When comparing SiteGround vs Cloudways, we find SiteGround to be the better web host overall. SiteGround stands out with solid performance, excellent customer support, and very user-friendly WordPress hosting. Cloudways offers strong cloud hosting but lacks cheap starter plans or more affordable types of hosting such as shared hosting.
In this article, we compare SiteGround vs Cloudways on the grounds of plans, pricing, features included, and performance. We also compare their data center coverage, software supported, developer tools, customer support, and security features. Finally, we answer the question of “SiteGround vs Cloudways: Which is better for you?”
Plans
| Hosting Plan Type | SiteGround | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $3.99/mo – $10.69/mo | Not Available |
| VPS Hosting | Not Available | Not Available |
| WordPress Hosting | $3.99/mo – $10.69/mo | $11/mo – $3569.98/mo |
| Cloud Hosting | $100/mo – $400/mo | $11/mo – $3569.98/mo |
| Dedicated Hosting | Not Available | Not Available |
| Reseller Hosting | $6.69/mo – $100/mo | $11/mo – $1056/mo |
| Managed Hosting Available? | Shared, Cloud, WordPress Hosting | All Plans |
SiteGround offers 4 types of hosting: Shared, WordPress, Cloud, Reseller hosting, with managed services for their Shared, Cloud, and WordPress plans. Cloudways provides 3 types: WordPress, Cloud, and Reseller hosting, all of which are fully managed. SiteGround covers a wider range of traditional hosting options like shared hosting, which Cloudways does not offer.
Pricing
| Pricing Type | SiteGround | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Price | $2.99/mo | $11/mo |
| Renewal Price | $17.99/mo | $11/mo |
| Monthly Payment Option? | Yes | Yes |
SiteGround offers a lower introductory price at $2.99 per month compared to Cloudways’ $11 per month. However, SiteGround’s renewal price jumps to $17.99 per month, whereas Cloudways’ pricing remains steady at $11 per month. This means SiteGround users experience a 500% increase upon renewal, while Cloudways users enjoy more predictable pricing.
Features Included
| Feature Type | SiteGround | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Space | 10 GB SSD storage | 25 GB SSD storage |
| Bandwidth | Unmetered | 1 TB |
| Number of websites | 1 | Unlimited (depending on resources) |
| Email Hosting | Unlimited accounts | Add-on feature |
| Free Domain | No | No |
| AI Website Builder | No (Weebly only) | No |
| Unlimited Storage | No | No |
| Unlimited/Unmetered Bandwidth | Yes | No |
| Additional Features | Automated updates and custom tools for WordPress, Advanced priority support, Ability to add collaborators | Cloud flexibility (AWS, Google Cloud, etc.) |
SiteGround provides 10 GB SSD storage on cheapest plans, while Cloudways offers 25 GB. SiteGround also includes email hosting, but Cloudways offers it as a paid add-on. Cloudways allows unlimited websites depending on resources, while SiteGround only supports one website on basic plans. Neither host provides a free domain, nor do they offer unlimited storage. Both hosts lack AI website builders, but SiteGround does offer Weebly integration. Cloudways stands out for cloud-based flexibility with providers like AWS and Google Cloud, but SiteGround provides specialized support and tools, which is more ideal for WordPress users.
Performance
| Performance Feature | SiteGround | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| CDN | Yes, in-house (SiteGround CDN) | Yes, Cloudflare CDN |
| Type of SSD Server | SSD | SSD |
| Caching | Yes | Yes |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% | 99.99% |
| Additional Performance Features | NGINX-based caching | Advanced caching (Varnish, Redis) |
SiteGround and Cloudways both offer CDNs (Content Delivery Network), with SiteGround using its own CDN and Cloudways relying on Cloudflare. Both hosts use fast SSD servers, but Cloudways offers slightly better uptime at 99.99% compared to SiteGround’s 99.9%. Both providers also offer caching, but Cloudways offers more advanced caching options with technologies like Varnish and Redis.
