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Contents
Cloudways vs. DigitalOcean 2025: Which Host is the Best?
Disclosure: We’re reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, see our Disclosure page. Thanks.
Introduction
In the ever-evolving world of web hosting, two names stand out: Cloudways and DigitalOcean. Both provide cloud hosting solutions but approach the industry from different perspectives. This comparison will analyze both platforms in 2025 based on several critical aspects, including performance, ease of use, pricing, features, support, and customer satisfaction. Understanding which host is best for your needs depends on the type of website you’re running, your budget, and your technical expertise. Let’s dive into the comparison.
1. Overview of Cloudways
Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting provider that simplifies cloud server management for users. In contrast to traditional web hosting services, Cloudways focuses on offering cloud-based solutions with a strong emphasis on convenience and user experience. By partnering with top cloud infrastructure providers like AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, Linode, Vultr, and others, Cloudways provides a layer of management and optimization for users without requiring in-depth technical knowledge.
Key Features of Cloudways:
- Managed Cloud Hosting: Cloudways handles server management tasks like updates, patches, and monitoring.
- Performance Optimization: Built-in caching, auto-healing, and content delivery network (CDN) integration.
- Server Scaling: Easily scale resources with just a few clicks.
- Backup and Security: Automated backups, 24/7 security monitoring, and advanced firewall protection.
- Team Collaboration: Manage and collaborate with multiple users on the same project.
- Application Installation: One-click installations for WordPress, Magento, Laravel, and other popular applications.
2. Overview of DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean is a developer-centric cloud infrastructure provider that offers scalable compute resources through virtual machines (droplets). It focuses on providing developers with a flexible, high-performance cloud platform, with the option to build custom applications, websites, and systems. DigitalOcean also offers various cloud services, including Kubernetes, databases, block storage, and networking solutions.
Key Features of DigitalOcean:
- Scalable Droplets: Create droplets with different configurations to meet your needs.
- Kubernetes Integration: Managed Kubernetes for containerized applications.
- Developer-Friendly: Access to APIs, CLI, and other tools tailored for developers.
- Object Storage and Databases: Managed databases like PostgreSQL and MySQL and Spaces for object storage.
- Floating IPs and Load Balancers: Advanced network infrastructure with options to balance traffic.
- Developer Documentation: Extensive documentation, tutorials, and community support.
3. Ease of Use
Cloudways:
Cloudways is known for its user-friendly interface. It abstracts much of the complexity that comes with cloud hosting and provides a straightforward platform for users, particularly for those who may not have extensive technical knowledge. Even non-developers can use Cloudways to launch and manage their websites, thanks to:
- Managed Services: Cloudways takes care of all the heavy lifting on the backend.
- User Interface: The dashboard is clean and easy to navigate, designed for quick deployments and monitoring.
- One-Click Installation: Easily deploy popular applications like WordPress with minimal effort.
DigitalOcean:
While DigitalOcean offers a powerful cloud platform, it is designed primarily for developers. This means it is less user-friendly compared to Cloudways, especially for those without technical backgrounds. To use DigitalOcean effectively, users need:
- Technical Knowledge: A good understanding of Linux servers, networking, and cloud infrastructure is required to fully benefit from DigitalOcean.
- CLI and APIs: Although DigitalOcean provides an intuitive control panel, many advanced features require the use of CLI commands or APIs, which may be intimidating for non-technical users.
4. Performance
Cloudways:
Performance on Cloudways is impressive thanks to its partnerships with top-tier cloud infrastructure providers such as AWS, Google Cloud, and DigitalOcean. Users can take advantage of the advanced server configurations offered by these providers but without the need to manage them manually. Some of the key performance features of Cloudways include:
- Built-In Caching: Cloudways provides server-side caching, application-level caching, and integration with CDNs for improved site speed.
- Auto-Healing Technology: If a server goes down, Cloudways automatically restarts it to minimize downtime.
- Resource Scaling: Easily scale your server resources based on traffic demands without significant manual intervention.
DigitalOcean:
DigitalOcean excels at providing high-performance servers with the flexibility of customization. Their virtual machines (droplets) are fast and reliable, with multiple options for scaling:
- High CPU Performance: DigitalOcean’s droplets are known for their reliability and speed, particularly in computationally intensive tasks.
