Cloudways Alternatives: Top 9 Competitors Compared

Key highlights 

• Understand what agencies actually need from hosting beyond basic infrastructure and server comparisons. 
• Compare hosting solutions based on multiple site management, performance consistency and workflow efficiency. 
• Learn how scalable infrastructure supports growing client portfolios without operational friction. 
• Explore why predictable pricing and centralized management matter for agency profitability. 
• See how Bluehost for Agencies aligns hosting with real agency growth and client delivery. 

Agencies don’t evaluate hosting the same way individual site owners do. When you’re managing multiple client websites, performance, scalability and operational efficiency matter more than infrastructure labels. 

The real question is whether your hosting foundation aligns with your agency’s growth and client demands. It’s about selecting a platform that strengthens delivery, simplifies operations and maintains consistent performance across every project. 

As agencies scale, they need infrastructure that aligns with how teams work, how clients grow and how margins are maintained. In this guide, we’ll look beyond technical categories and focus on what truly differentiates hosting solutions for modern agencies. 

Why users look for a Cloudways alternative? 

Cloudways is often chosen for its infrastructure flexibility and developer control. For individual projects or technically hands-on users, that model can work well. 

However, as agencies grow, their needs evolve beyond server configuration. Managing multiple client websites requires centralized oversight, predictable performance and operational clarity across teams. 

Agencies may begin looking for alternatives when: 

• Portfolio size increases and multi-site management becomes complex 

• Predictable pricing matters more than usage-based variability 

• Teams prefer a more streamlined, managed experience 

• WordPress expertise and workflow alignment become priorities 

At scale, infrastructure flexibility alone is not enough. Agencies need hosting environments that support collaboration, client delivery and long-term growth. 

That shift is often what drives the search for Cloudways alternatives. As agencies reassess their hosting needs, the next step is comparing platforms based on how well they support performance, workflow efficiency and portfolio growth. 

How Cloudways compares to other hosting platforms? 

Every hosting platform approaches agency needs differently. The right alternative depends on how well it supports multi-site management, performance consistency and long-term portfolio growth. 

Below is a focused comparison of leading Cloudways alternatives for agencies in 2026. 

Hosting provider	Key differentiator	WordPress compatibility	Ideal use case	Infrastructure approach	Ease of use
Bluehost for Agencies	Agency-aligned hosting with scalable VPS and Dedicated tiers	Fully optimized WordPress environment	Agencies managing growing client portfolios	Cloud-supported Shared, VPS, Dedicated Hosting	Very easy with guided setup
WP Engine	Premium managed WordPress platform	WordPress-exclusive managed hosting	Agencies prioritizing performance and developer tools	Google Cloud-based architecture	Streamlined but advanced
Kinsta	Performance-focused managed WordPress hosting	WordPress-exclusive platform	High-traffic WordPress projects	Built on Google Cloud infrastructure	Simple interface with advanced options
SiteGround	WordPress-focused hosting with strong support	Managed WordPress tools and caching	Freelancers and smaller agencies	Google Cloud-backed infrastructure	Moderate learning curve
DigitalOcean	Developer-first infrastructure with full control	Manual WordPress setup	Technical teams managing infrastructure directly	Independent virtual machines	Requires hands-on expertise

For agencies, the decision extends beyond infrastructure flexibility. Performance stability, workflow alignment and predictable growth structures often matter more than raw server configuration. 

Some platforms emphasize developer control. Others prioritize managed performance and centralized oversight. The best Cloudways alternative is the one that aligns with how your agency operates and scales. Let’s take a look at them in detail. 

Top Cloudways alternatives in 2026

As agencies evaluate Cloudways alternatives, the goal is not simply to replace infrastructure. It’s to find a hosting platform that aligns with multiple website management, performance consistency and predictable growth. 

Below are some of the most relevant Cloudways alternatives for agencies in 2026, each with different strengths depending on technical preference and operational needs. 

1. Bluehost 

Bluehost for Agencies is built specifically for web design, development and digital marketing teams managing multiple WordPress websites. Instead of focusing only on infrastructure flexibility, it aligns hosting with how agencies operate and scale. 

At its core, Bluehost provides an Oracle cloud Infrastructure across all hosting tiers. Agencies then choose the level of performance and isolation that matches their portfolio demands. 

Multiple website growth without operational friction 

Managing multiple client websites requires centralized oversight and streamlined workflows. Bluehost for Agencies supports portfolio expansion without requiring separate infrastructure decisions for every new client. 

As workloads increase, agencies can scale from shared environments to VPS or Dedicated Hosting while maintaining continuity. 

Performance tiers aligned with agency needs 

Agencies can choose between scalable VPS Hosting or Dedicated Hosting depending on traffic expectations and client complexity. This progression supports stable performance under real-world workloads. 

