GitHub|Since 2007
Wptr Lab

USDreamHostvsHostwindsUS

Head-to-head hosting performance comparison based on real test data

Test Date: 2/23/2026

DreamHost
WPTR ScoreWinner896 ms
Rank#94
TTFB93ms
Time to 1MB176ms
Score896
LCP493ms
FCP293ms
Hostwinds
WPTR Score1228 ms
Rank#361
TTFB32ms
Time to 1MB485ms
Score1228
LCP432ms
FCP232ms

Our Verdict

Hostwinds wins with 32ms TTFB (vs DreamHost's 93ms)

TTFB Breakdown (Connection Phases)

PhaseDreamHostHostwindsWinner
DNS Lookup337ms34msHostwinds
TCP Connection32ms5msHostwinds
TLS Handshake33ms10msHostwinds
Server Processing72ms15msHostwinds
Total TTFB474ms64msHostwinds

Technology & Security Features

DreamHost

Server/CDNAmazonS3
HSTS Disabled
Brotli Compression Disabled
HTTP/3 (QUIC) Disabled
Page Size1116.6 KB

Hostwinds

Server/CDNcloudflare
HSTS Enabled
Brotli Compression Enabled
HTTP/3 (QUIC) Enabled
Page Size17.0 KB
0/3
DreamHost Security Features
3/3
Hostwinds Security Features

TTFB Comparison Over Time

Understanding the Metrics

WPTR Score: Wptr Lab Real-Load Score: (Time to 1MB x 2.4) + TTFB. Raw server & network performance (Lower is better).
TTFB: Time to First Byte - How fast the server responds
Time to 1MB: Time to 1MB - Time taken to download 1MB of data (lower is better)
LCP: Largest Contentful Paint - When main content loads
FCP: First Contentful Paint - When first content appears
Score: Overall performance score (0-100)

A Note on Hosting Selection

While TTFB and performance metrics are important indicators, choosing the right hosting provider involves many other factors: security measures, customer support quality, uptime guarantees, scalability options, and pricing structure. Academic research emphasizes that a balanced approach considering all these aspects leads to better long-term outcomes.

Chizhov, A., & Fesenko, A. (2025). Web hosting companies' client solutions: A study of a strategic standpoint. Corporate & Business Strategy Review. doi.org/10.22495/cbsrv6i1art14

Data in this comparison is obtained through independent tests using our TTFB Checker tool.