DreamHost Shared Unlimited is a great option for individuals and small businesses seeking an easy-to-use, affordable shared hosting solution with unlimited resources. Microsoft Azure is better suited for larger organizations and complex applications that require high scalability, advanced security, and a wide range of services, but with a potentially steeper learning curve and more complex pricing.
| Attribute | DreamHost Shared Unlimited | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Uptime Guarantee | 100% uptime guarantee with compensation for downtime | Minimum uptime guaranteed, average monthly uptime for all Azure services is 99.995%. 99.9% SLA for single virtual machine instances, 99.95% for two or more instances in the same Availability Set, and 99.99% when deploying VMs in two or more Availability Zones. |
| Storage Space | Unlimited SSD storage subject to fair usage policy | Varies based on tier. $0.06 per GB-month for transaction-optimized tier, $0.0255 for hot tier, and $0.015 for cool tier. |
| Bandwidth Allocation | Unlimited bandwidth subject to fair usage policy | Inbound traffic is free. Outbound traffic is charged per gigabyte, with the first 5 GB free each month, then starting at $0.087 per GB for the next 5 TB. |
| Number of Websites Allowed | Unlimited | Depends on allocated resources and Azure services used. Azure App Service is used for hosting web applications, REST APIs, and mobile back ends. |
| Control Panel | Custom-built, user-friendly control panel | Intuitive user interface designed to streamline operations and enhance productivity. The dashboard offers a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate experience. |
| Customer Support Channels | 24/7 in-house support via live chat, email/ticket, and knowledge base. Phone support might cost extra. Multilingual support representatives. | Phone, email, and chat. Toll-free support phone number in the United States is 1-800-642-7676, available 24/7/365. Online support is also available through email, chat, and web-based support tickets. |
| Server Locations | US and the Netherlands | North America (United States, Canada, Mexico), South America (Brazil), Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa |
| Scalability Options | VPS and dedicated servers available for greater scalability | Vertical and horizontal scaling. Autoscaling is also available. |
| Backup and Recovery Features | Automated backups included | Azure Backup allows configuration of backup frequencies and replication methods. Supports tiered retention policies, automating the transition of backup data from frequent access tiers to long-term archival storage. Multiple backups per day can be performed, with an RPO as low as four hours. |
| Security Measures | Free SSL certificates, domain privacy, and multi-factor authentication. Some advanced security tools may cost extra. | Native security features and third-party solutions. Native features include Identity and Access Management (IAM), network security, data encryption, and threat protection. Azure also offers Azure Active Directory (AAD), Azure Virtual Network (VNet) and Network Security Groups (NSGs), and Azure Disk Encryption. |
| Pricing Structure | Prices range from around $2.95 to $8.95/month depending on the term. Renewal rates can be higher. | Pay-as-you-go, reserved instances, and spot pricing. Pay-as-you-go charges based on actual usage. Reserved Instances offer discounted pricing for committing to one- or three-year terms. Spot Pricing provides access to unused Azure compute capacity at deep discounts. |
| Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly with tools and a custom control panel that simplifies website management. | Intuitive user interface designed to streamline operations and enhance productivity. Offers tools like Azure Cloud Shell and Azure PowerShell to simplify management and development. |
| Price | Around $2.95 to $8.95/month | Not available |