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Hosting Solutions: Bluehost and GoDaddy Ultimate Comparison

September 06, 2023
Written and researched by experts at AvadaLearn more about our methodology

By Sam Nguyen

CEO Avada Commerce

In this post, we’ll compare hosting solutions by delving into the strengths and features of two industry giants: Godaddy vs Bluehost. Discover the key differences to make an informed decision for your online presence.

Key Takeaways

  • Bluehost provides excellent value for money and is a top choice for hosting WordPress.org sites. In contrast, GoDaddy stands out for its user-friendly platform and feature-rich options.
  • Opt for Bluehost if you’re seeking cost-effective WordPress hosting or want to maximize your budget. On the other hand, GoDaddy is ideal if you prefer an intuitive platform with abundant features and enjoy a hassle-free experience in building and managing your website.

GoDaddy vs Bluehost Table Of Comparison

CriteriaGoDaddyBluehost
Pricing (Shared hosting)$5.99 – $17.99/month$2.95 – $13.95/month
Uptime99.9%99.98%
Types of hosting offerShared Hosting. WordPress Hosting and Advanced Hosting.Shared Hosting, VPS Hosting, Dedicated Hosting.
Storage25 GB – 2 TB storage10 GB – 2 TB storage
Free DomainYesYes
WordPress integrationYesYes

GoDaddy vs Bluehost: Quick Comparison

GoDaddy vs Bluehost: Quick Comparison
CriteriaGoDaddyBluehostWinner
Pricing Shared Hosting: $5.99 – $17.99/month

WordPress Hosting: $8.99 – $19.99/month

Advanced Hosting: $9.99 – $159.99/month

30-day money-back guarantee.

GoDaddy’s starting prices are slightly higher than Bluehost’s but still budget-friendly.
Shared Hosting: $2.95 – $13.95/month

VPS Hosting: $29.99 – $69.99/ 

Dedicated Hosting: $89.98 – $119.88/month

30-day money-back guarantee.

Bluehost offers highly affordable hosting plans with competitive renewal prices.
Bluehost
Ease of useEasy to use without coding knowledge.User-friendly interface.GoDaddy
FeaturesFree domain registration for the first year.

Website builder tools for creating websites without coding.

SSL certificates for website security.

Online marketing tools and services, including SEO and social media marketing.

Website backups and restore options.

E-commerce solutions for online stores.

Unmetered bandwidth.
Impressive server response time.

Free domain name.

One-click WordPress installation.

Free CDN.
GoDaddy
Performance– 99.9% uptime guarantee– 99.98% uptime guaranteeBluehost
Customer support24/7 assistance through chat and phone.24/7 assistance through chat and phone.

Email support.

Knowledge Base articles support.
Bluehost
WordPress IntegrationGoDaddy offers WordPress integration, but it’s not as smooth as what Bluehost provides.Bluehost excels in WordPress integration, allowing easy setup with a single click. In fact, WordPress itself recommends Bluehost.Bluehost
MigrationSwitching to GoDaddy can be a bit more challenging. While they offer a free migration option, it requires more hands-on effort from your side.Bluehost provides options for both free and paid website migration. With just a few clicks, you can initiate the process, and their support team will assist you every step of the way.Bluehost

GoDaddy vs Bluehost: Detailed Comparison

Pricing

GoDaddy

GoDaddy supports some types of hosting: 

Shared HostingWeb Hosting$5.99 – $17.99/month
Web Hosting Plus$17.99 – $54.99/month
WordPress HostingManaged WordPress Websites$8.99 – $19.99/month
Managed WooCommerce Stores$19.99 – $129.99/month
Advanced HostingVPS Hosting$9.99 – $169.99/month
Dedicated Server Hosting$159.99 – $469.99/month
GoDaddy pricing

GoDaddy typically offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try their services risk-free within that time frame. Specifically, signing up for annual plans can lead to savings ranging from 13% to 42%, while opting for 3-year packages offers a discount of 33%.

Bluehost

Bluehost supports some types of hosting: 

Shared HostingBasic$2.95/month
Plus$4.95/month
Choice Plus$5.45/month
Pro$13.95/month
VPS HostingStandard$29.99/month
Enhanced$39.99/month
Ultimate$69.99/month
Dedicated HostingStandard$89.98/month
Enhanced$89.98/month
Premium$119.88/month
Bluehost pricing

Similar to GoDaddy, Bluehost also offers a free 30-day trial. Bluehost provides package discounts of up to 58% for 1-year subscriptions and up to 62% for 3-year plans.

