---
title: Cloudways Review
description: "Cloudways Review Unlock the power of the cloud without the complexity. Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform that acts as an integration layer, allowing users to deploy applications on infrastructure from…"
url: "https://hostingguider.com/reviews/cloudways/"
date: "2026-05-12T06:52:16+00:00"
modified: "2026-05-14T09:52:59+00:00"
author: Rantideb Howlader
type: article
site: HostingGuider
language: en-US
---

# Cloudways Review

## Cloudways Review

**Unlock the power of the cloud without the complexity.**

Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform that acts as an integration layer, allowing users to deploy applications on infrastructure from providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and DigitalOcean without managing command lines. Unlike traditional hosts, they do not own servers; they provide the control panel, support, and stack optimization for third-party cloud infrastructure.

[Get started. Scale instantly!](https://hostingguider.com/recommend/cloudways)

4.6/5 (Based on Trustpilot)

![Cloudways](https://hostingguider.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/cloudways-hero.webp)

Written by:

[Rantideb Howlader](https://hostingguider.com/author/rantideb-howlader/)

Rantideb Howlader is HostingGuider’s technical analyst and an AWS Certified Solutions Architect. Having built and maintained real SaaS platforms on cloud infrastructure, he brings an engineer’s perspective to hosting reviews — examining not just what hosting companies claim, but whether those claims hold up under real conditions.

·

Last Updated on:

May 14, 2026

HostingGuider uses affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.

## Pros and Cons

We analyze the flexibility of their multi-cloud structure against the steeper learning curve required to manage it effectively.

### ✓ Pros

- ✓ Easy-to-use managed hosting platform
- ✓ Supports multiple cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean
- ✓ Optimized for speed and performance with built-in caching
- ✓ 24/7 expert customer support
- ✓ Flexible pay-as-you-go pricing

### ✗ Cons

- ✗ No traditional cPanel, uses custom control panel
- ✗ Pricing can be higher compared to basic shared hosting
- ✗ Limited email hosting options

## Cloudways Review Summary

The quick-glance technical scorecard. We rate the platform’s core infrastructure performance, scalability options, and support efficiency.

| **Metric** | **Rating / Status** |
| --- | --- |
| Performance Grade | A (Infrastructure) |
| Server Response (TTFB) | 244 ms |
| Free Domain | No |
| Free SSL | Yes |
| 1-Click Scaling | Yes |
| Support | 24/7 Live Chat / Ticketing |

## The Multi-Cloud Pricing Model

Cloudways pricing varies depending on which underlying cloud provider (IaaS) you choose to deploy.

Monthly Hourly

| DigitalOcean Micro | DigitalOcean Small | DigitalOcean Medium | DigitalOcean Large | Vultr Micro | Vultr Small | Vultr Medium | Vultr Large | Linode Micro | Linode Small | Linode Medium | Linode Large | AWS Micro | AWS Small | AWS Medium | AWS Large | Google Cloud Small | Google Cloud Medium | Google Cloud Large | Google Cloud XL |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| $11 /mo | $24 /mo | $46 /mo | $88 /mo | $14 /mo | $28 /mo | $54 /mo | $99 /mo | $14 /mo | $28 /mo | $59 /mo | $105 /mo | $20.56 /mo | $38.56 /mo | $91.84 /mo | $183.22 /mo | $37.33 /mo | $84 /mo | $152.02 /mo | $241.50 /mo |
| - ✓ Suitable for personal websites and simple blogs - ✓ 1 GB RAM - ✓ 1 vCPU - ✓ 25 GB SSD storage - ✓ 1 TB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ Suitable for growing businesses and moderate traffic - ✓ 2 GB RAM - ✓ 1 vCPU - ✓ 50 GB SSD storage - ✓ 2 TB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ Supports more demanding websites with higher traffic - ✓ 4 GB RAM - ✓ 2 vCPU - ✓ 80 GB SSD storage - ✓ 4 TB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ Ideal for e-commerce stores and resource-intensive applications - ✓ 8 GB RAM - ✓ 4 vCPU - ✓ 160 GB SSD storage - ✓ 5 TB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ 1 GB RAM - ✓ 1 vCPU - ✓ 25 GB SSD storage - ✓ 1 TB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ 2 GB RAM - ✓ 1 vCPU - ✓ 55 GB SSD storage - ✓ 2 TB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ 4 GB RAM - ✓ 2 vCPU - ✓ 80 GB SSD storage - ✓ 3 TB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ 8 GB RAM - ✓ 4 vCPU - ✓ 160 GB SSD storage - ✓ 4 TB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ 1 GB RAM - ✓ 1 vCPU - ✓ 25 GB SSD storage - ✓ 1 TB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ 2 GB RAM - ✓ 1 vCPU - ✓ 50 GB SSD storage - ✓ 2 TB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ 4 GB RAM - ✓ 2 vCPU - ✓ 80 GB SSD storage - ✓ 4 TB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ 8 GB RAM - ✓ 4 vCPU - ✓ 160 GB SSD storage - ✓ 5 TB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ 1 GB RAM - ✓ 2 vCPU - ✓ 20 GB storage - ✓ 2 GB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ 2 GB RAM - ✓ 2 vCPU - ✓ 20 GB storage - ✓ 2 GB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ 4 GB RAM - ✓ 2 vCPU - ✓ 20 GB storage - ✓ 2 GB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ 8 GB RAM - ✓ 2 vCPU - ✓ 20 GB storage - ✓ 2 GB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ 1.7 GB RAM - ✓ Shared CPU - ✓ 20 GB storage - ✓ 1 GB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ 3.75 GB RAM - ✓ 1 vCPU - ✓ 20 GB storage - ✓ 1 GB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ 7.5 GB RAM - ✓ 2 vCPU - ✓ 20 GB storage - ✓ 1 GB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits | - ✓ 15 GB RAM - ✓ 4 vCPU - ✓ 20 GB storage - ✓ 1 GB transfer bandwidth - ✓ Unlimited visits - ✓ Unlimited websites - ✓ Lightning Stack - ✓ 5 free AI Copilot credits |

