Cloudways vs A2 Hosting
When it comes to web hosting, Cloudways and A2 Hosting are frequently compared, and for good reason. Both offer reliable hosting, but their target audiences and strengths differ significantly. Cloudways scores 8.6/10 in our testing, though your specific needs might favor the other option.
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Quick Answer
Cloudways beats A2 Hosting for most users. It scores 8.6/10 vs 8.4/10 and choose from 5 cloud providers. Choose A2 Hosting if you need turbo servers for 20x faster speeds.
Cloudways
WinnerManaged cloud hosting with 5 provider options
Starting from
$14/mo
A2 Hosting
Turbo servers with up to 20x faster speeds
Starting from
$2.99/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 |
| Starting Price | $14/mo | $2.99/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Resources | ||
| Storage | 25GB SSD | 100GB SSD |
| Bandwidth | 1TB | Unmetered |
| Websites | Unlimited | 1 |
| Email Accounts | None | Unlimited |
| Features | ||
| Free Domain | ||
| WordPress Optimized | ||
| CDN Included | ||
| Security & Reliability | ||
| Free SSL | ||
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.99% | 99.9% |
| Backup | On-demand | Daily |
Pros & Cons Breakdown
Cloudways
- Choose from 5 cloud providers
- Excellent performance and scalability
- Pay-as-you-go pricing
- Free SSL and CDN
- Staging environments
- Server cloning and scaling
- No email hosting included
- Steeper learning curve
- No domain registration
A2 Hosting
- Turbo servers for 20x faster speeds
- Free site migration
- Anytime money-back guarantee
- Developer-friendly (SSH, Git, WP-CLI)
- Multiple data center locations
- Free SSL and CDN
- Turbo plans cost extra
- Renewal prices increase
- Support response times vary
Key Difference
The most significant difference is value positioning. A2 Hosting offers excellent quality at a lower price point ($2.99/mo), while Cloudways ($14.00/mo) targets users who want premium features and are willing to pay for them.
Which Should You Choose?
Cloudways
Choose Cloudways if you prioritize choose from 5 cloud providers, need unlimited usage, or value excellent performance and scalability.
A2 Hosting
Choose A2 Hosting if you prioritize turbo servers for 20x faster speeds, need unlimited usage, or value free site migration.
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, Cloudways is our winner with a rating of 8.6/10 compared to A2 Hosting's 8.4/10. Cloudways stands out for its choose from 5 cloud providers and excellent performance and scalability. While A2 Hosting is more affordable, Cloudways's advantages justify the price difference for most users. However, A2 Hosting remains an excellent choice if turbo servers for 20x faster speeds is your priority. There's no universally "wrong" choice here - both are quality options that serve their target audiences well.
Thinking of Switching?
Migrating between Cloudways and A2 Hosting requires moving your files and databases. Both offer migration assistance, but plan for potential downtime. Consider timing your switch with your renewal date to avoid paying for overlap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cloudways better than A2 Hosting?
Cloudways scores higher in our testing (8.6/10 vs 8.4/10). Cloudways excels at choose from 5 cloud providers, while A2 Hosting is better for turbo servers for 20x faster speeds.
Which is cheaper, Cloudways or A2 Hosting?
A2 Hosting is more affordable at $2.99/mo vs $14.00/mo. A2 Hosting offers 79% savings.
Cloudways vs A2 Hosting: which should I choose?
Choose Cloudways if you prioritize choose from 5 cloud providers. Choose A2 Hosting if you need turbo servers for 20x faster speeds. Both are solid web hosting options.
What's the main difference between Cloudways and A2 Hosting?
The main difference is Cloudways offers managed cloud hosting with 5 provider options, while A2 Hosting focuses on turbo servers with up to 20x faster speeds.