Cloudways Review – After using Cloudways for 2 year
Want to host your site on cloudways?
Welcome to our Cloudways Review!
Choosing the right web host is a big decision, and it can really impact how your website runs. I know it can be confusing with so many options out there, so today I’m going to share my personal experience with Cloudways, a host I’ve been using for over two years.
In this review, I’ll tell you everything I’ve learned from using Cloudways for my own blogs. We’ll check out the important stuff like:
- How fast their servers are
- How well they handle busy traffic
- How secure your site is
- How good their customer support is
- How easy they are to manage your site
- How much they cost you
I’ll also be honest about any recent changes, like price updates or performance issues, so you get a full picture of what Cloudways is really like.
Whether you’re just starting your website or looking for a new host, this review will help you make a smart choice. By the end, you’ll know if Cloudways is the right fit for you, or if you should keep searching.
I’ve tried a lot of different hosting services over the years, and after using Cloudways for my own websites, I feel confident sharing my experience. This review is based on what I’ve actually used and tested myself.
Let’s jump in and see if Cloudways is the web host that will work best for you!
Cloudways Review – Quick Overview
Cloudways offers fast and reliable cloud hosting with great performance and flexibility. Here’s a quick look at its top features and how they benefit you:
1. Fast Performance with NVMe Storage & Caching
Cloudways uses NVMe storage, which loads your website faster, and advanced caching to make it even quicker. This helps your site run smoothly and improves user experience.
2. Global Reach with Cloudflare CDN
With Cloudflare Enterprise CDN, Cloudways ensures your site loads fast for users around the world by caching your content in multiple locations. This means quicker load times no matter where your visitors are.
3. Managed Hosting for Ease of Use
Cloudways takes care of all the technical stuff with managed hosting, like server updates and security, so you can focus on running your website. You also get a customizable server setup to meet your needs.
4. 24/7 Support
Cloudways offers 24/7 customer support through live chat, phone, and email, so help is always available whenever you need it.
5. Strong Security
Cloudways includes firewalls, DDoS protection, and other security features to keep your website safe from threats.
6. No Email Hosting
One downside: Cloudways doesn’t offer email hosting, so you’ll need to use a third-party service like Google Workspace for email.
Why Choose Cloudways?
While it may cost a bit more, Cloudways offers top-tier performance, security, and support, making it a great choice for anyone looking for reliable and scalable hosting. If you’re serious about your website’s speed and security, Cloudways is a solid option.
| Aspect | Cloudways |
|---|---|
| Hosting Type | Cloud |
| Server | Apache |
| Storage | NVMe on Vultr High Frequency |
| CDN | Cloudflare Enterprise (full-page caching, Argo Smart Routing, HTTP/3) |
| Cache Plugin | Breeze |
| Object Cache | Redis Object Cache Pro |
| Data Centers | 44 |
| Uptimes | Excellent (99.99%) |
| Email Hosting | Not provided |
| Security | Good (firewalls, DDoS protection, free SSL, 2FA) |
| Support | Excellent (24/7 live chat, phone, email) |
| Dashboard | Custom |
| Price | starting from $11, with pay-as-you-go model |
| TrustPilot Rating | 4.5/5 |
| Performance | Excellent (fast servers, high scalability) |
| Core Web Vitals | Excellent (green scores) |
| Entry Plan Price | $11/month |
| Support Response | Fast and efficient |
Cloudways Web Hosting Pros
- Very stable and fast VPS hosting: Cloudways provides reliable and fast hosting for your site.
- Easy VPS hosting management: Managing your VPS hosting is simple and user-friendly.
- Relatively low prices starting at $8.25/month: Affordable pricing for what you get.
- No initial prepayments or price increases: You pay as you go, with no surprises or price hikes.
- Lots of server locations to choose from: You can pick from many server locations around the world, giving your site a global reach.
Cloudways Web Hosting Cons
- Email hosting costs extra: Email hosting isn’t included and comes at an additional cost.
- No domain registration option: You can’t register a domain directly through Cloudways.
Cloudways Hosting Plans and Pricing
Cloudways offers flexible plans starting at $8.25/month, with prices going higher based on your needs (like storage, RAM, and bandwidth). Here’s a breakdown of their main plans:
Cloudways Plans
- DigitalOcean Plan
- Price: $8.25/month
- Best for: Small to medium websites
- Features:
- 1 Core Processor
- 1 GB RAM
- 25 GB SSD Storage
- 1 TB Bandwidth
- Free SSL Certificate
- Managed Backups
- Cloudflare CDN Integration
- 24/7 Support
- Google Cloud Plan
- Price: $37/month
- Best for: Heavy applications
- Features:
- 2 GB RAM
- 1 Core Processor
- 30 GB SSD Storage
- 2 TB Bandwidth
- Free SSL Certificate
- Managed Backups
- Cloudflare CDN Integration
- 24/7 Support
- AWS Plan
- Price: $20.56/month
- Best for: High-traffic websites
- Features:
- 2 GB RAM
- 1 Core Processor
- 20 GB SSD Storage
- 2 TB Bandwidth
- Free SSL Certificate
- Managed Backups
- Cloudflare CDN Integration
- 24/7 Support
How Cloudways Pricing Stacks Up
Cloudways is a little more expensive than going directly with providers like DigitalOcean, but here’s why: Cloudways handles everything for you. They set up and manage your server, and provide a user-friendly control panel. This makes it easier to manage your hosting without dealing with technical details.
Benefits of Cloudways Pricing:
- No Prepay or Price Hikes: You pay monthly, with no surprises.
- Pay for What You Use: You can adjust your server’s resources (like RAM or bandwidth) as needed and only pay for what you use.
- Easy to Scale: You can increase or decrease your server size quickly based on your needs.
- Free 3-Day Trial: Test out Cloudways risk-free for 3 days, with no credit card required.
Best Value Plan
The DigitalOcean plan at $8.25/month offers great value for smaller websites. You can scale up if needed without worrying about price increases. It’s perfect for personal sites or small businesses that need reliable hosting.
