Cloudways vs Name.com: guide for 2024

Cloudways vs Name.com: Final verdict

Looking over Cloudways vs. Name.com, it’s clear why both hosts are so popular. They have both hosted millions of
websites that run on WordPress for decades, building up a loyal customer base.

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  Cloudways (Overall grade: 8.5)
  
  
  provides managed cloud hosting with a strong emphasis on performance and scalability. With a near-perfect 99.99% uptime record and an average server response time of 229ms, Cloudways excels in delivering high-speed, reliable hosting solutions. Its built-in caching mechanisms, vertical scaling options, and support for multiple cloud infrastructure providers like AWS and Google Cloud make it ideal for high-traffic websites, ecommerce platforms, and agencies. Cloudways also offers extensive customer support available 24/7 and a user-friendly control panel, though it lacks a built-in website builder and free domain offerings which might inconvenience non-technical users.
  
• 
  Name.com (Overall grade: 7.3)
  
  
  also guarantees a 99.99% uptime and provides easy-to-use hosting services with a clear focus on security and simplicity. Known for its robust email hosting, automated backups, and user-friendly cPanel interface, Name.com is an excellent choice for beginners and those seeking hassle-free web management. The service includes free SSL certificates, a website builder, and offers a range of SSL options catering to different security needs. However, while competitive in pricing, it falls short in terms of advanced performance features, missing the built-in caching and scalability options that Cloudways provides.
  

Hosting types offered

Both platforms provide a variety of hosting types, each designed to meet the different needs of users.

Although both offer a variety of hosting plans tailored to different needs, in
certain cases, one platform may prove to be more suitable.

Detailed comparison

🏆 Winner
Cloudways: Offers managed cloud hosting with high performance and multiple cloud infrastructure options.

Cloudways provides a managed cloud hosting service with a focus on performance and uptime. It guarantees 99.99% uptime and showcases a proven track record with near-perfect service availability across the years. With an average server response time of 229ms and features like vertical scaling, built-in caches, and a user-friendly control panel, Cloudways delivers dependable hosting solutions. Customer support is available 24/7 via live chat and ticketing systems, ensuring that any issues are swiftly addressed.

On the other hand, Name.com also guarantees 99.99% uptime and boasts similar response times with a focus on ease of use and security. Known for its reliable and secure hosting, Name.com includes free automated backups and robust support through telephone, live chat, and ticketing. The hosting platform also provides enhanced security features and an intuitive design editor, making it suitable for beginners. Both hosts offer excellent services, but Cloudways stands out with its advanced features and multi-cloud infrastructure support.

🏆 Winner: Cloudways: Exceptional speed and performance with advanced caching and scalability.

When comparing general performance, Cloudways leads with its SSD hosting, which is three times faster than traditional HDDs. The hosting provider enhances speed further with built-in advanced caches like Memcached, Varnish, Nginx, and Redis. It uses a highly optimized stack with NGINX, Apache, MySQL/MariaDB, and PHP-FPM, ensuring fast load times. Cloudflare Enterprise is provided for high-level CDN services. Cloudways also has a strong foundation with multiple data centers globally, although specific numbers aren’t provided.

Website Speed

Website speed is a crucial factor, and Cloudways outperforms with its built-in advanced caching solutions and optimized stack. The inclusion of SSD hosting and auto-healing servers ensures consistent and high performance. PHP 8.2 readiness and vertical scaling capabilities further contribute to faster load times. Name.com, while competitive, relies more on standard cloud solutions powered by DigitalOcean and offers an uptime guarantee without providing specific caching techniques.

Scalability

Cloudways excels in scalability with its vertical scaling options for RAM, CPU, and storage, all managed cost-effectively. You can easily scale resources up to meet traffic demands using 1-click actions. While Name.com offers scalability options for growing memory and disk space, the process isn’t as streamlined as Cloudways, which integrates scaling seamlessly without requiring plan upgrades. Costs for scaling on Name.com are not detailed, whereas Cloudways emphasizes cost-efficiency.

🏆 Winner
Name.com: Name.com offers a wide range of SSL certificate options and robust security measures for data protection.

Both Cloudways and Name.com, have notable differences in their approaches to technical and operational
security, as well as in their compliance with regulations.

Technical security measures:

Cloudways and Name.com offer strong security features, but they cater to different needs. Cloudways provides free 1-click SSL with a built-in Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate, while Name.com offers varying SSL types (DV, OV, EV) and wildcard certificates. For PHP versions, Cloudways supports from PHP 5.6 up to PHP 8.2 whereas Name.com only supports from PHP 7.0 to PHP 8.0+. Cloudways uses server and platform-level firewalls for enhanced security, whereas Name.com doesn’t specify firewall types but provides HTTP/2 support. Cloudways also includes advanced cache systems like Memcached, Varnish, and Redis, unlike Name.com, which focuses on other technical features like Git and MySQL 5.

