Quick answer: Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform that runs your site on servers from DigitalOcean, Vultr, Linode, AWS, or Google Cloud while handling the server setup, caching, and security for you. It suits freelancers and small agencies who have outgrown shared hosting but do not want to become system administrators. You pay a monthly premium over raw cloud costs in exchange for a control panel, staging, and 24/7 support.
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Key takeaways
- You choose the underlying cloud provider and server size; Cloudways manages the stack, so you get cloud performance without command-line work.
- Performance is strong out of the box thanks to built-in caching (Varnish, Redis, and Cloudways’ own cache) and SSD storage, but results depend on which provider and region you pick.
- Pricing is pay-as-you-go and scales with server size, not traffic, so a small agency can host many low-traffic sites cheaply on one server.
- It is not for everyone: if you want hand-holding, email hosting, or a single flat bill, a simpler managed WordPress host or a good shared plan is often less stressful.
What Cloudways actually is
Cloudways is not a hosting company that owns data centers. It is a management layer that sits on top of infrastructure from DigitalOcean, Vultr, Linode, AWS, and Google Cloud. You pick a provider and a server size inside the Cloudways dashboard, and the platform provisions the server, installs the web stack, and gives you a control panel to manage applications.
That distinction matters. You are renting cloud servers through a reseller that adds automation, caching, staging, and support. The underlying hardware belongs to the cloud provider, so performance and uptime are tied to whichever provider and region you choose. Cloudways handles the operational work: server setup, SSL, backups, and patching.
For a freelancer moving off shared hosting, the appeal is obvious. You get cloud-level resources and isolation without learning SSH or configuring Nginx by hand. You also get a panel that is simpler than raw AWS but more technical than a typical shared host’s cPanel.
How the platform works: server choice, stacks, and the control panel
Signing up is a guided process: choose your cloud provider, pick a server size and region, then select an application (WordPress, WooCommerce, Laravel, or a custom PHP stack). Cloudways installs everything and gives you a temporary URL and login. From there you point your domain and start building.
The stack is standard and solid: Nginx or Apache, MySQL or MariaDB, PHP-FPM, and optional Redis. You can switch PHP versions per application, which is handy when a client site needs an older version. The control panel is clean and functional. You manage applications, domains, SSL certificates, backups, and cron jobs from one screen.
Where it feels different from shared hosting is the server-level view. You can scale a server up (more RAM and CPU) with a few clicks, clone a server for staging, and set up multiple applications on one server. That last point is the agency workflow: one server, many client sites, each isolated as its own application. It is efficient, but it also means you are responsible for keeping an eye on resource usage across all of them.
Performance and caching
Cloudways includes several caching layers by default. Varnish sits in front of the web server for full-page caching, Redis handles object caching for dynamic sites, and there is a Cloudways-specific cache you can purge from the panel. For WordPress, the platform also supports common caching plugins, and you can enable Cloudflare integration from the dashboard.
In practice, a well-configured WordPress site on a mid-size DigitalOcean or Vultr server loads quickly. Time to first byte is usually good because of Varnish and the SSD-backed infrastructure. The caveat is that performance is not automatic: a bloated site with heavy plugins will still be slow, and a server in the wrong region will add latency for your visitors.
If you are serious about speed, treat the server choice as part of your SEO work. Server location, caching rules, and image optimization all affect Core Web Vitals. Our on-page SEO guide covers the site-level changes that pair well with a faster host. Cloudways gives you a good foundation; the rest is configuration.
Pricing structure and where costs add up
Cloudways charges a flat monthly fee per server, and that fee includes the cloud provider’s cost plus Cloudways’ management markup. The smallest DigitalOcean or Vultr servers are inexpensive, often in the low double digits per month. As you add RAM, CPU, and storage, the price climbs predictably. There is no per-site pricing, so hosting ten small client sites on one server can be cheaper than ten separate shared plans.
Where costs add up is in the extras. Backups are available but larger backup sizes or more frequent backups can cost more. Extra bandwidth beyond the plan allowance is billed. If you need more than one server for staging or redundancy, you pay for each. And because it is pay-as-you-go, forgetting to downsize a server after a traffic spike leaves you paying for capacity you no longer need.
Compare that to a flat shared plan and the math changes. Shared hosting bundles email, domains, and support into one low price. Cloudways expects you to handle email elsewhere and to know what you are doing. For a single low-traffic site, Cloudways is usually more expensive than a decent shared plan. For an agency with several sites, it can be cheaper and far more capable.
| Feature | Cloudways | Typical shared host | Managed WordPress host |
|---|---|---|---|
| Server ownership | You rent cloud servers via Cloudways | Shared server, many accounts | Provider-managed servers |
| Technical control | High: PHP versions, caching, server scaling | Low: cPanel only | Medium: WordPress-focused tools |
| Email hosting | Not included | Usually included | Sometimes included |
| Best for | Agencies and freelancers with multiple sites | Beginners and single sites | WordPress-only users who want support |
What is genuinely good
The strongest part of Cloudways is the balance between control and convenience. You get cloud infrastructure without the ops work, and the panel is responsive and logical. Server scaling is genuinely easy: a few clicks and you have more resources, with no migration. That is a real advantage when a client campaign spikes traffic.