My opinion
Cloudways makes hosting simple and flexible. With pay-as-you-go pricing, you only pay for what you use, and the free 3-day trial lets you test it out without risk. Alth it’s a great option if you want ease of use, reliability, and flexibility.
Is Cloudways Easy to Use?
Yes, Cloudways is easy to use! It has a simple control panel that lets you manage everything without much effort. The only tricky part could be adding your domain to the server, but Cloudways provides clear instructions to help you through it.
How Does the Cloudways Control Panel Look Like?
Once you log in, the dashboard is simple and clean. You’ll see your server or website (like WordPress) listed right away. Everything is easy to find and navigate.
Cloudways Dashboard: Simple and Easy to Use
The Cloudways Dashboard is a user-friendly control panel that helps you manage your hosting with ease. Here’s what you’ll find:
- Main Navigation Bar
Quickly access key sections: Servers, Applications, Backups, Team, and Settings. - Server Overview
View your server’s performance, status, and resource usage (CPU, RAM, etc.) in one place. - Application Overview
Manage your websites/apps, check their status, and monitor performance. - Quick Actions
Easily add new applications like WordPress, scale server resources, or launch your app. - Notifications & Alerts
Get alerts about server issues, app status, or updates. - Support
Access live chat or browse the knowledge base for help..
How to Install WordPress on Cloudways?
Installing WordPress on Cloudways is quick:
- Go to Applications and click + Add Application.
2. Select WordPress from the list.
3. It will be automatically installed, and you’ll see it in the Applications section.
It’s simple and doesn’t need any technical skills.
How to Add a Domain Name to Cloudways?
To add a domain:
- Get a domain from a provider like GoDaddy or NameCheap.
- Find your Cloudways server IP address in the Servers section.
- Go to your domain provider, and enter the server IP in the A Record field.
It may take a few minutes to a couple of hours for your domain to fully connect.
How to Install an SSL Certificate on Cloudways?
Installing an SSL certificate is fast:
- Go to Application Settings and click the SSL Certificate tab.
- Select Let’s Encrypt (it’s free).
- Enter your email and domain name, then click Install Certificate.
This will secure your site and show a lock symbol in the browser.
How to Create a Professional Email on Cloudways?
Cloudways doesn’t have its own email service, but it works with Rackspace to offer professional email for just $1 per mailbox.
Here’s how to set it up:
- Go to the Add-ons tab.
2. Select Rackspace Email.
3. Set up your email (e.g., [email protected]) and save it.
You now have a professional email for your website.
Cloudways is simple to use, even for beginners. You can install WordPress, add a domain, set up SSL, and create a professional email easily. The only slightly tricky part is pointing your domain to the server, but Cloudways gives you all the instructions you need to do it. Overall, it’s a user-friendly platform that makes hosting easy.
Cloudways Performance – Is It Really Fast?
When it comes to website performance, I’ve tested a lot of hosting providers over the years. Cloudways stands out in terms of speed, reliability, and handling high traffic, especially considering its price. Let me break down exactly why I think Cloudways is a great option for your website, based on my own experiences.
1. Uptime & Response Time: Always Reliable
In the 6 months I’ve used Cloudways, the uptime has been an impressive 99.98%. That means, out of all the time, my site was only down for about 41 minutes total. Now, some people might worry about downtime, but let me be honest – even with the most expensive hosting services, a little downtime is inevitable. Cloudways handles it better than most.
As for response time, I tested it, and the server took just 229ms to respond. If you’re comparing that to typical shared hosting, which can take 400-600ms, Cloudways is lightning fast in comparison. And all of this is from using the cheapest DigitalOcean plan.
2. Speed: Cloudways Doesn’t Disappoint
Speed is key to a great user experience and SEO. Here’s where Cloudways really shines:
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): When I tested my site (hosted on Cloudways) from the US, it loaded in 358ms. To put it simply, this is fast – much faster than the typical shared hosting speeds you might find.
- Fully Loaded Time: After adding content to my demo site, Cloudways loaded everything in 0.9 seconds. Google recommends sites load fully within 3 seconds, and Cloudways is well ahead of the curve here.
Even if you’re accessing the site from a distant location like India, Cloudways holds up well with minimal delay. It’s a solid choice for global users.
3. Handling High Traffic – Stress Test
I decided to push Cloudways to the test by simulating 50 virtual visitors. The results were pretty impressive: The site handled the traffic with no slowdown. The speed stayed steady even as more visitors came in, which is exactly what you want when your site starts getting popular.
Why Cloudways is So Fast:
So, you might be wondering, what makes Cloudways so fast? Here’s what I’ve discovered from my personal use:
- VPS Hosting: Cloudways uses VPS (Virtual Private Server) from some of the top providers in the world. This means you get dedicated resources (CPU, RAM), unlike shared hosting, where resources are shared with others. This gives your site better performance and stability.
- Server Location Choice: Cloudways gives you the option to choose where your server is located. You can pick a server close to your audience, which means faster load times for them. Whether you want a server in the US, Europe, or Asia, you’ve got options.
- CDN (Content Delivery Network): For just $1 per 25GB, you can enable CDN, which caches your site across servers worldwide. This makes sure that no matter where your visitors are, they get fast load times.
- Breeze Caching Plugin: Cloudways also comes with a free caching plugin called Breeze. It’s built to optimize WordPress sites by reducing file sizes and speeding up load times. This is automatically enabled on your WordPress site, so you don’t need to set anything up manually.
4. Why Cloudways is Worth It:
Based on my experience, Cloudways offers excellent value for the price. Sure, it may be a bit pricier than shared hosting options like Bluehost, but it delivers a much better performance for sites that need the extra speed and reliability.
- You’ll get dedicated server resources, a fast response time, and reliable uptime that shared hosting just can’t match.
- Plus, Cloudways makes it easy to scale up or down depending on your needs. If you need more resources for a busy period, you can add them without hassle and only pay for what you use.
Why Cloudways is a Great Choice for Your Site
- Speed: Cloudways loads pages quickly and performs well even under high traffic.
