Cloudways vs DigitalOcean: Which Web Hosting Tool Is Better in 2026?
Cloudways
From $11DigitalOcean
From $4Quick verdict
Overall pick: Cloudways
Cloudways is the better fit for agencies and WooCommerce stores that want managed WordPress, free SSL, one-click staging, and 24/7 expert support included at a flat starting price of $11/month. DigitalOcean is the better fit for developers building custom app infrastructure who want a lower $4/month entry point and full root access, and who can handle WordPress management and support themselves since managed WordPress, free SSL, staging, and 24/7 support are not included. Both offer NVMe/SSD storage, daily backups, root access, and DDoS protection.
- DigitalOcean's entry plan ($4) is 64% cheaper than Cloudways's ($11).
- Only Cloudways offers: managed wordpress support, free ssl & cdn, 1-click staging environment, 24/7 expert support.
Cost calculator
| Tool | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudways · flat | $11.00 | $132 |
| DigitalOcean · flat | $4.00 | $48 |
Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.
Which one should you choose?
| If you need… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Agency hosting multiple client WordPress sites | Cloudways | Cloudways includes managed WordPress, free SSL, staging, and 24/7 support, all of which DigitalOcean lacks. |
| Fast-growing WooCommerce store | Cloudways | Cloudways lists fast-growing WooCommerce stores as a target use case and bundles staging and managed WordPress; DigitalOcean offers neither. |
| Developer building custom app infrastructure | DigitalOcean | DigitalOcean targets developers and custom app infrastructure with a lower $4/month starting price and full root access. |
| Buyer on the tightest budget | DigitalOcean | DigitalOcean starts at $4/month flat versus $11/month flat for Cloudways. |
| Team needing round-the-clock expert support | Cloudways | Cloudways includes 24/7 expert support; DigitalOcean does not list 24/7 support. |
Feature comparison: Cloudways vs DigitalOcean
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ❌ | ❌ |
| Starting price | $11 /mo | $4 /mo |
| Managed WordPress support | ✅ | — |
| Free SSL & CDN | ✅ | — |
| High-speed NVMe/SSD storage | ✅ | ✅ |
| Automated daily backups | ✅ | ✅ |
| 1-click staging environment | ✅ | — |
| Full root / SSH access | ✅ | ✅ |
| Enterprise DDoS protection | ✅ | ✅ |
| 24/7 expert support | ✅ | — |
Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.
Pros and cons
Cloudways
- Includes managed WordPress, free SSL, staging, and 24/7 support
- Flat pricing starting at $11/month
- Covers all eight compared features, including NVMe storage, daily backups, root access, and DDoS protection
- No free plan
- Higher starting price than DigitalOcean at $11/month versus $4/month
DigitalOcean
- Lowest entry price at $4/month flat
- Full root/SSH access for custom infrastructure
- Includes NVMe/SSD storage, daily backups, and DDoS protection
- No managed WordPress support
- No free SSL, staging environment, or 24/7 expert support
- No free plan
At a glance
Managed cloud hosting on DigitalOcean, AWS, and Google Cloud.
Founded 2012 · From $11 · 8/8 tracked features
Best for: agencies, fast-growing WooCommerce stores
See Cloudways alternatives →Developer cloud simplified: Droplets, Kubernetes, and managed databases.
Founded 2011 · From $4 · 4/8 tracked features
Best for: developers, custom app infrastructure
See DigitalOcean alternatives →FAQ
Is Cloudways cheaper than DigitalOcean?
No. Cloudways starts at $11/month flat, while DigitalOcean starts at $4/month flat.
Does DigitalOcean include managed WordPress?
No. DigitalOcean does not list managed WordPress support; Cloudways does.
Which tool offers 24/7 expert support?
Cloudways lists 24/7 expert support; DigitalOcean does not.
Do both offer root access and daily backups?
Yes. Both list full root/SSH access, automated daily backups, NVMe/SSD storage, and DDoS protection.
Which is better for a WooCommerce store?
Cloudways, because it bundles managed WordPress, free SSL, and staging, which DigitalOcean does not offer.
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Data last reviewed: pending verification. All Web Hosting tools →