Cloudways Review – Affordable and Managed Cloud Hosting

Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform that offers a simplified approach to hosting web applications on popular cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), DigitalOcean, and others. The platform provides a user-friendly dashboard that allows customers to launch and manage their servers and applications with ease. Cloudways focuses on delivering performance, security, and reliability by optimizing servers for the specific needs of their customers. The platform also offers a range of features such as automated backups, 24/7 customer support, and a wide range of integrations, making it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes looking for a hassle-free cloud hosting solution.

About Cloudways

Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform that offers a simplified approach to hosting web applications on popular cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), DigitalOcean, and others. Cloudways provides a user-friendly dashboard that allows customers to launch and manage their servers and applications with ease, without requiring technical knowledge. Customers can choose from a variety of server configurations and can scale up or down depending on their needs.

One of the main advantages of Cloudways is its focus on performance, security, and reliability. The platform optimizes servers for the specific needs of its customers, ensuring faster load times and improved overall performance. Cloudways also offers a range of security features, such as dedicated firewalls, regular security patching, and two-factor authentication, to keep applications safe from external threats.

Cloudways also provides a wide range of features, such as automated backups, 24/7 customer support, and a range of integrations. The platform offers one-click backups, allowing customers to easily backup their servers and applications. Their customer support team is available 24/7 via live chat and ticketing system, and they have a team of experts who can assist customers with any technical issues or questions they may have. Additionally, Cloudways integrates with popular tools and services, including WordPress, WooCommerce, Magento, and more.

Cloudways’ pricing model is pay-as-you-go, meaning customers only pay for what they use. There are no upfront costs, no contracts, and no long-term commitments. This makes Cloudways an affordable option for businesses of all sizes.

In conclusion, Cloudways is an attractive option for businesses looking for a hassle-free cloud hosting solution that offers high performance, security, and reliability. The platform provides a user-friendly dashboard, a range of features, and 24/7 customer support, making it a top choice for those seeking a managed cloud hosting platform.

Cloudways Features

Cloudways offers a wide range of features that make it an attractive option for businesses looking for a hassle-free cloud hosting solution. Here are some of the key features of Cloudways:

1. User-Friendly Dashboard: Cloudways provides a user-friendly dashboard that allows customers to launch and manage their servers and applications with ease.
2. Multiple Cloud Providers: Cloudways supports popular cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), DigitalOcean, and others.
3. Server Configuration: Cloudways provides a range of server configurations and allows customers to scale up or down depending on their needs.
4. Performance Optimization: Cloudways optimizes servers for the specific needs of its customers, ensuring faster load times and improved overall performance.
5. Security: Cloudways offers a range of security features, such as dedicated firewalls, regular security patching, and two-factor authentication, to keep applications safe from external threats.
6. Automated Backups: Cloudways offers one-click backups, allowing customers to easily backup their servers and applications.
7. 24/7 Customer Support: Cloudways’ customer support team is available 24/7 via live chat and ticketing system.
8. Integrations: Cloudways integrates with popular tools and services, including WordPress, WooCommerce, Magento, and more.
9. Pay-As-You-Go Pricing: Cloudways’ pricing model is pay-as-you-go, meaning customers only pay for what they use. There are no upfront costs, no contracts, and no long-term commitments.

Cloudways Plan Types

Cloudways offers a variety of hosting plans to suit different needs and budgets. Here are the main types of hosting plans offered by Cloudways:

1. DigitalOcean: This plan is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a cost-effective cloud hosting solution. It offers a range of server configurations and pricing plans based on the amount of RAM, CPU, and storage.
2. Linode: This plan is suitable for businesses looking for high-performance cloud hosting. It offers a range of server configurations and pricing plans based on the amount of RAM, CPU, and storage.
3. Vultr: This plan is ideal for businesses looking for a cloud hosting solution that provides a balance between performance and affordability. It offers a range of server configurations and pricing plans based on the amount of RAM, CPU, and storage.
4. AWS: This plan is suitable for businesses looking for enterprise-grade cloud hosting. It offers a range of server configurations and pricing plans based on the amount of RAM, CPU, and storage.
5. Google Cloud Platform: This plan is ideal for businesses looking for a cloud hosting solution that provides high performance, scalability, and reliability. It offers a range of server configurations and pricing plans based on the amount of RAM, CPU, and storage.

