Cloudways vs Laravel Forge: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Cloudways and Laravel Forge 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.
Bottom line: Laravel Forge is our overall pick for DevOps workflows. Pick Cloudways if you need cloud & infrastructure.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Cloudways
Managed cloud hosting platform
Best for you if:
- • You need cloud & infrastructure features specifically
- • 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
Laravel Forge
Simple server management for PHP and beyond, with one-click provisioning and zero-downtime deployments.
Best for you if:
- • You need DevOps features specifically
- • Simplifies server provisioning and management for web applications.
- • Offers zero-downtime deployments, automated SSL, and database backups.
| At a Glance |  Cloudways |  Laravel Forge |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $14/monthStandard | $12/monthHobby |
Best For | Cloud & Infrastructure | DevOps |
Rating | 4.7/5 | 5.0/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Cloudways or Laravel Forge?
Choose Cloudways if
Managed cloud hosting platform
- Managed cloud hosting
- Multiple providers
- Easy WordPress
- Your work is cloud & infrastructure-shaped, not DevOps-shaped
Choose Laravel Forge if
Simple server management for PHP and beyond, with one-click provisioning and zero-downtime deployments.
- Easy server management
- Laravel focused
- Good DX
- Budget matters ($12/month vs $14/month)
- Your work is DevOps-shaped, not cloud & infrastructure-shaped
| Feature | Cloudways | Laravel Forge |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 1,121 reviews | ★5.0/5 8 reviews |
| Categories | Cloud & InfrastructureHosting & Deployment | DevOpsHosting & Deployment |
In-Depth Analysis
Cloudways
Managed cloud hosting platform
Strengths
- +Managed cloud hosting
- +Multiple providers
- +Easy WordPress
- +Good performance
- +Fair pricing
Weaknesses
- -No email hosting
- -Markup on cloud costs
- -Limited regions
- -Support varies
- -Panel learning curve
Key features
Laravel Forge
Simple server management for PHP and beyond, with one-click provisioning and zero-downtime deployments.
Strengths
- +Easy server management
- +Laravel focused
- +Good DX
- +Fair pricing
- +SSL automation
Weaknesses
- -Laravel specific
- -Per-server pricing
- -Limited features
- -Vendor lock-in
- -Better for simple setups
Key features
Pricing: Cloudways vs Laravel Forge
| Plan | Cloudways | Laravel Forge |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $14 month Standard | $12 month Hobby |
| Tier 2 | $28 month Premium | $19 month Growth |
| Tier 3 | $46 month Business | $39 month Business |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Cloudways pricing and Laravel Forge pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Laravel Forge
Want the highest-rated option?
Cloudways: 4.7/5 (1,121 reviews). Laravel Forge: 5.0/5 (8 reviews).
Go with: Laravel Forge
Value user reviews?
Cloudways: 1,121 reviews (4.7/5). Laravel Forge: 8 reviews (5.0/5).
Go with: Cloudways
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?
Cloudways is a cloud & infrastructure tool. Laravel Forge is in DevOps. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Laravel Forge is rated higher: 5.0/5 vs 4.7/5.
Key Takeaways
Laravel Forge
- Higher user rating: 5.0/5 vs 4.7/5
- Our pick for this comparison
Cloudways
- Larger review base (1,121 reviews)
- Better fit for cloud & infrastructure
The Bottom Line
Laravel Forge is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cloudways or Laravel Forge better?
Laravel Forge is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Cloudways and Laravel Forge used for?
Cloudways: Managed cloud hosting platform. Laravel Forge: Simple server management for PHP and beyond, with one-click provisioning and zero-downtime deployments..
What does Cloudways cost vs Laravel Forge?
Cloudways is a paid tool. Laravel Forge is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.