Head-to-head
WP Engine vs Cloudways
Managed WordPress against managed cloud: two routes to worry-free hosting with different pricing.
We may earn a small commission through links on this site, at no extra cost to you.
Our pick
Fully managed
WP EngineWP Engine
WP Engine
The original managed WordPress host.
Fully managed
CloudwaysCloudways (DigitalOcean)
Cloudways
Managed cloud hosting with no limit on sites.
WP EngineCloudways
Our score4.4 / 54.2 / 5
PriceFrom $25/moFrom $11/mo
Free planNoNo
Best forManaged WordPressMultiple sites
CategoryManaged WordPressManaged WordPress
ProviderWP EngineCloudways (DigitalOcean)
Our verdict
WP Engine is one hundred percent WordPress: staging, premium themes, and support that breathes WordPress, at a fixed price per site. Cloudways is more flexible: you rent a server and run as many sites on it as you like, which pays off with multiple projects. For one important WordPress site, WP Engine is the safer, more complete pick; for a portfolio of projects, Cloudways quickly earns its keep.
“The company that invented managed WordPress and has stayed near the top ever since: caching, staging, and backups are all included. A slightly dated dashboard, proven stable platform.”Editorial team, on WP Engine
“Host unlimited sites and pay per server size: with multiple sites this is far cheaper than the competition. Slightly more technical, but the strongest price-to-performance you will find in managed hosting.”Editorial team, on Cloudways