Cloudways vs DigitalOcean
When it comes to web hosting, Cloudways and DigitalOcean are frequently compared, and for good reason. Both offer reliable hosting, but their target audiences and strengths differ significantly. DigitalOcean scores 8.9/10 in our testing, though your specific needs might favor the other option.
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Quick Answer
DigitalOcean beats Cloudways for most users. It scores 8.9/10 vs 8.6/10 and simple, predictable pricing starting at $4/mo. Choose Cloudways if you need choose from 5 cloud providers.
Cloudways
Managed cloud hosting with 5 provider options
Starting from
$14/mo
DigitalOcean
WinnerDeveloper-friendly cloud hosting with simple pricing from $4/mo
Starting from
$4/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.6/10 | 8.9/10 |
| Starting Price | $14/mo | $4/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Resources | ||
| Storage | 25GB SSD | 25GB SSD |
| Bandwidth | 1TB | 1TB |
| Websites | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Email Accounts | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Free Domain | ||
| WordPress Optimized | ||
| CDN Included | ||
| Security & Reliability | ||
| Free SSL | ||
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.99% | 99.99% |
| Backup | On-demand | Weekly (20% extra) |
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
DigitalOcean
- Simple, predictable pricing starting at $4/mo
- Developer-friendly with excellent documentation
- Global data centers (8+ locations)
- Managed databases, Kubernetes, and object storage
- $200 free credit for new accounts
- Per-second billing (from Jan 2026)
- Quick Droplet deployment in seconds
- No traditional cPanel interface
- Requires technical knowledge
- No phone support
- No email hosting included
Key Difference
The most significant difference is value positioning. DigitalOcean offers excellent quality at a lower price point ($4.00/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.
DigitalOcean
Choose DigitalOcean if you prioritize simple, predictable pricing starting at $4/mo, need unlimited usage, or value developer-friendly with excellent documentation.
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, DigitalOcean is our winner with a rating of 8.9/10 compared to Cloudways's 8.6/10. DigitalOcean stands out for its simple, predictable pricing starting at $4/mo and developer-friendly with excellent documentation. DigitalOcean also offers better value at its price point. However, Cloudways remains an excellent choice if choose from 5 cloud providers 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 DigitalOcean 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 DigitalOcean?
DigitalOcean scores higher in our testing (8.9/10 vs 8.6/10). DigitalOcean excels at simple, predictable pricing starting at $4/mo, while Cloudways is better for choose from 5 cloud providers.
Which is cheaper, Cloudways or DigitalOcean?
DigitalOcean is more affordable at $4.00/mo vs $14.00/mo. DigitalOcean offers 71% savings.
Cloudways vs DigitalOcean: which should I choose?
Choose Cloudways if you prioritize choose from 5 cloud providers. Choose DigitalOcean if you need simple, predictable pricing starting at $4/mo. Both are solid web hosting options.
What's the main difference between Cloudways and DigitalOcean?
The main difference is Cloudways offers managed cloud hosting with 5 provider options, while DigitalOcean focuses on developer-friendly cloud hosting with simple pricing from $4/mo.