Cloudways Review
Last updated: 2026-07-10
Overview
Cloudways, founded in 2011 by Aaqif Gadit and Perry Zaher, is a managed cloud hosting platform acquired by DigitalOcean in 2022 for $350 million. Unlike traditional hosts, Cloudways acts as a management layer on top of five cloud providers: DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Linode, and Vultr. This lets users choose their infrastructure while Cloudways handles server setup, security patches, performance optimization, and updates. Headquartered in Malta, it serves over 85,000 customers ranging from developers to agencies to e-commerce brands. Rated 4.3/5 — excellent value and flexibility, but the management layer adds complexity for non-technical users.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Choose your own cloud provider (DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Vultr, Linode)
- Best performance-per-dollar in managed hosting
- Free SSL, dedicated firewalls, and automated backups
- Easy vertical scaling — upgrade server resources with one click
- Git deployment integration for developers
- No long-term contracts — pay monthly, cancel anytime
Cons
- No cPanel — custom dashboard (developer-focused, not beginner-friendly)
- No email hosting (must use third-party)
- No domain registration (must buy domains elsewhere)
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
- Support is ticket-based (no phone support on lower plans)
Features
Users select from 5 cloud providers and configure server size, data center location (35+ regions), and PHP version (7.4-8.4). The platform includes a free migration plugin, one-click SSL installation via Let's Encrypt with auto-renewal, managed backups with optional frequency adjustment (daily, weekly, or on-demand), and an integrated CDN powered by Cloudflare (paid add-on at $1/zone/month). The Cloudways Platform dashboard provides real-time server monitoring with resource usage graphs, SSH access with public key authentication, Git deployment with branch selection, and one-click staging environments for testing. PHP-FPM and Redis object cache come pre-configured for WordPress. The proprietary ThunderStack optimization includes Nginx (reverse proxy), Apache (web server), PHP-FPM, MySQL, Redis, and Varnish (full-page cache) — delivering sub-second TTFB. Teams can manage unlimited applications on a single server, add team members with role-based access, and use the Cloudways API for programmatic server management. Email add-on available via Rackspace integration ($1/month per mailbox). Additional features include WordPress WP-CLI access, Magento and Drupal support, and Breeze caching plugin for WordPress. Limitations: no cPanel or direct SSH root access on managed plans (root available via Cloudways Autonomous), the UI with 15+ tabs can be intimidating for beginners, CDN is a paid add-on, and support is ticket-based on lower tiers with no phone option.
| Free plan | ❌ No |
| Starting price | $11/mo (DigitalOcean, 1GB) |
| Infrastructure | DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Vultr, Linode |
| CDN | Cloudflare (free add-on) |
| SSL | Free, auto-renewed |
| Backups | Automated (frequency varies by plan) |
| Staging sites | ✅ Yes |
| Site migration | Free |
| Support | 24/7 ticket + chat (premium plans) |
| Server locations | 60+ data centres (across providers) |
Pricing
Pricing depends on the cloud provider chosen, with resources scaling linearly. DigitalOcean plans start at $14/month (1GB RAM, 25GB NVMe storage, 1TB bandwidth) and scale to $96/month (8GB RAM, 160GB storage, 5TB bandwidth). AWS plans start at $36.82/month (1GB RAM, 25GB storage, 2TB bandwidth). Google Cloud starts at $33.18/month (1GB RAM, 10GB storage, 1TB bandwidth). Linode starts at $12/month (1GB RAM, 25GB storage, 1TB bandwidth). Vultr starts at $13/month (1GB RAM, 20GB storage, 1TB bandwidth). Add-ons include Cloudflare CDN ($1/zone/month), premium DNS ($5/month), and managed backups (priced at 30% of server cost). No free trial, but a 3-day money-back guarantee is available. Pricing is pay-as-you-go with no long-term contracts — servers can be launched and terminated anytime.
Final Verdict
4.3/5. Cloudways is the most flexible managed hosting platform for users who want cloud infrastructure without managing servers themselves. The ability to choose between DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Linode, and Vultr with transparent pricing is unmatched in the industry. Drawbacks: the management layer adds learning overhead for beginners, CDN and backups cost extra, and support quality has declined since the DigitalOcean acquisition with slower response times. Best for developers and technical teams who want control over their hosting stack without the premium of Kinsta or WP Engine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cloudways worth it in 2026?
Yes, for developers and agencies who want cloud hosting without server administration. Starting at $12/month on Linode, it undercuts Kinsta and WP Engine significantly while offering five cloud provider choices. Non-technical users may find the dashboard and server configuration overwhelming compared to fully managed alternatives.
How much does Cloudways cost?
Plans start at $12/month on Linode, $13/month on Vultr, $14/month on DigitalOcean, $33/month on Google Cloud, and $37/month on AWS. CDN is $1/zone/month extra. Backups cost 30% of the server price. No long-term contracts required — pay-as-you-go.
What are the best Cloudways alternatives?
Kinsta ($30-$284/mo) offers fully managed WordPress on Google Cloud with better support. WP Engine ($20-$400/mo) provides a more polished dashboard. SiteGround ($3.99-$11.99/mo) is simpler for beginners. RunCloud and ServerPilot are similar management-layer alternatives.
Does Cloudways offer a free trial or free plan?
Cloudways does not offer a free plan. A 3-day money-back guarantee is available on new server launches. The free migration plugin works independently of Cloudways hosting. No credit card is required to create an account, but servers require payment to launch.