Cloud Choice
Cloudways allows hosting on AWS, DigitalOcean, and Google Cloud, letting businesses align performance and cost to their specific regional demands.
Ease of Setup
Both platforms feature quick deployment, though Cloudways offers step-by-step configuration with detailed control over environment variables and caching layers.
Maintenance Efficiency
Automated backups, SSL renewals, and scaling adjustments on Cloudways make infrastructure management nearly hands-free without losing flexibility.
Performance Testing
Third-party reports show competitive performance for both, though Cloudways performs better in distributed network delivery thanks to its multi-cloud architecture.
| Criteria | WP Engine | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Type | Fully Managed | Managed Cloud |
| Server Access | Restricted | Full root access |
| Platform Control | Moderate | Advanced |
| Scalability | Fixed plans | Elastic scaling |
| Support Availability | Business hours | 24/7 global chat |
| Cost Model | Subscription | Usage-based |
FAQ — WP Engine vs Cloudways
Why do developers prefer Cloudways?
Cloudways provides SSH, Git integration, and deployment automation tools that make it ideal for developers managing multiple staging environments.
Which is easier for beginners?
WP Engine is more beginner-friendly with its simplified dashboard and managed support, while Cloudways offers more depth for advanced users.
Do both platforms include free SSL?
Yes, both WP Engine and Cloudways include Let's Encrypt SSL certificates with automatic renewal options for secure data transmission.
What’s the refund policy?
WP Engine offers a 60-day money-back guarantee on annual plans, while Cloudways allows pay-as-you-go billing without long-term commitments.