ZenoCloud vs Cloudways
Cloudways gives you a dashboard on top of cloud infrastructure. ZenoCloud gives you actual managed hosting with expert support.
The "Managed" Difference
Cloudways calls itself managed hosting, but you still configure server sizes, tune PHP settings, set up caching, and troubleshoot issues yourself. With ZenoCloud, our engineers handle all of that—so you can focus on your business, not your infrastructure.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
See how ZenoCloud's fully managed approach compares to Cloudways' semi-managed platform
| Feature | Cloudways | ZenoCloud Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Management Level | Semi-managed (you configure) | Fully managed (we handle everything) ✓ |
| Infrastructure | Dashboard on DO/AWS/GCP | Purpose-built infrastructure ✓ |
| Server Configuration | You choose & configure | Optimized automatically ✓ |
| Starting Price | ~$14/month ✓ | ~$29/month |
| Phone Support | Premium add-on only | Included on all plans ✓ |
| Server Management | Basic monitoring | 24/7 proactive management ✓ |
| Performance Optimization | DIY configuration | Expert-tuned by engineers ✓ |
| Security Patches | Automated basics | Managed + custom hardening ✓ |
| Migration Service | 1 free migration | Unlimited free migrations ✓ |
| Staging Environments | 1-click staging | 1-click staging |
| Provider Flexibility | Choose DO/AWS/GCP/Vultr ✓ | Single optimized stack |
| Support Response | 24/7 chat/ticket | 24/7 phone + chat + ticket ✓ |
Understanding the Differences
Management Philosophy
Cloudways
Provides a user-friendly interface on top of raw cloud infrastructure. You select your provider, choose server specs, configure settings, and handle optimization. It's "managed" in that they handle OS updates, but you're still the system admin.
ZenoCloud
True managed hosting where our engineers handle everything—server configuration, performance optimization, security hardening, and ongoing maintenance. You never need to think about server specs or PHP settings.
Support Experience
Cloudways
24/7 chat and ticket support included. Phone support requires a premium add-on ($100+/month). Support focuses on platform issues—for WordPress or application problems, you're often directed to external resources.
ZenoCloud
24/7 phone, chat, and ticket support included on all plans. Our team handles both infrastructure AND application issues. Average response time under 5 minutes, with real engineers who understand WordPress, WooCommerce, and more.
Performance Optimization
Cloudways
Provides tools like Breeze cache plugin and Redis object caching, but you configure everything. Server-level optimization depends on the underlying provider you choose and your own configuration skills.
ZenoCloud
Performance optimization handled by our engineers. We analyze your specific site, configure optimal caching, tune database queries, and continuously monitor performance. No configuration required on your part.
True Cost of Ownership
Cloudways
Low starting price (~$14/month) looks attractive, but factor in: time spent configuring and troubleshooting, premium support add-on if you need phone support, potential costs when things break, and learning curve for the platform.
ZenoCloud
Higher starting price (~$29/month) but includes everything: full management, phone support, performance optimization, security hardening, and expert troubleshooting. Your time stays focused on business, not infrastructure.
Making the Right Choice
We believe in honest recommendations—here's when each platform makes sense
When Cloudways Makes Sense
- You enjoy server configuration — and want control over every setting
- Budget is the primary concern — and you have time to invest in learning
- You want provider flexibility — to choose between DO, AWS, GCP, or Vultr
- You're technically comfortable — with PHP configuration, caching setup, and troubleshooting
- You prefer self-service — and don't need phone support
When ZenoCloud Is Better
- You want actual managed hosting — not a dashboard on a VPS
- You're tired of configuring — and want experts to handle everything
- Phone support matters — without paying extra for premium tiers
- You value your time — and would rather focus on business than infrastructure
- You want expert optimization — tailored to your specific site
- Free, complete migration — with zero downtime and full optimization
Easy Migration from Cloudways
Tired of managing your own infrastructure? Our team handles every aspect of your migration—and optimizes everything for our platform.
- 1 Quick Assessment
We review your Cloudways setup and plan the migration
- 2 Full Migration
Files, databases, configurations—we move everything
- 3 Expert Optimization
We tune and optimize specifically for your site
- 4 DNS Cutover
Zero-downtime switch with full verification
Free Migration Service
We'll handle everything—no technical knowledge required
- Complete site & database transfer
- Performance optimization included
- SSL certificate setup
- DNS configuration assistance
- Post-migration verification
Or call us: +1 714 242 5683
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Cloudways and truly managed hosting?
Cloudways provides a management layer on top of cloud providers like DigitalOcean and AWS—but you're still responsible for many configuration decisions, performance tuning, and troubleshooting. With ZenoCloud, our engineers handle everything from initial optimization to ongoing maintenance, security patching, and performance monitoring.
Is Cloudways cheaper than ZenoCloud?
Cloudways has a lower entry price (starting around $14/month), but you're paying for infrastructure access plus basic management tools. When you factor in the time spent on configuration, performance tuning, troubleshooting issues, and the cost of premium support add-ons, the total cost of ownership often exceeds fully managed hosting.
What happened when DigitalOcean acquired Cloudways?
DigitalOcean acquired Cloudways in 2022. While the service continues to operate, some users have reported changes in support quality and concerns about long-term platform direction. ZenoCloud remains independently focused on managed hosting excellence.
Can I migrate from Cloudways to ZenoCloud?
Yes! We offer free migration from Cloudways. Our team handles the entire process—exporting your sites, databases, and configurations, then optimizing everything on our infrastructure. Most migrations complete within 24-48 hours with zero downtime.
Do I need technical knowledge for ZenoCloud?
No. Unlike Cloudways where you need to understand server sizing, PHP configurations, and caching setups, ZenoCloud's team handles all technical aspects. You focus on your website, we handle the infrastructure.
Ready for Actual Managed Hosting?
Stop configuring infrastructure. Start focusing on your business.