- Reliability: I’ve tested Cloudways over several months and can confidently say their uptime is impressive.
- Scalability: Need more resources? Cloudways makes it easy to scale up and only pay for what you use.
- Ease of Use: From setting up your website to managing apps, Cloudways keeps things simple, even for beginners.
If you want a hosting provider that delivers fast, reliable performance for your website, Cloudways is a great option. I’ve personally used it for my sites, and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a solid, performance-driven host.
Cloudways Security Features – Is It Secure?
When it comes to security, Cloudways provides a solid range of tools to keep your site safe, but it might not have the most advanced features compared to some other hosting providers. Here’s what you get with Cloudways:
1. SSL Certificates (Free)
Cloudways provides a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate for all plans, which you can easily install with just one click. SSL certificates secure your site’s connection and show your visitors that their data is safe. Cloudways also offers a Wildcard SSL certificate, which secures your main domain and all your subdomains with one certificate.
2. Firewall Protection
Each server on Cloudways is protected by OS-level firewalls, which block malicious traffic from accessing your site. These firewalls only allow access to the necessary ports, reducing the risk of intrusions. For an extra layer of security, Cloudways offers a Sucuri Website Security Firewall (WAF), starting at $149.99/year. This service provides more advanced protection against threats.
3. Bot Protection
Cloudways partners with MalCare to provide bot protection at the application level. This feature helps block harmful traffic such as Brute Force attacks, Dictionary attacks, and DDoS attacks. It also helps reduce server load, especially for WordPress sites. Just make sure to activate this feature in your Application Management menu.
4. Automatic Backups
Cloudways offers automatic backups at no extra charge. You can schedule these backups to happen hourly, daily, or weekly, depending on your needs. If something goes wrong, you can restore your site easily with one-click restore. For an additional cost, Cloudways also offers offsite backups for extra peace of mind.
5. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
To add an extra layer of protection, Cloudways includes two-factor authentication (2FA). This requires you to enter a second code (usually sent to your phone) in addition to your regular password, making it much harder for someone to gain unauthorized access to your account.
Overall Security Summary
Cloudways offers solid security features that cover all the basics—SSL certificates, firewalls, bot protection, backups, and two-factor authentication. While it doesn’t offer some of the advanced security tools available with other hosts, the security features included are still more than sufficient to keep your website safe from common threats. If you’re looking for a reliable, secure hosting provider, Cloudways delivers on that front without being overly complicated or expensive.
Customer Support – Will Cloudways Help Me?
Cloudways provides multiple support options, but how good is it really? Here’s what you can expect based on my experience:
1. 24/7 Live Chat & Ticketing
Cloudways offers 24/7 live chat and an online ticketing system, which is great if you need help right away. However, before you can chat with a human agent, you’ll first need to interact with their bot. This can be a little annoying when you’re trying to get help fast, but the bot does offer some useful guidance for simple tasks.
2. Premium Support Add-Ons
If you have a premium support add-on, you also get access to a 24/7 Slack channel and phone support. This can be helpful if you need more direct, real-time assistance.
3. Knowledge Base & Community Forum
Cloudways has a solid knowledge base with detailed tutorials on everything from basic setup to advanced topics. The community forum is also available, but it’s not super active yet, though it might improve as Cloudways grows.
4. Live Chat Experience
I decided to test Cloudways support myself, and here’s how it went. The live chat agent joined pretty quickly, which was a plus. The first part of the conversation went smoothly, and I got an answer to a basic question about SSL certificates. However, when I asked more complex questions about vertical scaling and billing, the responses felt vague and not very helpful. The agent suggested I transfer to the billing department for billing-related questions, which didn’t feel like the “amazing” customer service that some reviews promise.
While the support agents are polite, it didn’t feel like they went out of their way to help. They answered my questions but seemed eager to move on to the next customer.
5. How Cloudways Support Compares
Cloudways offers decent support, but don’t expect a friendly, hand-holding experience like some other hosts (e.g., Bluehost). The live chat support is functional, but if you’re looking for in-depth help, you might have to dig a little deeper. If you need a lot of hand-holding, Cloudways might not be the best fit, but for most technical users, their knowledge base and community forum can be a good resource.
My verdict
Cloudways support is polite and functional, but it might not be as stellar as some other providers. They provide live chat, a knowledge base, and a forum, which should cover most of your needs. However, if you need constant, detailed help, it might feel a bit impersonal and lacking in depth.
Comparing Cloudways with Its Competitors
When choosing cloud hosting, it’s important to compare Cloudways with other providers to find the best fit for your needs. Cloudways stands out with its Vultr High Frequency (HF) plan, which offers excellent performance and scalability at a good price. But there are other strong options too, like Rocket.net, SiteGround, WP Engine, and Kinsta. Each of these hosting providers has its own advantages, and understanding these can help you make an informed decision.
Feature Comparison
| Feature/Plan | SiteGround Cloud Jump Start Plan | WP Engine StartUp Plan | Kinsta Starter Plan | Cloudways Vultr HF (2GB) | Rocket.net Starter Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Cloud | Cloud | Cloud | Cloud | Private Cloud |
| Cores/RAM | 4 cores/8GB | Not listed | 12 cores/8GB | 1 core/2GB | 32 cores/128GB |
| Storage | 40GB SATA | 10GB SATA | 10GB SATA | 64GB NVMe | 10GB NVMe |
| Cache Plugin | SG Optimizer | x | x | Breeze | x |
| CDN | Google Cloud | Cloudflare free | Cloudflare free | $5/mo Cloudflare Enterprise | Free Cloudflare Enterprise |
| DNS | Internal (blocked by Google) | Internal | Amazon Route 53 | DNS Made Easy ($5/mo) | Cloudflare |
| Object Cache | Memcached | Memcached | Redis ($100/mo) | Redis Pro | Redis |
| PHP Processor | FastCGI | HHVM | FastCGI | FPM | LiteSpeed |
| PHP Workers | Not listed | Not listed | 2 PHP workers | No limit | No limit |
| Memory Limit | Adjustable | 512MB | 256MB | Adjustable | 1GB |
| Database | MySQL | Not listed | Not listed | MariaDB | MariaDB |
| Nginx Reverse Proxy | ✓ | Manual configuration | $50/mo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bandwidth/Monthly Visits | 5TB | 50GB + 25k visits/mo | 25k visits/mo | 2TB | 50GB + 250k visits/mo |
| Email Hosting | ✓ | x | x | x | x |
| Malware Removal | Scanner only | x | Removal pledge | x | Imunify360 |
| Major Incidents | TTFB/DNS/CPU issues, unethical | 2015 breach | None | None | None |
| Migrations | $30/site | Paid (quoted) | Free (most hosts) | 1 free + $25/site | Unlimited free |
| TrustPilot Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.2/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.9/5 |
| Price | $100/mo | $25/mo (yearly) | $29/mo (yearly) | $26/mo | $25/mo (yearly) |
Cloudways
- Best For: If you want a flexible and scalable cloud hosting option. Cloudways is perfect for users who need high performance and the ability to manage multiple sites. It’s great for people who want control over their hosting environment without being too complicated.
