Choosing the right managed WordPress hosting provider can make or break your website’s performance, security, and scalability. If you’re a blogger, online business owner, developer, or affiliate marketer, two popular names you’re likely to come across are Cloudways and Kinsta.
Both offer premium managed hosting services tailored for WordPress, but they take very different approaches.
In this detailed comparison, we’ll break down Cloudways vs Kinsta across key categories like speed, pricing, ease of use, security, scalability, and support—so you can confidently pick the right one for your needs in 2025.
Cloudways vs Kinsta – Quick Overview
| Feature | Cloudways | Kinsta |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Type | Managed cloud hosting (choice of 5 providers) | Fully managed WordPress hosting |
| Pricing Model | Pay-as-you-go, flexible tiers | Fixed plans |
| Server Control | High (more customizable) | Limited (Kinsta handles everything) |
| Ease of Use | Developer-friendly | Beginner-friendly |
| Free Trial | Yes (3-day) | No (30-day refund instead) |
| CDN | Built-in Cloudflare Enterprise (paid add-on) | Free Cloudflare CDN |
| Email Hosting | Not included (can integrate with third parties) | Not included |
Performance and Speed
Kinsta is built on the Google Cloud Platform’s premium tier and uses LXD containers for each WordPress site, which results in fast load times, automatic scaling, and top-tier redundancy. It also includes a free Cloudflare Enterprise integration for better global performance and DDoS protection.
Cloudways, on the other hand, gives you the flexibility to choose from multiple cloud providers—like DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Vultr, and Linode. This lets you optimize your server location and provider based on budget and performance needs. Cloudways also has advanced caching (Varnish, Memcached, Redis) and optional Object Cache Pro on higher-tier plans.
Ease of Use
Kinsta is designed for users who want a “set it and forget it” experience. Their custom MyKinsta dashboard is sleek, intuitive, and easy to navigate—even if you’re not a tech expert. All maintenance tasks like updates, security checks, and backups are handled for you.
Cloudways is a bit more technical. While the platform isn’t overly complex, it leans toward developers and power users who like to tinker. It gives more granular control over your server and applications, which may not appeal to beginners.
Pricing and Value
Kinsta offers fixed pricing plans starting at $35/month, which includes 1 WordPress install, 25,000 visits, and 10 GB of storage. All plans come with premium features like Cloudflare Enterprise, daily backups, and 24/7 expert support.
Cloudways uses a pay-as-you-go model, which means you’re charged based on server resources used. Plans start as low as $11/month (DigitalOcean 1GB server). You only pay for what you use, and you can scale up or down anytime. However, add-ons like email hosting, backups, and advanced support may cost extra.
Scalability
Both platforms are scalable—but in different ways. With Kinsta, upgrading to a higher plan is seamless and ideal for growing WordPress sites with predictable traffic. Kinsta also supports enterprise-level plans with advanced scaling.
With Cloudways, you can scale vertically by upgrading your server specs or switch cloud providers altogether. This makes it ideal for developers or businesses with custom scalability requirements.
Security Features
Kinsta includes strong security out of the box. All plans offer malware scanning, DDoS protection (via Cloudflare), hardware firewalls, and automatic updates. They also offer free hack-fix guarantees—if your site is compromised, Kinsta will fix it.
Cloudways also takes security seriously. It offers firewalls, IP whitelisting, two-factor authentication, and routine security patches. However, some advanced features (like premium support or Cloudflare Enterprise) require add-ons or higher-tier plans.
Data Backup
When it comes to backup flexibility, Cloudways takes the lead. While Kinsta offers a reliable backup and restore system, its retention period is limited to 14 days. In contrast, Cloudways allows you to customize both the backup frequency and how long backups are stored—up to a maximum of 4 weeks.
Cloudways also supports both local and offsite backups, giving you more control over your data storage. Additionally, you can trigger manual (on-demand) backups at any time. This level of customization makes Cloudways especially attractive for users who prioritize comprehensive backup options and long-term data security.
Support
Kinsta offers 24/7 live chat support from WordPress experts, available even on the lowest-tier plan. Their support team is known for being knowledgeable and responsive.
Cloudways also has 24/7 support, but premium support (including ticket escalation and phone support) is only available as a paid add-on. That said, their documentation is extensive, and the support team is competent.
Developer Tools
If you’re a developer or agency managing multiple client websites, Cloudways gives you more freedom: SSH access, Git integration, staging environments, team collaboration tools, cron job management, and server-level customization.
Kinsta also offers SSH, WP-CLI, Git, and staging environments, but restricts some plugins and advanced server tweaks to preserve stability and security.
Final Verdict: Why Cloudways Is the Smarter Hosting Choice in 2025
While both Cloudways and Kinsta are respected managed hosting platforms, Cloudways clearly stands out for users who value flexibility, performance, and full control—without paying a premium.
Choose Cloudways if:
- You want the freedom to select from top-tier cloud providers (like DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Vultr, Linode)
- You prefer flexible pay-as-you-go pricing instead of fixed, expensive plans
- You appreciate having more backend control while still benefiting from managed services
- You’re a developer, freelancer, or agency that manages multiple projects
- You need auto-scaling, faster global performance, and real-time support—without being locked into high-cost plans
Why Kinsta May Not Be for Everyone:
Kinsta is a solid option if you need a basic, all-in-one WordPress hosting solution with little configuration. But for many users, the high pricing, limited scalability options, and lack of cloud provider flexibility make it a less attractive choice.
Start Hosting on Your Terms—with Cloudways
Cloudways gives you enterprise-level performance, bulletproof security, and developer-friendly tools—all on a platform that grows with you. Whether you’re scaling a WooCommerce store, managing client websites, or launching a high-traffic blog, Cloudways puts speed, freedom, and value in your hands.
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Still curious? Test Cloudways risk-free and see why thousands of businesses are switching from traditional hosts in 2025.
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