[cloudways](https://hostingguider.com/recommend/cloudways)

## Use Cases

**Who justifies the managed premium?** We break down the specific high-performance workflows—from scaling stores to managing agency clients—that require this stack.

### Digital Agencies

Streamline client work. Manage unlimited client sites from one dashboard with easy team access and one-click staging for testing.

### eCommerce Stores

Scale for sales. Handle traffic spikes instantly with vertical scaling and optimized caches like Varnish and Redis for fast checkouts.

### Growing Startups

Start lean, grow big. Begin with a low-cost $11 plan and scale your server resources up in a single click as your user base expands.

### Developers

Code without limits. Get full control with SSH/SFTP access, Git integration for deployment, and WP-CLI installed by default.

## Cloudways Hosting Types

Cloudways redefines hosting by offering a managed integration layer on top of premium cloud infrastructure like DigitalOcean, AWS, and Google Cloud.

### Hosting for WordPress Multisite

Hosting for WordPress Multisite Managed multisite hosting with built-in SSL and dedicated resources optimized to deliver fast, stable, and hassle-free performance for complex network setups!

### Ecommerce Hosting

Robust ecommerce hosting with built-in caching and security optimized to deliver fast, stable, and hassle-free performance for high-traffic online stores!

### SMB Hosting

Reliable business hosting with built-in backups and monitoring optimized to deliver fast, stable, and hassle-free performance for growing company websites!

### Agency Hosting

Scalable agency hosting with built-in staging and team tools optimized to deliver fast, stable, and hassle-free performance for multiple client websites!

### Developers

Flexible cloud hosting with built-in Git, SSH, and staging optimized to deliver fast, stable, and hassle-free performance for custom web applications!

### Bloggers & Publishers Hosting

Fast content hosting with built-in CDNs and image optimization optimized to deliver fast, stable, and hassle-free performance for high-traffic blogs!.

## Detailed Features

A transparent look at what Cloudways includes in every plan, and more importantly, the standard hosting features they intentionally leave out.

| | DigitalOcean Micro | DigitalOcean Small | DigitalOcean Medium | DigitalOcean Large | Vultr Micro | Vultr Small | Vultr Medium | Vultr Large | Linode Micro | Linode Small | Linode Medium | Linode Large | AWS Micro | AWS Small | AWS Medium | AWS Large | Google Cloud Small | Google Cloud Medium | Google Cloud Large | Google Cloud XL |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 24/7/365 Support | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Free SSL Certificates | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Dedicated Firewalls | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Staging Environment | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Automated Backups | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Unlimited App Installation | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Team Management | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| HTTP/2 Enabled Servers | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SSH & SFTP Access | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Free Migration | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Real-time Monitoring | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Auto-Healing Servers | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Regular Security Patching | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Native Email Hosting | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Choice of 5 Cloud Providers | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

## Performance Analysis

At HostingGuider, we look past the marketing to inspect the code execution. To verify the efficiency of the Cloudways stack, we ran a forensic analysis of their official domain using 8 distinct engineering benchmarks.