Operational security measures:

Operationally, both hosts offer solid security mechanisms but differ in approach. Cloudways includes tools such as Fail2ban, DDoS mitigation via Cloudflare Enterprise, and 2FA for login security. Name.com, on the other hand, focuses on automated backups, regular monitoring, secure email encryption, and password-protected directories. Both services offer SSH and SFTP access, but Cloudways takes operational security a step further with features like application isolation and database security through IP whitelisting.

Compliance and certifications:

Cloudways supports GDPR and PCI compliance via its cloud infrastructure providers, ensuring high data protection standards. PCI-DSS compliance is partially covered since their underlying servers are compliant, but Cloudways as a platform is not explicitly PCI-DSS certified. Name.com aligns with GDPR requirements and suggests adherence to PCI standards through its SSL use and secure data practices. Specific HIPAA compliance is not mentioned for either provider.

🏆 Winner: Name.com: Offers a reliable and feature-rich hosting service with user-friendly tools.

When comparing Cloudways and Name.com, both hosting providers offer robust features but cater to different needs and preferences. Cloudways focuses on high-performance, scalable hosting with advanced tools for developers, such as SSH access, built-in caching, and extensive support for various technologies like NGINX, Apache, and PHP 8. It provides ease of use with 1-click actions, making tasks like backup and server cloning simple. However, it’s worth noting that Cloudways doesn’t offer a built-in website builder, which may require additional steps for users who need that functionality.

On the other hand, Name.com provides a more straightforward approach with an emphasis on user-friendliness. It includes a simple, one-click setup for popular CMS platforms like WordPress, making it accessible for beginners. Furthermore, Name.com offers automated backups, a reliable uptime guarantee, and a user-friendly cPanel interface. Additional free services such as domain registration for the first year and a website builder enhance its appeal. These features make Name.com a solid option for users looking for a hassle-free hosting experience without the need for complex customization.

Email services:

Cloudways offers email hosting through add-ons like Rackspace Email and Elastic Email, providing flexibility for transactional emails and email campaigns. On the other hand, Name.com includes secure email encryption, up to 100 email accounts, and an enterprise webmail interface. While both providers offer robust email services, Name.com also integrates with popular third-party services like Google Workspace, enhancing its value for diverse email needs.

🏆 Winner
namecom: A versatile hosting provider with competitive plans for diverse needs.

Evaluating the pricing of plans among various hosting providers can be complex due to their differing pricing and renewal strategies. Additionally, certain plans require annual commitments, which adds to the difficulty of making comparisons. The prices listed are based on monthly commitments; plans requiring annual commitments are indicated. Additionally, although some providers offer identical plans for WordPress and shared hosting, we have created separate tables for each to enhance clarity.

Cloudways offers varied pricing structures for different types of hosting, emphasizing resource allocation and bandwidth scalability. For instance, its WordPress hosting ranges from $11/month to $1056/month, depending on the resources you choose. Name.com provides cloud hosting through DigitalOcean, starting at $6/month, making their entry-level plans significantly cheaper. Shared hosting at Name.com has straightforward options starting at $6/month, accommodating a variety of needs from simple personal sites to more extensive business operations. WordPress hosting at Name.com offers a flat rate of $29.95/year, which is quite competitive when compared to Cloudways’ hourly and monthly pricing models.

Enterprise plans

Cloudways offers high-end solutions featuring up to 192 GB RAM and 32 core processors on AWS, tailored for scalability and high performance, starting at $1056/month. Name.com, with DigitalOcean and customizable options, provides comprehensive plans up to 320 GB SSD storage and 8 VCPUS, pricing up to $96/month. While Cloudways targets performance-intensive needs, Name.com balances budget and resource requirements effectively.

🏆 Winner Cloudways: Cloudways provides an intuitive and streamlined hosting experience with powerful setup and migration options.

Cloudways features a custom-designed control panel that is intuitive and user-friendly. It offers 1-click actions for common tasks such as backups, restores, and application launches, which simplifies server and application management significantly. The control panel is accessible for both technical and non-technical users, ensuring that anyone can manage their website effectively. Advanced features like SSH and SFTP access, as well as pre-installed Git, make it a strong contender for developers looking for a seamless workflow. The vertical scaling options add further convenience, enabling users to quickly adjust server resources when demands change.

