In the ever-evolving world of web hosting, Cloudways has carved out a niche as a managed cloud hosting provider that bridges the gap between raw cloud infrastructure and user-friendly management.
As we step into 2025, with AI-driven tools, autoscaling demands, and the push for faster, more secure websites, it’s worth revisiting whether Cloudways remains a powerhouse or if it’s been outpaced by competitors.
This comprehensive review draws from hands-on analysis, performance benchmarks, user feedback, and the latest updates to give you a clear picture.
I’ve been tracking Cloudways since its early days, and in 2025, it continues to appeal to developers, agencies, e-commerce stores, and growing businesses.
But with rising costs in cloud computing and new players entering the market, does it justify the investment?
Let’s dive in, covering features, pricing, performance, security, support, pros/cons, and more. By the end, you’ll know if Cloudways is right for your needs.
What Is Cloudways? A Quick Overview
Cloudways isn’t your typical hosting provider—it doesn’t own its own data centers. Instead, it acts as a managed layer on top of leading cloud infrastructures like DigitalOcean, Google Cloud, AWS, Vultr, and Linode.
This setup allows users to leverage the power of these giants without dealing with the complexities of server management.
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Malta, Cloudways focuses on simplifying cloud hosting for WordPress, Magento, Laravel, PHP apps, and more. It supports unlimited apps per server (on Flexible plans) and offers pre-configured environments for quick launches.
In 2025, Cloudways has emphasized AI integration and autoscaling, making it ideal for dynamic sites that experience traffic spikes.
The platform’s core promise? High performance, reliability, and ease of use. With over 840,000 websites hosted across 50+ global data centers, it’s trusted by users in 200+ countries. Testimonials highlight 200-300% performance boosts after migration, and its 99.99% uptime guarantee backs that up.
If you’re tired of shared hosting limitations or the steep learning curve of raw cloud providers, Cloudways positions itself as the “simplified” alternative. But let’s break down the features to see how it holds up.
Key Features of Cloudways in 2025
Cloudways packs a punch with features tailored for speed, security, and scalability. Here’s a deep dive into what stands out this year.
1. Managed Cloud Hosting with Choice of Providers
Cloudways lets you choose from five top-tier cloud providers:
- DigitalOcean: Budget-friendly, great for startups with plans starting at $11/month (1GB RAM, 1 Core, 25GB storage, 1TB bandwidth).
- Vultr and Linode: Mid-range options for balanced performance.
- AWS and Google Cloud: Enterprise-grade for high-traffic sites, though pricier (e.g., AWS Small at $38.56/month).
This flexibility is a game-changer—no vendor lock-in, and you can switch providers if needed. The platform handles server setup, updates, and monitoring, freeing you to focus on your site.
2. AI-Powered Tools: Cloudways Copilot
New in 2025, Cloudways Copilot is an AI assistant in public preview. It monitors server health (Webstack, Disk, Host, Inodes) and offers automated troubleshooting recommendations.
For instance, it can detect bottlenecks and suggest optimizations, reducing downtime. Users report it saves hours on diagnostics, especially for non-experts.
3. Autoscaling and Performance Optimization
- Autonomous Plan: Pre-configured for WordPress with built-in autoscaling, Cloudflare Enterprise CDN, and advanced caching. It uses machine learning to adjust resources in real-time.
- Flexible Plan: Manual scaling with 1-click vertical upgrades (RAM, CPU, storage). You can host unlimited apps and use tools like Redis, Memcached, and Varnish for caching.
- Performance perks: Built-in CDN improves load times by 70%, full-page caching speeds pages by 66%, and auto-healing restarts keep sites online.
In tests, sites on Cloudways load in under 1 second, with Time to First Byte (TTFB) around 200-400ms.
4. Staging, Cloning, and Collaboration
Developers love the 1-click staging environments for testing updates without risking live sites. You can clone apps, push/pull changes, and collaborate via team management tools (Git integration, SSH/SFTP access). Agencies benefit from role-based access and 1-click server transfers to clients.
5. Backup and Restore
Automated daily backups (retention up to 14 days) with 1-click restores. On-demand backups are free, and you can schedule frequency. This is crucial for e-commerce sites where data loss could be catastrophic.
