Cloudways Review

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Cloudways Pros & Cons

Evaluating Cloudways: A Breakdown of Performance, Security, and Other Key Features

Established in 2011 by co-founders Aaqib Gadit, Pere Hospital, and Uzair Gadit, Cloudways is a managed hosting platform that initially focused on leveraging partnerships with AWS, Google Cloud Platform, and Digital Ocean to serve its customers better. The acquisition by DigitalOcean in August 2022 further solidified this partnership, enhancing Cloudways’ ability to provide superior managed hosting solutions.

In the following sections, we’ll take a closer look at how Cloudways performs across critical areas like hosting speed, server security, customer support, and overall value.

What Can You Expect from Cloudways in Terms of Speed & Uptime Performance?

Yes, Cloudways hosting is fast. The managed cloud hosting provider comes with full-fledged server speed features including a built-in cache, free Object Cache Pro, NVMe SSD storage, and pre-optimized WordPress environment. Their new Cloudflare Enterprise Add-on further expands performance features like Edge Page Caching, automatic image & mobile optimization, Brotli compression, PCI DSS Compliance, Argo Smart Routing. All these make Cloudways-hosted websites quicker and more efficient.

Cloudways Autonomous for Auto Scaling

For busy WordPress sites that experience sudden traffic spike often – the new Cloudways Autonomous can be a game changer. Built on Kubernetes (GKE), it automates resource scaling and performance tuning; and only charges users based on server resources they use. While priced slightly cheaper than its peers, benchmark tests show that Cloudways Autonomous outperforms competitors like Kinsta and WP Engine in high-traffic scenarios. See test results here or visit Cloudways Autonomous to learn more.

Service Status & Performance Tests

FYI, we have been using Cloudways for years, and the web host consistently impresses us with its solid uptime and speed performance; in fact, this website you are reading (HostScore.net) is hosted on Cloudways using Digital Ocean infrastructure. Image below shows our recent speed test results at WebpageTest.

Is Your Website Safe with Cloudways’s Security Measures?

Yes, websites hosted at Cloudways are safe. The hosting provider implements a range of security measures designed to protect your data and ensure website reliability. Key server security features include:

• DDoS protection, which shields your site from malicious traffic.
• Web Application Firewall (WAF), which blocks potential threats before they reach your site.
• Automatic Malware Scanning, which identifies and removes harmful code to prevent damage.

Daily backups are included as a standard feature, allowing for quick restoration of your website in case of any issues. Additionally, Cloudways offers free SSL certificates with an easy installation system, enabling users to secure their websites effortlessly. This encrypts communication and protects the data exchanged between your site and its visitors.

With these measures in place, you can trust that your website is well-protected against online risks.

What Can You Expect from Cloudways’s Customer Support?

Cloudways offers a range of 24×7 customer support options to ensure users get timely assistance. Help is available via live chat and email. Additionally, you can also access the knowledge base for self-help guides and troubleshooting. User feedback on customer support is overwhelmingly positive, with fast response times and knowledgeable representatives consistently praised for their effectiveness in resolving issues.

Is Cloudways’s Pricing Justified by the Value and Features It Offers?

Yes, Cloudways offers good value for its pricing. While not the cheapest option, it is reasonably priced considering its extensive feature offerings and long-term cost benefits. Positioned as a premium managed cloud hosting solution, Cloudways provides superior management and support compared to basic infrastructure providers and offers better performance and scalability than traditional hosting services. The premium pricing reflects the added value and enhanced performance that Cloudways delivers.

Additionally, their month-to-month pricing model eliminates the need for large upfront fees, making it a flexible and cost-effective choice for many users.

How is Cloudways Rated Based on Overall Market Satisfaction?

Cloudways is considered by many to be the best hosting solution in the market.

Based on our collected data and market feedback, customers often highlight Cloudways for its excellent hosting performance, outstanding customer support, and impressive built-in features. The Cloudways Support Team is highly regarded for their patience, quick response, and knowledge in resolving technical issues. Readers who need frequent technical help in hosting their websites should take note of this.

For additional insights, please refer to the user reviews section below.

Is Cloudways Suitable for Beginners?

We do not recommend Cloudways to smaller blogs or newbies. The platform does offer an easy-to-use integrated dashboard, managed security, and impressive performance – which all are great for those new to web hosting.

However, it’s 100% – 150% more expensive than traditional shared hosting, which likely to be an overkill for most new websites.

Is Cloudways Suitable for Small Businesses?

Cloudways is ideal for businesses requiring more than just an informational website, such as SaaS providers, startups, and online stores​. The service provides access to multiple cloud platforms, offers extreme scalability, and easy management via an integrated dashboard. These features are beneficial for small businesses that need reliable performance and the ability to scale as they grow.

Is Cloudways Suitable for Web Developers?

Cloudways is highly suitable for developers, thanks to its advanced and integrated stack that simplifies complex tasks.

