Overall
Cloudways and WP Engine cater to different segments of the web hosting market, with Cloudways offering a versatile cloud hosting platform and WP Engine specializing in managed WordPress hosting. Cloudways boasts a higher HostingGuruReviews of 82.8%, reflecting its broad service offerings and its focus on performance and scalability. WP Engine, with a HostingGuruReviews of 73.0%, emphasizes WordPress-specific features, support, and developer-friendly tools, making it a go-to option for users seeking dedicated WordPress hosting solutions.
Service Offering
| Feature | Cloudways | WP Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Services | Cloud, and Reseller Hosting | – Hosting |
| Specialized Services | Managed WordPress Hosting | Managed WordPress Hosting |
| Server Locations | Canada, USA, Brazil, UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Australia | USA, Belgium, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Finland, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Israel, Ireland |
| Control Panel | In-House | WordPress |
| Uptime Guarantee | 100% | 99.95% |
| Money Back (Days) | 14 | 60 |
| Free Migration | Yes | Yes |
| Support Channels | Live chat and email | Phone, live chat, and email |
Plans & Pricing
| Hosting Type | Cloudways | WP Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $ – /mo | $ – /mo |
| VPS Hosting | $ – /mo | $ – /mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $ – /mo | $ – /mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $11.00 – 1056.00/mo | $35.00 – 675.00/mo |
| WordPress Hosting | $14.00 – 487.00/mo | $15.00 – 145.00/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $ – /mo | $ – /mo |
| Coupon | HOSTSCORE | – |
| Coupon Details | 25% discount for 2 months | – |
Development Features & Others
| Feature | Cloudways | WP Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, and Ruby on Rails | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, and Ruby on Rails |
| Dev Features | GIT access, WP-CLI, cron jobs, Multiple PHP versions, and SSH access | GIT access, WP-CLI, cron jobs, Multiple PHP versions, and SSH access |
| Staging Tool | Built-in | Built-in |
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Cache | Yes | Yes |
| Global CDN | Yes | Yes |
| Free Malware Scan | Yes | Yes |
| DDoS Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Yes | Yes |
About Cloudways
Established in 2011 by co-founders Aaqib Gadit, Pere Hospital, and Uzair Gadit, Cloudways is a managed hosting platform that initially focused on leveraging partnerships with AWS, Google Cloud Platform, and Digital Ocean to serve its customers better. The acquisition by DigitalOcean in August 2022 further solidified this partnership, enhancing Cloudways’ ability to provide superior managed hosting solutions.
Cloudways Pros
- Topnotch server uptime and speed performance
- Good abstration over complex cloud server setups with integrated dashboard
- Outstanding customer support
- High scalability
- Easy server cloning, site staging, and website transfer
- Host unlimited applications in one account
- 25% discount for first two months with coupon “HOSTSCORE”
Cloudways Cons
- Getting expensive – Prices increased steadily for the past few years
- Limited trial period
About WP Engine
Established in 2010 by Ben Metcalfe, Cullen Wilson, and Jason Cohen, WP Engine has its headquarters nestled in Austin, Texas. Through strategic acquisitions like Flywheel and key WordPress plugins such as Genesis Advanced Custom Fields and WP Migrate, WP Engine has fortified its position in the industry while expanding its global footprint.
Boasting a revenue surge to $192.4M in 2023 and a clientele exceeding 120,000, WP Engine, under the leadership of CEO Heather Brunner, continues to chart a path of innovation and growth in the web hosting domain.
WP Engine Pros
- Outstanding server uptime and speed performance
- Round-the-clock WordPress-specialized support
- Developer-friendly environment
- Genesis framework and StudioPress themes included
- Choice of 20+ server locations in four continents
WP Engine Cons
- Email hosting services not included
- Only WordPress plans available
- Bandwidth and some server resources are highly limited
- No white-glove site migration
Our Recommendation
Pricing Models
Cloudways offers flexible cloud hosting plans starting at $11.00 per month, appealing to users who prefer a pay-as-you-go pricing model that scales with their needs. WP Engine provides managed WordPress hosting plans starting at $35.00 per month, targeting users who are willing to invest in premium WordPress hosting for enhanced performance and support.
Features for Web Development
Both hosting providers offer a suite of development features, including GIT access, WP-CLI, multiple PHP versions, SSH access, built-in cache, and global CDN. These features cater to developers and businesses that require advanced tools for website development, staging, and deployment. Cloudways differentiates itself with its flexibility in hosting options and the ability to host unlimited applications on a single account, appealing to users with diverse hosting requirements. WP Engine emphasizes WordPress-specific features, including the Genesis framework and StudioPress themes, making it highly attractive to users deeply integrated into the WordPress ecosystem.
Who Should Use?
Cloudways is recommended for businesses, developers, and digital agencies that require flexible and scalable cloud hosting solutions. Its platform is ideal for those who need a managed hosting environment with the freedom to choose from various cloud providers, supported by a robust set of development tools and features.
WP Engine is best suited for WordPress users looking for premium, managed WordPress hosting. With its focus on WordPress performance, security, and developer tools, WP Engine is the preferred choice for businesses, bloggers, and developers dedicated to building and managing WordPress sites.
