Cloudways pricing can feel like a buffet. Lots of tasty options. A few surprise charges. And one very important question: “How much will this thing really cost me?” Let’s make it simple, fun, and easy to follow.
TLDR: Cloudways uses pay as you go pricing, so you pay monthly or hourly for the server you choose. The cheapest plans usually start with DigitalOcean, while AWS and Google Cloud cost more. The main hidden costs are backups, email, CDN, premium support, and extra storage. It is great for people who want managed cloud hosting without doing scary server stuff.
What Is Cloudways, Really?
Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform. That sounds fancy. But it means this:
- You choose a cloud server.
- Cloudways sets it up for you.
- You manage your website from a simple dashboard.
- You avoid most server headaches.
Cloudways does not own all the servers itself. Instead, it lets you host on big cloud providers like DigitalOcean, AWS, and Google Cloud. Cloudways adds a friendly control panel, security tools, backups, caching, support, and other goodies on top.
So you are paying for two things at once. The raw cloud server. And the Cloudways management layer.
How Cloudways Pricing Works
Cloudways pricing is based on the server you pick. Bigger server means higher price. Simple.
Plans are usually shown as monthly prices. But Cloudways also bills by the hour. This is nice. If you use a server for only a few days, you do not pay for the whole month.
For example, if a server costs $30 per month, you are charged bit by bit as time passes. Like a taxi meter. But for websites. Less honking, hopefully.
Most plans include:
- RAM, which helps your site handle work.
- CPU cores, which process requests.
- Storage, where your files live.
- Bandwidth, which covers visitor traffic.
- Managed security, so you sleep better.
- Free SSL, so your site gets HTTPS.
- Caching tools, so pages load faster.
DigitalOcean Plans: The Budget Friendly Choice
DigitalOcean is usually the cheapest Cloudways option. It is a good fit for small businesses, blogs, portfolios, and growing WordPress sites.
Typical entry plans may start around $11 to $14 per month, depending on the server type. Prices can change, so always check Cloudways directly before buying.
A small DigitalOcean plan is enough for:
- A new blog.
- A small business website.
- A landing page.
- A low traffic WooCommerce store.
If your site grows, you can scale up. That means you can move to more RAM, more CPU, and more storage. Bigger shoes for bigger feet.
Best for: beginners, small teams, agencies, and budget conscious site owners.
AWS Plans: Powerful But Pricey
AWS is the big, serious cloud option. It is flexible. It is powerful. It is also more expensive.
Cloudways AWS plans often start much higher than DigitalOcean plans. You may see prices around $35 per month or more for entry level options. Again, check current pricing because cloud prices can move around.
AWS is a good choice if you need strong reliability, global cloud infrastructure, or special enterprise needs. But many normal WordPress sites do not need it.
Best for: larger websites, apps, enterprise projects, and teams that already prefer AWS.
Google Cloud Plans: Fast And Premium
Google Cloud is another premium option. Like AWS, it costs more than DigitalOcean. It is known for strong performance, good networking, and serious cloud power.
Google Cloud plans on Cloudways may also start in the higher price range. They are not usually the first stop for bargain hunters.
Choose Google Cloud if you want premium infrastructure and your budget can handle it. If your website is small, DigitalOcean may be smarter.
Best for: high traffic sites, performance focused businesses, and teams that like Google’s cloud ecosystem.
Image not found in postmetaWhat Features Are Included?
Cloudways includes many features that make hosting easier. This is why people like it. You get cloud power without needing to become a server wizard.
Included features often cover:
- Free SSL certificates through Let’s Encrypt.
- Automated backups, with backup settings in the dashboard.
- Staging sites, so you can test changes safely.
- Built in caching for better speed.
- One click WordPress installs.
- Team management, useful for agencies.
- Server monitoring, so you can see what is happening.
- Vertical scaling, so you can upgrade server size.
These features are a big reason Cloudways costs more than buying a plain server directly. You are paying for convenience. And convenience is lovely.
The Hidden Costs To Watch
Now let’s talk about sneaky costs. Not evil costs. Just easy to miss costs.
1. Backups
Cloudways offers automated offsite backups. Very useful. Very important. But backup storage can cost extra. The charge is usually based on how much backup space you use.
If your website has lots of images, videos, or large files, backups can grow fast. More backup data means more cost.
2. Email Hosting
Cloudways does not include normal email hosting by default. That means addresses like hello@yourdomain.com need a separate service.
You can use add ons like Rackspace Email or connect another email provider. Either way, expect extra cost.
3. Transactional Email
Your website may need to send password resets, order emails, or contact form messages. For this, you may need a transactional email service.
Cloudways offers email add ons, but they are not always included in your base server price.
4. CDN
A CDN helps deliver your website faster to visitors around the world. Cloudways has CDN options, including premium choices. These can cost extra.
For a local business site, you may not need it right away. For a global store, it can be worth it.
5. Premium Support
Basic support is included. But advanced support plans cost more. If you want faster help, deeper technical support, or more hand holding, you may pay extra.
This matters for agencies and busy stores. If your site makes money every hour, better support can be worth it.
6. Extra Storage And Scaling
When your site grows, you may need a bigger server. That means a higher monthly price. This is not exactly hidden, but it can surprise people.
Your cute little $14 plan can become a $50, $100, or higher plan as traffic grows. Success has a hosting bill.
Is Cloudways Cheap?
Cloudways is not the cheapest hosting. Shared hosting is cheaper. You can find shared plans for just a few dollars per month.
But shared hosting is like living in a crowded apartment. You share resources with many other websites. If one neighbor throws a party, your site may feel it.
Cloudways is more like renting your own managed space. You get better control, better performance, and easier scaling.
So, is Cloudways cheap? No. Is it good value? Often, yes.
Who Should Use Cloudways?
Cloudways is a good fit if you want speed and control, but you do not want to manage Linux servers yourself.
It works well for:
- WordPress site owners.
- WooCommerce stores.
- Agencies managing client sites.
- Growing blogs.
- Small businesses that need reliable hosting.
- Developers who want less server maintenance.
It may not be ideal if you want the absolute cheapest hosting. It may also be overkill for a tiny hobby site with almost no visitors.
How To Choose The Right Plan
Start small. This is the golden rule.
If you are launching a simple website, begin with a small DigitalOcean plan. Watch your traffic. Watch your server usage. Then upgrade when needed.
Do not buy a giant server just because it sounds cool. Your website does not need a monster truck to go to the grocery store.
Use this simple guide:
- New blog: small DigitalOcean plan.
- Business website: small or medium DigitalOcean plan.
- WooCommerce store: medium plan or above.
- High traffic project: larger DigitalOcean, AWS, or Google Cloud plan.
- Enterprise site: AWS or Google Cloud, plus premium support.
Final Verdict
Cloudways pricing is simple once you break it down. Pick a cloud provider. Pick a server size. Add any extras you need. Then pay as you go.
The base price is only part of the story. Remember backups, email, CDN, support, and future scaling. These can change your monthly bill.
For many users, Cloudways hits a sweet spot. It is easier than raw cloud hosting. It is stronger than basic shared hosting. And it gives your website room to grow.
In short: Cloudways is not bargain basement hosting. It is managed cloud hosting with training wheels, turbo boosters, and a nice dashboard. Just read the price tags before you ride.