**How We Tested Cloudways**

- **Test Target:** `www.cloudways.com` (Official Corporate Domain)
- **Primary Tools:** Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, Check-Host.net, Uptime Robot, Qualys SSL Labs.
- **Test Conditions:** Benchmarks were conducted to simulate real-world user conditions across global nodes.
- **Disclaimer:** These metrics reflect the Cloudways marketing site. User performance depends heavily on the chosen IaaS provider (e.g., AWS vs. DigitalOcean).

### The 2026 Ranking Factor: Interaction to Next Paint (INP)

We utilized **Google PageSpeed Insights** to stress-test the mobile rendering engine.

Note: We prioritize transparency, so we are reporting the mixed results found on their heavy marketing site.

**Cloudways PageSpeed Metrics (2026 Test)**

| **Metric** | **Measured Result** | **Google Threshold** | **Status** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **INP (Interaction)** | **225 ms** | Under 200 ms | **Needs Improvement** |
| **LCP (Loading)** | **5.0 s** | Under 2.5 s | **Failed** |
| **CLS (Stability)** | **0.99** | Under 0.1 | **Failed** |

![Cloudways Google PageSpeed Insights test results](https://hostingguider.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/cloudways-mobile-core-web-vitals.webp)

Cloudways Google PageSpeed Insights test results

**Our Analysis:** The **INP of 225ms** and **LCP of 5.0s** indicate that the Cloudways corporate site is weighed down by external tracking scripts. While the backend infrastructure is robust, this result highlights that raw server power cannot compensate for unoptimized frontend code.

For developers, this is a key takeaway: Cloudways provides the engine (Redis/Varnish), but you must still tune your site’s code.

### CDN Performance: Edge Response Times

We tested the Time to First Byte (TTFB) from multiple continents using Check-Host.net to evaluate the network peering capabilities.

**Cloudways Edge Latency**

| **Measurement Location** | **Response Time** | **Performance Rating** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Vienna, Austria** | **0.7 ms** | Blazing Fast |
| **Hyderabad, India** | **0.8 ms** | Blazing Fast |
| **Sao Paulo, Brazil** | **1.4 ms** | Optimized |
| **Frankfurt, DE** | **1.5 ms** | Optimized |

![Cloudways global server ping test via Check-Host](https://hostingguider.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/cloudways-global-latency-ping.webp)

Cloudways global server ping test via Check-Host

**Our Analysis:** The consistent **sub-2ms response time** across South America, Asia, and Europe confirms the presence of a high-performance **Enterprise CDN** (Cloudflare).

This setup ensures that static assets are served from the Edge (a server near the user) rather than traveling to the origin server, significantly reducing global latency.

### Network Routing & DNS Speed

We audited the DNS resolution paths using **Check-Host.net** to determine if Cloudways uses modern Anycast technology.

**Cloudways Routing Audit**

| **Feature** | **Audit Result** | **Technical Benefit** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Routing Type** | **Anycast** | User connects to nearest node |
| **IP Distribution** | **104.17.x.x** | Cloudflare DDoS Shield |
| **Global Propagation** | **Instant** | Zero-lag resolution |

![Cloudways DNS propagation test showing Cloudflare IPs](https://hostingguider.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/cloudways-dns-anycast-audit.webp)

Cloudways DNS propagation test showing Cloudflare IPs

**Our Analysis:** The test results show global locations resolving to the same **Cloudflare IP block (`104.17...`)**. This confirms that Cloudways sits behind an **Anycast Network**, which not only speeds up DNS lookups but also acts as a shield against DDoS attacks by dispersing traffic across the entire global network

### Stress Test: Load Handling & Stability

We didn’t just want to see how the site runs with one visitor; we wanted to see how it handles pressure.

We analyzed the **Response Latency Consistency** to simulate how the server manages sustained traffic.

**Cloudways Load Stability Metrics**

| **Test Parameter** | **Measured Result** | **Stability Status** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Avg. Response Time** | **451 ms** | **No Spikes** |
| **Reachability** | **100.0%** | **Perfect** |
| **Uptime Under Load** | **100.0%** | **Stable** |

![Cloudways server response stability graph](https://hostingguider.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/cloudways-server-response-stability-graph.webp)

Cloudways server response stability graph

**Our Analysis:** The graph shows a perfectly flat line at **451ms**, with zero jitter or random spikes. This consistency is the hallmark of **Auto-Healing Cloud Infrastructure**. Unlike shared hosting, where noisy neighbors cause random slowdowns, Cloudways’ isolated resources ensure that every request is processed at the exact same speed, regardless of external factors.

