Bluehost vs SiteGround: Which Host for First-Time Site Owners?
Updated October 21, 2026 · Web hosting
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| Feature | Bluehost | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan intro price | Check current pricing | StartUp: £1.99/mo (12 months prepaid, ex. VAT) |
| Entry plan renewal price | Check current pricing | £13.99/mo |
| Mid-tier plan (intro / renewal) | Check current pricing | GrowBig: £3.99/mo / £23.99/mo |
| Top plan (intro / renewal) | Check current pricing | GoGeek: £5.99/mo / £34.99/mo |
| Websites allowed on entry plan | Check current plan details | 1 website (unlimited on GrowBig and GoGeek) |
| Storage on entry plan | Check current plan details | 10 GB (50 GB on GrowBig, 100 GB on GoGeek) |
| Free domain | Check current plan details | Included on all plans |
| Free SSL | Check current plan details | Included on all plans |
| Backups | Check current plan details | Free daily backups with 30 days of history; on-demand backups on GrowBig and above |
| Site migration | Check current plan details | Free website transfer on all plans; automatic migrator for WordPress |
| Staging | Check current plan details | GrowBig and GoGeek (GoGeek adds Git) |
| Support | Check current plan details | 24/7 live chat and expert support on all plans |
| Money-back guarantee | Check current policy | 30 days |
| Website builder | Check current plan details | SiteGround Website Builder included (drag-and-drop, with AI text and image tools) |
The renewal price matters more than the headline price
SiteGround advertises savings of up to 85%, and the discounts on its plans are real: StartUp is £1.99/mo at the intro rate, then renews at £13.99/mo. GrowBig goes from £3.99 to £23.99, and GoGeek from £5.99 to £34.99. The intro price is for a 12-month prepaid term and prices exclude VAT. This applies to any host, Bluehost included. When you compare, put the renewal price next to the intro price and work out your cost over 2 to 3 years, not just the first year. Check Bluehost's current pricing and renewal terms on its site.
What beginners get with SiteGround
Every SiteGround plan includes a free domain name, free SSL, a free CDN, free email, free daily backups and free website transfer. You can install WordPress or another CMS with a click, and the dashboard covers your domain, email, site and backups in one place. If you would rather not use WordPress, there is also a drag-and-drop Website Builder. SiteGround also lists a free AI agent for managing WordPress and WooCommerce sites on its WordPress plans. Whether you need that is up to you, but it may help if you are nervous about the technical side.
Choosing a SiteGround plan
StartUp suits one personal project or small site. It allows a single website and 10 GB of storage. GrowBig, labelled Best Value, allows unlimited websites and 50 GB, and adds on-demand backups, staging and 30% faster PHP. GoGeek adds 100 GB, staging with Git, private DNS, white-label access and priority support, which is more than most first-time owners need. If you might run a second site within the year, GrowBig's unlimited sites could be worth the higher price, but compare the renewal cost first.
What to check on Bluehost
Bluehost's plan and price details weren't available for this comparison, so we haven't listed any. Before deciding, look at the same things on its site: the intro and renewal price for each plan, how many sites and how much storage each plan includes, whether a domain, SSL and backups are included or charged extra, what migration help is offered, which support channels are available and when, and the length of the money-back guarantee. If Bluehost matches SiteGround on those points at a lower total cost, it is a reasonable choice. If it charges extra for items SiteGround includes, the gap in price may shrink.
Our honest take
For a first site, the main risks are an unexpected renewal bill, a difficult move later and slow help when something breaks. SiteGround covers the second and third well on paper: free migration, 24/7 support and a 30-day guarantee. The renewal price is the part to plan for. Whichever host you pick, use the money-back window to test the dashboard and support before it closes.
Pick Bluehost if…
- Bluehost's current intro and renewal pricing beats SiteGround's over 2 to 3 years for the plan you need.
- Its plan includes what you need, such as a domain, SSL, backups and email, without paid add-ons.
- You prefer Bluehost's dashboard or support after trying it, within its refund period.
- Check Bluehost's current pricing and plan details before deciding.
Pick SiteGround if…
- You want free daily backups, SSL, CDN and email included on every plan.
- You want free migration, or you already have a site elsewhere.
- You want 24/7 live chat and phone support and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- You are happy to budget for renewals of £13.99/mo (StartUp), £23.99/mo (GrowBig) or £34.99/mo (GoGeek), ex. VAT.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Bluehost or SiteGround?
SiteGround's intro prices start at £1.99/mo for StartUp on a 12-month prepaid term, ex. VAT, and renew at £13.99/mo. Check Bluehost's current pricing and renewal rates, then compare the total cost over several years.
Is SiteGround good for beginners?
It includes a free domain, free SSL, free daily backups, free site transfer and 24/7 support on every plan. It also offers one-click WordPress installation and a simple builder, which helps people new to hosting.
Can I host more than one website?
On SiteGround, StartUp allows one website, while GrowBig and GoGeek allow unlimited websites. For Bluehost, check current plan details.
Does SiteGround offer a refund?
It lists a 30-day money-back guarantee. Check Bluehost's current refund policy and read the terms for both, including what is and isn't refundable.
Will SiteGround move my existing site for me?
Yes. It offers free website transfer on all plans, either by its experts or through an automatic migrator for WordPress sites. For Bluehost, check current migration options and any fees.
Do prices include VAT?
SiteGround's listed prices are ex. VAT, so your final bill may be higher. Check the same on Bluehost's checkout.
Prices and features change — always confirm on each vendor's site.