- Strengths:
- Fast Performance: Cloudways uses NVMe storage, which is faster than standard storage options. They also offer advanced caching (with the Breeze plugin) and Cloudflare Enterprise CDN, making websites load quickly.
- Flexibility: You can scale up or down as needed, so if your website grows, you can easily increase your resources (like RAM and CPU).
- Support: Cloudways offers 24/7 support, but it’s best for users who are somewhat familiar with hosting. The support is good but not overly hands-on.
Rocket.net
- Best For: Users who want high performance, especially if you’re running a WordPress website and need powerful resources for fast speeds.
- Strengths:
- Super Fast Speed: Rocket.net uses LiteSpeed technology, which is known for offering extremely fast website speeds.
- Powerful Servers: With 32 cores and 128GB RAM, Rocket.net can handle websites with a lot of traffic and big resource demands.
- Good Security: Comes with Imunify360, a security tool to protect your site.
- Drawbacks: Rocket.net has limited storage (10GB) and bandwidth (50GB), which could be restrictive for larger sites.
SiteGround
- Best For: People looking for a reliable and secure hosting service with great customer support. Ideal for smaller to medium-sized websites.
- Strengths:
- Security: Offers strong security features, including free SSL certificates and internal DNS for better protection.
- Optimized Performance: Comes with its own SG Optimizer caching plugin to speed up WordPress sites.
- Support: Great customer support with quick responses and a helpful team.
- Drawbacks: SiteGround isn’t as flexible as Cloudways, and its storage and performance might not be enough for larger websites.
WP Engine
- Best For: WordPress websites that need managed hosting with high performance, excellent support, and specific tools for WordPress.
- Strengths:
- Managed WordPress Hosting: WP Engine specializes in hosting WordPress sites, providing tools like Redis caching and a Cloudflare CDN for speed.
- Top Support: They provide WordPress-specific support, so you get expert help.
- Security: They have great security features and offer a malware removal pledge.
- Drawbacks: WP Engine can be expensive, and their storage and bandwidth are more limited than other options.
Kinsta
- Best For: Businesses or websites that need premium WordPress hosting with excellent performance, top-tier security, and great customer service.
- Strengths:
- High Performance: Kinsta offers MariaDB, Redis Pro, and Cloudflare Enterprise CDN to make your site load faster.
- Security: They provide great security tools and free malware removal.
- Support: Exceptional customer support for WordPress users.
- Drawbacks: Kinsta is more expensive than other options, and its storage may not be enough for larger websites at the entry-level plan.
Summary
- Cloudways: Great for users who want control and scalability. It’s flexible, has fast performance, and is budget-friendly. Perfect for users who need cloud hosting but want to manage resources themselves.
- Rocket.net: Offers powerful servers and super-fast performance, especially for WordPress. It’s great if you need top speed but might be limiting if your site needs a lot of storage or bandwidth.
- SiteGround: Ideal for smaller sites looking for reliable hosting, strong security, and great customer support at a reasonable price.
- WP Engine: Best for WordPress-focused websites needing premium features and top-notch support, but it’s more expensive with less flexibility in resources.
- Kinsta: Perfect for high-traffic WordPress sites needing excellent performance and security. It’s a premium option with great support, but it’s pricier.
Final Thoughts
- If you want a flexible, customizable hosting solution with good performance at a reasonable price, Cloudways is a solid choice.
- If you need speed and power for your WordPress site, Rocket.net is the way to go.
- For reliable, secure hosting with excellent support, SiteGround is a great option.
- If you’re running a WordPress site and need premium managed hosting, WP Engine and Kinsta are excellent choices, though they come at a higher price
Cloudways Data Centers
Cloudways has 44 data centers around the world, which is more than most other cloud providers like Vultr and DigitalOcean. This gives you more choices for where to host your website, which can help improve your website’s performance.
Cloudways Data Center Locations:
- USA: San Francisco, New York, Silicon Valley, Miami, Virginia, California, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, Newark, Ohio, Atlanta, Iowa, Oregon
- Europe: Paris, Frankfurt, Dublin, London, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Belgium
- Asia: Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Bangalore, Mumbai, Taiwan, Bahrain
- Australia: Sydney
- Canada: Toronto, Montreal, Fermont
- South America: Sao Paulo
Why the Data Center Location Matters
The closer your data center is to your audience, the faster your website will load. When visitors are closer to where your website is hosted, it takes less time for the server to respond to their requests. This means your website will perform better, especially for users in different parts of the world.
Cloudways’ Advantage
With Cloudways, you can choose a data center that’s nearest to your website visitors. This helps reduce the time it takes for your site to load, improving user experience.
- Faster Website: Picking a closer data center helps your site load faster.
- CDN and Caching: Cloudways also offers a CDN (Content Delivery Network) and caching, which makes your website even faster no matter where your visitors are.
In short, Cloudways’ many data centers give you more choices to improve your website speed and overall performance.
