Cloud hosting platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud offer incredible power and scalability, but their complexity makes them inaccessible to most non-developers. This is the problem Cloudways solves. It acts as a user-friendly management layer on top of these powerful cloud servers, making high-performance hosting accessible to everyone.
Instead of a traditional shared hosting environment, Cloudways gives you a dedicated cloud server, promising superior speed, security, and scalability. But does it live up to the hype?
This in-depth Cloudways review for 2025 will analyze its features, performance, pricing, and support to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your website. If you’re looking for one of the fastest WordPress hosting solutions without the technical headache, Cloudways is a compelling option
What is Cloudways? A Unique Approach to Hosting
Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform that lets you choose where to host your website from a list of five top-tier cloud infrastructure providers:
- DigitalOcean
- Linode (now Akamai)
- Vultr
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
You get all the benefits of a powerful cloud server like dedicated resources and scalability managed through Cloudways’ intuitive, point-and-click platform. In 2022, Cloudways was acquired by DigitalOcean, further solidifying its position in the market.
Cloudways Review: Core Features Analyzed
Cloudways is packed with features designed for performance, security, and ease of use.
Performance & Speed: The “Cloudways Formula”
Speed is where Cloudways truly shines. Its entire technology stack is optimized for performance.
- Optimized Stack: Every server comes with a pre-configured stack including Nginx, Apache, Memcached, Varnish, and Redis for maximum speed.
- Cloudflare Enterprise CDN: Cloudways includes a premium Cloudflare integration on all plans. This provides an enterprise-level CDN, DDoS mitigation, and a web application firewall (WAF), which are massive value-adds for speed and security.
- SSD-Based Hosting: All server options use high-speed SSDs, which are significantly faster than traditional hard drives.
Ease of Use & Management
The custom Cloudways dashboard is powerful yet beginner-friendly.
- 1-Click Actions: You can launch new servers and applications (like WordPress or Magento) in minutes. Other features like SSL installation, server cloning, and backups are also just a click away.
- Staging Environments: Every application comes with a free, one-click staging environment. This allows you to safely test changes, update plugins, or redesign your site without affecting your live version.
- Automated & On-Demand Backups: You can set a schedule for automatic server backups and also take backups on demand at any time.
Security: A Multi-Layered Approach
Cloudways takes security very seriously.
- Dedicated Firewalls: Every server is protected by a platform-level firewall that filters out malicious traffic.
- Free SSL Certificates: You can install unlimited free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates with a single click.
- Regular Security Patching: The Cloudways team manages all server-level security updates and patches, so you don’t have to worry about vulnerabilities.
Expert 24/7/365 Support
Cloudways provides round-the-clock support.
- Live Chat: Their primary support channel is 24/7 live chat. In our experience, the standard support team is knowledgeable for most common issues.
- Premium Support Add-ons: For faster response times and more in-depth support, you can purchase a premium support plan.
- Knowledge Base: They also have an extensive knowledge base and an active community forum for self-help.
Cloudways Pricing Explained
Cloudways uses a transparent “pay-as-you-go” pricing model. You only pay for the server resources you use and are billed monthly.
The price varies depending on the cloud provider and server size you choose. The most popular entry-level plan is with DigitalOcean:
- DigitalOcean Standard Plan: Starts at approximately $14/month (Source: Cloudways Official Pricing). This plan includes:
- 1 GB RAM
- 1 Core Processor
- 25 GB SSD Storage
- 1 TB Bandwidth
Expert Take: For new websites or small businesses, the entry-level DigitalOcean or Vultr plans offer the best balance of price and performance. As your site grows, you can easily scale your server resources up with a few clicks without ever changing your IP address or migrating your data. This seamless scalability is a major advantage over traditional hosting.
Is Cloudways Good for Ecommerce?
Absolutely. Cloudways is an excellent choice for ecommerce stores using platforms like WooCommerce or Magento. The dedicated server resources ensure your store can handle traffic spikes during sales, and the advanced caching provides the fast page load times necessary to maximize conversions. For a full list of supported plugins, check out our guide to the best WooCommerce marketing plugin
Cloudways Review: Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Exceptional Performance: Blazing-fast speeds thanks to its optimized stack and SSD servers. | No Email Hosting: Does not include email accounts. You’ll need a third-party service like Google Workspace or the Rackspace add-on. |
| Flexible & Scalable: Easily scale server resources up or down as your traffic changes. | More Technical than Shared Hosting: While user-friendly, it requires a bit more technical understanding than a traditional cPanel host. |
| Choice of Cloud Providers: Host your site on industry-leading infrastructure like AWS or GCP. | No Domain Registration: You cannot purchase domain names directly through Cloudways; you must buy one elsewhere. |
| Excellent Security Features: Dedicated firewalls, free SSL, and managed security are standard. | Pay-as-you-go Can Be Unpredictable: While flexible, costs can fluctuate if you use add-ons like offsite backups or email services. |
| Free Site Migrations: They offer one free, hands-off site migration for new users. |
The Verdict: Who Should Use Cloudways?
After a thorough review, Cloudways stands out as a top-tier hosting provider for a specific type of user.
Cloudways is a perfect fit for:
- Serious Bloggers & Small Businesses: Those who have outgrown shared hosting and need better performance and reliability without a huge price jump.
- Developers & Agencies: The platform’s features like server cloning, staging environments, and team collaboration tools make it ideal for managing multiple client websites.
- Ecommerce Stores: The dedicated resources and fast speeds are crucial for providing a smooth shopping experience and maximizing sales.
If you are a complete beginner looking for the simplest possible hosting experience or need integrated email hosting, a traditional shared host like Bluehost might be a better starting point. However, for anyone who values performance and scalability, Cloudways offers unmatched value.
You can test the platform yourself with a 3-day free trial (no credit card required) to see if it’s the right fit for your needs.
