Cloudways vs AWS comparison: Definitive WordPress Winner

Find out which host is faster, cheaper, and easier for WordPress. We name the clear winner and show how to move your site.

Quick Answer

Cloudways vs AWS: which is better for your WordPress site? For most sites, like blogs or small shops, Cloudways is the winner. It is faster to set up, has managed performance, clear costs, and easy moves. AWS is better only if you need a custom setup, global scale, or specific AWS tools. For a full market overview, see our Top 10 cloud hosting providers guide.

At a Glance

Feature	Cloudways	AWS
Starting Price	$10/month (managed, includes help)	~$8.50/month for a small server; total cost grows with added services
Server Type	Managed cloud (uses DO, AWS, etc.)	Unmanaged (you control everything)
Best For	Small to mid-size businesses, agencies	Large apps, big companies, complex needs
Setup	Easy (a few minutes)	Hard (needs tech skills)
Performance	Built-in speed tools and caching	Very powerful, but you must set it up yourself
Support	24/7 expert help (included)	Paid help plans or free community help
Free Move	Yes, free moves included	You do it yourself or pay someone
Scaling	Easy to scale up; some auto-scaling	Full auto-scaling and global services
Control	Simple, limited server control	Full control over everything
Time to Launch	10–30 minutes	Hours to days

Detailed Look

1. Setup and Launch Time

Cloudways: Launch a WordPress site in minutes. The system handles PHP, MySQL, caching, SSL, and security. It is ready for WordPress right away.
AWS: You can set up a WordPress site, but you must pick server types, databases, and networks. This takes hours and needs tech know-how.

Bottom Line: If you want a live site fast, pick Cloudways.

2. Speed and Caching

Cloudways: Comes with server caching, Redis options, and a speed plugin. The setup is tuned for WordPress.
AWS: Offers great power and speed. But you must set up caching and a content network yourself.

Bottom Line: For fast WordPress speed out of the box, Cloudways is easier. For total control at a large scale, AWS is better.

3. Cost and Budget

Cloudways: Clear monthly prices. The plan includes management and help. Few surprise costs.
AWS: The base server cost seems low. But adding networks, storage, and databases can make the bill grow. Costs are hard to predict.

Bottom Line: Small and medium sites like Cloudways’ clear prices. AWS needs careful cost planning.

If you want to compare Cloudways with other market leaders, check our Top 10 cloud hosting providers list.

4. Security

Cloudways: Includes a firewall, updates, free SSL, and DDoS protection. They handle basic safety.
AWS: Has top-level security tools and meets strict rules. But you must set up and run these tools.

Bottom Line: Cloudways covers basic needs. AWS is for advanced safety rules and custom setups.

Also read: Best cloud hosting for WordPress

5. Help and Management

Cloudways: 24/7 expert help, free moves, and help with WordPress issues. Great for non-tech users.
AWS: Good free docs. Paid help is costly. Support is for tech teams, not for WordPress moves.

Bottom Line: Non-tech teams prefer Cloudways. Teams with tech experts may prefer AWS.

6. Growth and Traffic

Cloudways: Easy to scale up. Handles traffic spikes well for most sites.
AWS: Built for huge scale. Has auto-scaling and global services for very large apps.

Bottom Line: For most WordPress sites, Cloudways is enough. For huge global needs, pick AWS.

7. Tools and Add-ons

Cloudways: Works with big cloud providers and common WordPress tools. Easy but not deeply customizable.
AWS: Huge list of services for advanced setups and mixed systems.

Bottom Line: Need advanced tools like serverless or custom databases? Pick AWS.

Cost Example

Cloudways (on DigitalOcean): $10–$25/month for a standard site (management included).
AWS (small server + database + network): Prices seem low but often end up at $50–$200+/month for a real site.

Remember to check costs for your site’s traffic and backup needs.

How to Move Your Site to Cloudways

Backup: Save your full site and database.
Sign Up: Make a Cloudways account. Pick a provider like DigitalOcean.
Launch: Start a server and WordPress app in the Cloudways panel.
Ask to Move: Request a free move from Cloudways. Give them your site details.
Test: Check your site on the test link. Look at links, plugins, SSL, and email.
Go Live: Update your domain’s DNS to point to the new site.
Watch: Keep an eye on the site for a few days.
Speed Up: Turn on CDN and Redis if needed. Set caching rules.

You can even use AWS as the base for your Cloudways server if you want both power and ease.

Further Read: Cloudways migration case study

How to Choose

Pick Cloudways if:
You run WordPress, WooCommerce, or client sites and want less tech work.
You like clear bills, free moves, and real help.
You want fast speed without manual setup.
Pick AWS if:
You need a custom setup, must follow strict rules, or have a global big app.
You have a tech team or a budget for AWS management.
You need the most options and services.

Common Questions

Is Cloudways on AWS?
Cloudways can use AWS as one of its cloud providers. It adds a simple management layer on top.
Does Cloudways block plugins?
No. Most WordPress plugins work. They suggest good setups for caching and help fix issues.
Can I move from Cloudways to AWS later?
Yes. You can move your site to a full AWS setup when you need more control.

Read our detailed roundup of the top cloud hosting providers to see how Cloudways stacks up.

Final Word

For most WordPress users, Cloudways is the clear winner. It makes hosting easy, speeds up your site, and keeps costs clear. Choose AWS only if you need a custom enterprise setup and have a team to run it.