If you’re looking for the best-managed WordPress hosting provider, you may be trying to decide between Cloudways and Bluehost – Cloudways vs Bluehost.

I’ve taken a deep dive into comparing these two popular hosting platforms to help you determine which is the better choice in 2024 based on key factors like pricing, performance, features and support.

As a blogger or site owner, you want a hosting provider that will give your WordPress site the speed, security and reliability it needs to succeed. But you also don’t want to break the bank paying for hosting. 

The good news is that both Cloudways and Bluehost offer managed WordPress hosting plans specifically optimized for WordPress users.

Managed WordPress hosting takes care of the technical aspects of hosting for you. The provider will handle things like server configuration, software updates, caching, backups and more so you can focus on creating content. But not all managed WordPress hosts are created equal.

After thoroughly comparing Cloudways and Bluehost on metrics that matter most to WordPress users, I found that Cloudways consistently came out on top. 

While Bluehost does offer affordable entry-level pricing, Cloudways beats them on key criteria like performance, features, support and transparency.

Over the next few sections, I’ll share the details of my research to help you decide if Cloudways or Bluehost is the better choice to host your WordPress site. 

Let’s dive in!

Pricing and Plans – Cloudways vs Bluehost

When it comes to selecting a managed WordPress hosting provider, pricing and included resources are key factors to consider. Both Bluehost and Cloudways offer competitive managed WordPress plans, but there are some important differences to note.

Cloudways Plan Options

Cloudways utilizes flexible pay-as-you-go pricing based on the server resources you need. Plans start at $8/month for 1GB RAM servers and scale up to 64GB servers for $487/month.

Some key things to know:

• You only pay for the compute resources used each month. No set packages.
• Plans can be upgraded or downgraded at any time.
• Discounted pricing available for annual terms.
• Minimum 3 day free trial to test without a credit card.

Bluehost Plan Options

Bluehost uses more traditional shared hosting packages with fixed monthly pricing. Plans range from $2.95/month for basic websites up to $9.95/month for advanced sites.

Some things to note:

• Four set packages to choose from based on needs.
• Cheaper plans for 1 site vs plans for unlimited sites.
• More expensive plans have higher resource allotments.
• Discounted pricing for signing up for 36 months upfront.
• 30 day money back guarantee.

Key Comparisons

	Cloudways	Bluehost
Pricing Model	Pay as you go	Packaged plans
Starting Price	$8/month	$2.95/month
Flexibility	Scale resources up/down	Set resource allotments
Contract Term	No long-term contract	Up to 36 months
Free Trial	3 days	30 days

The Winner?

• Bluehost has lower starting prices but renews much higher
• Cloudways pricing is consistent month to month, aligned with resources
• Cloudways resources are guaranteed and isolated, not shared

Cloudways provides far more value, flexibility and transparency. But Bluehost can work for very simple sites on a tight budget if you don’t mind less control over performance.

Ease of Use

When picking a WordPress host, you want a platform that is easy to manage, with intuitive tools to deploy and maintain your site. Let’s compare Bluehost vs Cloudways for simplicity and ease of use.

Bluehost Ease of Use

Bluehost includes cPanel, the popular web hosting control panel, for managing WordPress installations and server configurations. cPanel provides access to:

• One click WordPress installer
• Domain and email management
• File and database access
• PHP configuration
• Server stats and logs

cPanel is very full featured which can be overwhelming for beginners. The interfacedensity of menus, options and settings makes Bluehost less intuitive to navigate compared to more modern control panels.

Bluehost does not provide any automated scaling capabilities for WordPress. To upgrade to more resources like RAM or CPU, you need to manually move up to a higher shared hosting plan.

Migrating an existing WordPress site can be done through Bluehost’s website migration tool. But managing backups or moving to a new host yourself requires downloading database dumps and files via cPanel.

Overall, Bluehost provides industry standard tools for WordPress management through cPanel, but the learning curve is steep for those new to web hosting. Lack of automated scaling is also a disadvantage.

Cloudways Ease of Use

A key benefit of Cloudways is the simple, intuitive control panel for deploying and managing WordPress. Features include:

• 1-click WordPress Installer: Get WordPress installed in seconds with optimized LAMP/LEMP stacks on the cloud provider of your choice.
• Automated Vertical Scaling: Need more RAM or CPU power? Easily scale your cloud server up or down with a few clicks.
• Git Deployment: Push code changes and deploy websites using Git repositories and branches.
• Single Sign-On (SSO): Manage access across teams securely via Google/GitHub authentication.
• Activity Log: Review daily backups, SSL certificates, and server activity with an easy activity log.
• Migrate Sites: Use the clone tool to easily migrate sites to Cloudways.

The dashboard simplifies complex hosting and server management tasks like scaling, backups, and migrations into an intuitive interface. Both beginners and experts appreciate the improved ease of use.

Automated vertical scaling is especially helpful for handling unexpected traffic spikes. Cloudways makes it easy to add more resources as needed to maintain optimal WordPress performance.

