An honest Cloudways review tailored for Saudi businesses—speed, pricing, support, and local server options.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Let’s talk about Cloudways in Saudi Arabia. Cloudways is a hosting service. It makes cloud hosting simple. It works with big providers like DigitalOcean, Vultr, AWS, Google Cloud, and Linode. If you have a business in Saudi Arabia or run a WordPress site, you might like Cloudways. It gives you cloud power without needing to manage servers. This review looks at how it works for Saudi users. We will check performance, cost, server places near Riyadh and Jeddah, safety rules, WordPress tools, speed, uptime, support, and if it is good for you. Also See Our Top 10 Cloud Hosting Complete Review.
Quick verdict
Good for: Agencies, growing online stores, busy WordPress sites, and developers. They want speed and control without server work.
Not good for: New users who need email hosting or the cheapest shared hosting.
Note for Saudi Arabia: Cloudways has no servers in Saudi Arabia. It uses other companies’ servers around the world. To make it fast, it uses CDN and caching. If you need data to stay in Saudi Arabia for rules, use a provider with Saudi servers or pick a local host.
What Cloudways is and how it works
Cloudways is a managed hosting platform. It does not own data centers. It lets you use servers from other companies like DigitalOcean, Vultr, Linode, AWS, and Google Cloud. Cloudways sets up the server, makes it fast, keeps it safe, and handles backups. You get one place to manage everything. This means you can choose your server size and provider. You get built-in caching and CDN options. You get managed services without being locked in. This mix gives you cloud flexibility with easy hosting.
Why Saudi users should consider Cloudways
Fast for WordPress and PHP apps: Cloudways sets up optimized stacks. It uses tools like Breeze and Cloudflare. This makes sites load quick and handle traffic well.
Choice of cloud providers: You can pick a server near the Middle East or Asia. This helps reduce delay for Saudi users.
Easy to manage: Cloudways cuts down on server work. It has features for developers like SSH, staging, and Git. This is good for teams.
Fair pricing: You pay as you go. You can scale up or down without changing systems.
These points make Cloudways a good pick for Saudi small businesses. They want better speed than shared hosts without the hassle of self-managed servers.
Server locations, delay, and Saudi data privacy
Cloudways uses servers from other providers. The server location depends on the provider you choose.
For low delay to Saudi Arabia, pick a nearby region. Look for Middle East regions like AWS Riyadh. Or choose the closest Asia spots for DigitalOcean or Vultr. Cloudways has over 60 server locations worldwide. You can often find one close to Riyadh or Jeddah.
Data rules: If your group needs data to stay in Saudi Arabia under CST rules, check where data is stored. Cloudways may not meet this unless you use a provider with Saudi servers. For strict needs, think about a local provider like STC Cloud.
Tip for Saudi users: When you sign up, pick the provider and region with care. Check where backups and CDN data are stored. Write it down for rules.
Performance: speed, uptime, and load handling
Tests show Cloudways is fast. It has low time to first byte. This is true when you use the right server and caching. Sites can load in under a second.
Uptime: Cloudways uses reliable providers. Many tests show 99.99% uptime. But real uptime depends on the provider and server type.
Load handling: With auto-scaling or bigger servers, Cloudways can handle traffic spikes. It stays stable under load.
Key point: Cloudways gives great performance for the price. To get the best, pick nearby regions, use CDN, enable caching, and choose the right server size.
Pricing, billing, and value for Saudi users
Pricing: You pay for Cloudways plus the server cost. Prices change by provider and server size. DigitalOcean plans start low. AWS and GCP cost more but are faster.
Free trial: You get a 3-day free trial. No payment needed. But there is no long money-back guarantee.
Extra costs: Support, SMTP, and other services may cost more. For small sites, Cloudways can be pricey vs shared hosts. For growing sites, it is a good deal.
For Saudi users: Check how you can pay. Look at currency exchange and taxes. If you need bills in SAR, see if Cloudways does that.
WordPress features and developer tools
Easy WordPress installs, staging, cloning, and caching with Breeze.
Developer tools: SSH, SFTP, Git, cron jobs, and team controls.
Managed optimizations: PHP-FPM, Redis caching, Cloudflare, backups, and snapshots.
For Saudi WordPress users, Cloudways makes it easy to scale sites. It works with plugins and CDNs for fast delivery.
Security, backups, and reliability
Safety features: Server hardening, patches, firewalls, two-factor auth, and free SSL. Some plans have WAF and bot protection.
Backups: Automatic backups with easy restore. Check where backups are stored for rules.
Monitoring: Basic server checks and auto-heal to restart services if needed.
For Saudi groups: Cloudways security is strong for most sites. If you have strict rules, check encryption and backup locations meet CST needs.
Support and managed services
Support: Live chat and tickets. Premium support costs more for faster help. There are guides and community help.
Quality: Support is quick for common issues. For complex problems, you might need premium support or a developer.
Migration: Free migration for one site. Paid options for more.
For Saudi customers: Support is key. Cloudways chat and docs are good. But if you need fast replies, think about premium support.
