What is Cloudways?
Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform that simplifies deploying websites on leading cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, Linode, and Vultr. Founded in 2012, Cloudways is designed for users who want cloud performance without managing server infrastructure.
Unlike traditional shared hosting, Cloudways gives you dedicated resources on cloud infrastructure. Their platform handles security, updates, and optimization while you focus on your website.
✓ Pros
- ✓ True cloud infrastructure
- ✓ Pay-as-you-go pricing
- ✓ Excellent performance
- ✓ Choice of cloud providers
- ✓ Free SSL and CDN
- ✓ No long-term contracts
✗ Cons
- ✗ Higher starting price
- ✗ No email hosting included
- ✗ Steeper learning curve
- ✗ No domain registration
Performance & Speed
Pricing Plans (January 2026)
No long-term contracts! Pay hourly or monthly (whichever is less). Choose from 5 cloud providers and scale resources anytime.
- ✅ 25 GB SSD Storage
- ✅ 1 Core Processor
- ✅ 1 TB Bandwidth
- ✅ Free SSL + CDN
- ✅ 50 GB SSD Storage
- ✅ 1 Core Processor
- ✅ 2 TB Bandwidth
- ✅ Managed Security
- ✅ 2 GB RAM
- ✅ 2 vCPU
- ✅ Enterprise Reliability
- ⚠️ BW: $0.12/GB extra
☁️ Choose Your Cloud Provider
⚠️ What's NOT Included
- Email hosting: Requires Rackspace add-on (~$1/mailbox) or Google Workspace
- Domain registration: Not available, use external registrar
- Free trial for AWS/GCP: Only available for DO, Linode, Vultr
- cPanel: Uses custom Cloudways panel (different but user-friendly)
Final Verdict
Cloudways is the best choice for users who need cloud performance with managed convenience. While pricier than shared hosting, you get dedicated resources, excellent speed, and the reliability of major cloud providers. The 3-day free trial lets you test before committing.
Ideal for growing businesses, agencies, and developers who have outgrown shared hosting and need scalable cloud infrastructure.
Get Started with Cloudways →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cloudways good for beginners?
It can be slightly more technical than standard shared hosting, but their interface is very intuitive. It's a great "step up" for anyone wanting more power.
Does Cloudways include email hosting?
No, they focus purely on application hosting. They offer a Rackspace Email add-on for a small monthly fee, or you can use Google Workspace.
Why choose Cloudways over DigitalOcean directly?
Cloudways provides a managed layer on top, handling security, updates, and optimization, so you don't have to be a system administrator.