### The Reliability Test: Is 100% Uptime Real?

Every host claims 99.9% uptime, but we wanted to verify if they practice what they preach. We verified their availability by monitoring the site 24/7 with **Uptime Robot**.

**Cloudways Uptime Audit**

| **Monitoring Window** | **Uptime Percentage** | **Total Downtime** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Last 7 Days** | **100.00%** | 0 mins |
| **Last 30 Days** | **100.00%** | 0 mins |
| **Incident Count** | **0** | Clean Record |

![Cloudways 30-day uptime monitor graph](https://hostingguider.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/cloudways-uptime-robot-history.webp)

Cloudways 30-day uptime monitor graph

**Our Analysis:** Achieving **100% uptime** on a high-traffic corporate site is a testament to their architecture. Cloudways utilizes **Auto-Healing Servers**; if a service like PHP crashes, the cloud infrastructure automatically restarts it.

If their own massive homepage stays green 24/7/365, it is strong evidence that their data centers (The Cloud IaaS provider) are built for resilience.

### Security Hardening: SSL/TLS Configuration

We ran a deep scan with **Qualys SSL Labs** to ensure that visitor data is properly encrypted against modern threats.

**Cloudways Security Protocols**

| **Security Feature** | **Protocol Version** | **Scan Result** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **SSL/TLS Strength** | TLS 1.2 / 1.3 | Supported |
| **Certificate** | Cloudflare Inc | Valid |
| **Overall Grade** | Qualys Labs | **Grade A** |

![Cloudways Qualys SSL Labs security grade A](https://hostingguider.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/cloudways-qualys-ssl-report.webp)

Cloudways Qualys SSL Labs security grade A

**Our Analysis:** The **Grade A** is driven by Cloudways’ support for **TLS 1.3**, the newest cryptographic protocol. Unlike the older TLS 1.2, version 1.3 reduces the handshake from two round-trips to just one.

**HostingGuider Tips:** To move from an A to an A+, we recommend manually enabling **HSTS (Strict Transport Security)** in the application settings, which Cloudways leaves optional by default.

### Future-Proofing: HTTP/3 & QUIC Support

Cloudways’ base stack does not natively support HTTP/3; enabling it requires using the Cloudflare Enterprise add-on and toggling the setting in the Cloudflare Dashboard.

### The Sustainability Test: Green Web Verification

Speed is important, but so is sustainability. We ran `www.cloudways.com` through the **Green Web Foundation’s** database.

**Cloudways Sustainability Audit**

| **Certification** | **Host Partner** | **Result** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Green Web Check** | The Green Web Foundation | **Verified Green** |
| **Energy Source** | Cloudflare Network | **Renewable** |

![The Green Web Foundation verification for Cloudways](https://hostingguider.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/cloudways-green-web-check.webp)

The Green Web Foundation verification for Cloudways

### Deep Performance Diagnostics

We used GTmetrix to analyze the desktop rendering performance.

**Cloudways GTmetrix Deep Dive**

| **Metric** | **Measured Time** | **Optimization Note** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **GTmetrix Grade** | **Grade D** | Caused by Frontend Scripts |
| **LCP (Raw Speed)** | **2.0 s** | Acceptable |
| **Blocking Time** | **2.2 s** | High JS Execution |
| **TTFB** | **244 ms** | Excellent Backend Speed |

![Cloudways GTmetrix performance report](https://hostingguider.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/cloudways-gtmetrix-waterfall.webp)

Cloudways GTmetrix performance report

**Our Analysis:** The **TTFB of 244ms** is the true indicator of server power. This speed is possible because Cloudways uses **Varnish** and **Redis** object caching.

The D grade is simply a frontend optimization issue (heavy marketing scripts) on their corporate site. For a clean WordPress install, you would get that 244ms speed without the bloat.

## Support & Usability

**Does the “No Email” policy break the deal?** We analyze the custom control panel and the trade-offs of managed cloud workflows.

Cloudways is built for users who want raw power, not hand-holding. We analyzed how this “Management Layer” approach affects daily operations compared to traditional hosting.

**1. The Interface: Application Manager vs. cPanel**

Cloudways does **not** use cPanel. Instead, they utilize a proprietary **Application Manager**.

- **The Logic:** It separates Servers (Physical Hardware) from Applications (WordPress/Magento).
- **The Benefit:** You can deploy 10 different WordPress sites on a single $14 DigitalOcean server, isolating them at the app level.
- **The Learning Curve:** It is intuitive for developers, but beginners looking for a generic “File Manager” icon will need to learn how to use SFTP.

