When you’re building or running a website, choosing the right hosting provider is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. In this detailed comparison of SiteGround vs Cloudways, we will look at key differences.
We will cover pricing, performance, features, and support. This will help you make the best choice. Whether you’re a beginner blogger, an online store owner, or a web developer, this guide has you covered.
Pricing: What Will You Pay?
| Feature | SiteGround | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $2.99/month | $8.25/month (pay-as-you-go) |
| Free Domain | ✅ 1st year included | ❌ Not included |
| Free Email Hosting | ✅ Yes | ❌ Requires separate setup |
| CDN | ✅ Free Cloudflare CDN | Available as paid add-on |
| Server Control | ❌ Limited | ✅ Full control |
| Ease of Use | ✅ Beginner-friendly | ❌ Technical knowledge needed |
| Best For | Beginners, bloggers | Developers, agencies, high-traffic sites |
SiteGround’s Pricing Model
SiteGround uses traditional shared hosting plans with low entry-level prices. You can start with the StartUp plan at $2.99/month, though this price jumps quite a bit when it renews. Their GrowBig and GoGeek plans offer more features but get pricey over time. They also offer cloud hosting, but it’s much more expensive, starting in the hundreds.
Cloudways’ Pay-As-You-Go Structure
Cloudways offers a totally different pricing style. You only pay for what you use, starting at $8.25/month with their DigitalOcean-based plans. There’s no long-term commitment or hidden fees, and you can scale your resources up or down whenever needed. It’s flexible and more transparent.
Want to see another pricing battle? Don’t miss the showdown between SiteGround vs GoDaddy—it might surprise you.
Which Hosting Option Offers Better Value in the SiteGround vs Cloudways Debate?
SiteGround looks cheaper at first, but those renewal rates can be a shock. Cloudways can save you money over time if you’re running a site that grows quickly or needs more power.
Speed and Performance
SiteGround’s Speed Stats
- Average response time: 217ms
- Time to First Byte (TTFB): 229ms
- Fully loaded time: 1.1s
Cloudways Performance
- Average response time: 229ms
- TTFB: 391ms
- Fully loaded time: 0.9s
Cloudways handles traffic spikes better, especially during stress tests with 1,000 virtual visitors. They kept their average response time around 30ms, compared to SiteGround’s 143ms.
Uptime Comparison
SiteGround holds steady at 99.9% uptime. Cloudways edges ahead slightly with 99.99% uptime.
SiteGround vs Cloudways: Verdict on Performance and Speed
In terms of overall performance, the SiteGround vs Cloudways matchup depends on your traffic level and site needs. Cloudways pulls ahead for high-traffic sites and resource-heavy applications. But SiteGround still offers fast, reliable performance for smaller websites.
Features: What’s in the Box?
SiteGround Core Features
- 10GB SSD storage on the base plan
- Free SSL
- Free domain for the first year
- Unlimited email accounts
- Free CDN
- Automated daily backups
- Free site builder
- Website staging (GrowBig plan and up)
Cloudways Core Features
- 25GB SSD starting storage
- Free SSL
- No email hosting (requires separate setup)
- CDN available as an add-on
- Built-in caching with Varnish, Redis, and Nginx
- Staging environments included
- Server monitoring and auto-healing features
Which One Wins on Features?
When it comes to built-in tools and convenience, SiteGround and Cloudways are quite different. SiteGround focuses on simplicity, while Cloudways provides customizable power. They bundle in email, domains, and tools ideal for beginners. But if you need flexibility, Cloudways gives more control over your infrastructure.
Support: Help When You Need It
SiteGround Support Highlights
- 24/7 live chat and phone support
- Strong knowledge base
- Known for quick responses and WordPress expertise
Cloudways Support Highlights
- 24/7 live chat
- Ticket-based support system
- Phone support is available as a paid add-on.
- Good documentation, but slower response times
Which Is More Supportive?
Support is a key factor in the SiteGround vs Cloudways decision. Each offers 24/7 availability, but the level and style of help differ. SiteGround wins this round if you value fast help and hand-holding. They’re praised for support that’s especially helpful to non-tech users.
Security: How Safe Is Your Site?
SiteGround Security Tools
- AI-based anti-bot system
- Daily backups
- WAF and real-time monitoring
- Spam protection
- WordPress security plugin
Cloudways Security Features
- Dedicated firewalls
- Free SSL
- Two-factor authentication
- Regular security patches
- IP whitelisting
- Auto-healing servers
Safety First?
Both do a great job here. SiteGround leans toward automated, WordPress-friendly protection. Cloudways takes a more server-level approach, giving developers more room to customize.
Ease of Use: Whose the Hosting Made For?
SiteGround User Interface
SiteGround is known for simplicity. Their dashboard is clear and intuitive, ideal for users who just want to get started without fuss.
Cloudways Dashboard
Cloudways has a learning curve. Its custom dashboard gives a lot of power, but you’ll need some tech know-how to take full advantage of it.
Which Is Easier?
No contest—SiteGround is easier for beginners. Cloudways is better for users who enjoy tweaking and optimizing server settings.
Pros and Cons Breakdown
SiteGround
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Beginner-friendly dashboard | Higher renewal prices |
| Free email hosting and domain | Limited resources on starter plans |
| Strong customer support | Less scalable long-term |
| Reliable uptime and speed |
Cloudways
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pay-as-you-go flexibility | Not beginner-friendly |
| Multiple cloud provider options | No built-in email hosting |
| Excellent traffic handling | |
| Better for growing sites | Add-ons can raise overall costs |
Ideal Use Cases
SiteGround Is Best For:
- New website owners
- Bloggers
- Small business websites
- Users who prefer simple, bundled services
Cloudways Is Best For:
- Web developers
- Agencies
- Growing eCommerce sites
- High-traffic blogs or SaaS platforms
Real User Opinions
Many users on Reddit and forums say that once their sites started growing, they made the switch to Cloudways. SiteGround helped them get started, but Cloudways provided them with more power and freedom.
| Metric | SiteGround | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Response Time | 217ms | 229ms |
| Time to First Byte | 229ms | 391ms |
| Fully Loaded Time | 1.1s | 0.9s |
| Stress Test (1K users) | 143ms avg | 30ms avg |
| Uptime | 99.9% | 99.99% |
Which One Should You Pick?
Your final choice between SiteGround and Cloudways should depend on how much control you want. It also depends on your budget and how comfortable you are with technology.
Still unsure? Here’s a quick guide:
- Choose SiteGround if you want an easy start with everything in one place.
- Choose Cloudways if you’re comfortable with some technical setup and want a more flexible, scalable environment.
| Best For | Winner |
|---|---|
| WordPress Beginners | Bluehost |
| Users on a Budget (Long Term) | FastComet |
| Global Audience Reach | FastComet |
| High Security Needs | FastComet |
| E-commerce or WooCommerce | Tie |
| Ease of Use | Bluehost |
| Scalable Growth | FastComet |
| Support & Customer Satisfaction | FastComet |
Final Thoughts
When comparing SiteGround vs Cloudways, both hosting providers have their strengths. SiteGround is the better fit for beginners or small websites, offering solid performance, ease of use, and helpful support. On the other hand, Cloudways is great for advanced users or businesses that expect fast growth and need flexible solutions.
Take a look at your needs, budget, and comfort with tech, and you’ll find the right fit. Whichever you choose, both providers are reliable, fast, and trusted by thousands of users worldwide.
