Choosing Between WP Engine vs Cloudways: Which Hosting is Best?

Are you fed up with hosting solutions that don’t live up to their promises? In the world of managed WordPress hosting, WP Engine and Cloudways are top contenders. Our WP Engine vs CloudWays guide will help you understand the differences between these cloud hosting providers. We’ll show you which one offers the best WordPress performance and value¹.

Cloudways started in 2011 and WP Engine in 2010. They’ve changed the managed hosting scene. When comparing WP Engine vs CloudWays, it’s important to note that WP Engine only deals with WordPress, while Cloudways supports many platforms¹. This difference is key to our detailed look at these hosting options.

We’ll examine hosting costs, technical features, and how well they perform in real-world scenarios. We aim to highlight the main differences between WP Engine vs CloudWays. This will help you choose the best hosting for your WordPress site.

Explore how Cloudways compares to WP Engine and other top cloud-based hosts.

Key Takeaways

• Cloudways offers flexible cloud hosting with multiple provider options
• WP Engine provides specialized WordPress-focused managed hosting
• Both platforms guarantee high uptime and robust security features
• Pricing models differ significantly between the two services
• Performance and scalability are critical factors in choosing a host

Understanding Managed WordPress Hosting Solutions

Web hosting can be tricky, but finding the right one for WordPress sites is key. Managed WordPress hosting is a special type of hosting. It’s designed just for WordPress sites and offers more than regular hosting³.

What is Managed WordPress Hosting?

Managed WordPress hosting is made just for WordPress sites. It gives support and optimization that regular hosting can’t. Experts say it has big advantages:

• Automatic WordPress updates
• Advanced security protocols
• Performance-optimized server environments
• Expert WordPress-specific technical support

Key Differences Between Cloud and Managed Hosting

There are two main types of hosting: cloud and managed WordPress. Cloud hosting is flexible and scalable. Managed WordPress hosting is all about making WordPress sites run better⁴.

Feature	Cloud Hosting	Managed WordPress Hosting
Scalability	High flexibility	WordPress-specific scaling
Pricing Model	Pay-as-you-go	Fixed monthly rates
Performance Optimization	General server tuning	WordPress-specific caching

The Role of Infrastructure in Hosting Performance

Infrastructure is key for hosting performance. Big cloud providers like AWS and Google Cloud power many WordPress hosts². They make sure servers are fast, always available, and work well together.

1. Rapid server response times
2. High availability
3. Seamless resource allocation

Choosing the right hosting solution is about finding the perfect balance between performance, security, and specialized support.

Our research shows top providers like WP Engine host over 1.5 million sites. This shows how popular managed WordPress hosting is getting³.

Plans and Pricing Comparison

When looking at WordPress hosting costs, it’s key to know the pricing of WP Engine and Cloudways⁵⁶. Both offer different pricing plans to fit various business needs and budgets.

• Startup plan at $20/month for one website⁵
• Limited to 50GB bandwidth⁵
• Supports up to 25,000 monthly visits⁵
• Includes free Genesis Framework and StudioPress themes⁵

Cloudways has a different pricing strategy with more flexible options:

• Pay-as-you-go pricing starts at $12/month⁶
• Can host unlimited websites⁶
• Offers infrastructure choices across multiple cloud providers⁵
• Three-day free trial without needing a credit card⁶

“Choosing the right hosting solution means balancing performance, features, and budget” – Web Hosting Expert

Cloudways is more affordable with flexible pricing. Users can scale resources as needed⁵. WP Engine, though pricier, offers comprehensive managed WordPress services with performance optimizations⁵⁶.

Important pricing factors include:

1. Monthly visit limits
2. Storage allocation
3. Bandwidth restrictions
4. Additional feature inclusions

The best choice depends on your website’s needs and growth goals.

Performance and Speed Metrics

When picking a web host, speed and performance are key. We’ve looked into WP Engine and Cloudways to see how they stack up. We found out a lot about their hosting speed, server times, and global data centers.

Server Response Times and TTFB

Website speed is all about Time to First Byte (TTFB) and server times. Our study shows big differences between hosts⁷:

• Rocket hosts are the quickest with a TTFB of 279 ms
• Cloudways has a server time of 266 ms
• WP Engine averages 414 ms

Global Data Center Coverage

Choosing a host with many global data centers is key for fast websites everywhere. Cloudways leads with its wide global reach⁸:

1. Cloudways has over 60 data centers worldwide
2. Works with many cloud providers
3. Helps place servers for better speed

Caching Technologies Comparison

Caching techs are big for website speed. Here’s how they compare:

Hosting Provider	Caching Technology	Performance Impact
WP Engine	EverCache	Optimized for WordPress
Cloudways	Memcached, Varnish, Breeze	Multiple caching solutions

“Caching is not just a feature, it’s a performance multiplier for websites.” – Web Performance Expert

We tested and found some speed differences. At low traffic, WP Engine was a bit faster⁸:

• 0.49 add to carts per second
• 0.307 second response time
• 3.38 requests per second

Cloudways, on the other hand, shines at high traffic⁸.

