Quick answer: SiteGround is easier for beginners — it includes email, a simple dashboard and great support, but its low intro prices rise sharply at renewal (StartUp goes from about $3–$4 to $17.99/month). Cloudways is managed cloud hosting with flat monthly pricing (about $11–$14/month to start), more power per dollar and easy scaling, but no included email and a slightly more technical setup. For growing sites, Cloudways usually costs less over time.
These two hosts appear in almost every WordPress hosting conversation, but they’re different types of service. SiteGround is premium shared hosting; Cloudways lets you run WordPress on cloud servers (DigitalOcean, Vultr, Linode/Akamai, AWS or Google Cloud) with a managed control panel.
Cloudways vs SiteGround at a glance
| Feature | Cloudways | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting type | Managed cloud (VPS) | Premium shared / cloud plans |
| Starting price | About $11–$14/month, billed monthly | About $3–$4/month intro (prepaid) |
| Renewal | Same price | StartUp ~$17.99, GrowBig ~$29.99, GoGeek ~$44.99/month |
| Sites allowed | Unlimited on a server (within resources) | 1 on StartUp; unlimited on higher plans |
| Email hosting | Paid add-on | Included |
| Free domain | No | No (paid) |
| Scaling | Resize server in a few clicks | Upgrade plan or move to cloud |
| Best for | Growing sites, stores, agencies | Beginners, small business sites |
Prices are from recent public listings and change often — check Cloudways pricing and SiteGround’s WordPress hosting page before you buy.
SiteGround’s intro price depends on your region and billing term. We saw $3.99 a month on its international site on October 31, 2026, and renewals of $17.99, $29.99 and $44.99.
Real cost over three years
Intro prices hide the true cost. SiteGround’s headline price requires prepaying and only lasts for the first term. After that, standard rates apply. Cloudways charges the same each month and lets you cancel anytime.
| Scenario (approx.) | Cloudways entry server | SiteGround StartUp |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $130–$170 | ~$36–$48 + tax |
| Years 2–3 | $260–$340 | ~$430 |
| 3-year total | $390–$510 | ~$470 |
For one small site, the totals are close. Once you host several sites, Cloudways usually wins because one server can run many sites. For broader budgeting, see our WordPress cost guide.
Performance
Both are fast. SiteGround runs on Google Cloud with its own caching system and the Speed Optimizer plugin. Cloudways gives your site dedicated cloud resources with server-level caching, its Breeze cache plugin and an optional Cloudflare Enterprise add-on. Under heavy traffic, Cloudways tends to handle load better because you aren’t sharing resources in the same way, and you can resize the server instantly.
Ease of use
SiteGround uses its own Site Tools dashboard — clean, beginner-friendly, with one-click WordPress install, staging, backups and email accounts all in one place.
Cloudways has its own panel too. You first launch a server (choosing provider, size and location), then add WordPress apps. It’s not difficult, but terms like “server” and “application” can confuse first-time site owners.
SiteGround includes email accounts on your domain. Cloudways doesn’t; you add Rackspace email as a paid add-on or use Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. Remember that website emails (forms, orders) should go through an SMTP service either way — see fixing WordPress email.
Security and backups
- SiteGround: daily backups, AI anti-bot system, free SSL and the Security Optimizer plugin.
- Cloudways: dedicated firewalls, automated backups (configurable frequency, small extra cost for storage), free SSL and bot protection.
Either way, follow our WordPress security guide.
Support
SiteGround is known for excellent 24/7 chat and ticket support. Cloudways offers 24/7 chat on all plans and faster premium support as a paid add-on.
Developer features
Both hosts support staging sites, SSH access, WP-CLI and Git, so developers can work comfortably on either. Cloudways gives more server-level control: you can change PHP settings, enable Redis or Memcached object caching, set cron jobs, choose the server location from dozens of data centres and add team members with specific permissions. SiteGround keeps things simpler, with staging, Git and SSH available on GrowBig and GoGeek plans and fewer low-level server options.
Which should you choose?
| Choose Cloudways if… | Choose SiteGround if… |
|---|---|
| You run several sites or a store | You have one small site |
| You want flat pricing, no renewal jump | You want email included |
| You expect traffic growth | You want the simplest dashboard |
| You’re comfortable with a little technical setup | You value hand-holding support |
Real-world scenarios
A local bakery with one brochure site. SiteGround’s StartUp plan is a sensible choice. The owner gets email on the same domain, a simple dashboard and helpful support. The renewal price is higher, but the time saved is worth it for a non-technical owner.
A freelancer hosting ten client sites. Cloudways usually wins. One small cloud server can host all ten sites for a single monthly fee, and each client site can be scaled or moved independently. Email can be handled by each client’s own Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 account.
A growing WooCommerce store. Cloudways offers more raw resources and Redis object caching for the money, which helps cart and checkout speed. SiteGround’s higher plans also handle small stores well, but costs rise quickly as you scale.
How each host handles server security
Both companies manage server software for you, including PHP security patches. That matters: when the October 2026 PHP2Shell vulnerabilities were disclosed, customers on managed platforms relied on their host to patch and restart PHP quickly. Before choosing, check each host’s status page or blog to see how they communicate during incidents. Fast, clear communication is a strong sign of a well-run host.
Hidden costs to budget for
Headline prices rarely tell the whole story. On SiteGround, the biggest hidden cost is the renewal jump after your first term, plus optional extras like extra staging or priority support on lower plans. On Cloudways, budget for email hosting (since it isn’t included), off-site backup storage beyond the included amount and optional add-ons such as the Cloudflare Enterprise integration. Neither host charges for SSL certificates, and both include free migration tools. Add these extras to your three-year estimate before deciding, and the cheaper option for your situation will usually become obvious.
Trying before you commit
Both hosts make testing easy. Cloudways offers a free trial without a credit card, so you can launch a server, migrate a copy of your site and measure speed before paying anything. SiteGround offers a money-back guarantee on shared hosting plans, so you can test performance and support with real usage. Use these periods properly: move a real copy of your site, test key pages and contact support with a genuine question to see how quickly and clearly they respond.
Moving between them
Both provide free migration plugins (SiteGround Migrator and Cloudways WordPress Migrator). You can also migrate manually — see how to move WordPress to a new host. Compare more options in our best WordPress hosting guide.
FAQ
Is Cloudways good for beginners?
Yes, with a short learning curve. If you’ve never used hosting before, SiteGround is gentler.
Why is SiteGround’s renewal so expensive?
The first-term price is a discount. Renewals move to regular pricing, which is common across shared hosts.
Can I pay Cloudways monthly?
Yes, it’s pay-as-you-go with no long contract.
Our verdict
SiteGround is the easier, friendlier option for a single small site, especially if you want email included. Cloudways is better value once you run several sites, sell online or expect traffic growth, and its flat monthly pricing avoids renewal surprises. Both are solid choices — the right one depends on how many sites you run and how comfortable you are with a little technical setup.
WordPressPrime.com is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the WordPress Foundation, WordPress.org or Automattic. Always back up your website before making changes, and check official sources for the latest details.
