Bluehost vs Cloudways2026
Bluehost
Web Hosting
The most popular WordPress-recommended web hosting provider for beginners and small businesses.
Cloudways
Web Hosting
Managed cloud hosting on AWS, Google Cloud, and DigitalOcean without server management headaches.
Our Verdict
Bluehost is better suited to freelancers and solo operators, while Cloudways is designed for small to mid-sized businesses. Bluehost has the pricing advantage ($3/mo vs $14/mo).
Choose Bluehost if…
teams at the freelancers and solo operators stage
Choose Cloudways if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage
Side-by-Side Comparison
Green highlight = advantage on that metric.
| Feature | Bluehost | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting price | $3/mo | $14/mo |
| Free tier | ||
| Free trial | 3 days | |
| Ratings & Reviews | ||
| User rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Features & Capabilities | ||
| Best for | freelancers and solo operators | small to mid-sized businesses |
| Tracked features | 7 | 7 |
| Company | ||
| Founded | 2003 | 2011 |
| Verified listing | ||
Pricing
Bluehost
SubscriptionCloudways
SubscriptionBluehost
$3/moCloudways
$14/moBluehost
Cloudways
Bluehost
Cloudways
3 daysRatings & Reviews
Bluehost
No reviews yetCloudways
No reviews yetFeatures & Capabilities
Bluehost
freelancers and solo operatorsCloudways
small to mid-sized businessesBluehost
7Cloudways
7Company
Bluehost
2003Cloudways
2011Bluehost
Cloudways
Key Differences
Bluehost
$3/mo✓
Cloudways
$14/mo
Bluehost
freelancers and solo operators
Cloudways
small to mid-sized businesses
Bluehost
Not available
Cloudways
✓3 days
Bluehost is best for…
Strengths
- Officially recommended by WordPress.org
- Very easy setup for beginners
- Free domain first year
- Free SSL certificate
Cloudways is best for…
Strengths
- Managed cloud without complexity
- Choose from 5 cloud providers
- Excellent performance and uptime
- Agency-friendly
Pricing Comparison
Bluehost
From $2.95/mo
Basic shared hosting from $2.95/month (promotional). Renews at regular rate.
Cloudways
From $14/mo
DigitalOcean 1GB server from $14/month.
Pricing information is verified periodically. Visit each vendor's pricing page for current rates and plan details.
Feature Comparison
Only in Bluehost
- Free Domain
- Website Builder
- Custom Domain
Both tools
- WordPress Hosting
- Free SSL Certificate
- Automatic Backups
- One-Click WordPress Install
Only in Cloudways
- CDN
- Staging Environment
- Uptime Monitoring
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main difference between Bluehost and Cloudways?
- Bluehost is better suited to freelancers and solo operators, while Cloudways is designed for small to mid-sized businesses. Bluehost has the pricing advantage ($3/mo vs $14/mo). Choose Bluehost if you need it for teams at the freelancers and solo operators stage. Choose Cloudways if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage.
- Is Bluehost cheaper than Cloudways?
- Bluehost is cheaper at From $2.95/mo vs From $14/mo. Note that pricing tiers vary — check each vendor's current pricing page for up-to-date details.
- Is Bluehost or Cloudways better for small businesses?
- Bluehost is better suited to freelancers and solo operators, while Cloudways is designed for small to mid-sized businesses. If you're a small team, start with Bluehost — you can always migrate as you scale.
- Can I switch from Bluehost to Cloudways?
- Yes — most teams can migrate from Bluehost to Cloudways with a data export/import process. Check whether both tools support CSV or API data export before starting. Cloudways offers a free trial, so you can test it before cancelling Bluehost.
- Does Bluehost or Cloudways offer a free trial?
- Cloudways offers a free trial of 3 days. Bluehost does not currently offer a free trial.