The Verdict

Bluehost presents a more favorable cost-to-benefit ratio compared to GoDaddy. While both options remain affordable, Bluehost distinguishes itself with its exceptional customer support and cost-effective renewal rates, solidifying its position as the superior choice. Although GoDaddy initiates with slightly elevated starting prices compared to Bluehost, it remains within a budget-friendly range.

Ease Of Use

GoDaddy

GoDaddy also provides a user-friendly interface with a simple control panel. They have invested in a website builder with a drag-and-drop editor designed to cater to beginners. GoDaddy stands out for its domain registration services, allowing users to manage both their hosting and domain registration in one place, which can be convenient for those who want an all-in-one solution. 

GoDaddy offers an easy sign-up process where you select a hosting plan, register a domain, and complete your payment details. After signing up, GoDaddy guides you through setting up your hosting account. They provide a website builder with a drag-and-drop editor, simplifying website creation for those who prefer a visual approach. 

You can also install popular applications like WordPress with just a few clicks. GoDaddy further assists you through onboarding prompts and tutorials to configure your website.

Bluehost

On the other hand, Bluehost is known for its user-friendly interface and straightforward setup process. They offer a custom control panel designed to be intuitive for beginners. Bluehost’s hosting services come with a one-click WordPress installation option, which makes it easy for users to set up a WordPress-based website without extensive technical knowledge. 

For Bluehost, signing up is straightforward: You choose a hosting plan, register a domain name or use an existing one, and provide your personal and payment information. After the sign-up, Bluehost typically sends you an email with your account credentials and instructions on how to log in to their control panel. 

From there, you can easily set up your website using their one-click WordPress installation or configure other types of websites with the help of Bluehost’s guided onboarding process.

The Verdict

In terms of ease of use for a new user with little experience, GoDaddy is the best choice. Bluehost is often favored for its seamless WordPress integration, making it an excellent choice for WordPress users. In contrast, GoDaddy’s website builder can be exceptionally user-friendly for those who prefer a more visual website creation process. 

Ultimately, the choice between Bluehost and GoDaddy may hinge on your website needs and the interface that best resonates with your preferences.

Features

Features

GoDaddy

GoDaddy offers a range of features that make it a compelling hosting and website management option. Firstly, they provide a significant advantage with their offer of free domain registration for the first term when you sign up for their hosting services. This saves you money and streamlines the process of setting up your website.

For those without coding experience, GoDaddy’s Website Builder Tools with ADI technology are a boon. They provide a user-friendly platform for creating websites without technical expertise and can be done by answering simple questions, catering mainly to beginners. In addition, GoDaddy also prioritizes website security by offering SSL Certificates, which are crucial for encrypting data and safeguarding sensitive user information.

Another standout feature of GoDaddy is its comprehensive suite of Online Marketing Tools and Services, including SEO and social media marketing. These tools are valuable for promoting your website and reaching a wider audience. Furthermore, GoDaddy’s provision of Website Backups and Restore Options ensures that your data is secure and you can recover it in case of unexpected issues.

GoDaddy offers E-commerce Solutions across its plans for businesses looking to establish an online presence, making it convenient to set up and manage online stores. GoDaddy’s Unmetered Bandwidth ensures your website can handle traffic without additional charges.

Bluehost

Bluehost is a hosting provider known for its impressive server response times, ensuring that your website loads quickly and offers a smooth user experience. This can be a significant advantage for businesses and websites prioritizing speed and performance.

Like GoDaddy, Bluehost offers a Free Domain Name, simplifying the initial setup process. Additionally, they excel in catering to WordPress users with their One-Click WordPress Installation feature. This makes it exceptionally easy for bloggers and content creators to start with WordPress-based websites.

Another noteworthy feature is Bluehost’s inclusion of a Free CDN (Content Delivery Network). This technology enhances website speed and performance by distributing content to servers closer to your site visitors, reducing loading times, and improving user experience.

