Quick verdict
Pick Cloudways if you want cloud flexibility, easier scaling paths, and more control over your stack while still staying “managed enough” for most SMB sites.
Pick WP Engine if you want a more hands-off, curated managed WordPress platform where the environment is opinionated and support is geared around that ecosystem.
Comparison table
| Category | Cloudways | WP Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Flexible scaling Agencies | Hands-off managed WP Guided workflow |
| Control / flexibility | More control over server resources and stack options. | More curated and opinionated environment (less to tweak, fewer knobs). |
| WooCommerce fit | Good when you want to scale resources with traffic spikes and have a dev-friendly setup. | Good when you value a very guided managed WP experience and standardized tooling. |
| Support style | Platform support + infrastructure layer depending on setup. | Managed WP support with a strong focus on their platform conventions. |
| Pricing model | Typically resource-based (depends on infra choice + add-ons). | Typically plan-based (site/visits/features based on plan). |
| Developer workflow | Great if you like choosing your stack and scaling paths. | Great if you want a standardized workflow and fewer decisions. |
| Best “why” | “I want flexibility without fully self-managing.” | “I want managed WP with a curated environment.” |
Who should choose what?
Choose Cloudways if…
- You want more flexibility (stack, scaling, resources) without going full sysadmin.
- You run WooCommerce and expect growth or seasonal spikes.
- You’re an agency or you manage multiple sites and want repeatable deployments.
- You prefer a “managed cloud layer” rather than a fully curated WordPress-only platform.
Choose WP Engine if…
- You want a very hands-off managed WordPress experience.
- You prefer an opinionated platform with standardized tooling and fewer configuration choices.
- Your priority is guided support within a curated ecosystem.
- You value a “WordPress-first” environment over infrastructure flexibility.
Performance & scaling reality check
Hosting performance is rarely a single “winner” decision. The practical difference usually comes from:
- Scaling strategy: can you increase resources when traffic jumps?
- Site weight: images, JS, heavy themes, page builders.
- Cache + CDN: configuration and compatibility with WooCommerce.
- Database health: autoload bloat, slow queries, cron, plugins.
If you want, I can help you add a “performance checklist” section that links to your Core Web Vitals tools page for internal SEO.
Final verdict
If you want maximum flexibility for growing sites while staying in a managed environment, Cloudways is usually the more adaptable choice.
If you want a curated managed WordPress platform with less to think about day-to-day, WP Engine often fits better.
FAQ
Is Cloudways or WP Engine better for beginners?
WP Engine can feel simpler because it’s more opinionated and guided. Cloudways can still be beginner-friendly, but you’ll make more choices about your setup.
Which is better for agencies?
Both can work. Cloudways often appeals to agencies who want flexibility and scaling control across multiple sites. WP Engine can appeal to agencies who want a standardized managed WP workflow.
Do I need a separate email service?
Most businesses use Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 plus a transactional email provider for WordPress emails (contact forms, receipts, etc.).