C
Cloudways4.6/5vsD
DigitalOcean4.8/5Cloudways vs DigitalOcean (March 2026)
| CCloudways | DDigitalOcean | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $11/mo | Free |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Free Tier | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Best For | Developers, Agencies | Developers, Startups |
Quick Verdict
DigitalOcean takes the lead with a 4.8/5 rating compared to Cloudways's 4.6/5, though both are solid choices depending on your priorities.
Quick Overview
C
Cloudways
Managed cloud hosting platform with multiple cloud providers and developer tools.
- Best for: Developers, Agencies
- Starting price: $11/mo
- Category: Web Hosting
- Founded: 2011
- Pricing model: subscription
D
DigitalOcean
Developer-focused cloud infrastructure platform with simple pricing and powerful features.
- Best for: Developers, Startups
- Starting price: Free
- Category: Web Hosting
- Founded: 2011
- Pricing model: usage-based
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Cloudways | DigitalOcean |
|---|---|---|
| Website Builder | ✗ | ✗ |
| WordPress Hosting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free SSL | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free Domain | ✗ | ✗ |
| SSD Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Email Hosting | ✗ | ✗ |
| Daily Backups | ✓ | ✓ |
| 24/7 Support | ✓ | ✓ |
Pricing Comparison
Prices last verified: March 16, 2026
Cloudways
$11/mo
Starting price
subscription · 4 plans
DigitalOcean 1GB
$11/moDigitalOcean 2GBPopular
$28/moAWS Small
$38.56/moGoogle Cloud
$37.45/moDigitalOcean
Free
Starting price
usage-based · 5 plans
Basic 512MB
$4/moBasic 1GB
$6/moBasic 2GBPopular
$12/moBasic 4GB
$24/moBasic 8GB
$48/moPros & Cons
Cloudways
Pros
- Multiple cloud providers
- Excellent performance
- Pay-as-you-go
- Free migrations
Cons
- No email hosting
- Learning curve
- No domain registration
- Extra cost for add-ons
DigitalOcean
Pros
- Simple pricing
- Developer-friendly
- Great documentation
- Fast provisioning
Cons
- Requires technical knowledge
- No managed services
- Support can be slow
- Limited Windows options
Which Is Best for You?
C
Choose Cloudways if:
- Developers
- Agencies
- Growing businesses
- WooCommerce stores
D
Choose DigitalOcean if:
- Developers
- Startups
- Tech companies
- DevOps teams
- You want to start with a free plan
- Budget is a priority ($4 vs $11)
- Higher user rating matters to you (4.8 vs 4.6)
Our Verdict
🏆
DDigitalOcean — WinnerCCloudways — Runner-up
After thorough analysis, DigitalOcean takes the lead in this comparison with a higher rating of 4.8/5 versus Cloudways's 4.6/5.
DigitalOcean is best for Developers and Startups. Simple pricing.
Cloudways remains a strong alternative, especially for Developers and Agencies. Multiple cloud providers.
Pricing-wise, DigitalOcean is the more affordable starting option. Evaluate free trials of both before committing.
Explore More
Cloudways Alternatives
DigitalOcean Alternatives
Category Resources
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
DigitalOcean takes the lead with a 4.8/5 rating compared to Cloudways's 4.6/5, though both are solid choices depending on your priorities.
DigitalOcean starts at $4/mo (free tier available), while Cloudways starts at $11/mo.
Yes. Most users can migrate data between the two. Check both platforms for import/export tools before switching.
Cloudways integrates with WordPress, Magento, Laravel, DigitalOcean. DigitalOcean integrates with Kubernetes, Docker, Terraform, GitHub. Both offer solid third-party connectivity, though the best choice depends on your existing tech stack.
Both tools are designed for ease of use. Cloudways is best for Developers and Agencies, while DigitalOcean excels for Developers and Startups. Consider trying both free trials to judge which interface suits your workflow.
Cloudways has a 4.6/5 rating from 3,400 reviews, while DigitalOcean scores 4.8/5 from 4,500 reviews. Higher review counts generally indicate a more established support ecosystem.
For small businesses, DigitalOcean may be more budget-friendly starting at Free. However, Cloudways ($11/mo) could offer better value depending on the features you need most.
For enterprise use, consider which offers more advanced plans. Cloudways has 4 plans while DigitalOcean has 5 plans. Evaluate each tool's enterprise features, security compliance, and team management capabilities before committing.
Check each tool's website for the latest mobile app availability. Both Cloudways and DigitalOcean offer web-based access, and many modern SaaS tools provide companion mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Choose Cloudways if you prioritize multiple cloud providers. Choose DigitalOcean if you value simple pricing and want a free tier.