Best Cloudways alternatives
The hosts we would weigh against Cloudways when you want a flat managed plan, included email or a simpler, cheaper setup.
Cloudways is managed cloud hosting: you pick a provider like DigitalOcean and pay per server with no long contract, getting dedicated resources and a clean control panel. Buyers most often look elsewhere for three reasons: a preference for a flat managed plan rather than per server pricing, no included email and some setup work, and a wish for either a fully managed WordPress platform or a cheaper shared host. The four below cover the usual exits, from the value leader to two premium managed WordPress platforms. Each carries our editorial score and a verified entry price so you can match the tradeoff to your site.
Some links below are affiliate links. We may earn a commission · it never affects our rankings, which are editorial and never for sale. Disclosure.
Four hosts we would weigh first
How they compare
Scores are editorial assessments against our web hosting rubric. Price from as of June 2026; check the vendor for current pricing.
Which one fits you
Cloudways alternatives FAQ
What is the best Cloudways alternative?
It depends on your priority. Hostinger is the best value with a flat plan, WP Engine and Kinsta the best fully managed WordPress platforms, and SiteGround the best managed shared host with strong support. Scores are editorial; pricing verified June 2026.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Cloudways?
Yes. Shared hosts undercut Cloudways' $11 entry: Hostinger and SiteGround start near $2.99 a month and include email. The tradeoff is shared rather than dedicated cloud resources, so heavy or spiky sites may still prefer Cloudways' per server model. Verified June 2026; check the vendor for current pricing.
Which Cloudways alternative needs the least setup?
Kinsta and WP Engine are the most hands off, fully managed WordPress platforms with no server to configure, while Hostinger and SiteGround offer simple shared plans. Cloudways asks you to pick a provider and manage scaling, so any of these reduces setup work.
Do Cloudways alternatives include email?
Most shared hosts do. Hostinger and SiteGround include email hosting, unlike Cloudways, which sells email as an add on. Managed WordPress hosts like Kinsta and WP Engine generally do not include email and expect you to use a separate provider.