Cloudways Backup System
Cloudways offers a reliable backup system to keep your data safe and easily recoverable. Here’s a simple breakdown of how it works:
Automatic Backups
- Frequency: Cloudways automatically backs up your data every day. The frequency might vary depending on the cloud provider (like AWS, Google Cloud, or DigitalOcean).
- Retention: By default, your backups are kept for 3 days. However, this can be extended based on the plan you choose.
- Availability: Most Cloudways plans include automatic backups, but this can depend on the cloud provider.
Manual Backups
- When You Need Them: You can create a manual backup anytime you need it through the Cloudways control panel.
- Easy to Use: The process of making and managing manual backups is simple and straightforward.
Backup Storage
- Where Are They Stored? Backups are stored on the cloud provider’s infrastructure (like AWS, Google Cloud, or DigitalOcean), making sure your data is secure and scalable.
Restoration
- Quick Recovery: If you need to restore a backup, it’s easy to do it through the Cloudways control panel, whether it’s an automated or manual backup.
Additional Backup Services
- Customization: Cloudways also lets you customize your backup frequency and retention options through their cloud providers, giving you more control over your data.
Cloudways offers a solid backup system with both automatic and manual options, ensuring your website data is always protected and easy to restore when needed.
Cloudways Review – Conclusion
So, to wrap up this Cloudways review, let me share why I think Cloudways is a great option for hosting your website—or why it might not be the best fit for everyone.
Why Cloudways is Great:
- Fast & Reliable Performance: Cloudways really shines in speed and uptime. It uses NVMe storage (which is super fast) and has strong caching to keep your website running quickly. With 44 data centers around the world, it ensures your website loads fast no matter where your visitors are.
- Flexible & Scalable: Cloudways offers a lot of flexibility. You can choose from different cloud providers like DigitalOcean, Vultr, and others to host your website, which gives you control over your resources. This is great if you want to scale your website as it grows.
- Easy to Use: Even though it’s powerful, Cloudways makes it easy to manage everything through a simple control panel. You don’t need to be an expert to set up your site. Plus, their 24/7 support is there if you need help.
- Great Security: Cloudways includes strong security features like SSL certificates, firewalls, bot protection, and automatic backups, so your website is safe and you don’t have to worry about losing data.
- Pay-as-You-Go Pricing: One of the cool things about Cloudways is their pay-as-you-go pricing, meaning you only pay for what you use. This is a huge plus for smaller businesses or websites that want to control costs.
Cloudways Review – Conclusion
So, to wrap up this Cloudways review, let me share why I think Cloudways is a great option for hosting your website—or why it might not be the best fit for everyone.
Why Cloudways is Great:
- Fast & Reliable Performance: Cloudways really shines in speed and uptime. It uses NVMe storage (which is super fast) and has strong caching to keep your website running quickly. With 44 data centers around the world, it ensures your website loads fast no matter where your visitors are.
- Flexible & Scalable: Cloudways offers a lot of flexibility. You can choose from different cloud providers like DigitalOcean, Vultr, and others to host your website, which gives you control over your resources. This is great if you want to scale your website as it grows.
- Easy to Use: Even though it’s powerful, Cloudways makes it easy to manage everything through a simple control panel. You don’t need to be an expert to set up your site. Plus, their 24/7 support is there if you need help.
- Great Security: Cloudways includes strong security features like SSL certificates, firewalls, bot protection, and automatic backups, so your website is safe and you don’t have to worry about losing data.
- Pay-as-You-Go Pricing: One of the cool things about Cloudways is their pay-as-you-go pricing, meaning you only pay for what you use. This is a huge plus for smaller businesses or websites that want to control costs.
Why Cloudways Might Not Be for Everyone:
- Pricing: Cloudways can be a bit more expensive than other hosting options, especially when you add up things like add-ons or premium support. If you’re just starting out with a small website or blog, cheaper options like shared hosting might work better for you.
- Not for Total Beginners: While Cloudways is easy to use overall, it’s still cloud hosting. That means it might be a bit more advanced for people who have never worked with web hosting before. If you’re brand new to hosting, you might find platforms like SiteGround or Bluehost more beginner-friendly, as they offer more hand-holding in the setup process.
- Manual Configuration Needed: Cloudways offers a lot of flexibility, but it also means you’ll have to set up things like backups and performance settings on your own. For someone who just wants to click a button and be done, this might feel like extra work.
| Aspect | Cloudways |
|---|---|
| Hosting Type | Cloud |
| Server | Apache |
| Storage | NVMe on Vultr High Frequency |
| CDN | Cloudflare Enterprise (full-page caching, Argo Smart Routing, HTTP/3) |
| Cache Plugin | Breeze |
| Object Cache | Redis Object Cache Pro |
| Data Centers | 44 |
| Uptime | Excellent (99.99%) |
| Email Hosting | Not provided |
| Security | Good (firewalls, DDoS protection, free SSL, 2FA) |
| Support | Excellent (24/7 live chat, phone, email) |
| Dashboard | Custom |
| Price | Higher, with pay-as-you-go model |
| TrustPilot Rating | 4.5/5 |
| Performance | Excellent (fast servers, high scalability) |
| Core Web Vitals | Excellent (green scores) |
| Entry Plan Price | $11/month |
| Support Response | Fast and efficient |
| Backup Frequency | Daily (varies by cloud provider) |
| Backup Retention | Default 3 days (extendable) |
| Manual Backups | Available through Cloudways control panel |
| Backup Storage | Stored on cloud provider’s infrastructure |
| Restoration | Easy through Cloudways control panel |
| Additional Backup Services | Customizable based on cloud provider options |
| Ideal For | High-performance needs, multiple sites management, reliability, flexibility |
| Competitors Compared | Rocket.net offers faster processing but at a higher cost; SiteGround, WP Engine, and Kinsta offer different features with varying strengths. |
| Free Trial | 3-day free trial on DigitalOcean, Linode, and Vultr plans without credit card |
| Payment Methods | Major credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) and PayPal; wire transfers for amounts over $1000 |
| Refund Policy | No refund policy, but 3-day free trial available |
If you’re looking for a fast, secure, and scalable hosting solution with the flexibility to grow your website as needed, Cloudways is a fantastic choice. It’s perfect for users who need strong performance and don’t mind putting in a bit of effort to set things up. Whether you’re running a small blog, an eCommerce store, or a growing business, Cloudways offers a powerful platform to help your site perform at its best.