Cloudways plans and comparison by provider
DigitalOcean, Vultr, Linode: Good value for small to mid sites. Fast for the cost. Pick the nearest server to Saudi Arabia.
AWS, GCP: Cost more but have better uptime and more regions like AWS Riyadh. Good for rules and low delay.
Flexible vs Autonomous: Flexible plans use specific providers. Autonomous plans auto-scale with containers for high traffic.
Choose based on budget, needed regions, and tech needs. DigitalOcean for cheap WordPress blogs. AWS or GCP for big apps and region choice. Autonomous for auto-scaling.
Real-world test results and independent reviews
Tests show Cloudways is fast and reliable when set right. Reviews say pages load in under a second. It handles load well on small servers. Experts like the ease of use, CDN, and developer tools. But they note the cost and no email hosting.
Summary: Cloudways is rated high for speed, ease, and support. Cost and a small learning curve are things to think about. You may also like to read: Best Cloud Hosting Providers in Saudi Arabia (2025).
Migration, setup, and checklist for Saudi WordPress sites
Steps to move or start on Cloudways:
Pick your provider and nearest region. Use AWS Riyadh if you can.
Sign up for the 3-day free trial. Test the server setup.
Launch a server and add WordPress from the dashboard.
Set up Breeze or Object Cache Pro. Turn on Redis and OPcache if needed.
Set up CDN like Cloudflare. Pick edge spots near Saudi Arabia.
Update DNS and enable free SSL.
Test speed from Riyadh nodes. Adjust caching.
Check backup times and where backups are stored for rules.
Test email with a separate service. Cloudways does not host email.
Write down the setup and backup place for auditors if needed.
Pros: Fast speed, low delay, choice of providers, good WordPress tools, strong safety, backups, great support and docs.
Cons: No email hosting, can cost more than shared hosts, rules depend on provider, a bit hard for new users.
Cost examples and what to expect
Sample costs (check current prices):
DigitalOcean start: Low cost per month for a small server. Good for small WordPress sites.
AWS or GCP start: Higher cost but faster and more regions. Good for big apps and rules.
Support and add-ons: Premium support costs extra. You need an external email service.
Value: You pay more than cheap hosting but get better speed, uptime, and growth.
How to minimize costs while maximizing performance
Start with a DigitalOcean or Vultr plan. Scale up when traffic grows.
Use the free trial to test and pick the right server size.
Enable caching, use CDN with nearby points, and move big files to CDN to save resources.
Set backup times wisely. Do not keep too many backups if storage costs are high. But make sure backup places meet rules.
Alternatives to Cloudways (when to consider them)
Local Saudi hosts like STC Cloud if data must stay in Saudi Arabia for rules.
Managed WordPress hosts like WP Engine for easy WordPress with email. They can be simpler but cost more for high use.
Self-managed cloud on AWS or GCP for teams with skills who want full control.
Pick alternatives only if you need Saudi hosting, email, or a specific SLA.
FAQs Saudi users ask
Is Cloudways okay for Saudi data rules? It depends on the provider and region. If you use AWS Riyadh, data stays in region. But check backup and CDN spots.
Does Cloudways have servers in Saudi Arabia? No. The server place depends on the provider. Pick one with a Riyadh or GCC region for low delay.
Can Cloudways host email? No. Use a separate email service like Google Workspace or an SMTP service.
How easy is it to move from another host? Cloudways offers one free move. It is guided. Big moves may need paid help.
Practical recommendations for Saudi WordPress publishers
If your site is for Saudi users and data rules matter, use a provider with Saudi servers via Cloudways. Or choose a local host.
Use staging and cloning tools to test changes before going live.
Pair Cloudways with a CDN near Saudi Arabia to speed up delivery. Keep data where you want.
Use a separate email service for emails to avoid issues and follow rules.
Step-by-step sample setup (practical)
Sign up on Cloudways. Start the 3-day trial.
Pick DigitalOcean for low cost or AWS for regions. Choose the nearest spot to Saudi Arabia.
Deploy WordPress from the dashboard. Make a staging site for tests.
Install Breeze or Object Cache Pro. Turn on Redis and OPcache.
Set up Cloudways CDN or Cloudflare with points near Saudi Arabia. Test cache rules.
Point DNS to the server IP. Enable free SSL.
Check speed from Riyadh test nodes. Change server size if needed.
Schedule backups. Note where they are stored for rules.
Conclusion
Cloudways is a strong hosting choice for Saudi businesses. It offers speed, growth, and developer tools without server management. Its multi-cloud approach lets you pick servers near Saudi Arabia. Caching and CDN help with fast speeds and uptime in tests. For Saudi users with strict data rules, check if the provider has Saudi servers and where backups are stored.
If you run WordPress and want a fast, managed setup for sites, stores, or high traffic, Cloudways is a good option. For strict data needs or full SLAs, compare with local hosts. For more on WordPress hosting in Saudi Arabia, see this post: WordPress hosting in Saudi Arabia.
