Review Cloudways 2024
Cloudways Review: A Platform for Pros, By Pros
Cloudways often flies under the radar compared to hosting giants like GoDaddy or HostGator. But for experienced users - developers, agencies, and system administrators - it offers a level of control and flexibility that's hard to beat. Let's break down why Cloudways might be the managed cloud hosting solution you've been searching for.
Choose Your Weapon (Cloud Provider, That Is)
Cloudways doesn't own its data centers; instead, it partners with industry heavyweights like AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, Vultr, and Linode. This unique approach lets you select the infrastructure that aligns with your project's needs and budget. Need the raw power of AWS? Done. Prefer the affordability of Vultr? No problem.
Pricing that Scales with You, Not Against You
Forget about fixed, bloated plans. Cloudways operates on a pay-as-you-go model. You only pay for the server resources you actually use. This granular approach translates into significant cost savings, especially for projects with fluctuating traffic.
A Developer's Playground
Cloudways is built by techies, for techies. The platform comes loaded with features seasoned professionals will appreciate:
- SSH access: Dive deep and manage your server with granular control.
- Git integration: Deploy code changes effortlessly from your repositories.
- Staging areas: Test new features and updates in a safe environment before going live.
- Customizable server stack: Fine-tune your PHP, MySQL, and Nginx configurations to your liking.
Performance That Doesn't Quit
Speed is non-negotiable in today's digital landscape, and Cloudways delivers. Their servers are optimized for performance, boasting lightning-fast loading times thanks to their built-in caching system and CDN integration. You can choose the data center closest to your target audience to further minimize latency.
Security You Can Trust
Cloudways takes security seriously. They provide free SSL certificates, offer automated backups, and implement firewalls at the server level. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection to your account.
Human Support When You Need It
While Cloudways is designed for self-sufficiency, their customer support deserves a shout-out. Their team is available 24/7 via live chat and ticketing system, and they possess the technical chops to answer even the most complex queries.
In Conclusion: Is Cloudways Right for You?
Cloudways isn't for everyone. If you're looking for a simple shared hosting plan to host a basic website, you'll find cheaper and less technical options elsewhere.
However, if you're an experienced user who demands control, flexibility, and uncompromised performance, Cloudways is a game-changer. It provides the tools and infrastructure to build and scale high-performance web applications without breaking a sweat.
Cloudways's rating: Perfect hosting provider
We rate features of services on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest rating and 5 being the highest rating. e also take into account the opinions of other users when rating features. We read user reviews and feedback to get a sense of how other people are using the features and what they think of them.
The PERFECT reputation ranking is for hosting providers that have many registered users and does not receive severe complaints. These providers deserve your peace of mind.
Parameters | Score | Why did we give this score? |
---|---|---|
Features | 4.5 | Excellent - We consider a number of factors when rating features, including: usefulness, ease to use, effectiveness, impact.. Cloudways's feature is outstanding. It is one of the best features of the service and is essential for any user who wants to get the most out of the service. |
Reliability | 4.6 | Trustworthy - Cloudways is extremely reliable and always meets its promises. They have an outstanding customer service record and are always responsive to customer complaints. |
User Friendly | 4.3 | Excellent - Extremely Easy to Use: Cloudways is incredibly easy to navigate and use. Users will find it effortlessly to find the information they need or complete tasks. |
Support | 4.4 | Excellent - The support service is excellent. There is a comprehensive user manual and FAQ page. The helpdesk is very responsive and helpful. The support time is very fast and there is live chat with customers. The service supports multiple languages and provides excellent customer service. |
Price | 4 | Affordable - The pricing of Cloudways is affordable. It is slightly lower than the average prices of similar services, and there is some flexibility in the price list. |
Promotion | 4.2 | Very generous - Cloudways offers abundant promotions. Their promotions are top-notch and have an extremely wide reach. There are many bonus programs, discounted codes, or percentage discounts. They have minimal or no conditions for receiving promotions, and their targeted audience is extremely broad. Their rewards programs and loyalty programs are excellent, and their discounts and special offers are extremely frequent and enticing. |
Other Factors | 4.4 | Excellent - The number of customers is extremely high, and the partner reviews are overwhelmingly positive. The company's revenue is also extremely high. |
Pros and Cons
Here are the pros and cons of using Cloudways as your hosting platform.