However, if you’re on a tight budget or just starting with your first website, you might find cheaper and simpler options more suitable. It all comes down to what you need now—and what you want as you grow!
In my experience, if you’re ready for a more flexible and powerful hosting solution, Cloudways is definitely worth a look!
Cloudways Review – alternatives
ChemiCloud
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Overview: ChemiCloud stands out for its excellent performance, offering a user-friendly website builder, advanced technology, strong security, fast connections, minimal delays, and various freebies and discounts. With a wider range of hosting features compared to Bluehost, ChemiCloud provides better value for your money.
1. Simplicity vs. Flexibility:
ChemiCloud:
If you’re looking for an easy, straightforward hosting experience, ChemiCloud is a great choice. ChemiCloud offers fully managed hosting with a simple user interface. Everything from setup to managing your website is easy and intuitive. You get a one-click app installer, free website migration, and all essential features are included with your plan.Cloudways:
Cloudways, on the other hand, gives you more flexibility but requires more technical knowledge. While Cloudways provides cloud hosting with multiple cloud providers like DigitalOcean, Vultr, and AWS, you’ll need to configure more things on your own. While Cloudways can be a great fit for developers or those who want to fine-tune their hosting, it might be overwhelming for beginners who prefer simplicity.Why Choose ChemiCloud?
If you’re looking for easy-to-use hosting with no technical hassle, ChemiCloud is the better choice. You get a user-friendly control panel and fully managed services, so you don’t need to worry about server configurations or maintenance.
2. Performance and Speed:
ChemiCloud:
ChemiCloud offers SSD storage, LiteSpeed web servers, and a global Content Delivery Network (CDN) with all its plans, ensuring fast website load times and smooth performance. These features are built to optimize the speed of your site, especially for international audiences.Cloudways:
Cloudways also offers good performance, especially with its high-performance cloud providers. However, speed can vary depending on which cloud provider you choose and how well you configure your server. While Cloudways provides advanced caching and NVMe storage, it might require some technical knowledge to get the best performance out of your plan.Why Choose ChemiCloud?
ChemiCloud provides a simpler, more optimized experience for users who want excellent performance without having to manually configure their server. With its pre-configured caching, global CDN, and fast SSD storage, ChemiCloud ensures fast loading times out of the box.
3. Backup Systems:
ChemiCloud:
ChemiCloud offers free daily backups on all plans, ensuring your website data is automatically protected every day. You also have the option to restore backups easily via the control panel.Cloudways:
Cloudways offers automated backups as well, but they may vary in frequency depending on your chosen cloud provider. Additionally, Cloudways charges for offsite backups, so the free backup system might not be as comprehensive as ChemiCloud’s.Why Choose ChemiCloud?
If reliable, free daily backups are important to you, ChemiCloud’s backup system is straightforward and included with all plans. This makes it a hassle-free option compared to Cloudways, where you may have to pay extra for offsite backups.
4. Customer Support:
ChemiCloud:
ChemiCloud provides 24/7 customer support via live chat, tickets, and a helpful knowledge base. Their support team is known for being responsive and friendly, and they offer comprehensive assistance for managing your website.Cloudways:
Cloudways also offers 24/7 support, but their support can be hit-or-miss. If you’re using a more advanced plan, you might need to wait longer for a response, and some users report that Cloudways support can be vague or not always helpful. Cloudways also relies on a chatbot for initial queries, which might be frustrating if you need immediate help.Why Choose ChemiCloud?
If responsive, friendly support is a priority for you, ChemiCloud excels in this area. Their customer service is consistently praised for being fast, efficient, and willing to go the extra mile to help.
5. Pricing:
ChemiCloud:
ChemiCloud’s plans are very affordable, starting at just $2.95/month, and all features like SSL, CDN, backup, and website migration are included in the price. The pricing is transparent, with no hidden fees, making it easier for users to understand the cost.Cloudways:
Cloudways operates on a pay-as-you-go model based on usage, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. While this means you only pay for the resources you use, the cost can vary depending on the cloud provider you choose, which can be confusing for users who want predictable, fixed pricing. Additionally, many essential features (like backups or server optimizations) may require an upgrade or additional cost.Why Choose ChemiCloud?
If you want predictable, affordable pricing with all features included, ChemiCloud offers better value. It’s a great option if you’re looking for simplicity without worrying about unexpected costs. ChemiCloud’s flat-rate pricing means no surprises.
6. Freebies and Extras:
ChemiCloud:
ChemiCloud includes several free extras with every hosting plan, such as:- Free domain registration
- Free website migration
- Free SSL certificate
- Free CDN
Cloudways:
Cloudways doesn’t include free domain registration, SSL certificates, or CDN by default. These may be available, but you’ll need to either pay for them or configure them yourself.Why Choose ChemiCloud?
If you want more free features bundled with your plan, ChemiCloud offers great value with extras like a free domain, SSL, and CDN included in all hosting plans. This makes it a more affordable and hassle-free option for website owners.You can read my Chemicloud Review here
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A2 Hosting
A2 Hosting is widely known for its incredible speed, thanks to its Turbo Servers, which promise to load websites up to 20x faster than traditional hosting. If you’re looking for fast, reliable web hosting with solid customer support and affordable pricing, A2 Hosting might be exactly what you need. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect from A2 Hosting.
