WP Engine and Cloudways are both popular choices for serious WordPress hosting, but they represent fundamentally different approaches. WP Engine is fully managed WordPress hosting. Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform that lets you run WordPress (among other applications) on cloud infrastructure from providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and DigitalOcean. Here’s what that difference actually means in practice.
The Core Difference: Managed vs DIY Cloud
WP Engine makes decisions for you. Server configuration, caching, security, updates, and backups are all handled by the platform. You get a WordPress environment that’s ready to use, optimized out of the box, and maintained continuously without your involvement.
Cloudways gives you more control. You choose your cloud provider (DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Vultr, Linode), your server size, and your configuration. Cloudways simplifies cloud server management significantly compared to doing it yourself on raw cloud infrastructure, but you’re still making infrastructure decisions that WP Engine abstracts away entirely.
Performance
Both platforms deliver strong performance. Cloudways on high-tier AWS or Google Cloud infrastructure can match or exceed WP Engine’s raw speed depending on server size and configuration. WP Engine’s EverCache® gives it a proprietary WordPress caching advantage that’s difficult to replicate on Cloudways without additional configuration. WP Engine’s global CDN (200+ locations) is included; Cloudways CDN is available as a paid add-on.
WordPress Specialization
WP Engine hosts only WordPress. Every feature, every support agent, every infrastructure decision is WordPress-specific. Cloudways supports WordPress alongside other PHP applications — it’s not a WordPress-only platform. This matters most when something goes wrong: WP Engine support is deeply WordPress-knowledgeable, while Cloudways support covers a broader range of application types.
Security
WP Engine’s security is managed at the platform level — WAF, DDoS protection, threat monitoring, security patching, ISO 27001 certification, and SOC 2 audits are all included. On Cloudways, security configuration is more hands-on. Cloudways includes server-level firewalls and basic security features, but WordPress-specific WAF and active threat monitoring require additional setup or third-party tools.
Pricing Model
WP Engine uses straightforward per-plan pricing based on number of sites and visits. Cloudways uses consumption-based pricing based on the server you choose — you pay for the cloud server plus a Cloudways management fee. At comparable performance levels, pricing is similar, but Cloudways pricing can vary based on traffic and resource usage.
Who Should Choose Cloudways?
Cloudways suits developers and technically comfortable users who want cloud infrastructure flexibility, want to choose their cloud provider, are comfortable with more configuration responsibility, and may be running non-WordPress applications alongside WordPress.
Who Should Choose WP Engine?
WP Engine suits anyone who wants a fully managed WordPress experience with no infrastructure decisions, proprietary EverCache® performance, deep WordPress support expertise, enterprise security certifications, and a platform that handles everything so they can focus on their site rather than their server.
For most businesses whose primary goal is a fast, secure, reliable WordPress site without server management overhead, WP Engine is the cleaner choice. See WP Engine plans through Screenwalker for exclusive first-year pricing, or read why managed WordPress hosting is worth it.