Staging and cloning are built in, which matters for agencies that need to test changes before pushing live. The team collaboration features let you add developers or account managers with scoped permissions. Support is responsive in my experience, though the quality depends on the issue; they are good at platform questions and less helpful with application-level debugging.
The pay-as-you-go model is fair for variable workloads. You can spin up a server for a project and delete it when done, paying only for the hours used. For freelancers with seasonal work, that flexibility is worth a lot.
Where it falls short
Cloudways is not a hand-holding host. There is no email hosting, no domain registration, and no one-click WordPress theme setup beyond the installer. If you do not know the difference between Varnish and Redis, you will need to learn or rely on support. That is fine for many freelancers, but it is a real barrier for beginners.
The control panel, while clean, is not cPanel. Clients who are used to cPanel will find it unfamiliar. Migrating sites in is straightforward with the Cloudways migrator, but migrating out is more manual. And because you are managing a server, you are responsible for keeping applications updated and monitoring resource usage. Cloudways handles server patching, but not plugin updates or theme conflicts.
Pricing transparency is decent, but the bill can surprise you if you scale up and forget to scale down. There is no flat all-inclusive plan. For a single small site, the cost-to-benefit ratio is weaker than a good shared host.
When a simpler host is the better call
If you run one website, send email from your domain, and want a single bill with phone support, Cloudways is overkill. A good shared plan will cost less and remove the server management burden. Our guide to the types of web hosting explains where shared, VPS, and managed plans fit.
For freelancers who want faster shared hosting without the cloud learning curve, A2 Hosting is a reasonable step up from budget hosts. For a cheap, simple start, Hostinger covers the basics at a low price. Neither gives you the server control of Cloudways, but both are easier to live with if you do not want to think about infrastructure.
If you are a WordPress-only user who wants managed updates and support, a dedicated managed WordPress host is often a better fit than Cloudways. You trade some flexibility for a simpler experience and WordPress-specific support.
Alternatives worth comparing
Before committing to Cloudways managed cloud hosting, compare it with a few realistic alternatives. For agencies that want cloud infrastructure with a similar model, DigitalOcean’s own App Platform and Vultr’s managed offerings are worth a look, though they require more setup. For managed WordPress, WP Engine and Kinsta are the usual benchmarks, with higher prices and more WordPress-specific tooling.
For freelancers who want a middle ground, a good VPS with a control panel like RunCloud or ServerPilot gives you similar control at a lower markup, but you handle more of the setup. Shared hosts like A2 and Hostinger remain the simplest option for single sites. Our best web hosting services comparison covers the trade-offs in more detail.
The right choice depends on how many sites you manage and how much control you want. Cloudways sits in the middle: more power than shared, less complexity than raw cloud.
Checklist: is Cloudways right for you?
- You manage multiple sites and want them on one scalable server.
- You are comfortable with a technical panel and do not need email hosting.
- You want staging and cloning without paying for a separate tool.
- You can monitor resource usage and downsize servers when needed.
- You are willing to handle plugin and application updates yourself.
- You value pay-as-you-go flexibility over a flat monthly bill.
- You do not need phone support or a cPanel-style interface.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cloudways good for beginners?
It is not the easiest starting point. Beginners usually do better on a shared host or a managed WordPress plan where email, domains, and support are bundled. Cloudways assumes you can manage applications and understand server resources. If you are willing to learn, it is a good platform, but it is not hand-holding.
Does Cloudways include email hosting?
No. Cloudways does not provide email hosting, so you need a separate provider like Google Workspace or Zoho. That is a common surprise for people moving from shared hosting, where email is usually included. Budget for it separately.
Can I host multiple websites on one Cloudways server?
Yes. You can create multiple applications on a single server, each with its own domain and settings. This is how many small agencies keep costs down. The trade-off is that all sites share the server’s resources, so one heavy site can affect the others.
How does Cloudways handle backups?
Backups are available per application and can be scheduled. The default retention and frequency depend on your plan, and larger or more frequent backups may cost more. You can also take manual backups before major changes. It is not a full disaster-recovery service, so keep your own copies of critical sites.
Is Cloudways faster than shared hosting?
Usually yes, because you get dedicated server resources, SSD storage, and built-in caching. But speed depends on your configuration, the cloud provider and region, and how well the site is built. A poorly optimized site on Cloudways can still be slower than a well-tuned site on a good shared host.
What to do next
If you manage several sites and want cloud performance without server administration, start with a small Cloudways server and one test site. Use the pay-as-you-go model to try it for a month, measure load times, and see how the panel feels. If you are a single-site freelancer who wants simplicity, compare a good shared plan first and only move up when you feel the limits.
Either way, decide based on your workflow, not the marketing. Cloudways is a strong fit for agencies that need control and scalability. It is a poor fit for anyone who wants a single bill and phone support. Test it with a real project before you migrate everything.
Disclosure: some links in this article are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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