6. SMTP and Add-Ons
Integrate SMTP for emails (e.g., Elastic Email at extra cost). Add-ons include malware protection, premium support, and Cloudflare Enterprise for enhanced security and optimization.
7. Developer-Friendly Stack
Pre-optimized with PHP 7.3-8.2, MySQL/MariaDB, Apache/Nginx, and support for Laravel, Symfony, and custom PHP apps. No cPanel here—it’s a custom dashboard, which some find intuitive but others see as a learning curve.
Cloudways’ features evolve with trends; 2025 updates include better WooCommerce support (e.g., Elasticsearch integration for faster searches) and performance tips for removing unused JavaScript to boost Core Web Vitals.
Pricing and Plans: Is Cloudways Affordable in 2025?
Cloudways uses a pay-as-you-go model—no long-term contracts, and you only pay for what you use. Pricing varies by provider and resources, starting at $11/month for basic plans. Here’s a breakdown:
DigitalOcean Plans
| Plan | RAM | CPU | Storage | Bandwidth | Price/Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DO1GB | 1GB | 1 Core | 25GB | 1TB | $11 |
| DO2GB | 2GB | 1 Core | 50GB | 2TB | $24 |
| DO4GB | 4GB | 2 Cores | 80GB | 4TB | $46 |
| DO8GB | 8GB | 4 Cores | 160GB | 5TB | $88 |
AWS Plans
| Plan | RAM | CPU | Storage | Bandwidth | Price/Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Small | 2GB | 2 Cores | 20GB | 2GB | $38.56 |
| AWS Medium | 4GB | 2 Cores | 20GB | 2GB | $91.84 |
| AWS Large | 8GB | 2 Cores | 20GB | 2GB | $183.22 |
Google Cloud Plans
| Plan | RAM | CPU | Storage | Bandwidth | Price/Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCE Small | 1.75GB | 1 Core | 20GB | 2GB | $37.45 |
| GCE Medium | 3.75GB | 2 Cores | 20GB | 2GB | $84.12 |
| GCE Large | 7.5GB | 2 Cores | 20GB | 2GB | $152.14 |
All plans include free SSL, migrations, 24/7 support, and a 3-day trial (no credit card needed). Backups are separate ($0.033/GB/month), and add-ons like Cloudflare Enterprise cost extra.
Compared to 2024, prices are stable, but autoscaling on Autonomous plans adds dynamic costs. It’s pricier than shared hosting (e.g., Hostinger at $2.99/month) but cheaper than premium managed WordPress like WP Engine ($25/month+). The value shines for scaling—upgrade temporarily for spikes without overpaying.
Pros: Transparent, scalable. Cons: Can get confusing with provider variances; no money-back guarantee, just the trial.
Performance and Speed: How Does Cloudways Stack Up?
Performance is Cloudways’ strong suit. In 2025 reviews, sites consistently score 95-100% on GTmetrix and Google PageSpeed Insights.
Benchmark Results
- TTFB: 200-510ms average (elite for global sites).
- Uptime: 99.99% over 12 months, with minimal downtime (4m 22s/month).
- Load Handling: Handles 100 concurrent users with 19-147ms response times.
- Global TTFB: 177-886ms, excelling with CDN.
In my analysis, a WordPress test site loaded in 925ms fully, with Largest Contentful Paint at 925ms—impressive for media-heavy pages. Cloudways outperforms SiteGround (510ms TTFB) and Hostinger (443ms) in load tests but lags behind Rocket.net (335ms TTFB) in some metrics.
Factors boosting speed: Optimized stack (Nginx, Varnish, Redis), CDN integration, and edge caching. For e-commerce, Elasticsearch configs enhance search, potentially boosting conversions.
Downsides: WPBench scores are below average (3.7/10) on starter plans due to limited CPU/RAM—upgrade for better results. Variable performance depends on the chosen provider; DigitalOcean is cost-effective but AWS/Google shine for high loads.
Security Features: Keeping Your Site Safe
Security is robust but not foolproof. Key elements:
- Firewalls and WAF: Built-in DDoS protection, IP whitelisting, and bot blocking.
