Alibaba Cloud vs Cloudways: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Alibaba Cloud and Cloudways comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Alibaba Cloud
Leading cloud provider with global infrastructure
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.0/10 vs 7.0/10)
- • Alibaba Cloud is the leading cloud provider in Asia, offering a full suite of cloud services
- • It provides compute, storage, databases, and AI services with strong presence in Asian markets
Cloudways
Managed cloud hosting platform
Best for you if:
- • Managed cloud hosting from $11/month on DigitalOcean to $37/month on Google Cloud
- • Pay-as-you-go with free SSL, backups, staging, and 24/7 support across all plans
| At a Glance |  Alibaba Cloud |  Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Paid |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 80/100 | 70/100 |
| Feature | Alibaba Cloud | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 70 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Hosting & DeploymentInfrastructure as Code | Hosting & DeploymentVPS & Servers |
How Alibaba Cloud and Cloudways Compare
Alibaba Cloud
Leading cloud provider with global infrastructure
Paid · 80/100 score
Cloudways
Managed cloud hosting platform
Paid · 70/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Alibaba Cloud
Want the highest-rated option?
Alibaba Cloud: 80/100. Cloudways: 70/100.
Go with: Alibaba Cloud
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Alibaba Cloud
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are hosting & deployment tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Alibaba Cloud scores higher: 80/100 vs 70/100.
Key Takeaways
Alibaba Cloud
- Higher score: 80/100 vs 70
- Our pick for this comparison
Cloudways
The Bottom Line
Alibaba Cloud (80/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alibaba Cloud or Cloudways better?
Alibaba Cloud scores 80/100 in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Alibaba Cloud and Cloudways used for?
Alibaba Cloud: Leading cloud provider with global infrastructure. Cloudways: Managed cloud hosting platform.
What does Alibaba Cloud cost vs Cloudways?
Alibaba Cloud is a paid tool. Cloudways is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.