Cloudways vs Web.com: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Looking over Cloudways vs. Web.com, both hosting services cater to distinct user needs but shine in different areas.

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  Cloudways (Overall grade: 8.5)
  
  
  excels in offering advanced performance features such as SSD hosting, multiple caching methods, and Cloudflare integration. This makes it a preferred choice for developers, tech-savvy users, and businesses requiring high-performance solutions and scalable resources. Cloudways boasts excellent uptime records, sophisticated security measures, and extensive customer support options, including advanced support add-ons. With its user-friendly control panel and developer-focused tools, it handles high-traffic and multimedia websites efficiently. However, it lacks traditional shared hosting and requires a steeper learning curve for beginners.
  
• 
  Web.com (Overall grade: 7.3)
  
  
  provides straightforward and reliable hosting services well-suited for beginners and small businesses. Its attractive pricing, drag-and-drop website builder, and included domain and SSL for the first year make it an appealing option for those just starting their online presence. Web.com offers dependable customer support with various contact options and maintains a solid uptime guarantee. However, it lacks advanced performance and customization features that more experienced users might seek. The significant renewal rate increase and absence of specific features like SFTP/SSH accessibility may not cater well to those expecting long-term scalability and performance optimization.
  

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: A reliable choice with exceptional uptime and versatility.

Cloudways demonstrates an impressive track record with its uptime figures, achieving 100% in both 2020 and 2021, and 99.99% in 2022. This slight decrease is still competitive, matching other high-performing providers like A2 Hosting. With an uptime guarantee of 99.99%, users can confidently host their websites knowing that disruptions will be minimal. This reliability is further supported by a dedicated system status page and accessible 24/7 customer support.

Web.com offers a dependable hosting service with a 99.9% uptime guarantee, but it observed a slightly lower actual uptime of 99.83% in third-party tests. This is still within acceptable industry standards, but not at the peak seen with Cloudways. However, Web.com does provide useful features like unmetered bandwidth, email hosting, and an intuitive website builder, making it a solid option for diverse users. While the initial pricing is attractive, the significant renewal rate increase may be a concern for some.

🏆 Winner
Cloudways: For users who prioritize speed and advanced technological infrastructure, Cloudways is more suitable for high-demand websites that require reliable and fast global access.

Cloudways and Web.com both offer SSD storage and free CDN integration to enhance hosting performance and speed. Cloudways, however, showcases faster load times with a heavyweight theme clocked at 1.69 seconds, compared to Web.com’s 4.85 seconds. Cloudways operates 11 global data centers, which surpasses Web.com’s six, potentially offering better local loading speeds and content delivery. Moreover, Cloudways’ technology is more up-to-date, which may contribute to its superior performance.

Website Speed

Cloudways achieves remarkable page load speeds through its integrated SSD drives and multiple caching options like Redis and Varnish. They also offer PHP 8.2 and an optimized stack with NGINX and MySQL/MariaDB, ensuring rapid responses under high traffic. Web.com provides improved performance by upgrading to PHP 8.0 and MySQL 8, along with implementing OPcode cache, which speeds up content delivery. However, Cloudways’ combination of advanced caching and state-of-the-art technologies results in consistently faster website performance.

Scalability

Both hosting providers offer scalability options tailored to varying needs; however, Cloudways provides a more customized approach with its custom cloud plans where resources can be configured to user requirements. Web.com mentions scalable solutions but requires plan upgrades as customers outgrow shared architecture. The specifics of their elasticity and dedicated server options were not provided. Cloudways’ flexible and straightforward scaling options make managing growing website demands easier.

🏆 Winner Web.com: A robust hosting provider with extensive SSL options, automated updates, and strong compliance measures.

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

Technical security measures:

Cloudways offers server and platform-level firewalls, auto-healing servers, and advanced caches, providing automatic protection and optimizing server performance. Web.com incorporates SiteLock for malware scanning and CodeGuard for backup and recovery, along with OPcode Cache for improved load times. While both providers excel in PHP support, Cloudways supports a broader range of PHP versions, up to 8.2.