Each hosting plan comes with a range of features, including a user-friendly dashboard, performance optimization, security features, automated backups, 24/7 customer support, and integrations with popular tools and services. The pricing model is pay-as-you-go, meaning customers only pay for what they use, and there are no upfront costs, contracts, or long-term commitments.

Cloudways Plans Comparison

Cloudways offers different hosting plans for different cloud providers, and each plan has its own set of features and pricing. Here is a detailed comparison of the main hosting plans offered by Cloudways:

1. DigitalOcean: This plan is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a cost-effective cloud hosting solution. It offers a range of server configurations and pricing plans based on the amount of RAM, CPU, and storage. The entry-level plan starts at $14/month and includes 1 GB RAM, 1 vCPU, 25 GB storage, and 1 TB bandwidth. The highest-tier plan offers 64 GB RAM, 16 vCPU, 1280 GB storage, and 9 TB bandwidth, and costs $487/month.
2. Linode: This plan is suitable for businesses looking for high-performance cloud hosting. It offers a range of server configurations and pricing plans based on the amount of RAM, CPU, and storage. The entry-level plan starts at $14/month and includes 1 GB RAM, 1 vCPU, 25 GB storage, and 1 TB bandwidth. The highest-tier plan offers 192 GB RAM, 32 vCPU, 3840 GB storage, and 20 TB bandwidth, and costs $1,253/month.
3. Vultr: This plan is ideal for businesses looking for a cloud hosting solution that provides a balance between performance and affordability. It offers a range of server configurations and pricing plans based on the amount of RAM, CPU, and storage. The entry-level plan starts at $16/month and includes 1 GB RAM, 1 vCPU, 32 GB storage, and 1 TB bandwidth. The highest-tier plan offers 48 GB RAM, 12 vCPU, 768 GB storage, and 8 TB bandwidth, and costs $334/month.
4. AWS: This plan is suitable for businesses looking for enterprise-grade cloud hosting. It offers a range of server configurations and pricing plans based on the amount of RAM, CPU, and storage. The entry-level plan starts at $38.56/month and includes 2 GB RAM, 2 vCPU, 20 GB storage, and 2 GB bandwidth. The highest-tier plan offers 384 GB RAM, 96 vCPU, 20 GB storage, and 2 GB bandwidth, and costs $3,569.98/month.
5. Google Cloud Platform: This plan is ideal for businesses looking for a cloud hosting solution that provides high performance, scalability, and reliability. It offers a range of server configurations and pricing plans based on the amount of RAM, CPU, and storage. The entry-level plan starts at $37.45/month and includes 1.75 GB RAM, 1 vCPU, 20 GB storage, and 2 GB bandwidth. The highest-tier plan offers 64 GB RAM, 64 vCPU, 20 GB storage, and 20 GB bandwidth, and costs $1,593.58/month.

All hosting plans come with a user-friendly dashboard, performance optimization, security features, automated backups, 24/7 customer support, and integrations with popular tools and services. The pricing model is pay-as-you-go, meaning customers only pay for what they use, and there are no upfront costs, contracts, or long-term commitments. The pricing for each hosting plan may vary depending on the selected cloud provider, the server location, and the amount of resources allocated.

Cloudways Autonomous Review

Cloudways Autonomous is an advanced cloud hosting service built to streamline the hosting experience for WordPress and WooCommerce websites. Designed to handle high traffic volumes, it offers autoscaling powered by Kubernetes, allowing resources to adjust dynamically based on traffic without manual intervention. This feature makes it a robust solution for websites experiencing frequent traffic spikes, such as e-commerce stores during sales events or high-traffic blogs.

