Infrastructure
Cloudways leverages major cloud infrastructures including AWS and DigitalOcean, enabling multi-region deployment, while WP Engine relies on fixed enterprise-grade setups tailored to WordPress environments.
Speed Optimization
Cloudways implements built-in object caching and CDN acceleration. WP Engine provides its proprietary EverCache layer, though with less configurability for advanced users.
Control and Customization
While WP Engine simplifies user management, Cloudways provides granular access, letting users manage PHP settings, memory limits, and SSH connections as needed.
Pricing Transparency
Cloudways’ pay-as-you-go model gives startups and agencies full financial visibility, while WP Engine uses predefined pricing tiers designed for predictable billing cycles.
| Feature | WP Engine | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Type | Managed WordPress | Managed Cloud (DO, AWS, GCP) |
| Data Center Choice | Fixed | Global flexibility |
| Customization | Moderate | Advanced control |
| Pricing Model | Fixed tiers | Pay-as-you-go |
| Overall Value | Premium setup | Flexible & efficient |
FAQ — Hosting Insights 2025
Is Cloudways better for scaling traffic spikes?
Yes. Cloudways’ infrastructure automatically adapts to traffic spikes via cloud scalability, unlike WP Engine’s fixed plan capacity.
How do both handle backups?
WP Engine includes daily backups within its plans. Cloudways allows customizable backup frequencies and instant restore points across regions.
Which is more developer-oriented?
Cloudways supports SSH, Git integration, and staging flexibility, giving developers more hands-on control over server parameters.
Are there hidden fees?
Cloudways offers straightforward billing based on actual resource use, while WP Engine pricing remains static with plan upgrades.