Laravel Forge vs Cloudways: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Laravel Forge 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:
Laravel Forge
Simple server management for PHP and beyond, with one-click provisioning and zero-downtime deployments.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (7.4/10 vs 7.0/10)
- • You need ci/cd features specifically
- • Simplifies server provisioning and management for web applications.
- • Offers zero-downtime deployments, automated SSL, and database backups.
Cloudways
Managed cloud hosting platform
Best for you if:
- • You need hosting & deployment 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
| At a Glance |  Laravel Forge |  Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Paid |
Best For | CI/CD | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 74/100 | 70/100 |
| Feature | Laravel Forge | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 74 | 70 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CI/CDVPS & Servers | Hosting & DeploymentVPS & Servers |
How Laravel Forge and Cloudways Compare
Laravel Forge
Simple server management for PHP and beyond, with one-click provisioning and zero-downtime deployments.
Paid · 74/100 score
Cloudways
Managed cloud hosting platform
Paid · 70/100 score
Laravel Forge is a ci/cd tool. Cloudways is in hosting & deployment.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Laravel Forge
Want the highest-rated option?
Laravel Forge: 74/100. Cloudways: 70/100.
Go with: Laravel Forge
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Laravel Forge
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?
Laravel Forge is a ci/cd tool. Cloudways is in hosting & deployment. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Laravel Forge scores higher: 74/100 vs 70/100.
Key Takeaways
Laravel Forge
- Higher score: 74/100 vs 70
- Our pick for this comparison
Cloudways
- Better fit for hosting & deployment
The Bottom Line
Laravel Forge (74/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laravel Forge or Cloudways better?
Laravel Forge scores 74/100 in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Laravel Forge and Cloudways used for?
Laravel Forge: Simple server management for PHP and beyond, with one-click provisioning and zero-downtime deployments.. Cloudways: Managed cloud hosting platform.
What does Laravel Forge cost vs Cloudways?
Laravel Forge is a paid tool. Cloudways is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.