Cloudways Review 2026: Managed Cloud Hosting for WordPress (Speed & Core Web Vitals)
If you want faster load times, better Core Web Vitals, and an easier path to scaling WordPress or WooCommerce without becoming a server admin, Cloudways is one of the most practical options in 2026.
Cloudways is a strong fit for performance-focused sites that outgrow shared hosting and want managed convenience on top of major cloud providers. It’s not “cheap shared hosting”; it’s a performance platform.
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Who Cloudways is best for
This section qualifies the “right-fit” visitor so the page converts better (and gets fewer angry clicks).
- Great fit: sites that care about speed, CWV, and stability (agencies, stores, content sites).
- Great fit: you want managed convenience but still want cloud flexibility.
- Not ideal: you want an all-in-one shared host bundle that includes email + hand-holding for everything.
Cloudways performance & stack
Cloudways sits on top of cloud infrastructure and adds a managed layer. The result: solid speed potential when your site is configured correctly.
- Optimized server stack (often includes Nginx + PHP-FPM, caching layers, optional Redis/object cache).
- CDN integration options and performance-friendly tooling.
- Staging, backups, and scaling paths that fit real-world growth.
Note: Real-world results still depend on theme quality, plugins, images, caching rules, and server sizing.
Cloudways pricing explained
Pricing depends on which provider you choose (for example DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud). In plain language: you pick the size you need now, then scale up as traffic grows.
- Blog / small site: start small, focus on caching + image optimization.
- WooCommerce: plan for heavier DB usage, object cache, and Woo-safe caching exclusions.
- Growing traffic: scale gradually instead of panic-migrating later.
Cloudways for WooCommerce
WooCommerce needs special care because it’s dynamic (cart, checkout, sessions, account pages). Cloudways can work well, but your caching rules and plugin choices matter.
- Use Woo-safe caching exclusions (cart, checkout, my-account, fragments).
- Optimize database performance (cleanup, avoid heavy query plugins, keep things lean).
- Measure CWV and real-user behavior before making speed changes.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Strong speed potential and scaling options
- Managed layer on top of cloud providers
- Staging + backups reduce risk during changes
- Flexible setups for different site types
Cons
- Email is typically separate (not a classic shared host bundle)
- Some learning curve if you’re brand new
- Performance still depends on site quality and configuration
Cloudways vs alternatives
If you’re comparison-shopping, these pages go deeper on the tradeoffs (pricing models, flexibility, and best-fit use cases).
- Cloudways vs WP Engine — curated managed WordPress experience vs managed cloud flexibility
- Cloudways vs Kinsta — premium managed WordPress vs scaling control and infrastructure choices
- Cloudways vs SiteGround — simpler hosting approach vs growth-ready cloud scaling
Internal links help visitors continue their research and strengthen topical relevance for SEO.
FAQ
- Is Cloudways good for WordPress? Yes, especially if you care about performance and scaling.
- Is Cloudways good for WooCommerce? Yes, if you configure caching properly and keep the site lean.
- Does Cloudways include email? Usually no. Use a dedicated email provider.
- Is Cloudways beginner-friendly? More friendly than raw cloud servers, but less “one-click simple” than shared hosts.