- SSL Certificates: Free Let’s Encrypt with 1-click install.
- Malware Protection: Paid add-on scans files/databases.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): For account security.
- Auto-Healing and Monitoring: Detects issues every minute.
Cloudways scores high on compliance (GDPR-ready) and uses Cloudflare for advanced threats. However, no automatic malware removal on base plans—opt for the add-on ($3/month).
In 2025, with rising cyber threats, Cloudways’ decentralized model (no single point of failure) is a plus. User reports praise quick incident responses, but beginners might need premium support for complex setups.
Customer Support: 24/7 Help When You Need It
Support is a highlight: 24/7 live chat with 90-second response times, 96% CSAT, and 73 NPS. The team acts as an “extended arm” for users, handling migrations and optimizations.
Options:
- Standard: Free, ticket-based.
- Advanced/Premium: Paid upgrades for faster responses and phone support.
- Knowledge Base: Extensive guides on WooCommerce updates, Elasticsearch, etc.
- Community: Active forums and X discussions.
From X feedback, users rave about expert help but note occasional delays during peaks. For agencies, team collaboration tools integrate well with support.
Pros and Cons of Cloudways in 2025
Pros
- Exceptional performance and scalability for growing sites.
- Flexible provider choices avoid lock-in.
- AI tools like Copilot streamline management.
- Free migrations, SSL, and trial make onboarding easy.
- Strong security and 99.99% uptime.
Cons
- Learning curve for beginners (no cPanel).
- Pricing can escalate with add-ons and scaling.
- Backup costs extra; variable performance by provider.
- No domain registration or built-in email hosting (Rackspace add-on $1/mailbox).
- 3-day trial vs. longer money-back guarantees elsewhere.
User Reviews and Real-World Experiences
On X, users in 2025 share mixed but mostly positive vibes. One praised 24/7 support and performance for high-traffic sites. Agencies highlight team tools and migrations. However, some complain about pricing shifts for self-hosting and execution-based costs.
From web reviews: 4.6/5 overall, with 9.5/10 for performance and ease of use. E-commerce users love WooCommerce integrations, but beginners note the dashboard overwhelm.
Comparisons: Cloudways vs. Alternatives
- vs. Kinsta/WP Engine: Cloudways is cheaper ($11 vs. $25+) and more flexible but lacks Kinsta’s premium WP tools (8.5/10 WPBench vs. Cloudways’ 3.7).
- vs. SiteGround/Hostinger: Better for scaling than shared plans, but pricier for small sites.
- vs. Rocket.net: Similar speed, but Cloudways offers more providers; Rocket.net edges on global TTFB (177ms).
- vs. Cloudflare Workers: Cloudways is app-focused; Cloudflare suits edge computing but has limits (e.g., 10GB DB).
For 2025 trends like decentralized clouds (e.g., Bless Network), Cloudways remains centralized but reliable.
What’s New in 2025 for Cloudways?
- WooCommerce 9.9.5 support for better performance.
- Enhanced Elasticsearch for Magento/Laravel.
- Copilot public preview for AI diagnostics.
- Blog tips on JS optimization and comparisons (e.g., MariaDB vs. MySQL).
No major price hikes, but focus on AI and autoscaling aligns with hosting trends.
Who Should Use Cloudways?
- Best for: Developers, agencies, e-commerce (8.8/10 suitability), SMBs needing scale (8.5/10).
- Not for: Absolute beginners (6.5/10 for personal blogs) or those wanting cheap shared hosting.
- Avoid if you need Windows servers or heavy third-party integrations.
Conclusion: Should You Choose Cloudways in 2025?
Cloudways earns an 8.2/10 overall—strong on performance (9.5/10), features (9.0/10), and support (9.4/10), but docked for pricing complexity and learning curve. If you’re scaling a WordPress site, e-shop, or app, its managed cloud magic shines. The 3-day trial lets you test risk-free.
For alternatives, check Kinsta for pure WP focus or Hostinger for budgets. But for flexible, high-speed cloud hosting, Cloudways remains a solid pick. Ready to turbocharge your site? Sign up via their site and see the difference.