Bluehost vs. Google Cloud Platform – Popular Doesn’t Mean Better 2024

Bluehost is a popular web host that keeps coming up in your search engine results if you’re looking for an affordable hosting plan. However, its popularity has less to do with its quality of service and more with its generous affiliate program. You can get shared, VPS, cloud, and dedicated server hosting from it. In contrast, Google Cloud Platform is focused on enterprise-level cloud hosting.

I tested both these web hosts on performance, pricing, security, and support. I found popular doesn’t necessarily mean better as Google Cloud Platform emerged a clear winner.

You can check Google Cloud Platform’s latest deals here1 or read on to know how it beats Bluehost in this Bluehost vs. Google Cloud competition.

1. Plans and Pricing

Bluehost wins with its beginner-friendly prices

Bluehost offers shared hosting (including WordPress hosting with e-commerce functionality) to cloud hosting, VPS, and dedicated servers. Google Cloud Platform focuses on enterprise-level cloud hosting and offers virtual machines, cloud storage, and containers. You can also host small static/dynamic websites and WordPress sites with Google Cloud Platform. But Google Cloud WordPress costs almost four-times that of Bluehost’s monthly charges. Though Bluehost’s shared hosting costs less, you’ll get the best deals only with the triennial term. I found Google Cloud Platform’s VMs (chargeable on an hourly/monthly basis) are cheaper than Bluehost​ pricing for the cloud plans.

You can enjoy a 30-day money-back guarantee with Bluehost while GCP offers a free annual trial with $300.

With beginner-friendly prices and a money-back guarantee, Bluehost wins this round.

2. Features

Its top-of-the-line features help GCP win this round

Bluehost offers shared hosting, cloud hosting, VPS, and dedicated servers. If you need Bluehost unlimited website plans, all its shared plans (except the basic one) are worth checking out. Its shared plans come with SSD storage, a free domain name for the first year, free SSL certificate, 1-click WordPress installer, free Weebly website builder, Cloudflare CDN (with managed WordPress), CodeGuard automatic backup (paid add-on), and daily backup (for the 2 higher plans).

Google Cloud Platform offers virtual machines, cloud storage, and containers. Its technical infrastructure is designed for optimal efficiency and boots in seconds. Some other Google cloud features include speedier local SSD, rapid instance networking, cloud CDN (paid), automated backups, speedier storage throughput, and a global load balancer scalable to 1 million QPS (queries per second).

You can check this head-to-head feature comparison table:

Though Google Cloud Platform doesn’t offer several beginner-friendly features, it still wins with its top-of-the-line features designed for developers and enterprise users.

3. Performance

GCP outshines Bluehost with its guaranteed uptime SLA, redundancy, and low latency

With 20 global datacenter locations, Google Cloud Platform delivers global coverage, strong built-in redundancy, low latency, and optimal application availability.

Bluehost’s managed WordPress offer Cloudflare CDN while GCP comes with paid cloud CDN and a global load balancer.

In this round, Google Cloud Platform emerges as the winner thanks to its multiple data centers, improved coverage and redundancy, and guaranteed uptime SLA.

4. Security

Google Cloud Platform’s comprehensive security makes it an undisputed winner

Free SSL, SiteLock (paid add-on), Spam Experts (except for the Basic shared hosting plan), and Domain Privacy + Protection are all you’ll get from Bluehost. But GCP meets all the necessary international standards to satisfy and help you comply with your regulatory and policy requirements while meeting your business objectives. From completely scalable security analytics and a proven user protection technology to Google’s Chronicle that analyzes risks at the speed of search, security analytics and operations, and more, you’ll get comprehensive security for peace of mind. Google Cloud Platform also partners with multiple security-centric firms to strengthen its security further.

Google Cloud Platform scores an easy win in this round.

5. Support

GCP scores over Bluehost’s poor support

Bluehost offers 24/7 chat and phone support but with unknowledgeable support staff handling the tasks, be ready to wait a lot. It has an extensive knowledgebase for self-help though.

Google Cloud Platform provides free trial support and basic billing assistance without any cost. Nevertheless, its three-tier paid support through phone, web, and chat ranges from being considerably expensive to extremely costly. On the positive side, its self-support service remains effective, thanks to developer communities, comprehensive documentation, and a helpful assistance center.

Despite its steeper pricing, which could deter beginners, Google Cloud Platform’s support is still a lot better than Bluehost’s.

Google Cloud Platform Wins this Battle Hands Down

With its top-of-the-line features along with better coverage and redundancy, comprehensive security, and better support, Google Cloud Platform is the undisputed winner. However, if you have a small personal website or need hosting for your small business, Bluehost could be a better option, especially if your focus is on budget prices and beginner-friendly features. However, neither of these hosts feature on our top 10. To know the ones that did, take a look at our list of ​the best web hosting services​.

Comparison Table

FAQ

Is ​Bluehost better than ​Google Cloud Platform​?

No. When I tested both these hosts, I found GCP to be better. I was impressed by its performance, features, and security, and would recommend it. But before you decide, you should check our list of ​the best web hosting services​.

Does ​​Bluehost offer WordPress hosting?

​Yes, it offers both managed and unmanaged WordPress plans. The managed plans come with analytics, advanced security, and social media integration. But if you think Bluehost isn’t the best choice, you should check our list of the best managed WordPress hosting providers​.

Does ​ Google Cloud Platform offer VPS hosting?

No, but it does offer VM in the cloud. You don’t need to worry because there are several other VPS providers out there. For an affordable and reliable VPS, you can check our list of the best cheap VPS hosting services​.