Cloudways vs Wpengine: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Cloudways and Wpengine 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: Wpengine wins this matchup. WordPress.com is our overall Hosting & Deployment pick. WordPress.com is our free Hosting & Deployment pick. 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 want managed cloud hosting
- • You want multiple providers
Wpengine
Managed WordPress hosting for speed and security
Best for you if:
- • You want managed WordPress hosting
- • You want good performance
| At a Glance | Cloudways | Wpengine |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $14/monthStandard | $20/monthStartup |
Best For | Cloud & Infrastructure | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.6/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Cloudways or Wpengine?
Choose Cloudways if
Managed cloud hosting platform
- You want managed cloud hosting
- You want multiple providers
- Budget matters ($14/month vs $20/month)
- Your work is cloud & infrastructure-shaped, not hosting & deployment-shaped
Choose Wpengine if
Managed WordPress hosting for speed and security
- You want managed WordPress hosting
- You want good performance
- Your work is hosting & deployment-shaped, not cloud & infrastructure-shaped
| Feature | Cloudways | Wpengine |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 1,238 reviews | ★4.6/5 360 reviews |
| Categories | Cloud & InfrastructureHosting & Deployment | Hosting & DeploymentCMS |
In-Depth Analysis
Cloudways
Managed cloud hosting platform
Cloudways offers a fair pricing structure for managed cloud hosting, especially considering the included features.
Watch out
Potential for higher costs with premium add-ons
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
Wpengine
Managed WordPress hosting for speed and security
WPEngine's pricing is on the higher side for managed WordPress hosting, with the Startup plan at $20/month for just one site and limited visits.
Watch out
Overage fees for exceeding visits/storage
Strengths
- +Managed WordPress hosting
- +Good performance
- +Good support
- +Active development
- +Good features
Weaknesses
- -Expensive
- -WordPress only
- -Per-install pricing
- -Better alternatives exist
- -Feature limitations
Key features
Pricing: Cloudways vs Wpengine
| Plan | Cloudways | Wpengine |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $14 month Standard | $20 month Startup |
| Tier 2 | $28 month Premium | $40 month Professional |
| Tier 3 | $46 month Business | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Cloudways pricing and Wpengine pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Wpengine
Want the highest-rated option?
Cloudways: 4.5/5 (1,238 reviews). Wpengine: 4.6/5 (360 reviews).
Go with: Wpengine
Value user reviews?
Cloudways: 1,238 reviews (4.5/5). Wpengine: 360 reviews (4.6/5).
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. Wpengine is in hosting & deployment. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Wpengine is rated higher: 4.6/5 vs 4.5/5.
Key Takeaways
Wpengine
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.5/5
- Our pick for this comparison
Cloudways
- Larger review base (1,238 reviews)
- Better fit for cloud & infrastructure
The Bottom Line
Wpengine wins this matchup. WordPress.com is our overall Hosting & Deployment pick. WordPress.com is our free Hosting & Deployment pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cloudways or Wpengine better?
Wpengine is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Cloudways and Wpengine used for?
Cloudways: Managed cloud hosting platform. Wpengine: Managed WordPress hosting for speed and security.
What does Cloudways cost vs Wpengine?
Cloudways is a paid tool. Wpengine is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.