Key Features:
- SSD Hosting:
A2 Hosting uses SSD (Solid State Drive) storage, which helps speed up website loading times compared to traditional hard drives. - Free Site Migration:
If you’re moving your existing website to A2 Hosting, they’ll handle the migration for free, ensuring a smooth transition with minimal downtime. - 24/7/365 Customer Support:
A2 Hosting offers around-the-clock customer support through their Guru Crew team, ensuring that help is available anytime you need it. - Anytime Money-Back Guarantee:
A2 Hosting gives you the flexibility to cancel anytime. You get a 30-day full refund if you’re not satisfied, and after 30 days, they offer a pro-rated refund. - 99.9% Uptime Guarantee:
A2 Hosting guarantees a 99.9% uptime, so your website is almost always up and running smoothly without unexpected outages. - 20x Faster Turbo Servers:
The Turbo Servers are a standout feature of A2 Hosting, providing up to 20x faster website loading speeds than standard hosting, which is especially helpful for improving user experience and SEO rankings.
Pros of A2 Hosting:
- SSD Storage:
Faster website load times with SSD storage, providing a better user experience. - cPanel Interface:
A2 Hosting uses the popular cPanel, making it easier to manage your website’s files, databases, and settings. - Free SSL Certificates:
A2 Hosting provides free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates, ensuring that your website is secure with HTTPS encryption. - Free CloudFlare CDN:
A2 Hosting offers CloudFlare CDN for free, which helps speed up your website and provides additional security by caching your site’s content across multiple locations worldwide. - HackScan:
Continuous security monitoring with HackScan, keeping your site protected from online threats and attacks. - Optimized WordPress Hosting:
A2 Hosting has specific optimizations for WordPress, making it an excellent choice if you’re using WordPress as your platform.
Cons of A2 Hosting:
- Turbo Servers Limitation:
The ultimate Turbo Servers feature, which delivers the fastest speed, is only available with the higher-tier plans (like the Turbo Boost or Turbo Max plans), so you’ll need to pay more for these top speeds.
A2 Hosting Pricing Plans:
A2 Hosting offers four different pricing plans, each with varying levels of features and resources:
- Startup Plan:
- Price: $2.99/month
- Features:
- Host 1 website
- 100 GB SSD storage
- Free website migration
- Best for: Personal websites or small business sites with moderate traffic.
- Drive Plan:
- Price: $5.99/month
- Features:
- Unlimited websites
- Unlimited SSD storage
- Free website migration & backups
- 2x resources
- Best for: Growing businesses with multiple sites to manage.
- Turbo Boost Plan:
- Price: $6.99/month
- Features:
- Unlimited NVMe storage
- Free website migration & backups
- 2x resources
- 20x faster turbo servers
- Handles up to 9x more traffic
- Best for: Websites with high traffic demands that need extra speed.
- Turbo Max Plan:
- Price: $14.99/month
- Features:
- Unlimited NVMe storage
- Free website migration & backups
- 5x resources
- 20x faster turbo servers
- Handles up to 9x more traffic
- Best for: Large websites, eCommerce, or sites with very high traffic.
Why Choose A2 Hosting?
A2 Hosting stands out in the web hosting market for several reasons:
- Speed:
The Turbo Servers are one of the fastest hosting options available, delivering up to 20x faster speeds than standard hosting. If your website speed is crucial to you (and it should be!), A2 Hosting’s speed is a huge plus. - Affordable and Flexible:
With plans starting at just $2.99/month, A2 Hosting offers affordable pricing for all types of websites, from personal blogs to growing businesses. The flexible money-back guarantee also ensures you can try their service without worrying about long-term commitments. - Excellent Support:
A2 Hosting is known for its reliable 24/7/365 customer support through their Guru Crew, ready to help you resolve any issues with your website. - Great Security:
Features like HackScan, free SSL certificates, and CloudFlare CDN make A2 Hosting a solid choice for keeping your website secure and protected.
Summary:
In conclusion, A2 Hosting is a fantastic option for anyone looking for fast, affordable, and secure web hosting. Whether you’re just starting a blog or running a large eCommerce site, A2 Hosting offers excellent features at competitive prices. The Turbo Servers give you top-notch speed, while the free SSL certificates, CloudFlare CDN, and daily backups provide the extra peace of mind you need to keep your site safe and running smoothly.
If you need top speed, reliable support, and affordable pricing, A2 Hosting is definitely worth considering. However, if you’re on a budget and don’t need the Turbo Servers, the lower-tier plans still provide great value for your money.
Kinsta Hosting Review: Fast, Reliable, and Premium WordPress Hosting
Kinsta is a premium managed WordPress hosting provider that delivers exceptional speed, reliability, and customer support. Built on Google Cloud Platform‘s powerful infrastructure, Kinsta is designed for high-performance WordPress hosting that helps your website run smoothly, even as it grows.
Here’s a breakdown of what Kinsta offers:
Key Features:
- Google Cloud Platform Infrastructure:
Kinsta uses the Google Cloud Platform (GCP), which provides top-notch performance, security, and scalability, ensuring your site is fast and reliable. - Managed WordPress Hosting:
Kinsta offers fully managed hosting for WordPress, meaning they take care of updates, backups, and maintenance so you can focus on your site content. - Free Site Migration:
Moving your website to Kinsta is easy, with their free website migration service. - 24/7/365 Support:
Kinsta provides expert support around the clock. Whether you’re facing a technical issue or need advice, they’re always there to help. - 99.9% Uptime Guarantee:
Kinsta promises reliable hosting with a 99.9% uptime guarantee, meaning minimal downtime for your site. - Performance Monitoring:
Kinsta offers real-time performance monitoring and detailed analytics so you can track how your site is doing. - Free SSL Certificates:
Every Kinsta plan includes free SSL certificates through Let’s Encrypt, ensuring your site is secure with HTTPS.
Pros of Kinsta:
- High Performance:
With the power of Google Cloud, Kinsta’s hosting is fast, reliable, and perfect for high-traffic WordPress sites. - Automatic Daily Backups:
Kinsta automatically backs up your website every day, so you can restore it quickly if anything goes wrong. - Expert Support:
Kinsta’s support team is knowledgeable and responsive, offering quick solutions to any issues you may have. - Scalable Resources:
As your site grows, you can easily scale your hosting plan to match your needs, whether it’s more storage, bandwidth, or processing power. - Staging Environments:
Kinsta allows you to create staging environments, so you can test changes to your website before going live.
