Cloudways vs DigitalOcean: Which Is Better for WordPress? (2026)
Choosing the right hosting platform is one of the most important decisions when launching a WordPress website. Two names that frequently appear in hosting discussions are Cloudways and DigitalOcean.
While both offer powerful cloud infrastructure, they are designed for very different types of users.
DigitalOcean is a raw cloud infrastructure provider that gives developers complete control over servers. Cloudways, on the other hand, provides a managed cloud hosting platform that simplifies server management.
In this guide, we will compare Cloudways vs DigitalOcean based on:
- Ease of use
- Performance
- Pricing
- WordPress features
- Support
- Best use cases
By the end of this article, you will clearly know which platform is better for your WordPress website.
Quick Comparison: Cloudways vs DigitalOcean
(Use AffiliateBooster Table Block here)
| Feature | Cloudways | DigitalOcean |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Beginner Friendly | Developer Focused |
| Server Setup | 1-Click | Manual Setup |
| Managed Services | Yes | No |
| WordPress Optimization | Built-in | Manual |
| Support | 24/7 Support | Limited |
| Starting Price | ~$11/month | ~$6/month |
👉 Best for Beginners: Cloudways
👉 Best for Developers: DigitalOcean
What Is Cloudways?
Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform that allows you to deploy websites on top of major cloud providers like:
- DigitalOcean
- AWS
- Google Cloud
- Vultr
- Linode
Instead of managing servers manually, Cloudways provides an easy dashboard where you can:
- Launch WordPress with one click
- Manage backups
- Configure caching
- Monitor server performance
- Scale servers instantly
For website owners who want cloud performance without server management, Cloudways makes the process simple.
Key features include:
- Managed security
- Automated backups
- Built-in caching
- Free SSL certificates
- 24/7 support
What Is DigitalOcean?
DigitalOcean is a cloud infrastructure provider that allows developers to create and manage virtual machines called Droplets.
With DigitalOcean, you get full control over your server environment. However, this also means you are responsible for:
- Installing the operating system
- Setting up the web server
- Configuring security
- Managing updates
- Optimizing performance
Because of this, DigitalOcean is usually preferred by:
- Developers
- System administrators
- DevOps engineers
While it offers powerful infrastructure, beginners may find the setup process complex.
Ease of Use: Cloudways vs DigitalOcean
Ease of use is one of the biggest differences between these two platforms.
Cloudways
Cloudways is designed for users who want cloud hosting without technical complexity.
You can launch a WordPress website in just a few steps:
- Create an account
- Choose your cloud provider
- Select server size
- Launch WordPress
Everything from caching to security is handled automatically.
DigitalOcean
With DigitalOcean, you must manually configure the server.
Typical setup includes:
- Installing Ubuntu or another OS
- Setting up Nginx or Apache
- Installing PHP and MySQL
- Configuring WordPress
For beginners, this process can be time-consuming and confusing.
👉 Winner: Cloudways
Performance Comparison
Both Cloudways and DigitalOcean offer excellent performance because they run on powerful cloud infrastructure.
DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean servers are known for:
- Fast SSD storage
- Global data centers
- Reliable uptime
However, performance optimization depends entirely on how well you configure the server.
Cloudways
Cloudways optimizes performance automatically using:
- Nginx
- Apache
- Varnish cache
- Redis
- Memcached
This stack is designed specifically for WordPress and improves loading speed without manual configuration.
👉 Winner: Cloudways for most users
Pricing Comparison
Pricing is one area where DigitalOcean appears cheaper at first glance.
DigitalOcean Pricing
DigitalOcean basic droplets start at around:
- $6 per month
However, this price only includes raw infrastructure.
You may still need to manage:
- Backups
- Security
- Monitoring
- Server optimization
Cloudways Pricing
Cloudways DigitalOcean servers start at around:
- $11 per month
This includes:
- Managed security
- Server optimization
- Backups
- Monitoring
- Support
So while Cloudways costs slightly more, it saves significant time and technical effort.
👉 Winner: Depends on your technical skills
WordPress Features
Cloudways
Cloudways provides several WordPress-specific tools including:
- 1-click WordPress install
- Staging environments
- Automatic backups
- Built-in caching
- Free SSL
- CDN integration
These features make WordPress management much easier.
DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean does not include WordPress management tools by default.
You will need to install and configure everything manually.
👉 Winner: Cloudways
Customer Support
Cloudways
Cloudways provides:
- 24/7 live chat
- Ticket support
- Knowledge base
- Performance troubleshooting
This support is especially helpful for beginners.
DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean mainly provides:
- Documentation
- Community forums
- Ticket support
Real-time assistance is limited.
👉 Winner: Cloudways
Pros and Cons
(Use AffiliateBooster Pros & Cons Block)
Cloudways Pros
✔ Beginner friendly
✔ Managed security
✔ WordPress optimized
✔ Automatic backups
✔ 24/7 support
Cloudways Cons
✘ Slightly higher cost
DigitalOcean Pros
✔ Lower base price
✔ Full server control
✔ Ideal for developers
DigitalOcean Cons
✘ Requires server knowledge
✘ No managed services
✘ No WordPress optimization
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice depends on your technical experience.
Choose Cloudways if:
- You want managed hosting
- You prefer an easy dashboard
- You run WordPress websites
- You don’t want to manage servers
👉 Start with Cloudways
Choose DigitalOcean if:
- You are a developer
- You want full server control
- You are comfortable with Linux administration
Final Verdict: Cloudways vs DigitalOcean
For most website owners, Cloudways is the better choice.
It provides the power of cloud infrastructure while removing the complexity of server management.
DigitalOcean remains an excellent option for developers who prefer full control over their server environment.
But if your goal is to run a fast WordPress website without technical headaches, Cloudways is the more practical solution.
FAQs
Is Cloudways better than DigitalOcean?
For beginners and WordPress users, Cloudways is usually better because it offers managed hosting and easy server management.
Is DigitalOcean cheaper than Cloudways?
Yes, DigitalOcean is cheaper at the infrastructure level, but you must manage the server yourself.
Does Cloudways use DigitalOcean servers?
Yes. Cloudways allows you to deploy servers on DigitalOcean infrastructure while providing managed services on top.