Core Features:

1. Autoscaling and High Availability: Unlike traditional hosting solutions that require manual upgrades during traffic surges, Cloudways Autonomous uses Kubernetes to scale horizontally in real-time. This ensures that your site continues to perform efficiently without downtime, making it ideal for businesses with unpredictable or seasonal traffic patterns.
2. Enterprise-Grade CDN and Security: The platform integrates Cloudflare Enterprise, offering edge caching to speed up content delivery and protect your site from DDoS attacks and other security threats. It also includes Web Application Firewall (WAF) protection, ensuring a secure environment for your data and customers.
3. Unlimited PHP Workers: With uncapped PHP workers, Cloudways Autonomous handles multiple requests simultaneously, which is particularly useful for WooCommerce sites processing a high volume of transactions or queries at peak times.
4. Object Caching with Redis Pro: The integrated Redis Object Cache Pro (included without extra cost) further improves website performance, particularly for data-heavy applications like online stores. By reducing the frequency of database calls, it helps lower bounce rates and improves the user experience during checkout.
5. Streamlined Management: Despite the advanced infrastructure, Cloudways Autonomous offers a simplified user interface and automated resource management, so users don’t need technical expertise to operate the platform. Features such as backup and restore, load balancing, and customizable PHP settings are all handled through a user-friendly dashboard​

Ideal Use Cases:

Cloudways Autonomous is a great choice for websites that demand consistent uptime and scalable performance. It suits e-commerce stores, online publications, and businesses expecting sudden spikes in traffic. The platform is particularly attractive for users who want to focus on their business without the complexity of managing cloud infrastructure manually.

Overall, Cloudways Autonomous combines the convenience of managed hosting with the power and flexibility of a cloud-based infrastructure, making it a highly capable solution for businesses of all sizes.

Cloudways Customer Support – How Good Is It?

Cloudways is known for providing excellent customer support to its customers. The company offers 24/7/365 support via live chat, email, and phone. Customers can also get support through the Cloudways Community Forum, where they can post questions and get answers from other users, as well as from the Cloudways team.

The company’s support team is composed of experienced cloud engineers who have extensive knowledge of the cloud hosting industry. They are able to provide technical support on a wide range of issues, including server configuration, website optimization, and security.

In addition to traditional support channels, Cloudways also offers a comprehensive knowledge base that contains tutorials, how-to guides, and troubleshooting articles. This knowledge base is searchable and organized by category, making it easy for users to find the information they need.

Overall, Cloudways’ customer support is highly rated by its users, with many customers praising the promptness, professionalism, and expertise of the support team. The company’s commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in its support policies, which include a 30-day money-back guarantee and a commitment to resolving all customer issues in a timely manner.

The Speed and Performance of Cloudways

Cloudways offers excellent speed and performance due to its focus on cloud hosting and server optimization. The company provides hosting solutions on top-rated cloud providers, such as DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Linode, and Vultr.

Cloudways uses its own proprietary performance-optimized stack, called ThunderStack, which includes Apache, Nginx, MySQL, and PHP-FPM. This stack provides fast website loading times, high levels of security, and improved website stability. Additionally, Cloudways offers several caching options, including Redis, Memcached, and Varnish, which further boost website speed and performance.

To further optimize website performance, Cloudways offers a range of features such as automatic backups, free SSL certificates, and a content delivery network (CDN) integration. The CDN integration allows websites to load faster by serving content from servers closer to the user’s location.

Cloudways also offers server scaling, allowing users to add resources to their servers as needed to accommodate increased traffic. This ensures that websites remain fast and responsive even during periods of high traffic.

Overall, Cloudways is highly rated for its speed and performance by its users, with many customers reporting significant improvements in website loading times and overall website performance.

The Reliability of Cloudways

Cloudways is known for providing reliable hosting services to its customers. The company utilizes top-rated cloud providers, such as DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Linode, and Vultr, to ensure that its servers are highly available and reliable.

Cloudways also offers several features to enhance server reliability, such as automatic backups, server monitoring, and 24/7 server and application monitoring. The company’s server monitoring system is designed to detect issues and alert users in real-time, allowing them to quickly address any potential issues before they become major problems.

Cloudways guarantees an uptime of 99.9% for its servers, which is backed by a Service Level Agreement (SLA). If the uptime falls below this threshold, customers are eligible for compensation in the form of account credits.

In addition to its technical infrastructure, Cloudways has a team of experienced cloud engineers who are available 24/7 to assist customers with any server-related issues. This ensures that any technical problems are resolved quickly, minimizing the impact on website performance and uptime.

Overall, Cloudways is highly rated for its reliability by its users, with many customers reporting minimal downtime and high levels of server availability.

