When it comes to web hosting, most providers fall into two categories: traditional shared or dedicated hosting companies, and large cloud platforms like AWS or Google Cloud. Cloudways bridges the gap by offering a managed cloud hosting platform that combines the scalability of top cloud providers with the ease of managed services.
For developers, agencies, and businesses that want the power of cloud infrastructure without the hassle of managing it themselves, Cloudways has become a go-to solution.
Company Overview
Founded in 2011, Cloudways set out with a mission to simplify cloud hosting for businesses of all sizes. Instead of running its own data centers, Cloudways partners with major cloud providers — including DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Vultr, and Linode (Akamai) — and layers its own management, performance, and support services on top.
This hybrid approach gives customers flexibility: they can choose their preferred cloud infrastructure while enjoying the convenience of managed hosting through Cloudways’ intuitive platform.
Key Features of Cloudways
- Multiple Cloud Provider Choices
Unlike most managed hosts tied to a single infrastructure, Cloudways allows users to deploy servers on five major cloud providers — offering flexibility in terms of performance, location, and pricing. - Fully Managed Hosting
Cloudways handles server setup, monitoring, patching, and updates. Customers can focus on their websites or applications instead of worrying about server administration. - Performance Optimization
Built-in performance tools include NGINX, Varnish, Redis, and PHP-FPM, combined with SSD-based storage. A free built-in CDN further enhances speed. - Simple Control Panel
Cloudways offers its own user-friendly control panel, making server management straightforward without the complexity of raw cloud dashboards. - One-Click Applications
Users can deploy popular apps like WordPress, WooCommerce, Magento, and Laravel in just a few clicks. - Security First
Cloudways provides dedicated firewalls, two-factor authentication, bot protection, and free SSL certificates. Regular security patches are automatically applied. - Scalability
Resources can be scaled vertically (more CPU/RAM) with minimal downtime, making it easy to handle sudden traffic spikes. - 24/7/365 Support
Cloudways offers round-the-clock support through live chat, tickets, and optional premium add-ons for priority assistance.
Hosting Solutions Available
Cloudways provides a wide range of managed hosting options:
- Managed WordPress Hosting – Optimized for WordPress sites with staging, caching, and automatic backups.
- Managed WooCommerce Hosting – Built for e-commerce, offering fast load speeds and reliable uptime.
- Application Hosting – Support for PHP-based apps, Laravel, and custom projects.
- Magento Hosting – Optimized environments for running large e-commerce stores.
- Agency Hosting – Tools for agencies managing multiple client websites, including team collaboration features.
Pros of Cloudways
- Flexibility to choose from five leading cloud providers.
- Fully managed services reduce technical workload.
- Optimized stack (NGINX, Redis, Varnish) for excellent performance.
- Simple custom control panel, easier than raw cloud dashboards.
- One-click app deployments for WordPress and other CMSs.
- Vertical scaling to handle traffic spikes with ease.
- 24/7 support with optional premium tiers.
- Pay-as-you-go billing with no long-term contracts.
Cons of Cloudways
- Slightly more expensive than managing cloud servers directly.
- No built-in email hosting (requires third-party integration).
- Not ideal for absolute beginners who want drag-and-drop website builders.
- Some advanced server settings are abstracted, which may limit developer control compared to unmanaged cloud hosting.
Who Should Use Cloudways?
Cloudways is a great fit for:
- Agencies managing multiple client websites that need reliable performance and collaboration tools.
- E-commerce businesses running WooCommerce or Magento stores with heavy traffic.
- Growing startups that want scalability without hiring a dedicated DevOps team.
- Developers who want the power of cloud providers but prefer managed services.
- Businesses with global audiences that benefit from deploying servers in multiple regions.
For hobby bloggers or users looking for the cheapest shared hosting, Cloudways may be too advanced. But for professionals who need flexibility and reliability, it’s an excellent choice.
Pricing Overview
Cloudways uses a pay-as-you-go model, with pricing determined by the chosen cloud provider and server resources. Entry-level plans on DigitalOcean and Vultr start at very affordable rates, while AWS and Google Cloud options are priced higher for enterprise-level needs.
What makes Cloudways appealing is that customers pay only for the cloud resources plus Cloudways’ management fee — without long-term contracts or surprise renewal spikes. This transparency is especially valuable for startups and agencies.
Final Verdict
Cloudways stands out as a powerful, flexible, and user-friendly managed hosting platform that brings enterprise-level cloud infrastructure within reach of developers, businesses, and agencies. By combining the scalability of top cloud providers with simplified management and expert support, it offers the best of both worlds.
While it may not suit hobbyists or beginners seeking the cheapest hosting, Cloudways is an excellent solution for professionals who value performance, scalability, and ease of use.
In short: Cloudways is a premium managed cloud hosting platform that gives businesses the flexibility of multiple cloud providers with the convenience of managed services.
