Cloudways is a solid step up from shared hosting, ideal for users seeking better performance without diving deep into server management. However, a closer Cloudways review reveals that for WooCommerce and high-traffic dynamic sites, it falls short compared to alternatives like Rocket.net or xCloud—mainly due to limited Cloudflare Enterprise and Redis Object Cache Pro integrations.
Contents
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Significantly faster than shared hosting (e.g., SiteGround, Hostinger)
- Monthly pricing (no long-term contracts)
- Vultr High Frequency with NVMe SSDs and high clock speeds
- Cloudflare Enterprise CDN (better than most mainstream hosts)
- Redis Object Cache Pro for faster database performance
- Easy vertical scaling of CPU/RAM
- PHP 8.2, MariaDB 10.4+, and multiple caching layers
- One-click app/server launch and free migration
Cons
- No email hosting (Rackspace only, $1/mailbox)
- Limited Cloudflare Enterprise features compared to Rocket.net
- Apache-based stack, not LiteSpeed
- Support complaints, especially after DigitalOcean acquisition
- Expensive scaling and 2.2x markup compared to raw Vultr/DO pricing
- No file manager; SFTP or workaround needed
- Only one backup copy unless using third-party tools
Performance and Benchmarks
- No awards in Kevin Ohashi’s WordPress Hosting Benchmarks
- Better than SiteGround, Hostinger, WPX, and most shared hosts
- Weaker than Rocket.net and xCloud in TTFB, CPU efficiency, and global CDN delivery
In tests:
- Cloudways helped reduce CPU usage from over 80% (on SiteGround) to under 10%
- With Redis Pro and FlyingPress, WooCommerce performance improves significantly
Best Use Case
Use Cloudways if:
- You’re outgrowing shared hosting
- You want VPS performance but aren’t ready for a hands-on panel like CyberPanel or ServerAvatar
- You’re fine with monthly pricing, lack of email, and minor trade-offs in support
Avoid Cloudways if:
- You run a WooCommerce/dynamic site and care about TTFB and admin speed
- You prefer integrated file managers, full email solutions, or hands-off premium support
Alternatives Compared
| Feature | Cloudways | Rocket.net | xCloud |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stack | Apache/Nginx | LiteSpeed | OpenLiteSpeed |
| CDN | Cloudflare Enterprise (limited) | Full Cloudflare Enterprise | Cloudflare Enterprise |
| Redis | Object Cache Pro (no Relay) | With Relay | With Relay |
| No | No | No | |
| Control Panel | Easy but bloated | Fully managed | Lightweight |
| Price | Medium (2x markup) | Premium | Budget (no markup) |
| Ideal For | Mid-level VPS users | WooCommerce, high-traffic | Technical users managing VPS |
Setup and Optimizations
- Choose Vultr HF for top-tier CPUs and NVMe storage
- Install Redis Pro from the Cloudways dashboard
- Replace default Breeze plugin with FlyingPress
- Set up Cloudflare Enterprise ($5/month)
- Use a third-party for backups (UpdraftPlus or ManageWP)
- Use Tiny File Manager or SFTP for file access
Migration and Community
- One free migration per account
- Active Facebook groups and responsive community manager
- Many user migration success stories available online
Final Thoughts
Yes, if you’re moving up from shared hosting and want easier access to better performance.
No, if you’re running a resource-heavy WooCommerce site or need top-tier CDN/object cache support.
Also Read : GreenGeeks Web Hosting Review