However, it’s important to note that Bluehost does not provide E-commerce Capabilities across all its plans, unlike GoDaddy. This could be a limiting factor for businesses seeking to sell products or services online. On the bright side, Bluehost offers Daily Backups, ensuring that your data is regularly saved and can be restored in emergencies.

The Verdict

Both GoDaddy and Bluehost offer compelling features, and the choice between them depends on your specific needs. But, regarding the outstanding features, GoDaddy stands out above Bluehost.

If e-commerce functionality and a robust suite of online marketing tools are paramount for your website, GoDaddy stands out. Their unmetered bandwidth and free domain registration for the first term are also enticing.

On the other hand, if you prioritize server speed and require WordPress-related features, Bluehost’s impressive server response time and one-click WordPress installation might sway your decision. 

Performance

GoDaddy

GoDaddy is a web hosting provider known for its widespread popularity, offering a 99.9% uptime guarantee. In terms of performance, GoDaddy has a reputation for providing stable hosting services, ensuring that websites remain accessible to users around the clock. However, some users have reported occasional slowdowns during peak traffic hours, affecting website loading times.

Bluehost

On the other hand, Bluehost boasts an impressive 99.98% uptime guarantee, surpassing GoDaddy’s uptime commitment. This high level of reliability translates to minimal downtime and superior performance for websites hosted with Bluehost. Bluehost’s hosting infrastructure is designed to handle traffic spikes efficiently, providing faster load times and a smoother user experience. Their commitment to uptime makes them a strong contender in the web hosting industry.

The Verdict

In the performance battle, Bluehost emerges as the winner. With a higher uptime guarantee of 99.98% compared to GoDaddy’s 99.9%, Bluehost offers more consistent and reliable hosting services. The extra 0.08% uptime may seem small, but it can significantly affect website accessibility and user satisfaction.

WordPress Integration

GoDaddy

The integration of GoDaddy with WordPress is characterized by its smooth functionality. GoDaddy’s WordPress Hosting service enhances creating your initial WordPress website through various user-friendly features. These include a Quick Start Wizard, pre-built themes, regular core software updates, daily backup capabilities, and round-the-clock customer support.

Bluehost

Bluehost WordPress Integration

Standing out as an unparalleled choice for seamless WordPress integration is Bluehost. With an endorsement from WordPress in 2005, Bluehost boasts a streamlined one-click setup procedure, ensuring you’re swiftly up and running online.

Bluehost’s proficiency in WordPress extends seamlessly to its incorporation of WooCommerce functionalities. This becomes especially advantageous for e-commerce ventures. Opting for Bluehost’s WooCommerce plans provides you with the convenience of one-click integrations for payment processing tools. Furthermore, you’ll find a compatible online store theme already pre-configured.

Installing WordPress.org (or WooCommerce) on the Bluehost platform is a mere one-click endeavor. Following your hosting plan confirmation, you could have a fully operational website live within minutes.

The Verdict

When it comes to WordPress integration, Bluehost takes the lead. WordPress has recommended them since 2005, and for good reason. Compared to GoDaddy, using Bluehost for WordPress is an easier, faster, and smoother experience.

Customer Support

GoDaddy

GoDaddy is committed to providing non-stop help through its award-winning support team. Whether you need a simple password reset or full assistance in building your website, GoDaddy’s experts are here to help.

You can call or send a message for 24/7 assistance. GoDaddy’s Chat Now service lets you chat in real-time with professionals ready to give you quick solutions. This service is available around the clock and connects you with knowledgeable experts who can immediately help with your questions about products or account matters.

Bluehost

Similar to GoDaddy, Bluehost also offers 24/7 phone and chat support. When seeking assistance, you can engage with Bluehost’s Chat Support through helpdesk.Bluehost.com or Phone Support. Besides, you can reach out to Bluehost’s support team by email. 

Bluehost also offers a valuable resource in its Knowledge Base articles. These articles cover a wide range of topics, helping to answer common questions and guide users through setup, configuration, and troubleshooting procedures.

The Verdict

Regarding customer support, Bluehost appears to outshine GoDaddy by offering a broader range of support options. Both companies provide round-the-clock assistance through phone numbers and live chat. However, Bluehost goes a step further by offering extra support through email communication. This becomes particularly useful for customers encountering technical problems that require detailed explanations.