- SSD Storage: All droplets use fast SSD storage, which improves speed and responsiveness.
- Global Data Centers: DigitalOcean has multiple data centers worldwide, allowing users to host their websites closer to their target audience.
5. Pricing
Cloudways:
Cloudways’ pricing model is based on the cloud provider you choose and the resources allocated. This means:
- Flexible Pricing: Cloudways itself does not charge for the underlying infrastructure but adds a management fee on top of the cloud provider’s pricing.
- Pay-As-You-Go: Users only pay for the resources they use, with no long-term commitments or upfront costs.
- Start as Low as $12/Month: With a minimum configuration, users can start hosting with a low monthly cost, though larger projects may incur higher fees depending on the selected infrastructure.
DigitalOcean:
DigitalOcean’s pricing is simple and transparent, with hourly and monthly rates available for various droplets. Prices start as low as $5 per month for the smallest droplet configuration, but costs increase as users scale resources.
- Pricing Starts Low: Starting at $5 per month for the basic droplet with 1GB RAM and 25GB SSD storage.
- Pay-Per-Use: Similar to Cloudways, users only pay for the resources they use.
- Cost Flexibility: Costs increase as you add more droplets, storage, or advanced features, allowing for easy scaling without unexpected fees.
6. Security
Cloudways:
Security is a top priority for Cloudways, with several built-in features to ensure the safety of hosted websites:
- Free SSL: Cloudways provides free SSL certificates to secure websites.
- Managed Backups: Automated backups ensure that websites can be restored in case of an emergency.
- Firewall Protection: Security measures to block unauthorized access.
- Two-Factor Authentication: For an added layer of security, users can enable two-factor authentication.
DigitalOcean:
DigitalOcean also offers strong security measures, but users must take a more proactive approach to configure these features:
- Cloud Firewalls: Block incoming traffic based on user-defined rules.
- Backups: Users can enable automatic backups, though it is not as seamless as Cloudways’ fully managed backup solution.
- SSH Key Authentication: Secure access to droplets through SSH keys rather than passwords.
7. Support
Cloudways:
Cloudways offers excellent customer support, with options including:
- 24/7 Live Chat: A reliable support team available at all times.
- Ticketing System: Users can submit detailed requests and get help.
- Knowledge Base: Extensive documentation for troubleshooting common issues.
- Dedicated Account Manager: Premium users get dedicated account managers for tailored support.
DigitalOcean:
DigitalOcean offers comprehensive support but with a stronger focus on community-driven resources:
- Community Forums: A huge collection of tutorials, guides, and community solutions to common issues.
- Email Support: DigitalOcean provides 24/7 email support, but phone support is not as robust as Cloudways.
- Extensive Documentation: Developers can rely on detailed guides and API documentation.
8. Ideal User
Cloudways:
Cloudways is ideal for:
- Non-Technical Users: If you’re looking for an easy-to-use managed cloud solution, Cloudways is perfect.
- SMBs and Agencies: Companies and agencies that want powerful cloud hosting without the technical headaches will find Cloudways a great choice.
- WordPress Users: If you’re managing WordPress websites, Cloudways is particularly optimized for WordPress hosting.
DigitalOcean:
DigitalOcean is better suited for:
- Developers and Tech-Savvy Users: Ideal for developers who want more control over their infrastructure.
- Tech Startups: Those who want to build custom applications or need more flexibility with resources.
- Cloud Enthusiasts: Users who want to work directly with cloud resources, APIs, and Kubernetes.
Conclusion: Which Host is the Best in 2025?
In 2025, Cloudways and DigitalOcean remain strong contenders in the web hosting industry. The decision ultimately boils down to your needs:
- If you’re a non-technical user looking for ease of use, support, and hassle-free cloud hosting, Cloudways is the best option. It’s perfect for WordPress sites and agencies that don’t want to dive deep into server management.
- If you’re a developer or someone who needs fine control over your cloud infrastructure and prefers a DIY approach, DigitalOcean is a fantastic choice. It offers high flexibility, scalability, and advanced tools for building custom applications.
Both providers offer excellent value, but the right choice depends on your specific requirements and technical expertise.