The Pros and Cons of Cloudways

Pros:

• Offers managed cloud hosting on top-rated providers, making it easy for users to deploy and manage their websites
• Provides excellent speed and performance, thanks to its optimized server stack, caching options, and content delivery network integration
• Offers reliable hosting with an uptime guarantee of 99.9%, backed by a Service Level Agreement (SLA)
• Provides 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, staffed by experienced cloud engineers
• Offers a range of features to enhance website security, such as free SSL certificates, regular security patches, and two-factor authentication
• Provides a user-friendly control panel that allows users to manage their servers, applications, and databases easily

Cons:

• Pricing can be higher than some competitors, especially for high-traffic websites
• Some advanced features, such as custom server configurations and root access, may not be available on all hosting plans
• Migration of existing websites to Cloudways can be complex and may require technical expertise
• Limited to hosting WordPress, WooCommerce, Magento, Laravel, and other select platforms, so it may not be the best fit for users with specialized needs outside of those platforms.

A Summary of the Other Cloudways Reviews Online

Cloudways has generally positive reviews online, with many users praising its managed cloud hosting services, speed and performance, and customer support. The company has an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot, based on over 3,500 customer reviews.

Users appreciate the easy-to-use control panel, the fast website loading times, and the high level of website security provided by Cloudways. Many customers also praise the 24/7 customer support, describing it as responsive, knowledgeable, and helpful.

However, some users have raised concerns about pricing, with some users finding the plans to be relatively expensive, especially for high-traffic websites. Some users have also reported issues with server downtime and customer support, though these appear to be relatively rare occurrences.

Overall, Cloudways is well-regarded by its users, with many customers finding its managed cloud hosting services to be a reliable and effective solution for their website hosting needs.

Is Cloudways Right for You?

Here are a few factors to consider when determining if Cloudways is the right hosting provider for you:

1. Website Platform: Cloudways specializes in hosting a few select platforms, including WordPress, WooCommerce, Magento, and Laravel. If you use one of these platforms, then Cloudways could be a good fit for you.
2. Budget: Cloudways’ pricing can be higher than some competitors, so you’ll want to make sure that the cost fits within your budget. Consider how much you’re willing to spend on hosting, and whether the features offered by Cloudways are worth the investment.
3. Website Traffic: Cloudways’ hosting plans are scalable, so you can choose a plan that meets the needs of your website’s traffic. If you have a high-traffic website, you’ll want to make sure that you choose a plan that can handle the volume of visitors without sacrificing performance.
4. Technical Expertise: Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting provider, which means that it takes care of most technical aspects of hosting for you. However, some technical knowledge may be required to set up and manage your server and applications. Consider your level of technical expertise and whether you’re comfortable with the level of control provided by Cloudways.
5. Customer Support: Cloudways offers 24/7 customer support, which is staffed by experienced cloud engineers. Consider whether this level of support meets your needs, and whether you feel comfortable relying on customer support to help you with any technical issues that arise.

By considering these factors, you can determine if Cloudways is the right hosting provider for your website.

Best Cloudways Alternatives

Here are some of the best alternatives to Cloudways:

1. SiteGround: SiteGround offers fast and reliable hosting for a variety of website platforms, including WordPress, Joomla, and Magento. It has a user-friendly control panel and offers excellent customer support.
2. WP Engine: WP Engine specializes in hosting WordPress websites and offers managed hosting plans that are optimized for speed and performance. It also offers excellent customer support.
3. DreamHost: DreamHost offers fast and reliable hosting for a variety of website platforms, including WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. It has a user-friendly control panel and offers excellent customer support.

These hosting providers offer a range of plans and features that can meet the needs of different types of websites, so it’s important to consider your website’s specific requirements when choosing a hosting provider.

Cloudways vs GoDaddy

Here’s a detailed comparison of Cloudways and GoDaddy:

1. Hosting Plans and Features:

Cloudways offers managed cloud hosting plans for popular platforms like WordPress, Magento, and Laravel. It provides several server configurations and options to choose from, and users have complete control over their servers. Additionally, Cloudways offers a range of features, including free SSL certificates, automated backups, and 24/7 support.

GoDaddy, on the other hand, offers several hosting plans, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting. It also provides a range of features like domain registration, website builder, and email hosting. However, GoDaddy’s plans are not managed, which means users are responsible for maintaining their servers and applications.