Operational security measures:

Cloudways employs built-in Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates and two-factor authentication for higher login security. Meanwhile, Web.com offers multiple SSL certificate types, including Essential, Premium, and Wildcard, catering to diverse business needs. Web.com also has features like SiteLock Seal and Directory Pointers for managing multisite operations, ensuring higher operational resilience.

Compliance and certifications:

Cloudways’ underlying servers comply with PCI-DSS standards, though Cloudways itself is not PCI-DSS compliant. On the other hand, Web.com ensures GDPR compliance and provides PCI compliance scanning through SiteLock, offering a more comprehensive compliance framework.

🏆 Winner
Cloudways: A secure and high-performance hosting solution ideal for eCommerce and complex websites.

Cloudways and Web.com both offer distinct advantages tailored to different types of users. Cloudways is known for its advanced features like optimized SSD hosting, built-in caching mechanisms, and free migration services, making it a strong contender for developers and tech-savvy users. The inclusion of SSH and SFTP access simplifies complex customization, while the Cloudflare integration boosts website performance considerably. Moreover, the presence of dedicated firewalls and SSL certificates caters to those who prioritize security. On the other hand, Web.com is geared towards beginners with its drag-and-drop website builder and included SSL and domain registration for the first year, making it an appealing choice for small businesses or individuals starting their first website. Its unmetered bandwidth promises steady performance regardless of traffic spikes, and the availability of 24/7 product support adds another layer of convenience.

Web.com lacks some of the advanced capabilities provided by Cloudways, such as PHP 8 readiness and vertical scaling. This may not be a significant disadvantage for users who require basic, reliable hosting without intricate customizations. Web.com supports multiple programming languages, which could attract users working with varied technologies. However, the absence of explicit SFTP/SSH availability might be a setback for developers. As for the user-friendliness, Web.com’s website builder makes it easy to create websites without coding knowledge, while Cloudways offers more complex tools like Git integration and staging URLs that are more suitable for tech-savvy users. The advanced support system of Cloudways, including troubleshooting tools and an active community, can be invaluable for intricate projects.

Both providers support a range of users from beginners to experts with user-friendly website builders and WordPress staging areas. However, in terms of developer tools, both Cloudways and Web.com offer robust options including SSH access, support for multiple programming languages, and Git for version control, thus appealing to developers looking for advanced capabilities.

Email services:

Cloudways offers the Rackspace Email Add-on, which is good for customized email hosting, and Elastic Email service for transactional emails. Web.com also provides business email hosting, making it simple to manage emails associated with your domain. The bundled email hosting with Web.com may appeal to small businesses, while Cloudways’ flexible add-ons cater to more specific needs.

🏆 Winner Cloudways: Cloudways offers diverse hosting plans with a good balance of price, performance, and features, catering to various business 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.

When comparing Cloudways and Web.com, Cloudways offers a more versatile range of hosting plans including WordPress, Ecommerce, AWS, Google Compute Engine, Vultr, and Linode hosting plans. On the other hand, Web.com provides more straightforward shared and WordPress hosting plans with attractive initial offers but higher renewal rates. Cloudways’ plans generally offer more substantial resources such as RAM, storage, and bandwidth, along with flexible pricing options. Web.com’s plans come with features like a free domain and SSL for the first year, drag-and-drop website builder, and unmetered bandwidth, but Cloudways supports specific needs with tailored plan types.

Enterprise plans

Cloudways caters to enterprises with high-end plans offering RAM up to 256 GB, multiple cores, and extensive storage and bandwidth options across different hosting types. Web.com’s plans, while simpler, lack the high-resource plans that Cloudways provides. Enterprises needing substantial resources and specific hosting types will find Cloudways’ offerings more aligned with their needs.

🏆 Winner Cloudways: Cloudways stands out due to its ease of use and comprehensive features.

Cloudways offers an intuitive control panel designed with user-friendliness in mind. It’s perfect for both technical and non-technical users, thanks to its clean interface and 1-click actions for tasks like backups, restores, and application launches. Features like pre-installed Git, SSH, and SFTP access ensure developers have the tools they need. The vertical scaling feature is a significant advantage for businesses expecting to grow, allowing for quick adjustments to server resources. Meanwhile, the 1-click cloning and staging URLs streamline testing and development processes, making it easier to manage WooCommerce stores or other applications.

