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Head-to-head

Hostinger vs Cloudways

Hostinger is cheap shared hosting; Cloudways is managed cloud hosting for growing sites.

Verdict

Pick Hostinger for a first site on a budget. Pick Cloudways once your site has outgrown shared hosting or you manage several client sites.

When Hostinger wins

  • You are launching a first site on a tight budget
  • You want a simple control panel and a free domain for year one
  • Your site has low to moderate traffic

When Cloudways wins

  • Your site is growing and needs more headroom
  • You manage multiple client sites
  • You want cloud servers without server admin

At a glance

Comparison of Hostinger and Cloudways
ToolBest forStarting price
Rank 1HostingerBeginners, bloggers and small business sites on a budgetFrom about $3/month (long-term intro price)
Rank 2CloudwaysGrowing sites, agencies and people who want more controlFrom about $11–14/month, pay as you go

The two tools, in full

  1. Rank 1
    Top pick

    Hostinger

    Low-cost hosting that is quick to set up and easy to manage.

    Best forBeginners, bloggers and small business sites on a budget

    What it does

    Hostinger offers shared, WordPress, cloud and VPS hosting with its own simple control panel. You can launch a site in a few clicks, and longer plans include a free domain for the first year.

    Strengths

    • Very affordable entry prices
    • Simple control panel that is easy to learn
    • Fast servers and free SSL certificates
    • 30-day money-back guarantee

    Good to know: The lowest advertised prices need a long commitment, and plans renew at a higher price. Check the renewal price before you buy.

  2. Rank 2

    Cloudways

    Managed cloud hosting that lets you pick your own infrastructure.

    Best forGrowing sites, agencies and people who want more control

    What it does

    Cloudways sets up and manages servers on providers such as DigitalOcean, Vultr and Google Cloud. You choose the server size, pay for what you use, and it handles updates, backups and security tools.

    Strengths

    • Pay-as-you-go pricing with hourly billing
    • Choice of several cloud providers
    • Free migration for WordPress sites
    • Easy to upgrade server size as you grow

    Good to know: It is a little more technical than shared hosting. Email is not included and is an add-on. A free 3-day trial is available.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cloudways worth the extra cost over Hostinger?
Only if your site has outgrown shared hosting or you want cloud-level performance and control. For a first site, Hostinger is usually enough.
Does Cloudways include email?
No. Email is a paid add-on. Hostinger bundles email with most plans, which is one reason it suits beginners.
Can I migrate from Hostinger to Cloudways?
Yes. Cloudways offers migration help for WordPress sites. Check the current terms on the official website before you start.