Overall
loudways outshines SiteGround with a HostScore of 82.8%, significantly above the industry average HostScore of 67% derived from rating more than 30 hosting companies.
Cloudways stands out in service flexibility, vertical performance scaling, and overall pricing – making it a more better choice for users prioritizing these factors.
Service Offering
| Feature | Cloudways | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Services | Cloud, and Reseller Hosting | Shared, Cloud, and Reseller Hosting |
| Specialized Services | Managed WordPress Hosting | Managed WordPress, and Email Hosting |
| Server Locations | Canada, USA, Brazil, UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Australia | USA, UK, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, France, Australia, Singapore |
| Control Panel | In-House | cPanel |
| Uptime Guarantee | 100% | 99.9% |
| Money Back (Days) | 14 | 30 |
| Free Migration | Yes | Yes |
| Support Channels | Live chat and email | Live chat and email |
Cloudways specializes in managed cloud hosting powered by Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Digital Ocean. SiteGround, on the other hand, offers a wide range of traditional hosting solutions including shared, VPS, dedicated hosting, and specialized services like managed WordPress.
Plans & Pricing
| Hosting Type | Cloudways | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $ - /mo | $3.99 - 10.69/mo |
| VPS Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $11.00 - 1056.00/mo | $100.00 - 400.00/mo |
| WordPress Hosting | $14.00 - 487.00/mo | $3.99 - 10.69/mo |
| Windows Hosting | $ - /mo | $ - /mo |
| Coupon | HOSTSCORE | - |
| Coupon Details | 25% discount for 2 months | - |
Cloudways presents a wide range of cloud hosting plans, starting at $11.00 and go all the way up to $1056.00 per month, catering to a broad spectrum of needs from basic to highly scalable requirements. SiteGround’s shared hosting plans are more affordable for entry-level users, with prices ranging from $3.99 to $10.69 per month. However, Cloudways offers more flexibility and scalability for cloud hosting solutions, evident in its pricing structure that accommodates various business sizes and needs.
Development Features & Others
| Feature | Cloudways | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | PHP, Java, Python, Node.js, and Ruby on Rails | PHP, Python, Perl, 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 | Yes | Need purchase |
| DDoS Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Yes | Yes |
Both Cloudways and SiteGround offer a robust set of development features, including support for multiple programming languages, built-in staging tools, free SSL, and built-in cache.
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
- Outstanding customer support
- High scalability
- Easy server cloning, site staging, and website transfer
- Host unlimited applications in one account
- 25% discount for first two months with coupon "HOSTSCORE"
Cloudways Cons
- Getting expensive - Prices increased steadily for the past few years
- Limited trial period
About SiteGround
Established in 2004 by a group of university friends led by Ivo Tzenov, SiteGround has flourished into a prominent web hosting entity based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Boasting a workforce exceeding 600 employees, SiteGround proudly hosts almost three millions domains worldwide. With a powerful infrastructure spanning 11 data centers across 8 countries, the company offers an array of hosting solutions including shared, cloud, and enterprise hosting, alongside domain registration services.
SiteGround Pros
- Outstanding hosting uptime and speed performance
- Excellent customer support
- Choice of server locations in 11 countries
- Daily backup included in all shared hosting plans
- Specialized WordPress support staff
SiteGround Cons
- Very expensive renewal pricing
- Limited storage in shared hosting plans
- Limited developer options on some plans
- NVMe storage not included
Our Recommendation
Key Considerations
- Performance and Reliability: Cloudways offers an excellent performance record, standing well above the industry average, which is crucial for businesses and applications demanding high reliability and scalability.
- Customer Support and Service: SiteGround is known for its excellent customer support, which can be a decisive factor for users, especially beginners or those heavily reliant on WordPress.
- Value for Money: While Cloudways provides a premium service reflected in its HostScore, SiteGround offers competitive entry-level pricing for shared hosting, though its renewal rates and performance metrics require careful consideration.
- Server Locations: Cloudways offers a more extensive global reach, which may be beneficial for users targeting a worldwide audience or requiring specific geographical locations for compliance or performance reasons.
Final Verdict
If you’re in need of a high-performance hosting solution with top-notch uptime, speed, and customer service, Cloudways is a compelling choice. Its managed hosting services are ideal for those who prefer an easy-to-use platform over the complexities of traditional cloud hosting setups.
SiteGround, while offering excellent support and uptime, may be better suited for users looking for shared hosting options or those who prefer cPanel.