2. Performance:

Cloudways is known for its fast and reliable hosting performance. It uses top-tier cloud infrastructure providers, including Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud, to deliver fast loading times and server response times. Cloudways also offers several caching options, including Varnish and Redis, to boost website performance.

GoDaddy’s hosting performance can be hit or miss. While it uses solid-state drives (SSDs) for faster website load times, GoDaddy’s servers are often overloaded, leading to slower website performance and server response times.

3. Customer Support:

Cloudways offers 24/7 support via live chat, phone, and ticketing system. Its support team is highly experienced and can help with any technical issues that arise. Cloudways also provides a knowledge base and community forum for users to find solutions to common issues.

GoDaddy also offers 24/7 support via phone, live chat, and ticketing system. However, some users have reported poor experiences with GoDaddy’s customer support, citing long wait times and unhelpful agents.

4. Pricing:

Cloudways’ pricing can be higher than some competitors, but it provides good value for the features and performance it offers. Cloudways’ plans are priced based on the cloud infrastructure provider chosen and the server configuration selected.

GoDaddy’s pricing is more affordable compared to Cloudways, but it does not provide the same level of performance and features. GoDaddy’s plans are priced based on the hosting type chosen and the duration of the plan.

5. User Interface:

Cloudways offers a user-friendly control panel that allows users to manage their servers and applications easily. It provides detailed analytics, monitoring, and reporting, making it easy to keep track of website performance.

GoDaddy’s user interface is also user-friendly and straightforward. It provides a control panel that allows users to manage their hosting accounts, domains, and other features.

Overall, Cloudways is a better option for users looking for managed cloud hosting with excellent performance and features. However, GoDaddy may be a more affordable option for users on a tight budget, but they will have to manage their servers and applications themselves.

Cloudways FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Cloudways:

Q: What is Cloudways?

A: Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform that allows users to deploy and manage their applications on top cloud infrastructure providers such as Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and DigitalOcean.

Q: What hosting plans does Cloudways offer?

A: Cloudways offers managed cloud hosting plans for popular platforms such as WordPress, Magento, Laravel, and more. It provides several server configurations and options to choose from, including different cloud infrastructure providers, and users have complete control over their servers.

Q: How reliable is Cloudways?

A: Cloudways has an excellent reputation for reliability and uptime. It uses top-tier cloud infrastructure providers and provides a range of features like automated backups, free SSL certificates, and advanced caching options to ensure website stability and reliability.

Q: What kind of customer support does Cloudways offer?

A: Cloudways offers 24/7 support via live chat, phone, and ticketing system. Its support team is highly experienced and can help with any technical issues that arise. Cloudways also provides a knowledge base and community forum for users to find solutions to common issues.

Q: What is the pricing for Cloudways hosting plans?

A: Cloudways’ pricing can be higher than some competitors, but it provides good value for the features and performance it offers. Cloudways’ plans are priced based on the cloud infrastructure provider chosen and the server configuration selected.

Q: Can I migrate my website to Cloudways from another hosting provider?

A: Yes, Cloudways offers free website migration for new users. The process is straightforward and can be completed quickly by the Cloudways support team.

Q: Does Cloudways provide a control panel?

A: Yes, Cloudways provides a user-friendly control panel that allows users to manage their servers and applications easily. It provides detailed analytics, monitoring, and reporting, making it easy to keep track of website performance.

Q: What payment options does Cloudways accept?

A: Cloudways accepts payment via credit/debit card and PayPal.

Q: What happens if I outgrow my Cloudways plan?

A: Cloudways offers scalability and flexibility to accommodate growing businesses. Users can upgrade or downgrade their plans easily through the Cloudways control panel. Additionally, Cloudways provides custom plans for businesses with specific requirements.

Q: Does Cloudways provide a free trial?

A: Yes, Cloudways offers a 3-day free trial for new users.

Cloudways Review Summary

In conclusion, Cloudways is a reliable and flexible managed cloud hosting platform that offers a range of features and excellent performance. Its intuitive control panel, 24/7 customer support, and automated backups make it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes. While its pricing can be higher than some competitors, Cloudways’ value for money is well worth it for those looking for top-tier cloud infrastructure and advanced features. Overall, Cloudways is a solid choice for businesses and individuals who want a hassle-free, fully managed hosting solution.