Web.com utilizes a more traditional approach, providing a drag-and-drop website builder that comes with various customizable templates. Its control panel is user-friendly, featuring simple navigation and straightforward tools. It’s tailored more towards users who might not have a deep technical background but need to get their sites up and running quickly. The automatic WordPress installation and updates feature minimizes manual work, making it appealing to those who want a more hands-off approach. The variety of design templates also makes it easy for beginners to create professional-looking websites without much hassle.

Cloudways offers a free migration service for the first website from any web host, making it highly accessible for newcomers looking to switch providers. This free migration is often handled by their team of experts, ensuring a smooth transition. Web.com, however, does not highlight any specific free migration tools or services. Users might need to perform manual migrations or incur additional costs for professional services. This makes Cloudways a more convenient option for those looking to switch hosts without additional expense or effort.

Cloudways excels in its help center resources, offering articles and guides alongside a ticketing system for resolving issues. Their 24/7 expert support and active community provide ample assistance for any challenges users might face. The platform also offers advanced support add-ons for priority responses and more sophisticated troubleshooting tools. Web.com equally offers a knowledge base and various support channels, including live chat, email, and phone support. However, the availability of resources like blogs and step-by-step guides may not be as comprehensive. Both platforms make strong efforts in customer support, but Cloudways’ additional offerings give it a slight edge.

🏆 Winner: Cloudways: A versatile hosting provider with strong user management and collaborative tools.

Cloudways stands out in user roles, permissions, and accessibility by offering a set of well-defined roles through the WordPress Admin Panel, such as Super Admin, Administrator, and various editor roles. It allows detailed delegation of tasks from posting content to installing plugins, catering to different needs within teams. Web.com, on the other hand, provides straightforward user roles like Administrative and Technical but lacks the same granularity. While both platforms enable adding and editing users, Cloudways offers more flexibility in terms of specific WordPress user roles and permissions compared to Web.com’s more generalized approach.

Cloudways offers a more seamless user interface through the WordPress Admin Panel, giving admins easy access to user management functions like adding users, editing profiles, and defining roles all from a single dashboard. Web.com’s interface, though functional, requires navigating through the Account Manager; it lacks the integrated simplicity of Cloudways. The more direct access and centralized user management tools of Cloudways make it superior in terms of ease of use for managing users.

Both Cloudways and Web.com effective access control measures to manage user roles, but Cloudways exhibits greater efficiency in handling multiple user roles and scaling as the number of users grows. Its collaborative features allow team members to be part of different teams, enhancing cooperation, which is crucial for larger projects. Web.com’s dual user roles of Administrative and Technical may suffice for smaller setups but may become constraining as the team expands, making Cloudways a better option for growth and effective role management.

Cloudways user roles table:

Web.com user roles table:

🏆 Winner
Cloudways: Offers an extensive and flexible range of customer support options including advanced and premium support tiers.

Cloudways provides comprehensive customer support, accessible 24/7 through various channels including email, live chat, and an online FAQ. High-tier support packages offer phone and private Slack support, dedicated account managers, and quicker response times, aligning well with their high customer satisfaction score. These add-ons ensure companies needing critical support and customization can rely on swift, proactive service.

Web.com offers consistent customer support available through phone, live chat, email, and a ticketing system. Their technical support is accessible around the clock, but business consulting hours are limited to weekdays. Despite a slightly lower overall score, Web.com remains a reliable choice for standard support needs, offering a broad range of contact options and a helpful online knowledge base.

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.

The hosting provider offers a comprehensive solution for purchasing domain names, hosting, and website building, making it highly convenient for users managing multiple domains and websites. Users appreciate the convenience of having all services bundled together, but some express concerns about the limitations on hosting unlimited domains and the cost associated with individual website software. Overall, the service is satisfactory and well-rated, though there is room for improvement in accommodating users with extensive hosting needs.

FAQ