Cloudways vs Hostinger: Which Web Hosting Tool Is Better in 2026?
Cloudways
From $11Hostinger
From $2.99Quick verdict
Overall pick: Tie
Hostinger is the clear choice for budget-conscious beginners and simple WordPress sites, with a starting price of $2.99/month and an easy hPanel interface. Cloudways is better for agencies and fast-growing WooCommerce stores that need full root/SSH access and managed cloud infrastructure across DigitalOcean, AWS, and Google Cloud, despite costing $11/month. The main trade-off is price versus control: Hostinger saves money but lacks root access, while Cloudways costs more but provides greater flexibility.
- Hostinger's entry plan ($2.99) is 73% cheaper than Cloudways's ($11).
- Only Cloudways offers: full root / ssh access.
Cost calculator
| Tool | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudways · flat | $11.00 | $132 |
| Hostinger · flat | $2.99 | $36 |
Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.
Which one should you choose?
| If you need… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget-conscious beginner building a first WordPress site | Hostinger | Hostinger starts at $2.99/month and is designed for beginners with its user-friendly hPanel, while Cloudways starts at $11/month. |
| Agency managing multiple client sites on cloud infrastructure | Cloudways | Cloudways offers managed cloud hosting on DigitalOcean, AWS, and Google Cloud with full root/SSH access, which Hostinger does not provide. |
| Fast-growing WooCommerce store needing root access and cloud scalability | Cloudways | Cloudways includes full root/SSH access and is built for fast-growing WooCommerce stores, whereas Hostinger lacks root access. |
| User who needs full root/SSH access for custom server configurations | Cloudways | Cloudways provides full root/SSH access, while Hostinger does not offer this feature. |
| Cost-sensitive project that still requires managed WordPress, staging, and daily backups | Hostinger | Hostinger includes managed WordPress, staging, daily backups, and 24/7 support at a lower starting price of $2.99/month compared to Cloudways at $11/month. |
Feature comparison: Cloudways vs Hostinger
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ❌ | ❌ |
| Starting price | $11 /mo | $2.99 /mo |
| Managed WordPress support | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free SSL & CDN | ✅ | ✅ |
| High-speed NVMe/SSD storage | ✅ | ✅ |
| Automated daily backups | ✅ | ✅ |
| 1-click staging environment | ✅ | ✅ |
| Full root / SSH access | ✅ | — |
| Enterprise DDoS protection | ✅ | ✅ |
| 24/7 expert support | ✅ | ✅ |
Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.
Pros and cons
Cloudways
- Managed cloud hosting on DigitalOcean, AWS, and Google Cloud
- Full root/SSH access for advanced server control
- Includes all key features: managed WordPress, free SSL, NVMe storage, daily backups, staging, DDoS protection, and 24/7 support
- Suited for agencies and fast-growing WooCommerce stores
- Higher starting price at $11/month compared to Hostinger
- No free plan available
Hostinger
- Very affordable starting price at $2.99/month
- User-friendly hPanel designed for beginners
- Includes managed WordPress, free SSL, NVMe storage, daily backups, staging, DDoS protection, and 24/7 support
- Ideal for budget-conscious WordPress sites
- Lacks full root/SSH access
- No free plan available
At a glance
Managed cloud hosting on DigitalOcean, AWS, and Google Cloud.
Founded 2012 · From $11 · 8/8 tracked features
Best for: agencies, fast-growing WooCommerce stores
See Cloudways alternatives →Affordable, fast web hosting with user-friendly hPanel.
Founded 2004 · From $2.99 · 7/8 tracked features
Best for: beginners, budget-conscious WordPress sites
See Hostinger alternatives →FAQ
Is Cloudways cheaper than Hostinger?
No, Cloudways starts at $11/month, while Hostinger starts at $2.99/month.
Does Hostinger offer root or SSH access?
No, Hostinger does not include full root/SSH access, while Cloudways does.
Do both tools include daily backups and staging?
Yes, both Cloudways and Hostinger include automated daily backups and a 1-click staging environment.
Which tool is better for beginners?
Hostinger is better for beginners due to its lower starting price and user-friendly hPanel, while Cloudways is more suited for agencies and growing WooCommerce stores.
Do Cloudways and Hostinger both offer 24/7 support?
Yes, both Cloudways and Hostinger provide 24/7 expert support.
Related comparisons
- Bluehost vs Cloudways
- Bluehost vs Hostinger
- Cloudways vs DigitalOcean
- Cloudways vs Hetzner
- Cloudways vs Kinsta
- Cloudways vs SiteGround
Data last reviewed: pending verification. All Web Hosting tools →