![Cloudways Application Manager](https://hostingguider.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/cloudways-server.webp)

Cloudways Application Manager

**2. The “No Email” Dilemma**

Unlike shared hosts (Hostinger/Bluehost), Cloudways assumes you are a professional who uses dedicated email services.

- **The Reality:** There is no Create Email Account button on the server.
- **The Solution:** They offer a structured **Rackspace Email add-on** ($1/month/mailbox), or you can integrate Google Workspace.
- **The Why:** Keeping email off the web server improves reliability and ensures 100% of your server’s RAM is dedicated to site speed, not processing spam.

**3. Support Scope: Platform vs. Code**

We tested the 24/7 Live Chat to see where they draw the line.

**Limitation:** They will **not** debug your custom PHP code or fix a broken plugin update. This is “Managed Infrastructure,” not “Managed Development.”

**Response Time:** Averaged **under 2 minutes** for initial contact.

**Scope:** They are excellent at server issues (scaling, varnish clearing, restoring backups).

## Frequently Asked Questions

Addressing the most common blockers for agencies and developers considering Cloudways.

#### Does Cloudways use cPanel?

**No, Cloudways does not use cPanel.** Instead, it uses a proprietary **Application Management Platform** designed specifically for cloud servers. Unlike cPanel, which mixes file management and email, the Cloudways dashboard focuses purely on **server performance**, **scaling**, and **application deployment**. Beginners looking for a standard “File Manager” will need to use **SFTP** (like FileZilla) to access files.

#### Does Cloudways include email hosting?

**No, Cloudways servers do not host email.** To prevent server resources (RAM/CPU) from being bogged down by spam filtering, Cloudways blocks standard email ports by default. You must use their **Rackspace Email Add-on** ($1/month) or connect an external service like **Google Workspace** or **Zoho Mail** for your business emails.

#### Does Cloudways register domain names?

**No, Cloudways is not a domain registrar.** You cannot purchase or renew domain names through their platform. You must buy your domain from a third-party registrar (like **Namecheap** or **GoDaddy**) and manually update the **DNS records** (A Record) to point to your Cloudways server IP address.

#### Is Cloudways monthly or yearly?

**Cloudways operates on a strictly “Pay-as-You-Go” monthly model.** There are no long-term yearly contracts or lock-in periods. You are billed at the start of each month for the resources you used in the previous month. If you delete your server halfway through the month, you are only charged for the hours the server was active.

#### Why is Cloudways more expensive than DigitalOcean?

**You are paying for the “Managed Layer” and Support.** While a raw DigitalOcean droplet might cost $6, Cloudways charges ~$11 for the same server. This markup covers the **24/7 Support**, **Automated Backups**, **Security Firewalls**, and the **Control Panel** interface. Essentially, you pay the premium to avoid being your own Systems Administrator.

#### Does Cloudways offer a money-back guarantee?

**No, but they offer a 3-Day Free Trial.** Because Cloudways bills you in arrears (post-paid) for resources already consumed, they do not offer traditional refunds. However, the **3-Day Free Trial** allows you to deploy a server and test the speed without entering any credit card information, ensuring there is zero risk to try it.

#### Is SSL free on Cloudways?

**Yes, SSL certificates are free and automatic.** Cloudways integrates directly with **Let’s Encrypt** to provide unlimited free SSL certificates for every application you host. You can also install “Wildcard” SSLs to secure subdomains with a single click, and the system handles auto-renewals permanently.

#### Does Cloudways charge if the server is stopped?

**Yes, you are still charged for disk space and IP reservation.** Even if you “Stop” a server, the cloud provider (AWS/DigitalOcean) still reserves the storage and IP address for you. To stop being billed completely, you must **Delete** the server entirely from your dashboard.

## Our Verdict

Cloudways is the **Scalability Specialist** of the market. It bridges the gap between complex cloud infrastructure and user-friendly management, making it the top choice for agencies and growing stores.

**We recommend Cloudways if:**

- **You are an Agency:** The ability to clone sites and manage team permissions is unmatched.
- **You need Raw Power:** You want the speed of Varnish & Redis without learning Linux command lines.
- **You plan to scale:** You need a host that lets you upgrade server RAM/CPU instantly.

**Look elsewhere if:**

- **You need “All-in-One”:** You want domain registration and email hosting included in the same bill.
- **You are a total beginner:** You are uncomfortable with DNS records or SFTP.

**HostingGuider Transparency Statement** HostingGuider independently analyzes hosting infrastructure. For this review, **we ran performance benchmarks on Cloudways’ official domain (`www.cloudways.com`)** to evaluate how their own infrastructure performs in a real-world production environment.

We do not accept modified performance data from hosts.

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