Overall
Cloudways is one of the rare breeds in hosting industry that focuses solely on managed cloud services. The company offers flexibility, scalability, and a diverse range of server locations. We think they are especially great for businesses and developers looking for performance and ease of management.
LiquidWeb, in comparison, provides traditional premium hosting solutions, including VPS, dedicated, and cloud hosting. The company has a strong on enterprise-level services and specializes in industry compliant (HIPPA, PCI Scanning, etc) hosting servers and exceptional customer support (they guarantee 59 seconds response speed to any initial support request).
Service Offering
| Feature | Cloudways | LiquidWeb |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Services | Cloud, and Reseller Hosting | VPS, Dedicated, Cloud, and Reseller Hosting |
| Specialized Services | Managed WordPress Hosting | Managed WordPress, Adult Websites, Email, and Game Server Hosting |
| Server Locations | Canada, USA, Brazil, UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, India, and Australia | USA and Netherlands |
| Control Panel | In-House | In-House |
| Uptime Guarantee | 100% | 100% |
| Money Back (Days) | 3 | 30 |
| Free Migration | Yes | Yes |
| Support Channels | Live chat and email | Phone, live chat, and email |
Key Takeaway
- Cloudways specializes in simple hosting – an appealing choice for those who want the computing power, but not the headache in managing, cloud infrastructure.
- LiquidWeb offers a broader range of services including VPS, dedicated, and cloud hosting, with managed options and compliance-ready solutions. LiquidWeb’s service suite is more extensive, targeting businesses with specific hosting needs.
Plans & Pricing
| Hosting Type | Cloudways | LiquidWeb |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| VPS Hosting | $ - /mo | $20.00 - 55.00/mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $ - /mo | $59.70 - 564.00/mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $11.00 - 1056.00/mo | $5.00 - 154.00/mo |
| Managed WP Hosting | $35.00 - 1640.00/mo | $4.00 - 16.00/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $ - /mo | $121.10 - 191.10/mo |
| Coupon | HOSTSCORE | - |
| Coupon Details | 30% Discount for 3 Months | - |
Key Takeaway
- Cloudways’ flexible pricing model allows users to scale resources as needed, making it cost-effective for growing applications.
- LiquidWeb’s pricing reflects its focus on premium, managed hosting services, with comprehensive support and robust hosting environments for enterprise users.
- Overall, Cloudways is more accessible for startups and small businesses, while LiquidWeb is suited for those who require dedicated resources and specialized services.
Development Features & Others
| Feature | Cloudways | LiquidWeb |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, and Ruby on Rails | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, Django, Perl, Ruby on Rails, and ASP.NET |
| 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 | No |
| Built-in Cache | Yes | Yes |
| Global CDN | Yes | Yes |
| Free Malware Scan | Yes | No |
| DDoS Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Yes | Yes |
- Both Cloudways and LiquidWeb support essential development features like multiple programming languages, GIT access, and staging environments.
- Cloudways offers a streamlined management platform for cloud services, whereas LiquidWeb provides extensive support for complex hosting needs, including compliance and high security.
- LiquidWeb stands out for offering advanced solutions tailored to businesses with specific technical and regulatory requirements.
Our Recommendation: Which is Right for You?
Overall, it’s a tight match between Cloudways and LiquidWeb. Based on our market research and user reviews, we conclude that Cloudways is a strong choice for users needing scalable cloud infrastructure, while LiquidWeb caters to those requiring robust, managed hosting solutions with high reliability and support.
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
- 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
About LiquidWeb
Founded in 1997 by Matthew Hill, Liquid Web has established itself as a leading player in the hosting and managed cloud services market, catering specifically to the needs of businesses, developers, and professionals. With its headquarters in Lansing, Michigan, the company has grown to serve over 45,000 customers in 150 countries, managing more than 500,000 sites globally. Liquid Web is renowned for its industry-leading customer service, exemplified by its 59-second support guarantee, and its commitment to delivering reliable, high-performance hosting solutions. The company's offerings range from managed WordPress and WooCommerce hosting to dedicated servers, VPS hosting, and custom enterprise solutions. Liquid Web's focus on security and compliance, including HIPAA and PCI-compliant hosting, makes it a trusted partner for industries with stringent regulatory requirements. Over the years, Liquid Web has earned numerous accolades for its innovation and customer satisfaction, reinforcing its position as a trusted provider in the competitive hosting landscape.
LiquidWeb Pros
- Powerful enterprise hosting solutions with great scalability
- 100% network uptime, backed by detailed Service Level Agreement (SLA)
- Excellent customer support - 59-Second support response guarantee
- Self-operated data centres - Higher degree of security and data integrity compared to providers renting space from third-parties
- PCI-Compliant and HIPAA-Compliant hosting servers available
- Cheaper cloud VPS plan (starts at $5/mo) now available
LiquidWeb Cons
- Does not provide low-cost shared hosting plans
- No Asia-based data center
