The Key Differences between Hosting.com vs Cloudways
The key differences between Hosting.com and Cloudways lie in scalability, performance architecture, and user control.
Hosting.com (formerly A2 Hosting) focuses on traditional shared and VPS hosting with speed-boosted Turbo plans, while Cloudways offers a powerful managed cloud hosting platform built on top-tier providers like DigitalOcean, AWS, and Google Cloud.
Cloudways is built for performance and flexibility. You can deploy multiple apps, scale resources on demand, and manage everything through a custom control panel designed for developers and power users. Hosting.com, by contrast, feels more boxed-in: plans are tied to fixed resources, limited to one site per plan, and optimized only at the top tiers.
If you’re running a serious or growing web project, Cloudways is in a different league.
Essential Services Compared
Cloudways
Our Take
Cloudways delivers managed hosting built on top of major cloud platforms, including DigitalOcean, AWS, Vultr, and Google Cloud. It gives site owners access to cloud-level performance and scaling, but without the burden of handling server administration themselves. The service is geared toward agencies, developers, and fast-growing businesses that need flexibility. That said, Cloudways is not aimed at first-time site owners. Its pricing structure can be harder to follow than traditional shared hosting, and there are no low-cost entry plans. Still, for users who want managed cloud power with advanced features, Cloudways is a strong choice.
Hosting.com
Our Take
Hosting.com (formerly A2 Hosting) has repositioned itself under World Host Group, targeting solo developers, LMS users, and small businesses with streamlined hosting solutions. Based on our experience and review of their current offerings, the brand no longer aims to lead on raw performance — but still delivers where it counts: developer tools, global servers, and strong unmanaged VPS value. The new email hosting plan, in particular, stands out as a smart choice for small businesses and teams.
For Beginners Looking for Affordable Hosting: Hosting.com Is Easier to Start With
For beginners or non-technical users, Hosting.com is the more accessible option. Its shared hosting plans start at $2.99/month with a traditional cPanel interface, free email, domain registration, and WordPress pre-installed. This makes it easy for newcomers to get started without navigating complex infrastructure choices.
Cloudways, on the other hand, has a steeper learning curve. Users must choose a cloud provider, configure their server, and manage hosting through Cloudways’ proprietary dashboard. While this isn’t difficult for experienced users, beginners may feel overwhelmed. Pricing also starts higher — roughly $14/month for the lowest-tier DigitalOcean plan — and email, domain registration, and file manager access require third-party add-ons.
Bottom line: if you’re just starting out and need simplicity, Hosting.com wins. But if you’re willing to learn, Cloudways offers far more power in the long run.
Cloudways vs Hosting.com Pricing
| Hosting Type | Hosting.com | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $1.99 - 8.99/mo | $ - /mo |
| VPS Hosting | $4.99 - 31.99/mo | $ - /mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $179.99 - 539.99/mo | $ - /mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $ - /mo | $11.00 - 1056.00/mo |
| Managed WP Hosting | $2.99 - 6.99/mo | $35.00 - 1640.00/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| Coupon | - | HOSTSCORE |
| Coupon Details | - | 30% Discount for 3 Months |
For Advanced Users Looking for VPS Hosting: Cloudways Is Clearly Better
When it comes to VPS or cloud server hosting, Cloudways is in a different league. It offers managed hosting over industry-leading IaaS providers like DigitalOcean, Vultr, Linode, AWS, and GCP through a centralized, developer-friendly dashboard. You can deploy multiple applications per server, run staging environments, add team members into account, vertically scale up, and clone servers with a few clicks.
Hosting.com’s unmanaged VPS plans are cheaper, but less sophisticated. There’s no built-in autoscaling, site staging, or multi-site management from a unified dashboard. You’ll need to manage server performance and security manually.
For advanced users who want power, speed, and control, Cloudways is the better solution by a wide margin.
