Choosing the right hosting platform can be challenging, especially with so many available options. One name you might come across is Cloudways—a managed cloud hosting service that promises both simplicity and flexibility.
But is it really the right fit for your needs? In this Cloudways review, you’ll get a clear, unbiased overview of what the platform offers. From performance and features to pricing and customer support, everything will be broken down to help you decide with confidence.
Whether you’re just starting out or have experience managing websites, this review will offer insights to guide your decision. Let’s begin.
Cloudways Key Features
When evaluating hosting platforms, features often play a big role in the final decision. Cloudways brings together a range of useful tools and services designed to simplify cloud hosting while giving you room to customize.
1. Managed hosting with multiple cloud options
One of the standout aspects of Cloudways is its support for multiple cloud providers. You can choose to host your website on DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Linode, or Vultr. This flexibility allows you to align your hosting setup with your budget and performance expectations.
For example, if you’re launching a small project, DigitalOcean offers a basic plan for around $12 per month. For more complex or high-traffic sites, AWS provides more robust infrastructure options. No matter which provider you choose, Cloudways manages the technical backend—handling things like server setup, security patches, and updates.
2. Performance optimization
Performance is another area where Cloudways excels. It uses SSD-based servers for faster data access and integrates caching technologies such as Varnish, Redis, and Memcached to improve load times.
In performance tests, Cloudways recorded a P95 response time of just 8.77 milliseconds and a peak throughput of 99 requests per second. The results showed steady, reliable speeds with no major slowdowns.
To further improve site speed for global users, Cloudways includes a free content delivery network (CDN). This helps ensure your website loads quickly no matter where your visitors are located.
3. Backup and Restore
One feature worth noting in this Cloudways review is the one-click backup and restore option. Whether you’re new to hosting or have years of experience, it’s easy to make mistakes. Having the ability to restore your site instantly offers peace of mind.
Cloudways includes automated backups at no extra cost. You can customize the backup schedule to run daily, weekly, or even hourly based on your requirements. If anything goes wrong, recovering your site is just a single click away.
There’s also a staging environment that lets you safely test changes—like plugin updates, theme modifications, or custom code—before applying them to your live site.
4. Team Collaboration Tools
Working with a team is straightforward on Cloudways. You can assign specific roles and permissions, giving collaborators access only to what they need. This helps maintain account security while allowing team members to contribute effectively.
For instance, a developer can be granted access to the website environment without having visibility into sensitive sections like billing. It’s a great setup for teams or agencies handling multiple responsibilities.
5. Built-in Security Measures
Security is a top priority for any website owner, and Cloudways comes equipped with features designed to protect your data. These include dedicated firewalls, bot protection, and two-factor authentication.
In addition, Cloudways regularly applies security patches and allows easy integration of SSL certificates, further strengthening your site’s defenses.
6. Application Monitoring and Analytics
Understanding how your site performs is essential, and Cloudways provides comprehensive analytics through its user dashboard. You can view real-time metrics such as CPU load, bandwidth usage, and server response times.
This performance data helps you fine-tune your setup and quickly address any issues that may arise.
7. Easy SSL Integration
Securing your website is straightforward thanks to Cloudways’ built-in SSL support. You can activate SSL protection with a single click, making your site both encrypted and more trustworthy.
SSL certificates play a key role in safeguarding user data and also contribute positively to your search engine rankings. Cloudways ensures that adding this layer of protection is hassle-free.
Together, these features show how Cloudways is focused on making cloud hosting simple, reliable, and secure for everyone.
Cloudways Review
Cloudways is a cloud hosting service built to make hosting easier for both developers and businesses. It offers a user-friendly experience, though it’s not without its limitations. Here’s a closer look at some of its main advantages.
Advantages of Using Cloudways
- Easy-to-use dashboard
Navigating Cloudways is straightforward, even for beginners. The dashboard allows you to manage everything—your servers, applications, backups, and performance settings—from a single, clean interface. Adjusting resources, for example, can be done with a simple slider.
- Variety of cloud hosting options
One of the standout features is the ability to choose from five major cloud providers: AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, Linode, and Vultr. Having this level of choice gives you the flexibility to match hosting performance with your specific budget and needs.
- Flexible, usage-based pricing
Cloudways follows a pay-as-you-go model, so you’re only billed for what you actually use. For instance, entry-level DigitalOcean plans are available starting at $12 per month, making it accessible for smaller projects or businesses.
- Built-in security management
Security is taken care of at the server level, so you don’t have to worry about manual configuration. Cloudways includes features like automated backups, firewalls, and two-factor authentication to help protect your site from threats.
- Cloudways pricing
Cloudways follows a pay-as-you-go approach to managed cloud hosting, so your bill only reflects the resources you actually consume.
The platform works with five infrastructure providers, and entry-level rates vary by partner:
- DigitalOcean – from $12 per month (1 GB RAM, 25 GB storage, 1 TB bandwidth)
- Vultr (High-Frequency) – from $13 per month with roughly the same specs
- Linode – from $14 per month for comparable resources
- Google Cloud – from $33.18 per month for a starter configuration
- AWS – from $36.51 per month for a similar entry setup
Upgrading RAM, CPU cores, storage, or data transfer raises the monthly cost. A few extras also carry separate fees—for instance, Rackspace email is $1 per mailbox each month, and on-demand application backups are billed separately.
From a managed-hosting viewpoint, Cloudways’ pricing is fair: you avoid server upkeep while getting automated updates, backups, and security. The $12–$14 DigitalOcean, Vultr, and Linode tiers suit freelancers and small firms that want managed infrastructure at modest cost. By contrast, shared-hosting brands such as SiteGround or Hostinger can be cheaper for very basic projects, while experienced users might consider running AWS or Google Cloud directly if they need maximum control and are comfortable managing servers themselves.
Final thoughts on Cloudways
Cloudways streamlines cloud hosting with an easy dashboard, built-in security, automated maintenance, and the freedom to choose among five providers. It is a strong fit for freelancers, startups, and small businesses that prefer not to handle server administration.
There are trade-offs. Entry plans come with limited storage, email hosting is an add-on, and extras can increase the bill. Power users may also feel constrained by the lack of root access and certain advanced configurations.
• If you want hands-off cloud hosting with predictable management features, Cloudways is a solid starting point.
• If budget is the main concern and you don’t need cloud flexibility, look at shared hosts such as SiteGround or Hostinger.
• If you require deep server control or custom networking, provisioning directly on AWS, Google Cloud, or Linode may be a better match.
Choosing among these paths depends on whether convenience or granular control—and their corresponding costs—matter more to your project.
Want the best of both worlds? Get started with Cloudways today and enjoy scalable, worry-free cloud hosting.