Choosing the right host depends on your site’s needs and traffic.

Security Features and Protection Measures

Protecting your WordPress website is crucial. We’ve looked into the security of Cloudways and WP Engine⁹¹⁰. They both have strong defense systems.

Keeping your website safe is key for online businesses. Both Cloudways and WP Engine have top-notch security features. They help protect your website from threats:

• Dedicated firewall protection
• Free SSL certificates
• Regular security patching
• Malware scanning capabilities

Cloudways stands out with flexible security options from various cloud providers. They use Cloudflare Enterprise for extra protection¹⁰. You can choose from AWS, Google Cloud, and DigitalOcean, each with its own security settings¹⁰.

“Security is not an option, it’s a necessity in the digital landscape.”

WP Engine is all about keeping WordPress sites safe. They offer automated updates and hack fixes. Their security is designed to keep up with new threats¹⁰.

Security Feature	Cloudways	WP Engine
SSL Certificates	Free Included	Free Included
Malware Scanning	Advanced	Comprehensive
Firewall Protection	Multi-Layer	Dedicated

Choosing the right hosting security depends on your needs. Cloudways offers more flexible and customizable options⁹¹⁰. But both platforms are strong in protecting your website.

WP Engine vs Cloudways: Direct Feature Comparison

When looking at WordPress hosting, it’s key to know the main features. We’ll compare WP Engine and Cloudways. We’ll look at their wordpress hosting features, development tools, and how they manage resources.

Core Platform Features

Both WP Engine and Cloudways have strong features for managing websites. Here’s what they offer:

• WP Engine has WordPress-specific optimizations¹¹
• Cloudways supports hosting many apps¹²
• They both have tools for checking website performance

Development Tools and Staging

Development tools are vital for making and managing websites. Here’s what we found:

Feature	WP Engine	Cloudways
Staging Environments	One-click staging	Flexible server staging
Git Integration	Native support	Third-party integrations

Resource Management Capabilities

How well a hosting platform manages resources is key. There are big differences in how they handle server resources:

• WP Engine charges $2 for every 1,000 extra visitors¹¹
• Cloudways lets you manage resources more flexibly¹²
• They both offer clear ways to scale up as your site grows

“Choosing the right hosting platform is about finding the perfect balance between performance and flexibility.” – Web Hosting Expert

Our detailed comparison shows both platforms are great for wordpress hosting. But, they differ in development tools and resource management. Knowing these differences helps website owners pick the best hosting for their needs¹³.

Customer Support and Technical Assistance

Choosing a WordPress hosting provider means looking at customer service and technical help. WP Engine and Cloudways both offer strong support for different website needs¹⁴.

• WP Engine has expert WordPress support with a rating of 8.9¹⁴
• Cloudways gives 24/7 support with a rating of 9.2¹⁴
• Both offer detailed customer service plans

There are subtle differences in how they support you:

Support Feature	WP Engine	Cloudways
Support Availability	24/7 Expert WordPress Support	24/7 Server-Related Support
Support Channels	Live Chat, Phone, Email	Live Chat, Ticket System
Specialized Assistance	WordPress Plugin Help	Server Configuration Support

“Effective hosting support can make or break your website’s performance and user experience.”

WP Engine is known for its WordPress-specific help, including plugin and SEO support¹⁵. Cloudways focuses more on server issues¹⁵.

Choosing between them depends on your tech skills and website needs. If you’re tech-savvy, Cloudways might be better. But if you need all-in-one WordPress management, WP Engine is the way to go¹⁵.

Scalability and Resource Management

Web hosting scalability is key for WordPress sites to perform well. WP Engine and Cloudways take different paths in managing server resources and traffic¹⁶.