The Winner?

• Bluehost uses standard cPanel which has a steep learning curve
• Cloudways has an intuitive dashboard requiring minimal technical skills
• Automated scaling on Cloudways simplifies resource management

Cloudways wins for delivering a vastly simpler hosting experience. From deployment to site management, Cloudways automates the heavy lifting so you can focus on content.

Features

The features and tools included with each hosting platform are important considerations when choosing managed WordPress hosting. Let’s see how Cloudways and Bluehost compare when it comes to key features.

Bluehost Features

Bluehost includes some useful features for WordPress users across all shared hosting plans:

• WP Staging – Test changes on a staging clone before deploying to production.
• Automatic WordPress Updates – Always stay on the latest WordPress version.
• Free CDN – Content Delivery Network for faster page loads.
• Spam Protection – Block spam comments with Jetpack’s Akismet plugin.
• Free SSL Certificate – Free SSL certificate for HTTPS security.
• Daily Backups – Daily backup of WordPress files and database.

The features above provide essential WordPress management and security. However, Bluehost does not offer more advanced capabilities like:

• Git integration for pushing code changes
• Team member accounts with custom permissions
• Multiple PHP versions to choose from
• Free site migrations or clones

Upgrading to a VPS or dedicated plan unlocks more features, but shared hosting limits what you can access.

Cloudways Features

Cloudways provides an extensive set of features designed specifically for WordPress:

• Automated Backups – Daily and on-demand complete backups.
• Staging Environment – Freely test changes before going live.
• GIT Integration – Push code changes from Git to deploy sites.
• CloudwaysCDN – Content Delivery Network for faster performance.
• Free SSL – Free SSL certificates for HTTPS.
• WooCommerce Ready – Optimized for high performance eCommerce.
• Cloning – Create copies of sites instantly.
• Teams/Sub-users – Manage team members with custom permissions.
• Multiple PHP Versions – Use the latest PHP or legacy versions.
• Varnish & Memcached – Optimized cache for faster page loads.

Cloudways essentially automates many advanced hosting, caching, and security capabilities that would otherwise require technical expertise to implement manually.

And features like Teams and multi-PHP versions provide flexibility for both simple and complex WordPress deployments.

The Winner?

• Bluehost has basics like staging, updates, CDN and backups
• Cloudways automates advanced features for performance and scale
• Cloudways flexibility great for complex or team managed sites

Cloudways dominates when it comes to the features and functionality included for WordPress. The extensive feature set caters to both new site owners and experienced developers alike.

Performance

Site speed and uptime are critical for delivering a good user experience. Let’s see how the performance of Bluehost vs Cloudways stacks up.

Bluehost Performance

Bluehost relies on shared server resources to power WordPress sites. This means your site’s performance depends on activity from other accounts on the same server.

All Bluehost shared hosting plans include:

• SSD Storage – Faster than traditional HDDs.
• Unmetered Bandwidth – No bandwidth limits.
• Free CDN – Content Delivery Network for faster content distribution.
• PHP 7.4 – Latest PHP version improves speed.
• Apache – Standard open source web server.

While these provide a decent foundation, potential downsides include:

• Limited Resources – Shared RAM and CPU can lag when overloaded.
• No Caching – No built-in caching of static or dynamic content.
• Single Location – Only US-based servers.

Shared hosting resources make it difficult to tune and scale site performance. And having a single US location limits speed for international visitors.

Cloudways Performance

Optimizing WordPress performance is a strength of Cloudways cloud hosting. Every server runs the Cloudways ThunderStack:

• Nginx – High performance web server.
• PHP 7.4 – Latest PHP version.
• MySQL – Popular relational database.
• Memcached – In-memory object caching.
• Varnish – Caching of static content.
• Apache – Apache available if needed.
• Firewall – Network firewall for security.
• MariaDB – Drop-in MySQL replacement.

This optimized software stack powers blazing fast WordPress performance. And you get total control with root server access.

Other perks enhancing speed include:

• Global Data Centers – 180+ locations to be close to visitors.
• CDN Network – Choose among 39 CDN providers.
• Auto Scaling – Scale resources up or down as needed.
• Dedicated Resources – No shared neighbors competing for resources.

The combination of optimized servers, strategic locations, and auto scaling gives Cloudways a big performance advantage.

The Winner?

• Bluehost has potential lag from shared resource limits
• Cloudways optimizes stack and gives full control
• Cloudways auto-scaling perfect for spikes

Cloudways easily wins when it comes to WordPress hosting performance. Isolating resources and auto-scaling are huge advantages Cloudways has over traditional shared hosts like Bluehost.

Support

Reliable customer support is crucial in case issues arise with your WordPress site. Let’s see how Bluehost and Cloudways support options stack up.

Bluehost Support

Bluehost provides 24/7 live chat and phone support for all customers. Their support channels include:

• Live Chat – Get instant answers to hosting questions.
• Phone Support – Available 24/7 by calling a support number.
• Knowledgebase – Searchable articles for self-help.
• Forums – Community forum for asking questions.
• Priority Support – Faster response for upgrades.
• Blue Sky – Team of WordPress experts for hire.