Data Center Coverage
| Geographical Coverage | SiteGround | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarter Location | Sofia, Bulgaria | St. Julians, Malta |
| Number of Data Centers | 11 | 65+ |
| Data Center Locations | USA, Europe, Asia, Australia | USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, Africa, Middle East |
SiteGround operates 11 data centers across key regions including the USA, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Cloudways partners with providers like AWS and Google Cloud and offers a huge network of over 65 data centers globally. Cloudways has a more extensive presence as it covers regions in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and the Middle East. SiteGround still provides solid coverage but is more limited in scope in comparison.
Software Supported
| Software Feature | SiteGround | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Control panel | Site Tools (proprietary) | Custom control panel |
| 1-Click WordPress | Yes | Yes |
| OS supported | Linux | Linux |
SiteGround and Cloudways both offer 1-click WordPress installation and support Linux hosting only. SiteGround uses its own Site Tools control panel, which is known to be simple and beginner-friendly. Cloudways has a custom control panel specifically built for cloud hosting management.
Developer Tools
| Developer Tool | SiteGround | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Staging Tools | Higher plans | Yes |
| Root Access | No | No |
| GIT access | Yes | Yes |
| WP-CLI | Yes | Yes |
| Cron jobs | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple PHP Versions | Yes | Yes |
| SSH | Yes | Yes |
| Node.js Support | No | Yes |
| Python Support | Yes | Yes |
| Java Support | No | Yes |
| Django Support | No | Yes |
| Perl Support | Yes | No |
| Ruby on Rails Support | No | Yes |
| ASP.NET | No | No |
Both SiteGround and Cloudways provide essential developer tools such as GIT access, WP-CLI, Cron jobs, and multiple PHP versions. SiteGround only offers staging tools on higher plans, while Cloudways includes them on all plans. Neither host provides root access, which limits advanced configurations. Cloudways supports a broader range of developer tools, including Node.js, Java, Django, and Ruby on Rails. SiteGround offers Python and Perl support but lacks other advanced language options.
Customer Support
| Customer Support Feature | SiteGround | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Support Methods | Live chat, phone, tickets | Live chat, ticketing system |
| Support Hours | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Website Migration | Yes | Yes |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | None |
SiteGround offers a wider range of customer support options, including live chat, phone, and ticket systems. Cloudways only provides live chat and a ticketing system. Both hosts provide free website migration and 24/7 support to ensure assistance is always available. SiteGround has a 30-day money-back guarantee, whereas Cloudways disappointingly does not offer any such guarantee. This makes SiteGround a better choice for users who value more accessible support and risk-free trials.
Security Features
| Security Feature | SiteGround | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes |
| Backups | Free daily | Automated daily |
| DDoS Protection | Yes, in house | Yes, Cloudflare |
| Firewalls | Yes | Yes |
| Proactive Monitoring | Yes | Yes, add on feature |
SiteGround and Cloudways offer free SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates, daily backups, DDoS protection, and firewalls. Cloudways provides DDoS protection through Cloudflare, while SiteGround manages its protection in-house. Both hosts include proactive monitoring, though Cloudways offers monitoring as an add-on. This makes SiteGround a more cost-effective solution for users seeking comprehensive security.
SiteGround vs Cloudways: Which Is Better For You?
SiteGround is the better host. Use SiteGround if you’re hosting a small, medium or large, business website and need reliable, easy-to-use hosting. Also use SiteGround if you’re a WordPress user looking for straightforward WordPress management tools and excellent customer support.
Use Cloudways if you need advanced cloud hosting with flexible infrastructure options like AWS or Google Cloud. Also use Cloudways if you require advanced caching and more performance optimization features.
Explore more web hosting comparisons here.
Who is SiteGround?
SiteGround is a web host founded in 2004 and headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria. It offers fast speeds, global data centers, and strong WordPress support. Its higher renewal rates and limited storage are significant drawbacks. Read our review on SiteGround to learn more.
Who is Cloudways?
Cloudways is a web host founded in 2012 and headquartered in Malta. It specializes in managed cloud hosting with infrastructure from top providers like AWS and Google Cloud. Its flexible pricing and strong performance stand out, but it lacks hardware control. See our Cloudways review for more details.