For WordPress Users: Cloudways Offers More Flexibility and Performance
Cloudways shines as a WordPress host. You get custom-tuned stack options (Nginx + Apache + Varnish + Redis), built-in WordPress cache plugin (Breeze), responsive technical support, easy vertical scaling, and 1-click site staging — all ideal for WooCommerce stores, LMS sites, and busy content-driven platforms. HostScore.net (this site you are currently reading) itself runs on Cloudways, and we’ve seen consistently excellent performance over time.
Hosting.com’s Managed WordPress hosting plans are fast and reliable too, thanks to LiteSpeed and NVMe. But you’re limited to one website per plan, and the overall flexibility just doesn’t match Cloudways. There’s no staging, no multi-app management, and fewer caching customization options.
If your WordPress site is growing or resource-heavy, Cloudways offers better long-term scalability and tech stack optimization. Hosting.com may suit single-site owners looking for a fast, no-frills option — but it’s not built for scale.
For Small Businesses: Hosting.com Is Easier to Manage, Cloudways Is Better for Growth
For small business owners, the decision between Hosting.com and Cloudways often comes down to ease of use versus long-term scalability.
Hosting.com is a more traditional host with cPanel, bundled email, domain registration, and support for one-click apps. If you’re running a brochure site, local service business, or a small online shop, Hosting.com offers everything in one place — with performance perks like NVMe storage and LiteSpeed Web Server on Turbo plans. Setup is straightforward, and you won’t need a technical background to get started.
Cloudways, on the other hand, is better suited for small businesses with growing needs or higher performance expectations. It provides much greater flexibility — from launching multiple sites under one account to scaling server resources as your business grows. Features like automated backups, staging environments, and real-time monitoring are especially valuable for mission-critical websites.
That said, Cloudways doesn’t include email hosting or domain registration, and its interface may feel unfamiliar to non-technical users. You’ll also need to be more hands-on when managing resources and billing.
If simplicity and bundled services matter most, Hosting.com is easier to manage. But if you expect traffic to grow or need room to scale, Cloudways is the smarter long-term partner.
Our Final Verdict
While Hosting.com is a fine choice for small sites or beginners, Cloudways is the superior platform in terms of performance, scalability, and features. Its developer-friendly dashboard, flexible infrastructure options, and consistent speed make it a favorite among pros — including us at HostScore.net.
Billing frustrations aside, Cloudways continues to be our go-to recommendation for users running high-traffic WordPress, WooCommerce, or LMS websites.
More About Hosting.com & Cloudways
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
- High scalability; Autonomous plan supports auto-scaling
- Easy server cloning, site staging, and website transfer
- Host unlimited applications in one account
- 30% discount for first two months with coupon “HOSTSCORE”
Cloudways Cons
- Getting expensive – Prices increased steadily for the past few years
- Limited trial period
- Excellent technical support, but poor billing practices and support
Hosting.com
Hosting.com, previously known as A2 Hosting, was originally founded by Bryan Muthig in 2003 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The company built a reputation for developer-first hosting, becoming one of the earliest providers to adopt SSD storage and optimize WordPress performance through its A2 Optimized platform.
In January 2025, the company was acquired by World Host Group and rebranded as Hosting.com. While the ownership has changed, the service still emphasizes tools for developers, fast server technology, and global infrastructure. Today, Hosting.com is actively repositioning itself to serve small businesses, LMS websites, and tech-savvy freelancers; offering a mix of shared, WordPress, VPS, and email hosting built on its legacy of performance and customization.
Hosting.com Pros
- Developer-friendly: Node.js, Python, Redis, and SSH acces even on shared plans
- Turbo plans include NVMe, LiteSpeed, and HTTP/3 tech
- Excellent email hosting deal for small businesses
- Free cPanel site migrations
- Cheap unmanaged VPS with strong specs
Hosting.com Cons
- Renewal rates jump steeply after promo
- One website limit on all Turbo plans
- Lacks modern cloud or autoscaling options
- Managed VPS plans have become more restrictive post-A2 migration
