mo for 36 months | $13.99/mo (36-month term) | $251.64 |
Prices change often, so check SiteGround’s current prices and Bluehost’s current prices before you buy.
How we did the math: SiteGround’s discount covers the first 12 months. We added a 24-month renewal at the regular rates on its current rates page.
On a 12-month renewal instead, SiteGround charges $17.99 for StartUp and $29.99 for GrowBig. Bluehost’s figure is its advertised price times 36 months.
Bluehost’s renewal price list, updated February 11, 2026, shows Starter at $11.99 and Business at $15.99 on 12-month renewals.
Over three years, SiteGround’s entry plan costs about $252 more, and GrowBig about $408 more than Bluehost Business.
The Hostinger vs SiteGround comparison shows how SiteGround’s costs grow over four years.
Support and uptime: SiteGround vs Bluehost
SiteGround lists 24/7 chat, ticket, and phone support on all plans, while Bluehost Starter has 24/7 chat only and promises higher uptime at 99.99%.
SiteGround’s phone support article says phone access runs through the Client Area help flow. The line is English only and may not be offered for every issue.
Bluehost’s phone support, from 7 a.m. to midnight Eastern, starts with its Business plan.
On uptime, SiteGround’s plan page states 99.9%. If Bluehost misses 99.99%, you can claim a single 5% monthly credit within 30 days.
Over a year, 99.9% allows about 8.8 hours of downtime, and 99.99% allows under an hour. Both are promises, not measurements, and neither host was tested for this comparison.
Winner: Bluehost on the written promise, SiteGround on phone support at every level.
Data centers: SiteGround vs Bluehost
SiteGround runs 11 data centers on Google Cloud and lets you move between them, while Bluehost announced seven new regions in October 2025.
SiteGround’s data centers page lists locations across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Its relocation article says a move can take up to 72 hours.
Newfold, Bluehost’s parent company, announced new Bluehost data centers in Frankfurt, Mumbai, São Paulo, Paris, Sydney, London, and Madrid. The announcement doesn’t say whether customers can choose one.
In November 2025, Newfold also said Bluehost is moving all customers to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, with completion expected in 2026.
Winner: SiteGround, for a clear location choice.
Refunds: SiteGround vs Bluehost
SiteGround and Bluehost both refund shared hosting within 30 days, and both can charge for a free domain if you cancel.
SiteGround’s refund article says domain fees are non-refundable and may be charged on cancellation, even when waived as a promotion.
Bluehost’s refund policy covers new sign-ups on 12- or 36-month terms, not monthly terms. It also deducts a domain fee if your plan included a free domain.
Winner: tie.
SiteGround vs Bluehost winners by category
Bluehost wins on price, sites per plan, staging, uptime terms, and the WordPress.org listing, while SiteGround wins on backups, phone support, and data center choice.
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress.org listing | Bluehost | On the current list; SiteGround isn’t |
| Backups | SiteGround | Daily, 30 days kept, on every plan |
| Staging | Bluehost | Included from Starter up, vs GrowBig up at SiteGround |
| Three-year cost | Bluehost | $143.64 vs $395.64 at entry level |
| Websites per plan | Bluehost | 10 vs 1 at entry |
| Phone support | SiteGround | On every plan, vs Business and up at Bluehost |
| Uptime promise | Bluehost | 99.99% vs 99.9% |
| Data center choice | SiteGround | 11 locations with relocation vs choice not stated |
| Migration | Tie | Both offer free transfers |
| Refunds | Tie | 30 days, domain fee kept at both |
Our pick: Bluehost for beginners and budget WordPress sites. SiteGround for business sites where daily backups with 30 days of history and phone support justify paying more.
Which fits your WordPress site: SiteGround or Bluehost?
Bluehost fits first blogs and budget multi-site setups, while SiteGround fits business sites that are updated often.
A first blog you’re still figuring out: Bluehost Starter. It costs little over three years, and you get room for 10 sites while you experiment.
A business site you update often: SiteGround GrowBig. Daily backups with 30 days of history, plus on-demand backups, let you undo changes safely.
A small agency with several client sites: Bluehost Business for price, staging, and 50 sites, or SiteGround GrowBig if daily and on-demand backups matter more.
Someone who just wants a host WordPress.org lists: Bluehost, Hostinger, or Pressable. Remember that the list is arbitrary by WordPress.org’s own description.
Still comparing WordPress hosts: our list of the best WordPress hosting covers more options. The SiteGround review and the Bluehost review go deeper on each.
Hosting that manages WordPress for you is covered in our managed WordPress section.
Ready to check prices? Visit SiteGround or visit Bluehost to see today’s plans before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Which is recommended by WordPress.org, SiteGround or Bluehost?
Bluehost. It’s one of three hosts on WordPress.org’s current list, while SiteGround was listed in 2016 but isn’t today.
Is Bluehost better than SiteGround for WordPress?
On price and sites per plan, yes. SiteGround is the stronger choice for backups and phone support, which matter most on sites that earn money.
Why is SiteGround more expensive than Bluehost?
SiteGround’s $2.99 intro price lasts 12 months, then renews at $14.99 a month on a 24-month term or $17.99 on a 12-month term.
Bluehost’s $3.99 price lasts 36 months, then renews at $9.99 (36-month term).
Does Bluehost’s WordPress.org listing make it faster than SiteGround?
No. WordPress.org picks listed hosts on criteria like contributions and license compliance, not speed tests, so the listing says nothing about SiteGround’s or Bluehost’s performance.
Which has better backups, SiteGround or Bluehost?
SiteGround. Every SiteGround plan keeps 30 days of daily copies, against a weekly backup at Bluehost.
Can I move my WordPress site to SiteGround or Bluehost for free?
Yes, at both. New SiteGround customers get a free transfer handled by its team, and Bluehost advertises free WordPress migration tools.
How we compared SiteGround and Bluehost
This comparison uses official sources only: WordPress.org’s hosting page and SiteGround’s 2016 announcement.
For SiteGround: its web hosting page, current rates, phone support, data center, relocation, and refund articles, and its comparison page.
For Bluehost: its pricing page, renewal price list, refund policy, and comparison page, plus Newfold Digital’s two 2025 announcements. All details were checked on September 25, 2026.
Our Methodology and Editorial Guidelines explain how we research hosts and correct errors.