Positives
- Managed Cloud Hosting: Cloudways provides a managed hosting platform, allowing users to leverage top-tier cloud infrastructure (AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, etc.) without dealing with the complexities of server management.
- User-Friendly Interface: Their intuitive control panel simplifies server setup, management, and deployment, making it accessible even for users with limited technical expertise.
- Scalability and Flexibility: Cloudways allows easy scalability, enabling users to adjust resources as needed without the hassle of migrating servers. This flexibility suits businesses experiencing fluctuating traffic or growth.
- Multiple Cloud Provider Options: Users can choose from various cloud providers and data center locations, offering flexibility in terms of performance optimization and targeting specific geographical audiences.
- Performance and Reliability: Leveraging top-tier cloud providers, Cloudways generally offers good uptime, high performance, and reliable hosting services, contributing to a positive user experience.
- Security Features: The platform implements managed security measures, including regular security patches, dedicated firewalls, free SSL certificates, and other security enhancements, bolstering website protection.
- Managed Backups and Restorations: Cloudways offers automated backups and easy restoration options, ensuring data safety and providing peace of mind to users.
Negatives
- Complex Pricing Structure: The pay-as-you-go pricing model based on cloud infrastructure usage can be confusing for some users. Understanding the costs associated with different resources might be challenging, leading to unexpected expenses.
- Limited Control for Advanced Users: Advanced users seeking full control over server configurations might find Cloudways' managed approach restrictive. The platform is designed to simplify hosting, but it might lack certain customization options desired by tech-savvy users.
- Lack of Email Hosting: Cloudways doesn't provide email hosting services. While this is not necessarily a weakness in hosting, some users prefer having email hosting integrated into their hosting provider for convenience.
- No Domain Registration: Similarly, Cloudways doesn't offer domain registration services. Users need to purchase domains from third-party registrars and configure them separately.
- Potential Resource Constraints: Depending on the chosen plan, resource limitations might affect users needing high-demand resources or for rapidly scaling websites. Users may need to upgrade plans or resources, impacting overall costs.
- Limited Data Center Options: While Cloudways offers multiple data center locations, the selection might be limited compared to other hosting providers, potentially affecting performance for users targeting specific geographical regions.
- Learning Curve for Beginners: Despite its user-friendly interface, some beginners might still face a learning curve, especially if they're entirely new to managing cloud servers or hosting environments.
- Occasional Support Delays: While Cloudways provides 24/7 support, some users have reported occasional delays in getting complex issues resolved. Resolution times might vary based on the complexity of the problem.
- Reliance on Third-Party Cloud Providers: As Cloudways utilizes various cloud infrastructure providers like AWS, Google Cloud, etc., any issues or limitations with these providers could indirectly affect the services Cloudways offers.
- Limited Backup Retention: Depending on the plan, Cloudways might offer limited backup retention, potentially impacting users who require longer data retention periods or more frequent backups.
Interesting facts
Cloudways offers a comprehensive set of features, including multiple cloud infrastructure options (like AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean), easy scalability, managed security, SSL, staging environments, and more. However, some advanced features might be lacking for very specific use cases.
Cloudways generally provides reliable hosting services with good uptime and performance. Their utilization of top-tier cloud providers contributes to the overall reliability. However, occasional maintenance or issues can occur.
The platform offers a user-friendly interface, making it relatively easy to set up and manage cloud servers even for those without extensive technical knowledge. However, certain advanced functionalities might have a learning curve.
Cloudways offers 24/7 customer support through live chat and a ticketing system. Responses are generally prompt, and their support team is knowledgeable. However, occasionally, resolution times might vary based on the complexity of the issue.
Cloudways stands out for its focus on managed cloud hosting, enabling users to benefit from the scalability and security of various cloud infrastructures without the complexity of direct management. However, some users might prefer more control or customization options.