Bluehost offers plenty of standard support access. However, advanced WordPress troubleshooting requires paying extra for priority support or the Blue Sky team.

Wait times can also vary. Simple issues are quickly resolved via live chat, but complex problems result in extended back and forth.

Cloudways Support

Cloudways prioritizes customer support through multiple channels:

• 24/7 Live Chat – Direct chat with the Cloudways support team.
• Ticket Support – Email ticketing for issues requiring long-term troubleshooting.
• Knowledgebase – Library of self-help articles.
• Community Forums – Discuss questions with other users.
• Professional Services – Extra assistance from Cloudways experts (for a fee).

In addition, Cloudways offers Advanced Support and Premium Support add-ons. These provide prioritized assistance from WordPress pros for faster resolution.

Chat and ticket support are very responsive for most managing and troubleshooting needs. But the extra expertise of paid support tiers can be worthwhile for mission critical sites.

The Winner?

• Bluehost basic with upgrade options for complex issues
• Cloudways very responsive for most needs
• Cloudways paid add-ons great for business sites

For everyday user questions, Cloudways chat support is extremely helpful. But Bluehost may better suit hobbyists who need phone access. For business sites, Cloudways premium support adds value.

Security

Security is an extremely important consideration for any hosting provider. Here is how Bluehost and Cloudways compare when it comes to protecting your WordPress site.

Bluehost Security

Bluehost includes standard security provisions for WordPress:

• Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) – Free SSL certificate for HTTPS.
• Automatic Updates – Maintain latest WordPress core updates.
• Spam Filtering – Block spam with Jetpack’s Akismet plugin.
• Malware Scanning – Scan for malware and viruses.
• Backups – Daily backup of files and database.
• DDoS Protection – Mitigate DDoS attacks with Cloudflare’s free CDN.

However, Bluehost does not provide any server level firewall or isolation of accounts. This can expose sites to risks from neighboring accounts on the same server.

Upgrading to Bluehost’s Pro plan adds some enhanced security like regular malware removal, but still lacks robust firewalls.

Cloudways Security

Cloudways leverages the cloud platform providers to incorporate security at the infrastructure level:

• Server Level Firewall – Rules to block unauthorized access.
• DDoS Protection – Protection against denial of service attacks.
• Private Network – Accounts are isolated, not sharing resources.
• Automatic Backups – Daily and on-demand complete backups.
• Free SSL Certificate – SSL provided by Let’s Encrypt.
• Varnish Cache – Prevents exploits via caching layer.
• Vulnerability Scanning – Regular scans with scheduled reports.

The underlying cloud infrastructure adds critical protection that shared hosting typically lacks. Sites are secure by design.

The Winner?

• Bluehost has basics like backups and SSL
• Cloudways leverages infrastructure for robust firewalls and isolation
• Cloudways security far superior

Cloudways easily wins when it comes to WordPress security protections. The server firewalls and isolated infrastructure provide defense in depth.

Conclusion

After comprehensively comparing Bluehost vs Cloudways across key criteria like pricing, features, performance, support, and security, Cloudways is the clear winner for managed WordPress hosting.

Here’s a quick recap of the key differences between the two platforms:

Pricing

• Bluehost has low intro prices but renews much higher
• Cloudways has predictable pricing aligned to resources

Features

• Bluehost covers basics like staging and auto updates
• Cloudways includes advanced functionality like git, cloning, and teams

Performance

• Bluehost has potential lag from shared resources
• Cloudways auto-scales and optimizes stack for speed

Support

• Bluehost provides basic live chat and phone
• Cloudways has very responsive chat that can handle most issues

Security

• Bluehost has standard SSL, backups, CDN protection
• Cloudways leverages the cloud for robust firewalls and isolation

The only area where Bluehost competes is on price for very simple sites. But once you need more features, control, performance, or scale, Cloudways quickly becomes the better option.

Unless you need absolute rock bottom pricing, I recommend Cloudways as the best managed WordPress hosting provider for most users. The speed, features, support, and security make it well worth the cost.

FAQs

Is Bluehost good for WordPress?

Bluehost is decent for hosting simple WordPress sites on a tight budget. But lack of resources and potential lag from shared servers make it a poor fit for larger, higher traffic sites. Cloudways is faster and scales better.

Is Bluehost really unlimited?

No. The unlimited claims are misleading. Resources like storage and bandwidth have limits, and servers are shared so performance varies. Cloudways has defined allocations, but more control.

Is Cloudways better than SiteGround?

Yes. SiteGround is good, but Cloudways offers more features like staging, git access, and auto scaling. Cloudways performance and support also exceed SiteGround based on tests.

Is Cloudways secure?

Extremely. By leveraging infrastructure firewalls and isolated cloud accounts, Cloudways provides much more robust security versus shared hosting.