Cloudways vs DigitalOcean2026
Cloudways
Web Hosting
Managed cloud hosting on AWS, Google Cloud, and DigitalOcean without server management headaches.
DigitalOcean
Web Hosting
Developer-friendly cloud infrastructure with simple pricing for deploying apps and databases.
Our Verdict
DigitalOcean is the more affordable option.
Choose Cloudways if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage and teams that need more power and don't mind paying for it
Choose DigitalOcean if…
teams at the startups and small teams stage and budget-conscious buyers who want to start for free or at lower cost
Side-by-Side Comparison
Green highlight = advantage on that metric.
| Feature | Cloudways | DigitalOcean |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Subscription | Usage-based |
| Starting price | $14/mo | $6/mo |
| Free tier | ||
| Free trial | 3 days | |
| Ratings & Reviews | ||
| User rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Features & Capabilities | ||
| Best for | small to mid-sized businesses | startups and small teams |
| Tracked features | 7 | 5 |
| Company | ||
| Founded | 2011 | 2011 |
| Verified listing | ||
Pricing
Cloudways
SubscriptionDigitalOcean
Usage-basedCloudways
$14/moDigitalOcean
$6/moCloudways
DigitalOcean
Cloudways
3 daysDigitalOcean
Ratings & Reviews
Cloudways
No reviews yetDigitalOcean
No reviews yetFeatures & Capabilities
Cloudways
small to mid-sized businessesDigitalOcean
startups and small teamsCloudways
7DigitalOcean
5Company
Cloudways
2011DigitalOcean
2011Cloudways
DigitalOcean
Key Differences
Cloudways
Subscription
DigitalOcean
✓Usage-based
Cloudways
$14/mo
DigitalOcean
✓$6/mo
Cloudways
3 days✓
DigitalOcean
Not available
Cloudways
7 tracked features✓
DigitalOcean
5 tracked features
Cloudways is best for…
Strengths
- Managed cloud without complexity
- Choose from 5 cloud providers
- Excellent performance and uptime
- Agency-friendly
DigitalOcean is best for…
Strengths
- Simpler than AWS or Google Cloud
- Predictable transparent pricing
- Excellent developer documentation
- Fast provisioning
Pricing Comparison
Cloudways
From $14/mo
DigitalOcean 1GB server from $14/month.
DigitalOcean
From $6/mo
Basic Droplet from $6/month. Billing is hourly.
Pricing information is verified periodically. Visit each vendor's pricing page for current rates and plan details.
Feature Comparison
Only in Cloudways
- WordPress Hosting
- Free SSL Certificate
- Staging Environment
- One-Click WordPress Install
Both tools
- CDN
- Automatic Backups
- Uptime Monitoring
Only in DigitalOcean
- API Access
- Custom Domain
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main difference between Cloudways and DigitalOcean?
- DigitalOcean is the more affordable option. Choose Cloudways if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage and teams that need more power and don't mind paying for it. Choose DigitalOcean if you need it for teams at the startups and small teams stage and budget-conscious buyers who want to start for free or at lower cost.
- Is Cloudways cheaper than DigitalOcean?
- DigitalOcean is cheaper at From $6/mo vs From $14/mo. Note that pricing tiers vary — check each vendor's current pricing page for up-to-date details.
- Can I switch from Cloudways to DigitalOcean?
- Yes — most teams can migrate from Cloudways to DigitalOcean with a data export/import process. Check whether both tools support CSV or API data export before starting. It's advisable to run both tools in parallel for a short period to verify your data migrated correctly.
- Does Cloudways or DigitalOcean offer a free trial?
- Cloudways offers a free trial of 3 days. DigitalOcean does not currently offer a free trial — check their pricing page for any trial promotions.