Cloudways vs WP Engine(2026)
Cloudways is better for teams that need freedom to pick underlying cloud provider. WP Engine is the stronger choice if longest cookie window (180 days) for affiliates. Cloudways is paid (from $14/month) and WP Engine is paid (from $30/month).
Full feature breakdown, pricing details, and pros & cons below.
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Cloudways
Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform that runs on top of AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, Linode, and Vultr — abstracting server management while giving you cloud flexibility.
Starting at $14/month
Visit CloudwaysWP Engine
WP Engine is a managed WordPress hosting platform focused on enterprise and agency customers, with EverCache technology, Genesis themes, and Global Edge Security.
Starting at $30/month
Visit WP EngineHow Do Cloudways and WP Engine Compare on Features?
| Feature | Cloudways | WP Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | paid | paid |
| Starting price | $14/month | $30/month |
| Multi-cloud (AWS, GCE, DO, Linode, Vultr) | ✓ | — |
| One-click app installs | ✓ | — |
| Managed security and patching | ✓ | — |
| PHP/Node/Laravel/WordPress support | ✓ | — |
| Team collaboration | ✓ | — |
| Performance monitoring | ✓ | — |
| Managed WordPress | — | ✓ |
| EverCache technology | — | ✓ |
| Genesis Framework included | — | ✓ |
| Global Edge Security | — | ✓ |
| Smart Plugin Manager | — | ✓ |
| Headless WordPress (Faust.js) | — | ✓ |
| Multi-site support | — | ✓ |
Cloudways Pros and Cons vs WP Engine
Cloudways
WP Engine
Should You Use Cloudways or WP Engine?
Choose Cloudways if…
- •Freedom to pick underlying cloud provider
- •Significantly cheaper than managed alternatives
- •No server management headaches
Choose WP Engine if…
- •Longest cookie window (180 days) for affiliates
- •Enterprise-grade performance
- •Excellent uptime track record