Top 3 Cloudways Alternatives for Agencies
Cloudways has carved out a significant niche in the web hosting world, especially among agencies and developers. Its unique model of offering managed hosting on top-tier cloud infrastructure like DigitalOcean, AWS, and Google Cloud provides a compelling blend of performance, flexibility, and affordability. However, no single solution is perfect for everyone. As an agency grows, its needs evolve, and what was once a perfect fit might become a bottleneck. Whether you're seeking better performance, more agency-specific workflow tools, or a different pricing structure, exploring Cloudways alternatives is a smart move.
Agencies require hosting that is not just fast and reliable, but also streamlines their operations. Features like easy collaboration, client billing transfer, staging environments, and top-notch security are non-negotiable. This article dives into the top 3 Cloudways alternatives for agencies, evaluating each based on performance, features, support, and overall value proposition to help you find the perfect hosting partner for your business.
1. Kinsta: The Premium Performance Powerhouse
If your agency's primary concern is delivering blazing-fast, rock-solid websites for clients who demand the absolute best, Kinsta should be at the top of your list. Kinsta is a premium managed WordPress hosting provider that leverages the Google Cloud Platform's fastest C2 machines and Premium Tier network for all its plans. This focus on high-performance infrastructure sets it apart from many competitors.
Why it's a great alternative for agencies:
Kinsta is built from the ground up for performance and ease of use. Unlike Cloudways, where you choose and manage a server from a third-party provider, Kinsta offers an all-in-one, finely-tuned solution. Their custom-built MyKinsta dashboard is incredibly intuitive, making site management, staging, and backups a breeze. For agencies, features like unlimited free migrations, a powerful staging environment that can be selectively pushed live (pushing only files, only the database, or both), and detailed performance monitoring tools (APM) are invaluable.
Performance and Support:
Performance is where Kinsta truly shines. With server-level caching, a free integration with Cloudflare Enterprise, and the latest hardware, sites hosted on Kinsta are consistently among the fastest. Their support is another key differentiator. You get 24/7 access to a team of WordPress experts via live chat, with an average response time of under two minutes. This level of expert support can be a lifesaver when dealing with complex client issues.
Pricing and Who It's Best For:
Kinsta's pricing is premium, reflecting its infrastructure and support. It's an all-inclusive model, so you don't have to worry about separate server and Cloudways fees. While more expensive than a comparable Cloudways plan, the value comes from the performance gains, time saved on management, and peace of mind. Kinsta is the best alternative for agencies that manage high-traffic or mission-critical WordPress sites and prioritize speed, reliability, and expert support above all else.
2. RunCloud: The Control Freak's Choice
For agencies that love the Cloudways model of using your own cloud server but crave more control and potentially lower costs at scale, RunCloud is an exceptional alternative. RunCloud is not a host; it's a modern server management panel that connects to any server from providers like Vultr, DigitalOcean, UpCloud, or AWS. You bring the server, and RunCloud installs and manages a highly optimized web server stack (NGINX, Apache, Redis, etc.) for you.
Why it's a great alternative for agencies:
RunCloud offers a more granular level of control compared to Cloudways. You have greater flexibility in configuring your server stack, managing PHP versions, and setting up specific rules. Its dashboard is clean and developer-centric, providing easy access to SSH, Git deployments, cron jobs, and detailed server health monitoring. For agencies managing a large number of servers, RunCloud's pricing model can be significantly more cost-effective. You pay a flat fee to RunCloud to manage a certain number of servers, plus the direct cost of the servers from your cloud provider.
Performance and Support:
Because you are using the same underlying cloud infrastructure, performance can be on par with Cloudways. RunCloud's optimized stack is built for speed, and its built-in server-level caching (RunCache) is highly effective. However, a key difference is the support model. RunCloud supports its panel and the software stack it installs. It does not support issues with your server infrastructure (which is handled by your cloud provider like DigitalOcean) or your application (like WordPress). This makes it better suited for agencies with some technical or DevOps expertise.
Pricing and Who It's Best For:
RunCloud's pricing is its major appeal. You can manage multiple servers on a single plan, which often works out cheaper than Cloudways' per-server pricing. RunCloud is the ideal alternative for technically proficient agencies that want maximum control over their hosting environment and are looking for a more cost-effective solution for managing many client sites at scale.
3. Flywheel: The Agency Workflow Specialist
While Kinsta focuses on raw performance and RunCloud on control, Flywheel (now part of WP Engine) has built its entire platform around optimizing the workflow for creative and web design agencies. If your biggest pain points are client handoffs, collaboration, and billing, Flywheel offers an elegant, purpose-built solution. Like Kinsta, it's a dedicated managed WordPress host, but with a unique set of tools designed specifically for the agency lifecycle.
Why it's a great alternative for agencies:
Flywheel's feature set reads like an agency's wish list. It offers Blueprints, which allow you to save a pre-configured WordPress site with your favorite themes and plugins to spin up new projects in minutes. Its collaboration tools let you add team members or even clients to a site with specific permissions without sharing passwords. Most importantly, its client billing transfer feature is a game-changer. You can build a site on your agency account for free and, upon completion, transfer ownership and the hosting bill directly to the client with just a few clicks. Flywheel also offers white-label services, allowing you to present the hosting platform as your own.
Performance and Support:
Flywheel is also built on the Google Cloud Platform and offers excellent performance tailored for WordPress. It includes proprietary caching technology (FlyCache), a free CDN, and a robust security posture. Their support team is known for being friendly, helpful, and well-versed in WordPress. They understand the agency world and the common challenges that designers and developers face.
Pricing and Who It's Best For:
Flywheel's pricing is competitive within the managed WordPress hosting space. While a single site might be more expensive than on Cloudways, the value is in the time-saving workflow tools. The ability to develop sites for free and seamlessly transfer them to clients can dramatically simplify your operations and improve cash flow. Flywheel is the perfect Cloudways alternative for creative and design agencies that work exclusively with WordPress and want to streamline their project management, collaboration, and client handoff processes.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Hosting Partner
Cloudways remains a fantastic and flexible hosting solution, but it's not the only option. The best alternative for your agency depends entirely on your priorities. If you need uncompromising speed and best-in-class support for high-value clients, Kinsta is a worthy investment. If you have the technical skills and want granular control and better cost efficiency at scale, RunCloud provides the power and flexibility you need. And if your primary goal is to optimize your agency's workflow from development to client handoff, Flywheel offers a set of tools that are simply unmatched. By evaluating your agency's unique needs, you can choose a hosting partner that not only hosts your websites but also actively helps your business grow.