Cons of Kinsta:
- Higher Price Point:
Kinsta’s premium features come with a higher price tag compared to other hosting providers, which might not be ideal for everyone, especially small websites or bloggers on a tight budget. - No Email Hosting:
Unlike some hosts, Kinsta doesn’t offer email hosting. You’ll need to use a third-party email service for your business email.
Kinsta Pricing Plans:
Kinsta offers several pricing plans to fit different website needs:
- Starter Plan
- Price: $29/month
- Features:
- 1 WordPress install
- 10 GB SSD storage
- 50 GB bandwidth
- 1 GB PHP memory limit
- Pro Plan
- Price: $59/month
- Features:
- 2 WordPress installs
- 15 GB SSD storage
- 75 GB bandwidth
- 1 GB PHP memory limit
- Business Plan
- Price: $115/month
- Features:
- 5 WordPress installs
- 30 GB SSD storage
- 150 GB bandwidth
- 1.5 GB PHP memory limit
- Enterprise Plan
- Price: $290/month
- Features:
- 15 WordPress installs
- 75 GB SSD storage
- 300 GB bandwidth
- 2 GB PHP memory limit
Why Choose Kinsta?
Kinsta is an excellent choice if you’re looking for high-performance WordPress hosting with a focus on speed, scalability, and premium support. Kinsta’s use of Google Cloud Platform ensures your site runs at top speed, even during traffic spikes.
While Kinsta’s pricing is higher than some other WordPress hosts, the premium features like automatic daily backups, real-time performance monitoring, expert support, and staging environments make it a great choice for websites that require the best hosting available.
Summary:
In conclusion, Kinsta is ideal for anyone who needs high-performance hosting with the reliability of Google Cloud. It’s especially great for businesses, large WordPress sites, or anyone who prioritizes speed and premium support.
However, if you’re just starting out or have a smaller budget, you might find Kinsta’s pricing on the higher side. If you’re willing to invest in top-tier hosting and need scalable, fast, and secure WordPress hosting, Kinsta will deliver excellent results.
Cloudways Review – FAQs
What is Cloudways?
Cloudways is a cloud hosting platform that makes managing your cloud server easy. It connects you to top-tier cloud providers like DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Vultr, and Linode but handles all the complicated server stuff for you. You get a super easy-to-use interface, high-speed servers, and solid support to help you manage and grow your website without the headache of server maintenance.
How does Cloudways differ from other cloud hosting providers?
What sets Cloudways apart is how simple it makes cloud hosting. Unlike other cloud providers where you’re left to manage everything, Cloudways takes care of the technical side for you—things like updates, backups, and security. You also get features like built-in caching, Cloudflare CDN, and a lot of support that would be harder to configure directly with other cloud providers. It’s cloud hosting made easy!
What are the key features of Cloudways?
Here’s what you’ll get with Cloudways:
- Managed Hosting: They handle the server management for you, so you can focus on your website.
- Super Fast Servers: With NVMe storage, Breeze caching, and Cloudflare CDN, your site will load quickly.
- Support 24/7: You can reach out anytime via live chat, email, or phone for help.
- Automated Backups: Cloudways does daily backups and makes it easy to restore if needed.
- Scalability: You can scale your resources up or down based on your website’s needs.
- Security Features: You’ll get free SSL certificates, firewalls, DDoS protection, and two-factor authentication for added peace of mind.
What types of websites are best suited for Cloudways?
Cloudways is great for a variety of websites, including:
- E-commerce Sites: Their high-performance servers and scalability are perfect for online stores that need to load fast and handle traffic spikes.
- High-Traffic Websites: If your website gets a lot of visitors, Cloudways’ caching and CDN will keep it running smoothly.
- Business Websites: With solid uptime and reliable support, it’s a great choice for professional sites.
- Developers and Agencies: Cloudways makes it easy to manage multiple sites and servers, plus you can create staging environments to test changes before going live.
How does Cloudways handle security?
Cloudways has several layers of security to keep your site safe:
- Firewalls: They block harmful traffic and unauthorized access.
- DDoS Protection: Helps protect your site from DDoS attacks that can overwhelm your server.
- Free SSL Certificates: Secure your site with free Let’s Encrypt SSL.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of security when logging into your account.
- Regular Updates and Monitoring: Cloudways keeps everything up-to-date and actively monitors your server to catch any potential issues early.
What is Cloudways’ pricing structure?
Cloudways uses a pay-as-you-go model, which means you only pay for what you use. The base plans start around $11 per month for DigitalOcean. The price will depend on which cloud provider and plan you choose, as more powerful configurations cost a bit more. It’s flexible, so you can scale up or down depending on your needs.
Does Cloudways offer a free trial?
Yes, Cloudways offers a 3-day free trial for their DigitalOcean, Linode, and Vultr plans. You can try everything out and see how it works for your site before committing to a paid plan. No credit card is required to start the trial, which is awesome.
What is Cloudways’ uptime guarantee?
Cloudways guarantees 99.99% uptime, which is really impressive. They use top-tier cloud infrastructure and their own auto-healing server technology to ensure minimal downtime. In my experience, you rarely notice any issues with uptime.
How does Cloudways support compare to other providers?
Cloudways has an excellent support team. You can reach them 24/7 via live chat, phone, or email. Their support is quick and knowledgeable, which is a huge plus if you run into any issues. Some other providers can be slower to respond or have limited support options, but Cloudways excels in this area.
Can I migrate my existing website to Cloudways?
Yes! Cloudways offers free migration for one website. If you have more than one or need a complex migration, there’s a $25 fee per site. Their migration team takes care of everything, so it’s a smooth process with no hassle for you.
Is Cloudways suitable for beginners?
Absolutely! Cloudways is beginner-friendly thanks to its easy-to-use control panel and plenty of support resources. It’s a managed hosting service, so you won’t have to deal with the technical stuff. Plus, their customer support is always there to help if you get stuck, and they offer great documentation to guide you along the way.
Web hosting Reviews
- SSD Hosting:
