Choosing the right hosting platform can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options. Have you heard of Cloudways? It’s a managed cloud hosting platform promising ease and flexibility.
But does it really meet your needs? In this Cloudways review, you’ll get a clear, honest look at Cloudways. From performance and features to pricing and support, I’ll cover it all.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, you’ll find insights to help you decide. Let’s dive in!
Disclaimer: If you buy any products through links on this site, I may earn a commission. But it doesn't make any difference to your cost, and it helps me keep this blog running. So you could always read my articles for free.
What is Cloudways?
Hosting your website via cloud hosting can feel complex. Cloudways is meant to simplify the process. It’s a managed cloud hosting platform designed to bridge the gap between raw cloud infrastructure and user-friendly hosting.
With Cloudways, you don’t deal directly with providers like AWS, Google Cloud, or DigitalOcean.
Instead, you choose a provider through Cloudways and let them handle the technical setup and management. This includes tasks like server optimization, security patches, and backups.
A standout feature is its “pay-as-you-go” pricing model. For instance, you can start with DigitalOcean servers at $12 per month. This flexibility is great if you’re on a budget or scaling a growing project.
For example, if your WordPress site suddenly gets more traffic, you can increase resources quickly.
Cloudways supports popular applications like WordPress, Magento, and Laravel. It also offers features such as free SSL certificates, automated backups, and staging environments.
How Cloudways works
Next, in this Cloudways review, let’s see how it works. Cloudways works as a managed cloud hosting platform, simplifying hosting without sacrificing control. Here’s how it operates step by step.
First, you select a cloud provider from options like DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Vultr, or Linode. Each has different pricing and performance levels.
For instance, DigitalOcean’s entry plan starts at $12/month, offering 1GB RAM and 25GB storage.
Once you choose, Cloudways sets up your server. You don’t need to configure it manually. Tasks like setting up PHP, MySQL, and other essentials are automated.
Next, you can install applications like WordPress, Magento, or Laravel through the dashboard. The process takes a few clicks and is beginner-friendly.
Cloudways also handles server maintenance for you. This includes regular backups, security updates, and server monitoring. For example, if you face a spike in traffic, Cloudways’ monitoring tools help you scale resources quickly.
You manage everything through their dashboard. This includes adding team members, adjusting server settings, and tracking performance metrics like bandwidth usage.
In my experience, Cloudways offers the convenience of managed hosting with the flexibility of cloud servers. You don’t deal with server setups or complex configurations. Instead, you focus on your project while Cloudways handles the heavy lifting.
Cloudways key features
When you’re looking for a hosting solution and reading Cloudways reviews, features often make or break your decision.
Cloudways offers several standout features that simplify cloud hosting while giving you flexibility and control. Here are the top features you’ll find most helpful.
Managed hosting with multiple cloud options
As mentioned before, Cloudways lets you choose from five popular cloud providers: DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Linode, and Vultr. This means you can tailor hosting to fit your budget and performance needs.
For example, if you’re starting small, DigitalOcean’s basic plan costs around $12/month. On the other hand, AWS provides advanced options for large-scale applications.
The best part? Cloudways handles the server setup and maintenance for you. You don’t need to configure operating systems, install updates, or deal with security patches.
Performance optimization
Speed and performance are important for any website. Cloudways uses SSD-based servers and supports advanced caching solutions like Varnish, Redis, and Memcached.
The P95 response time was merely 8.77 ms, which is exceptionally fast! Whereas, the peak response time went up to 99 req/sec. All in all, there were no major spikes in the response time, which was great!
Aside from that, Cloudways provides a free Content Delivery Network (CDN) to improve global load times. If your audience is spread across countries, the CDN ensures faster delivery of content.
Backup and restore
Another feature I appreciate as part of this Cloudways review is the one-click backup and restore. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, mistakes happen. Knowing you can restore your site quickly brings peace of mind.
Cloudways includes free automated backups as a standard feature. You can schedule backups daily, weekly, or even hourly, depending on your needs. If anything goes wrong, restoring your site is just a click away.
You can also use the staging environment to test changes before making them live. This is crucial if you’re updating plugins, themes, or code.
Team collaboration tools
Cloudways makes it easy to collaborate with your team. You can assign roles and permissions, allowing team members to access specific parts of your account without compromising security.
For example, you can let a developer work on your website without giving them access to billing or other sensitive areas. This structure is perfect for businesses with multiple stakeholders managing hosting.
Built-in security measures
Security is a major concern for any website owner, and Cloudways offers built-in features to keep your site safe. These include firewalls, bot protection, and two-factor authentication (2FA).
Regular security patches and SSL certificate integration further enhance safety, ensuring your data remains protected.
Application monitoring and analytics
Performance data is another crucial component of Cloudways review. With Cloudways, you get detailed insights into your server and application performance through the dashboard.
Metrics like CPU usage, bandwidth, and response times are displayed in real time. These tools are invaluable for optimizing performance and troubleshooting.
Easy SSL integration
Securing your site is simple with Cloudways’ free SSL certificate integration. You can enable SSL with just one click, ensuring your website is encrypted and trustworthy.
SSL certificates are essential for data protection and SEO benefits, and Cloudways makes it effortless to implement.
These features highlight Cloudways’ focus on making hosting convenient, secure, and efficient for all users.
Cloudways review: pros and cons
Cloudways is a cloud hosting platform designed to simplify hosting for businesses and developers. It’s user-friendly but not perfect. Let’s explore the pros and cons to help you decide in this Cloudways review.
Benefits of Cloudways
User-friendly dashboard
The Cloudways dashboard is easy for beginners. You manage everything—servers, applications, backups, and performance—from one intuitive interface. For example, scaling resources is as simple as moving a slider.
Choice of cloud providers
You get to choose from five popular providers: AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, Linode, and Vultr. This flexibility is rare.
Pay-as-you-go pricing
You only pay for what you use. For example, DigitalOcean plans start at $12 per month.
Managed security
Cloudways handles server security. Features include automated backups, firewalls, and two-factor authentication for added protection.
Limitations of Cloudways
Limited storage on lower plans
Lower-tier plans often have restricted storage. For instance, the $12 DigitalOcean plan offers just 25 GB.
No email hosting included
You must purchase email hosting separately. Rackspace email, a popular choice, costs $1 per mailbox monthly.
Learning curve for server settings
While the dashboard is simple, advanced server settings might confuse beginners. Some self-learning may be required.
Additional costs for certain features
Some advanced features, like Redis and ElasticSearch, require extra fees beyond the base hosting plan. These add-ons can increase the overall cost.
Limited control and customization
As a managed hosting service, Cloudways offers limited control over the server environment. This can be a drawback for users seeking complete customization.
Cloudways pricing
Cloudways offers managed cloud hosting with a pay-as-you-go pricing model. You pay only for the resources you use.
Cloudways partners with five cloud providers: DigitalOcean, Linode, Vultr, AWS, and Google Cloud. Prices vary depending on the provider and plan.
DigitalOcean: Plans start at $12/month for 1GB RAM, 25GB storage, and 1TB bandwidth.
Vultr: High-frequency plans start at $13/month with similar specifications.
Linode: Prices start at $14/month for comparable resources.
AWS and Google Cloud: These start at $36.51/month and $33.18/month respectively for entry-level configurations.
The cost increases as you upgrade resources, like adding more RAM, CPU, or bandwidth.
Some features come with extra fees. Email hosting via Rackspace costs $1/mailbox monthly. Managed application backups also add to the expense.
From a Cloudways review perspective, the pricing is reasonable for managed hosting. You avoid server maintenance and get automated updates, backups, and security. For small businesses or freelancers, the $12–$14 plans offer value.
However, providers like SiteGround or Hostinger may be cheaper for basic needs. Advanced users might find Cloudways’ higher costs for AWS or Google Cloud less appealing.
Overall, Cloudways is great if you value simplicity and managed hosting. It’s pricier than traditional shared hosting but offers better flexibility and control.
Final thoughts on Cloudways
Cloudways simplifies cloud hosting with an intuitive platform, managed security, and flexibility across multiple providers. It’s ideal for small businesses, freelancers, or beginners who want reliable hosting without diving into server management.
However, it has its drawbacks. Limited storage on entry plans, no email hosting, and extra costs for add-ons can be frustrating. Advanced users might miss full server control, especially with no root access.
If you’re a beginner or a small business, Cloudways is a great starting point. For simpler, budget-friendly options, consider SiteGround or Hostinger. Advanced users needing more control might prefer AWS or Linode directly.
Did I miss anything in this Cloudways review? Did you try Cloudways? Do you have any questions or comments? Share your thoughts below in the comments section.
