Bluehost vs DigitalOcean: Which Web Hosting Tool Is Better in 2026?
Bluehost
From $2.95DigitalOcean
From $4Quick verdict
Overall pick: Tie
Pick Bluehost if you want managed WordPress, free SSL, a 1-click staging environment, and 24/7 support at a lower starting price of $2.95/month. Pick DigitalOcean if you need full root/SSH access, automated daily backups, and developer-oriented cloud infrastructure starting at $4/month. Neither includes a free plan, and each lacks features the other has: Bluehost has no root access or daily backups, while DigitalOcean has no managed WordPress, free SSL, staging, or 24/7 support.
- Bluehost's entry plan ($2.95) is 26% cheaper than DigitalOcean's ($4).
- Only Bluehost offers: managed wordpress support, free ssl & cdn, 1-click staging environment, 24/7 expert support.
- Only DigitalOcean offers: automated daily backups, full root / ssh access.
Cost calculator
| Tool | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Bluehost · flat | $2.95 | $35 |
| DigitalOcean · flat | $4.00 | $48 |
Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.
Which one should you choose?
| If you need… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-time blogger launching a WordPress site | Bluehost | Bluehost includes managed WordPress, free SSL, a 1-click staging environment, and 24/7 support, all absent from DigitalOcean. |
| Developer deploying a custom app with full server control | DigitalOcean | DigitalOcean offers full root/SSH access, which Bluehost does not. |
| Buyer who needs automated daily backups | DigitalOcean | DigitalOcean includes automated daily backups; Bluehost does not. |
| Buyer prioritizing the lowest starting price | Bluehost | Bluehost starts at $2.95/month versus $4/month for DigitalOcean, both on flat billing. |
| Buyer who needs around-the-clock expert support | Bluehost | Bluehost lists 24/7 expert support; DigitalOcean does not. |
Feature comparison: Bluehost vs DigitalOcean
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ❌ | ❌ |
| Starting price | $2.95 /mo | $4 /mo |
| Managed WordPress support | ✅ | — |
| Free SSL & CDN | ✅ | — |
| High-speed NVMe/SSD storage | ✅ | ✅ |
| Automated daily backups | — | ✅ |
| 1-click staging environment | ✅ | — |
| Full root / SSH access | — | ✅ |
| Enterprise DDoS protection | ✅ | ✅ |
| 24/7 expert support | ✅ | — |
Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.
Pros and cons
Bluehost
- Managed WordPress support with a 1-click staging environment
- Free SSL and CDN included
- 24/7 expert support
- Lower starting price at $2.95/month on flat billing
- No automated daily backups
- No full root or SSH access
- No free plan
DigitalOcean
- Full root and SSH access for custom infrastructure
- Automated daily backups included
- High-speed NVMe/SSD storage
- Enterprise DDoS protection
- No managed WordPress support
- No free SSL and CDN
- No 1-click staging environment or 24/7 expert support
At a glance
Officially recommended WordPress hosting with easy onboarding.
Founded 2003 · From $2.95 · 6/8 tracked features
Best for: first-time bloggers, beginners
See Bluehost alternatives →Developer cloud simplified: Droplets, Kubernetes, and managed databases.
Founded 2011 · From $4 · 4/8 tracked features
Best for: developers, custom app infrastructure
See DigitalOcean alternatives →FAQ
Is Bluehost cheaper than DigitalOcean?
Yes. Bluehost starts at $2.95/month versus $4/month for DigitalOcean, and both use flat billing.
Does Bluehost offer root access?
No. Bluehost does not include full root or SSH access; DigitalOcean does.
Does DigitalOcean support managed WordPress?
No. DigitalOcean does not list managed WordPress support, while Bluehost does.
Which tool includes automated daily backups?
DigitalOcean includes automated daily backups; Bluehost does not.
Do either offer a free plan?
No. Neither Bluehost nor DigitalOcean offers a free plan.
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Data last reviewed: pending verification. All Web Hosting tools →