Managed convenience vs full developer control. We compare Cloudways and DigitalOcean to help you choose the right cloud hosting approach for your projects.
Cloudways and DigitalOcean represent two fundamentally different approaches to cloud hosting. Cloudways provides a managed layer on top of cloud providers (including DigitalOcean itself), handling server management so you can focus on your website. DigitalOcean offers raw cloud infrastructure with full root access, giving developers complete control. We tested both to help you determine which model fits your needs.
Cloudways takes the complexity out of cloud hosting by providing a managed platform on top of providers like DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Vultr, and Linode. With their ThunderStack performance optimization, one-click staging, built-in CDN, and automated backups, Cloudways lets you harness cloud power without needing server administration skills.
DigitalOcean is the developer's choice for cloud infrastructure. With simple Droplets, managed Kubernetes, a powerful API, and extensive documentation, DigitalOcean gives you full root access and complete control over your server environment. Its transparent pricing and vibrant community tutorials make it the most approachable unmanaged cloud platform.
When Cloudways runs on top of DigitalOcean infrastructure, the underlying hardware is identical. However, Cloudways adds a significant performance boost through its ThunderStack — a combination of Varnish cache, Memcached, and Redis that optimizes application delivery. In our tests, a WordPress site on Cloudways (DigitalOcean backend) loaded 40% faster than the same site on a raw DigitalOcean Droplet with a standard LEMP stack, primarily due to the caching layers.
DigitalOcean offers more flexibility in server configuration, allowing developers to fine-tune their stack for specific workloads. With the right expertise, you can match or exceed Cloudways' performance on raw DigitalOcean infrastructure, but it requires significant setup and ongoing optimization.
Cloudways focuses on managed convenience: automated backups, one-click staging environments, free SSL, built-in CDN (Cloudflare Enterprise), server monitoring, and a clean management dashboard. DigitalOcean offers raw infrastructure features: Droplets (VMs), managed Kubernetes, managed databases, Spaces (object storage), App Platform, load balancers, and a comprehensive API for automation.
The key difference is that Cloudways makes cloud hosting accessible to non-technical users, while DigitalOcean provides the building blocks for developers to create custom infrastructure.
DigitalOcean is significantly cheaper, with Droplets starting at $4/mo compared to Cloudways' $14/mo entry point. The price difference reflects the managed services Cloudways provides. A Cloudways plan running on a DigitalOcean backend costs roughly 2-3x more than the equivalent raw Droplet. Both offer pay-as-you-go billing with no long-term commitments required. DigitalOcean also provides a $200 free credit for new users, while Cloudways offers a 3-day free trial.
Cloudways offers 24/7 live chat and ticket support with agents who understand hosting-level issues like WordPress optimization, SSL configuration, and server performance. DigitalOcean's support is primarily ticket-based, focused on infrastructure issues rather than application-level support. However, DigitalOcean's community tutorials are some of the best in the industry — a massive library of detailed guides covering nearly every server administration topic imaginable.
| Feature | Cloudways | DigitalOcean |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $14/mo | $4/mo |
| Our Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Hosting Type | Managed Cloud | Unmanaged Cloud (IaaS) |
| Root Access | ✗ | ✓ |
| Managed Backups | ✓ | Optional (extra cost) |
| Staging Environment | ✓ (one-click) | ✗ (manual setup) |
| Built-in CDN | ✓ (Cloudflare) | ✗ |
| Free SSL | ✓ | Manual (Let's Encrypt) |
| Kubernetes | ✗ | ✓ |
| API Access | Limited | Full REST API |
| Server Monitoring | ✓ | ✓ |
| Live Support | 24/7 Chat & Ticket | Ticket Only |
| Free Trial | 3-Day Trial | $200 Credit (60 days) |
Cloudways is the better choice if you:
DigitalOcean is the better choice if you:
Cloudways is the best choice for those wanting managed ease. If you want cloud hosting performance without dealing with server administration, Cloudways is the clear winner. Its ThunderStack optimization, one-click staging, built-in CDN, and 24/7 support make cloud hosting accessible to anyone. The premium over raw infrastructure is well worth it for the time and expertise it saves.
DigitalOcean is the best choice for developers wanting full control. If you have the technical skills to manage your own servers, DigitalOcean offers unbeatable value with Droplets starting at just $4/mo. Its API, Kubernetes support, and extensive documentation make it the ideal platform for building custom infrastructure. The lower cost and total flexibility make it the preferred choice for experienced developers and DevOps teams.
Yes, Cloudways actually offers DigitalOcean as one of its five backend cloud providers. When you choose Cloudways with a DigitalOcean backend, you get DigitalOcean's infrastructure with Cloudways' managed layer on top — including ThunderStack optimization, automated backups, staging, and 24/7 support. You pay more than a raw Droplet, but you get a fully managed experience.
DigitalOcean requires basic server administration knowledge — you need to be comfortable with SSH, the command line, and setting up web servers. However, DigitalOcean's documentation and community tutorials are among the best available, making it one of the most approachable unmanaged cloud platforms. If you're willing to learn, DigitalOcean is a great way to develop DevOps skills.
It depends on the value of your time. Cloudways costs 2-3x more than a raw DigitalOcean Droplet, but it handles server updates, security patches, backups, caching optimization, and SSL management for you. If managing servers is not your core skill or takes time away from your business, Cloudways' managed layer easily pays for itself. If you enjoy server administration or have a DevOps team, DigitalOcean's lower pricing is the smarter choice.