Cloudways vs iPage

Cloudways is a leading managed cloud hosting provider acquired by DigitalOcean in 2022. Originally founded in 2011 and headquartered in St. Julian’s, Malta, they aim to simplify cloud hosting by integrating with top providers like AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, Linode, and Vultr, offering businesses access to robust infrastructure without requiring technical expertise. Designed for digital agencies, e-commerce businesses, developers, and SMBs, Cloudways emphasizes performance, scalability, and ease of use. Key features include autoscaling for zero downtime during traffic spikes, pay-as-you-go pricing, SSD hosting, free SSL certificates, and advanced security tools like Imunify360. The platform also provides one-click app installations, automated backups, real-time monitoring, and developer-friendly tools like SSH access and Git integration. While praised for their flexibility, performance, and 24/7 support, Cloudways has a learning curve for beginners and lacks built-in email hosting or a free CDN. This review explores their pros, cons, and unique features to help you decide if Cloudways is the right hosting solution for your business.

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, iPage is a veteran in the web hosting industry known for offering straightforward, budget-friendly solutions for individuals and small businesses. Their platform integrates hosting, domain registration, email, and a drag-and-drop website builder into one streamlined package, removing much of the complexity often associated with setting up a website. They provide unlimited storage and scalable bandwidth, a free domain for the first year, SSL certificates, and one-click WordPress installation, making them an accessible option for beginners. Now operating under Newfold Digital (formerly Endurance International Group), iPage continues to serve existing customers but has stopped accepting new users as the brand transitions into iPage by Network Solutions. While they’ve long been appreciated for simplicity and low startup costs, user feedback has become mixed, with recurring complaints about slow support and rising renewal rates. Despite these shifts, iPage remains part of Newfold’s extensive hosting network, a portfolio that also includes Bluehost and HostGator. Their legacy stands as a reflection of accessible web hosting for newcomers, even as the company’s focus shifts toward integration within the broader Network Solutions ecosystem.