Overall
Cloudways offers a superior cloud hosting solution with higher performance, scalability, and a broad range of server locations. BlueHost, in contrast, provides a more traditional hosting approach with its range of shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting options.
In the head-to-head comparison between the two, Cloudways significantly outperforms BlueHost with a HostScore of 82.8%, placing it well above the industry average of 67% derived from over 30 hosting company evaluations. BlueHost, in comparison, falls below our industry benchmark with a HostScore of 53.3%.
62.9%
82.8%
Service Offering
| Feature | BlueHost | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Services | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Cloud Hosting | Cloud, and Reseller Hosting |
| Specialized Services | Managed WordPress, and Email Hosting | Managed WordPress Hosting |
| Server Locations | USA, Germany, France, Brazil, Australia, UK, India, Canada, Spain | Canada, USA, Brazil, UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, India, and Australia |
| Control Panel | cPanel | In-House |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% | 100% |
| Money Back (Days) | 30 | 3 |
| Free Migration | Yes | Yes |
| Support Channels | Phone, live chat, and email | Live chat and email |
BlueHost offers a wide range of hosting services, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting, along with specialized services like managed WordPress hosting. Cloudways focuses exclusively on cloud hosting, providing a platform that integrates with multiple cloud providers for a customizable and scalable hosting environment.
Plans & Pricing
| Hosting Type | BlueHost | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $3.99 - 14.99/mo | $ - /mo |
| VPS Hosting | $4.69 - 25.99/mo | $ - /mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $144.19 - 315.19/mo | $ - /mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $65.00 - 230.00/mo | $11.00 - 1056.00/mo |
| Managed WP Hosting | $3.99 - 14.99/mo | $35.00 - 1640.00/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| Coupon | - | HOSTSCORE |
| Coupon Details | - | 30% Discount for 3 Months |
BlueHost provides a variety of hosting plans at competitive prices, making it an attractive option for users on a budget. Cloudways employs a pay-as-you-go pricing model that can offer better cost efficiency and scalability for growing businesses. Cloudways’ flexible pricing is particularly appealing for users who anticipate variable traffic, while BlueHost is more suitable for users looking for predictable monthly costs.
Development Features & Others
| Feature | BlueHost | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | PHP, Python, Node.js, Django, Perl, 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 | Higher plans | Yes |
| DDoS Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Yes | Yes |
Both BlueHost and Cloudways support key development features, including multiple programming languages and GIT access. Cloudways offers advanced features such as built-in staging environments and a custom control panel designed for managing cloud hosting efficiently. BlueHost provides a user-friendly experience with cPanel and built-in tools for WordPress sites.
About BlueHost
Bluehost is a long-running web hosting and domain services company founded by Matt Heaton and Danny Ashworth in 2003 and now owned by Newfold Digital, LLC. The company sells shared hosting, managed WordPress hosting, VPS, cloud hosting, dedicated hosting, domains, email, security tools, and website services. It is one of the better-known WordPress hosting brands, partly because of its long relationship with WordPress.org, but today it operates as part of a much larger hosting group rather than as an independent boutique provider.
BlueHost Pros
- Easy account dashboard for beginners
- WordPress setup is fast and automatic
- cPanel is still available when needed
- Free SSL was auto-installed in our test account
- NVMe storage, free CDN, and WordPress tools are included in all shared plans
BlueHost Cons
- Speed performance slower than expected
- Renewal prices are much higher
- Email setup is misleading and can push users toward paid Pro Email
- Heavy (and some misleading) upsells during checkout and inside the portal
- Better value exists elsewhere for many use cases
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
- Reliable 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 websites and 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
Our Recommendation
Key Considerations
- Performance and Scalability: Cloudways’ standout performance and scalability make it an excellent choice for users requiring high reliability and the ability to adjust resources dynamically according to demand.
- Hosting Needs: While Cloudways shines in cloud hosting, BlueHost’s array of hosting services, including shared, VPS, and dedicated options, might still appeal to users looking for a more conventional hosting approach.
- Global Server Reach: Cloudways’ broad range of server locations offers a distinct advantage for businesses targeting a global audience, offering better speed and performance worldwide.
- Industry Average Context: Given that Cloudways significantly surpasses the industry average HostScore, it represents a top-tier choice within the hosting market. Conversely, potential BlueHost users should consider its below-average performance in relation to other available hosting options.
Final Verdict
If you are in need of a high-performance, scalable cloud hosting service with a global reach, Cloudways is the clear choice. It’s ideal for businesses and developers requiring flexible and robust hosting solutions.
BlueHost remains an option for users new to web hosting or those in search of straightforward, traditional hosting solutions. Despite its below-average HostScore, BlueHost’s ease of use, integrated cPanel, and managed WordPress hosting services could meet the needs of beginners or even small businesses not requiring the extensive scalability and performance Cloudways offers.