Traffic Handling Capabilities

Good hosting needs smart traffic management. WordPress sites often see sudden traffic increases. This can put a strain on servers¹⁶. Both WP Engine and Cloudways have their ways to deal with these spikes:

• WP Engine scales automatically for traffic peaks
• Cloudways lets you adjust resources as needed
• Strong caching systems help avoid slowdowns¹⁶

Server Resource Allocation

Server resources are vital for site performance. Hosting providers manage them differently:

Provider	Resource Scaling	Monthly Price Range
WP Engine	Top-level infrastructure	$35 – $67517
Cloudways	Custom server settings	$11 – $105617

Upgrade Pathways

Having clear upgrade paths is important for growing businesses. Scalable hosting solutions make it easy to adapt as your site grows¹⁸. Cloudways and WP Engine offer:

1. One-click scaling
2. Flexible infrastructure
3. Pay-as-you-go models

Choosing scalable WordPress hosting means your site can handle sudden traffic without slowing down.

We suggest picking a hosting that manages resources well and has reliable infrastructure. This supports your site’s growth¹⁶.

Content Delivery and Global Performance

A good content delivery network (CDN) is key for fast content sharing worldwide¹⁹. Cloudways and WP Engine know how important CDN is for smooth user experiences everywhere²⁰.

Cloudways has a wide reach with servers in 14 countries, just a bit ahead of WP Engine’s 12¹⁹. They work with AWS, Google Cloud, and DigitalOcean for flexible content sharing²⁰.

• Cloudflare Enterprise CDN integration
• Advanced routing capabilities
• Image optimization features

WP Engine has a CDN in all its plans for consistent fast performance. It uses Global Edge Security and EverCache® to speed up web content¹⁹.

“A powerful CDN is not just about speed, but about creating a seamless global user experience.”

Both platforms have strong CDN features to cut down on delays and boost site speeds worldwide²⁰. Your choice depends on your site’s needs and where your users are.

Developer Tools and Workflow Features

Modern web development needs advanced tools to make teamwork better and work faster. We look at what WP Engine and Cloudways offer for developers and teams. They focus on making work easier and more efficient.

Today’s developers want platforms that can handle complex tasks and work smoothly. Every team is different, so having tools that can adjust is key for managing projects well²¹.

Git Integration Capabilities

Git integration is vital for today’s web development. WP Engine and Cloudways both offer strong git integration. This lets developers:

• Connect directly to version control repositories
• Synchronize code changes efficiently
• Manage multiple development branches
• Implement continuous deployment strategies

Staging Environments

Staging environments are crucial for testing changes safely. Our study shows that workspaces and stages help teams manage complex projects²¹.

Feature	WP Engine	Cloudways
Git Integration	WordPress-Specific	Multi-Platform Support
Staging Environments	Comprehensive	Flexible Configuration
Deployment Process	One-Click	Multiple Options

Collaboration Tools

Collaboration is key in today’s development workflows. Both platforms have tools to help teams work better. These include:

1. Multi-user permission management
2. Shared development environments
3. Real-time code synchronization

Effective developer tools transform complex workflows into streamlined, collaborative experiences.

The right tools, git integration, and staging environments can really boost team productivity and project success²¹.

Platform Migration and Onboarding Process

WordPress website migration can be complex. But, knowing about hosting onboarding makes the transition smoother. WP Engine and Cloudways have different ways to migrate websites, meeting various user needs²².

When you plan to move your website, you must make important choices. Here are some key things to think about:

• Migration complexity
• Cost of transfer
• Technical support availability
• Potential downtime risks

Cloudways offers a flexible migration plan. They give one free site migration and charge $25 for each after that. This lets website owners have more control over their hosting setup²².

Migration Feature	Cloudways	WP Engine
Free Migrations	1 Free Migration	Migration Plugin Provided
Additional Migration Cost	$25 per Additional Migration	Custom Pricing
Technical Support	Comprehensive	Detailed Tutorials

WP Engine has a different method. They offer a dedicated migration plugin and detailed tutorials. This helps users manage their WordPress migration more easily²².

Our advice is to carefully look at your website migration needs. Then, pick a hosting provider that fits your onboarding process best.

The best migration strategy depends on your skills, budget, and WordPress needs. Both WP Engine and Cloudways provide strong solutions for smooth hosting changes²².

Pros and Cons

Choosing the right WordPress hosting is a big decision. You need to weigh the good and bad of each option. WP Engine and Cloudways have their own strengths and weaknesses²³.

Cloudways stands out with its unique features. It offers flexibility by hosting on different cloud providers²⁴:

• Multiple cloud provider options (DigitalOcean, Linode, Vultr)
• Flexible pricing starting at RM49.50 per month²³
• Extensive global data center coverage with 65+ locations²³

On the other hand, WP Engine shines with its focus on WordPress hosting:

• Premium WordPress-specific optimization
• Advanced security features
• Comprehensive support ecosystem

Feature	Cloudways	WP Engine
Storage	25 GB SSD	10 GB
Bandwidth	1 TB	50 GB
Uptime Guarantee	99.99%	99.95%

The ideal hosting solution depends on your specific website requirements and budget constraints.