Powerful Caching Mechanism

The platform integrates powerful caching solutions like Memcached, Varnish, Nginx, and Redis. These tools can significantly enhance your site’s performance without complicated setups. With these caching solutions, you can speed up your applications, handle heavy traffic with ease, and reduce server load for a smoother user experience.

Ready-to-Use Staging, Auto Backup, and White-label Invoicing Tool

Beyond performance, it offers a range of features designed to simplify a developer’s job. Automatic backups ensure data safety, while staging environments let you test new features without affecting the live site. Git integration makes deploying code straightforward, helping streamline workflows and improve efficiency.

Plus, the new client billing feature supports white label invoicing and helps users to automate payment collections from customers.

While the lack of email hosting and the higher price tags might be a turn off, the overall convenience and performance make Cloudways a solid option for developers.

Is It Possible to Host Custom Email with Cloudways?

Unfortunately, the email hosting feature does not come with Cloudways hosting plans by default. You can setup your email accounts on their platform, but that will requires additional fees ($1/mo per email account). Alternatively, you can also use a third-party email provider such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 (also requires additional fees).

How Easy Is the Onboarding Process with Cloudways?

The onboarding process for Cloudways is straightforward and user-friendly. The process begins with a selection from a variety of cloud providers (Digital Ocean, Vultr, Linode, AWS, and Google Cloud), allowing users to customize their server resources according to their needs. This flexibility includes scaling server resources up or down as required, optimizing operational costs. Once you are in, everything from application installation to server launch and asking for technical supports is managed through a sleek user dashboard.

Does Cloudways Offer a Free Trial?

Yes, Cloudways offers a 3-day free trial period. If you are not satisfied with their services for any reason, you can cancel within this period and receive a full refund.

Try now: Visit & Sign Up at Cloudways Official Website

Cloudways Plans & Pricing

Cloudways works as a managed cloud hosting platform by offering a choice of top cloud infrastructure providers including DigitalOcean, Vultr, Linode, AWS, and Google Cloud. Their service excels in boosting website performance and providing easy scalability – which is ideal for a range of users, from solo developers to large businesses. The combination of managed security, support, and user-friendly platform integration makes Cloudways a comprehensive and adaptable hosting solution.

• Cloud Hosting: Starting from $11 – $1056 per month
• WordPress Hosting: Starting from $35 – $1640 per month
• Application Hosting: Starting from $14 – $487 per month

Web hosting prices are subject to change, and promotional rates may only be available for a limited time or for new customers. To ensure you get the most accurate and current pricing details, we recommend visiting the official Cloudways website.

Exclusive Deal: Get an Extra 30% Discount for 3 Months at Cloudways!
Use promo code ‘HOSTSCORE’ at checkout to enjoy an additional 30% discount for 3 months on your first bill. Click here to claim your discount and start saving with Cloudways today!

Consider Renewal Prices When Choosing

When evaluating hosting options, keep in mind that many providers offer substantial discounts during the initial signup period, but prices can rise significantly upon renewal. It’s crucial to research and compare renewal rates alongside introductory offers to get a clear picture of the long-term cost.

To help you in making an informed decision, we have prepared a summary table below comparing the initial signup and renewal costs of Cloudways services with several other providers we monitor.

Compare Cloudways’s Signup Cost Against Competitors

Web Host	Shared Hosting Signup Fees	Shared Hosting Renewal Fees	VPS Hosting Signup Fees	VPS Hosting Renewal Fees
Cloudways	$ – /mo	$ – /mo	$ – /mo	$ – /mo
Hostgator	$3.75 – 6.25/mo	$9.99 – 19.99/mo	$34.99 – 93.99/mo	$79.95 – 149.95/mo
Vice Temple	$6.00 – 44.00/mo	$6.00 – 44.00/mo	$28.00 – 418.00/mo	$28.00 – 418.00/mo
A2 Hosting	$2.99 – 14.99/mo	$12.99 – 29.99/mo	$2.99 – 99.99/mo	$8.99 – 239.99/mo
Webempresa	$2.97 – 8.97/mo	$118.8 – 358.8/mo	$ – /mo	$ – /mo
SiteGround	$3.99 – 10.69/mo	$17.99 – 44.99/mo	$ – /mo	$ – /mo

Caution: Prices May Vary Web hosting prices can change frequently. For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing information, please visit the official Cloudways website.

Final Thought: Is Cloudways Right for You?

Cloudways stands out in the managed cloud hosting space with outstanding performance and unmatched customer support. Its 24/7 expert team is always ready to solve issues, and its scalable infrastructure easily adapts to growing websites, offering flexibility in server power and data transfer.

While the price is higher than budget hosts, the investment pays off with superior speed, reliability, and the peace of mind that comes with robust support. Cloudways is ideal for those seeking high-performance hosting and a more seamless online experience.