The ultimate managed WordPress showdown. WP Engine focuses on WordPress, Cloudways offers more flexibility at a lower price. Find out which is the better fit for you.
WP Engine is the "big name" in managed WordPress hosting, while Cloudways is the more flexible challenger. Here are the key numbers:
| Feature | Cloudways | WP Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Basis | ✅ Flexible vs Autonomous; confirm final amount at official checkout | WP Engine current official WordPress plan pricing |
| Billing Model | ✅ Resource-based route selection | Plan tier based on WordPress sites and traffic |
| Server Architecture | Cloud VPS (5 providers) | Google Cloud + AWS |
| TTFB Speed | ✅ ~180ms | ⚠️ ~250ms |
| Number of Sites | ✅ Unlimited | ❌ 1 on entry plan |
| Monthly Traffic Limit | ✅ Unlimited | ❌ 25,000 visits/mo |
| Storage | ✅ 25 GB (entry) | 10 GB (entry) |
| Non-WP App Support | ✅ Multiple apps | ❌ WordPress only |
| Free Trial | ✅ 3 days, no credit card | ❌ None (60-day refund) |
| Cloud Provider Choice | ✅ 5 to choose from | ❌ Not selectable |
| Free CDN | ✅ Cloudflare Enterprise | ✅ Global CDN |
| Genesis Theme Framework | ❌ | ✅ Included free |
| Try Cloudways → | Visit WP Engine |
WP Engine is known for performance, but Cloudways came out ahead in our tests:
Cloudways' TTFB is about 28% faster than WP Engine. Cloudways' built-in Varnish + Redis + Memcached three-layer cache stack gives it the edge in raw speed.
Both achieve Google's "Good" rating for Core Web Vitals (LCP, FID/INP, CLS), with minimal difference. However, Cloudways lets you fine-tune caching and PHP configuration for further optimization, while WP Engine's configuration is fixed.
For more detailed performance data, see our Cloudways Full Review.
WP Engine's pricing model is fundamentally different from Cloudways: WP Engine charges by number of sites and traffic, Cloudways charges by server resources.
✅ Resource-based billing, no traffic limits
⚠️ Check current monthly and annual terms
| Scenario | Cloudways | WP Engine |
|---|---|---|
| 1 site | Start with a suitable Flexible route and confirm checkout | Current WP Engine entry tier |
| 3 sites | Can share one server if resources fit | Usually requires a higher WP Engine tier |
| 10 sites | Scale resources or split across servers | Usually requires a growth-level tier |
| 25 sites | Plan by resources, clients, and isolation | Usually requires scale or custom pricing |
| Overage Traffic | No visit-based limits; watch server resources | Check current overage policy |
Key difference: WP Engine has plan-based traffic limits and a current overage policy that should be checked before purchase. If your site has a traffic spike (say, a post goes viral), WP Engine bills can surprise you. Cloudways has no traffic limits — you only need to watch your server resources.
WP Engine, as a pure WordPress host, has invested heavily in WP-specific features:
| Feature | Cloudways | WP Engine |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Click WP Install | ✅ | ✅ |
| Staging Environment | ✅ | ✅ |
| WP Auto-Updates | ⚠️ Manual/plugin | ✅ Smart Plugin Manager |
| Genesis Theme Framework | ❌ | ✅ Included on eligible plans |
| Object Cache | ✅ Redis/Memcached | ✅ Object Cache Pro |
| Headless WP Support | ⚠️ Self-configurable | ✅ Atlas (built-in) |
| Malware Scanning | ⚠️ Third-party needed | ✅ Built-in |
| Hack Fix Guarantee | ❌ | ✅ |
| Plugin Restrictions | ✅ None | ❌ Some plugins blocked |
| Multi-App Support | ✅ WP/Magento/Laravel | ❌ WordPress only |
| EverCache Technology | ❌ | ✅ Proprietary cache |
WP Engine's exclusive advantages:
Cloudways' advantages:
Whether your hosting can grow with your site is a critical consideration:
Conclusion: Cloudways scales more smoothly and economically. You can incrementally add resources rather than jumping to a much more expensive tier. WP Engine's "stepped" upgrade model means you may pay significantly more just for a small resource increase.
| Support Channel | Cloudways | WP Engine |
|---|---|---|
| 24/7 Live Chat | ✅ | ✅ |
| Phone Support | ❌ Premium plans only | ✅ Growth+ plans |
| Average Response Time | ~2 minutes | ~5 minutes |
| WordPress Experts | ✅ | ✅ More in-depth |
| Server-Level Support | ✅ | ⚠️ |
WP Engine's support team is highly knowledgeable about WordPress. Cloudways' live chat responds faster and can assist with server-level issues. Overall, both are at the upper end of the industry.
WP Engine is an excellent WordPress host, and its Genesis framework and enterprise features have real value. But for the vast majority of small to mid-sized sites, those advanced features are unnecessary.
Cloudways delivers lower prices, faster speeds, and greater flexibility, meeting the needs of most WordPress users. Especially for multi-site management and traffic scaling, Cloudways' advantage is overwhelming.
There's only one reason to choose WP Engine: you genuinely need its exclusive features (Genesis, Atlas, enterprise security), and your budget can support the premium.
In our tests, Cloudways TTFB was about 180ms compared to WP Engine's ~250ms. Cloudways has roughly a 28% speed advantage in raw performance. Both achieve Google's "Good" Core Web Vitals standard.
If you need the Genesis theme framework, Smart Plugin Manager, or Atlas Headless WP platform, WP Engine's premium is justified. For most small to mid-sized sites, Cloudways offers equal or better performance and flexibility at a lower price.
Yes. Use Cloudways' free WordPress migration plugin for a one-click transfer. The process typically takes 15–30 minutes. You'll immediately appreciate the cost savings after migrating.
WP Engine blocks some caching plugins (W3 Total Cache, WP Super Cache, etc.), certain security plugins, and database optimization tools because it has its own caching and security systems. Cloudways has no plugin restrictions whatsoever.