Name.com, on the other hand, uses the standard cPanel for its admin panel. While cPanel is widely known and reliable, it may not offer the same level of intuitive design that a custom solution like Cloudways’ control panel can provide. cPanel is feature-rich but can be overwhelming for non-technical users who may find its wide array of options confusing. However, for those familiar with cPanel, it provides a reliable and effective interface for managing domains, email, and web hosting. The one-click WordPress installation feature simplifies some tasks, making it easier for users who need to set up a site quickly.

Both Cloudways and Name.com offer migration tools, though Cloudways has a noted advantage with its free migration service for the first website from any web host. This makes the initial transition significantly easier and more cost-effective. Name.com does not provide specific details on free migration services, implying that users may need to handle migrations manually or potentially incur a fee for professional migration services.

Cloudways boasts a comprehensive Help Center, including a vast knowledge base, 24/7 expert support with live chat, and active community forums. Customers also have access to a ticketing system for personalized queries and premium add-ons for priority support. Name.com offers a thorough Knowledge Base divided into various helpful categories, live support during specific hours, and a virtual assistant. Both offer support ticket options. Cloudways’ 24/7 live chat and free first migration offer a slight edge over Name.com.

🏆 Winner
Cloudways: An all-encompassing solution for managing user roles, access, and permissions in hosting.

Cloudways offers an extensive user management system using the WordPress Admin Panel, enabling administrators to define detailed roles and permissions. Users can be added, modified, or removed easily, while roles from Super Admin to Subscriber provide varied access levels depending on tasks. Cloudways facilitates team collaboration by allowing team members to join multiple teams and manage WooCommerce stores or servers efficiently. On the other hand, there is no specific information available about Name.com’s user management capabilities, making it difficult to compare their flexibility and effectiveness in assigning roles and permissions.

Cloudways provides a straightforward user interface through the WordPress Admin Panel, accessible directly via a specific URL or through the Cloudways Platform. The step-by-step process includes logging in, navigating to the user management section, and executing tasks such as adding, editing, deleting users, or modifying roles. This organized approach simplifies the management experience. There’s no provided information on Name.com’s interface, limiting the comparison to just Cloudways’ proven methods.

In terms of access control and handling a growing number of users, Cloudways stands out with its well-defined roles and scalable infrastructure, ensuring efficient user management as the team expands. The layered roles enable specific responsibilities, which is particularly useful for large teams needing clear segmentation of tasks. The user access can be finely tuned to ensure security and operational efficiency. Lacking details from Name.com preclude a thorough assessment of its capabilities, leaving Cloudways as the preferred choice for scalable user management.

Cloudways user roles table:

🏆 Winner
Cloudways: High-quality customer support with multiple premium options for faster response times.

Cloudways provides extensive customer support available 24/7 through multiple channels including live chat, email, and a help center filled with articles and guides. Premium support plans offer specialized services such as phone support and a dedicated Slack channel. Cloudways stands out with three tiers of support plans—standard, advanced, and premium—that vary in response times, ranging from two hours for standard plans to ten minutes for premium, high-priority tickets. Additional features include proactive monitoring and customization support, further enhancing the overall customer experience.

Name.com offers various support options but with more limited availability than Cloudways. Live chat support is accessible from 12am to 5pm MST, while a virtual bot takes over from 5pm to 12am MST. Phone support is available during limited hours, and the support ticket system helps submit service requests. The comprehensive Knowledge Base is a great resource, covering a wide range of topics. Name.com also provides free automated backups and a 30-day money-back guarantee with all hosting plans. Though rated slightly lower than Cloudways, Name.com is still praised for its user-friendly interface and reliable uptime.

Cloudways vs Name.com: User feedback

Cloudways consistently receives high praise for its ease of use, robust performance, and excellent customer support. Many reviewers highlight the platform’s intuitive interface, effective server management features, and the ability to choose from top-tier cloud providers like AWS and DigitalOcean. Users appreciate the scalable hosting options and reliable customer service, which often includes quick response times and helpful assistance. However, some customers note areas for improvement, such as the absence of email hosting, limitations on server vendor choices, and discrepancies in pricing transparency. Overall, Cloudways is deemed a solid hosting provider, especially valued for its managed hosting features and performance enhancement capabilities.

User feedback for the hosting provider reveals a mixed bag of experiences. While many users appreciate the straightforward domain registration process, easy-to-use interface, and competitive pricing, there are significant concerns regarding customer service. Negative reviews often highlight slow response times, unhelpful support, and issues with account management. Users also express dissatisfaction with hosting services, citing technical difficulties and a lack of advanced features. However, some long-term users remain loyal, finding the platform reliable for domain-related solutions despite its shortcomings in customer support.

Cloudways vs Name.com: FAQ