Cloudways is great for those looking for cost-effective flexibility. WP Engine is perfect for those needing premium WordPress-specific features. Your choice should match your project’s needs and future growth²³.

Alternatives

Looking into wordpress hosting alternatives can lead you to the best managed hosting options for your site. We’ve checked out several top providers. They offer special features and good prices²⁵.

• Kinsta: A premium managed hosting solution with robust performance²⁵
• SiteGround: Known for reliable shared hosting services²⁵
• Bluehost: A popular WordPress hosting provider²⁵

For those who like cloud hosting, here are some great options:

1. DigitalOcean: Flexible cloud infrastructure²⁵
2. Vultr: High-performance cloud servers
3. Linode: Developer-friendly cloud platform

Rocket.net is a top choice, offering fast performance. But it costs more than Cloudways and WP Engine²⁵.

Here are some price comparisons for managed hosting:

• Cloudways starts at $14/month on DigitalOcean servers²⁵
• Pressable offers WooCommerce-focused hosting at $25/month²⁵
• Indystack provides plans starting at $24.99/month²⁵

Choosing the right WordPress hosting is crucial for your website’s performance and growth.

Each alternative has its own special features. Kinsta, for example, has a default PHP memory limit of 256MB²⁵. Rocket.net, on the other hand, offers a 1GB PHP memory limit²⁵.

Personal Experience

Our look into WordPress hosting showed us the good and bad of WP Engine and Cloudways. We found that each has its own strengths for different websites²⁶.

• Cloudways offers great flexibility in hosting choices²⁶
• Users like the clear pricing²⁰
• Performance shows both are strong contenders²⁷

Performance is key when picking a web host. Cloudways shines with its top-notch features:

Feature	Performance Metric
Server Speed	AWS with 1.76-second load time27
Data Centers	Over 60 global locations26
Support Quality	9.4/10 customer satisfaction26

Our experience showed WP Engine is great for WordPress, but Cloudways offers more for the money with its wide range of options²⁰.

Choosing the right hosting platform depends on your specific project needs and budget considerations.

We suggest thinking about what you need before picking a host.

Conclusion

Choosing the best WordPress hosting depends on your website’s needs. Cloudways stands out as a top cloud hosting choice for those looking for flexibility and value²⁸. It supports many providers like DigitalOcean, Linode, and AWS, giving users full control²⁹.

WP Engine is great for businesses needing a managed WordPress hosting. It offers features like EverCache™ and boosts page speed by 40%²⁹. This makes it perfect for bigger websites²⁹.

Cloudways is our top pick for most users because of its flexible pricing and wide range of providers²⁸²⁹. It’s also easy for beginners to use²⁸²⁹. The right hosting depends on your website’s needs, budget, and growth plans. Knowing each platform’s strengths helps you choose the best fit for your site.

FAQ

What is the main difference between WP Engine and Cloudways?

WP Engine focuses only on WordPress sites. Cloudways supports many applications and offers more flexibility in server choice and pricing.

Which hosting provider is more affordable?

Cloudways is cheaper, starting at /month for DigitalOcean servers and unlimited websites. WP Engine starts at /month for one website, making Cloudways better for those on a budget.

Do both hosts offer security features?

Yes, both Cloudways and WP Engine have strong security. They include firewalls, free SSL certificates, and regular updates. They also have malware scanning and Cloudflare integration for extra protection.

Which host is better for WordPress performance?

WP Engine is a bit faster thanks to its EverCache technology. Cloudways offers Memcached, Varnish, and Breeze for caching. WP Engine won in speed tests.

Can I host multiple websites on these platforms?

Cloudways lets you host unlimited websites on one server. WP Engine has tiered plans for different numbers of websites, needing higher plans for more sites.

What kind of support do these hosts provide?

Both offer 24/7 live chat support. WP Engine adds phone support for higher plans. Cloudways has tiered support levels. Both have big knowledge bases and resources.

Are there migration services available?

Cloudways gives one free site migration, then charges for each. WP Engine doesn’t offer free migrations but has a plugin and tutorials for moving sites.

Which host is better for developers?

WP Engine has more tools for WordPress development, like staging environments. Cloudways is more flexible for different applications and servers.

Do these hosts offer a content delivery network (CDN)?

Both offer CDN services. Cloudways has Cloudflare Enterprise CDN as an add-on. WP Engine includes a CDN with all plans, improving global site performance.

What are the scalability options?

Cloudways is more flexible, allowing easy server upgrades. WP Engine has automatic scaling but has limits on visits and bandwidth.

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