Notably, while you can find various information about GoDaddy online, Bluehost proactively addresses user queries comprehensively through its Knowledge Base articles. Bluehost offers real-time support and provides a repository of helpful resources that users can access anytime. 

Who Should Use

GoDaddy

GoDaddy is best for
  • E-commerce startups
  • Beginners, small to medium-sized businesses
  • Individuals and businesses looking to purchase and manage domain names
  • Personal brands & portfolios
  • Businesses aiming for a professional email address or for launching email campaigns

Bluehost

Bluehost is best for

Bluehost is suitable for:

  • WordPress websites
  • Bloggers and content creators
  • Small to medium-sized businesses anticipating growth.
  • Website developers
  • E-commerce businesses running online stores with WordPress and WooCommerce.
  • Personal websites & portfolios
  • Startups & new projects

Final Thought

Bluehost is a solid choice for those seeking great value for money and hosting WordPress.org sites. On the other hand, GoDaddy shines as the preferred option for users looking for an easy-to-use platform packed with features. Ultimately, your individual requirements and preferences determine the winner in this comparison.

FAQs

Transferring a website between Bluehost and GoDaddy is generally possible but might not always be straightforward. If your website is built on WordPress, Bluehost, and GoDaddy offer tools and guides to simplify migration. However, it’s essential to note that there could be differences in server configurations and hosting environments between the two providers, which might require some manual adjustments during the transfer.
Additionally, if your website relies on proprietary website builders or specific plugins, you might face challenges in migrating seamlessly. To ensure a smooth transition, it’s advisable to back up your website, thoroughly research the migration process for your specific circumstances, and possibly seek assistance from technical support teams or web development professionals.
Yes, Bluehost and GoDaddy offer easy-to-use website builders catering to beginners and experts alike. They provide intuitive dashboards and access to cPanel, making managing various aspects of your website simple. These website builders come with user-friendly drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-designed templates, and customizable options, enabling users to create and customize their websites without extensive technical knowledge.
Yes, Bluehost and GoDaddy allow you to host multiple websites on a single hosting plan. Shared hosting plans from these providers typically offer unlimited storage, which technically permits you to host as many websites as you’d like. However, it’s important to note that while there might not be a strict limit on the number of websites, there are practical considerations.
  Shared hosting plans have limitations on bandwidth and resources. As you host more websites and consume more resources, the performance of your websites could be impacted, especially during peak traffic times. Each site competes for the available resources, potentially causing some sites to experience slower loading times or performance issues.
Indeed, there are several other hosting providers you might want to consider beyond Bluehost and GoDaddy. IONOS (formerly 1&1 IONOS) offers various hosting solutions, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated servers. They emphasize performance and security features.
SiteGround is known for its excellent customer support and high-performance hosting, particularly for WordPress sites. They offer various hosting options, including shared, cloud, and dedicated hosting. Hostinger is another option, offering budget-friendly hosting solutions focusing on speed and affordability. They provide shared hosting, VPS hosting, and even a website builder.
Choosing between Bluehost and GoDaddy depends on your specific requirements. If you’re looking for excellent value and intend to host a WordPress.org site, Bluehost is the most suitable choice. On the other hand, if you prefer having all your website components consolidated within a single platform, GoDaddy is the frontrunner. Both providers offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, enabling you to test their services with minimal risk.
Yes, both Bluehost and GoDaddy allow you to own your domain name when you purchase it through their services. When you register a domain name with either provider, you are the legal owner of that domain as long as you continue to renew it and adhere to the domain registration regulations.
  This ownership gives you control over the domain’s settings, DNS records, and the ability to transfer it to another registrar if needed. However, it’s essential to note that while you have ownership rights, you’re essentially leasing the domain name for a specified period, typically annually, through a domain registration service offered by these hosting providers.
Choosing between an ecommerce platform with integrated hosting like Shopify and self-hosting solutions like Bluehost and GoDaddy depends on your technical expertise and the level of control you desire.
  If you’re seeking a hassle-free experience and lack coding knowledge, Shopify’s integrated platform is a compelling option. It provides user-friendly tools for creating an online store without the need for technical skills.
  However, if you have specific customization needs, prefer more control over your hosting environment, and are willing to invest time in learning or possibly hiring a web developer, self-hosting solutions offer greater flexibility. This route can be beneficial if you envision a unique and highly tailored online store experience.

Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.