For high-traffic ecommerce sites or resource-intensive builds, isolated resources ensure consistent responsiveness. 

Predictable structure for growing portfolios 

As client portfolios expand, cost clarity becomes critical. We offer structured plans designed to support predictable growth and margin planning. This allows agencies to incorporate hosting into service packages with greater confidence. 

WordPress expertise and support 

We are officially recommended by WordPress.org. Our teams understand the operational realities of WordPress development and client delivery. 24/7 expert support helps agencies resolve issues quickly, reducing downtime and protecting client relationships. 

Best for 

Agencies seeking a hosting partner that aligns infrastructure, performance and workflows with long-term portfolio growth. 

2.  WP Engine

WP Engine is a managed WordPress hosting provider focused on performance and developer tools. It is often chosen by agencies that prioritize premium managed environments. 

Its platform is designed to reduce hands-on server management while maintaining strong performance standards. Agencies that rely heavily on WordPress may value its built-in optimization tools and structured development workflows. 

Strengths 

• Managed WordPress platform 

• Staging environments and developer workflows 

• Strong performance optimization tools 

Considerations 

WP Engine operates at a premium price point. Agencies managing large portfolios may need to evaluate cost structure as client counts increase. 

Best for 

Agencies seeking a fully managed WordPress environment with advanced tooling and performance-focused features. 

Also read: Looking for a WP Engine alternative? High-performance hosting for scaling agencies . 

3. Kinsta 

Kinsta offers managed WordPress hosting built on Google Cloud infrastructure. It emphasizes speed and developer-friendly features. 

Its platform is designed for performance-focused WordPress projects that require optimization and monitoring tools. Agencies working with high-traffic sites may appreciate its structured development environments and staging capabilities. 

Strengths 

• WordPress-optimized environment 

• Performance monitoring tools 

• One-click staging environments 

Considerations 

Kinsta is WordPress-exclusive, which may limit flexibility for agencies managing mixed technology stacks. 

Best for 

Agencies focused entirely on high-performance WordPress projects. 

Also read: Kinsta vs Bluehost: Choosing the Best Hosting in 2026

4.SiteGround 

SiteGround provides WordPress-focused hosting with built-in caching and strong customer support. It appeals to smaller agencies and freelancers. 

Its platform includes managed WordPress features designed to simplify updates and performance optimization. Agencies handling a moderate number of client sites may value its accessible interface and responsive support. 

Strengths 

• Managed WordPress tools 

• Built-in caching 

• 24/7 support 

Considerations 

As portfolios scale significantly, agencies may require more isolated resource options. 

Best for 

Freelancers or smaller agencies managing a moderate number of client sites. 

Also read: Best SiteGround Alternatives for Web Hosting (2026) 

5. DigitalOcean 

DigitalOcean is a developer-first infrastructure provider offering virtual machines and API-based control. It is designed for users who prefer direct oversight of server environments. 

Agencies with in-house technical expertise may value its flexibility and configuration control. However, managing infrastructure directly can increase operational responsibility compared to fully managed platforms. 

Strengths 

• Full server control 

• Flexible configuration options 

• Infrastructure-level customization 

Considerations 

DigitalOcean requires hands-on server management and may increase operational overhead for non-technical teams. 

Best for 

Agencies with in-house technical expertise comfortable managing infrastructure directly. Now that we’ve reviewed the top Cloudways alternatives in 2026, the next step is understanding how to evaluate them based on your agency’s specific needs. 

Also read: 10 Best DigitalOcean Alternatives in 2026: Compare Hosting Solutions ting solutions.

Key factors to consider when selecting the Cloudways alternative

Choosing the right Cloudways alternative requires more than comparing infrastructure providers. Agencies should evaluate how well a hosting platform supports their day-to-day operations and long-term growth. 

Here are the most important factors to consider: 

1. Multiple site management 

As client portfolios grow, managing each website independently becomes time-consuming and harder to track. Agencies benefit from platforms that offer centralized oversight, streamlined updates and simplified performance monitoring across all client projects. 

Efficient multiple site management reduces operational friction and helps teams maintain consistency as portfolios expand.  

2. Performance consistency at scale 

Agencies are responsible for maintaining client trust. Hosting should deliver stable performance across all projects, especially during traffic spikes or campaign launches. 

Isolated resources such as VPS or Dedicated Hosting can strengthen responsiveness for higher-demand workloads. Consistent performance helps protect client satisfaction, conversion rates and long-term retention. 

As portfolios expand, stability across every site becomes more important than isolated flexibility. 

3. Predictable pricing structure 

Usage-based models may introduce variability as client traffic fluctuates. Agencies often benefit from plans that offer clearer cost structures as portfolios grow. 

Predictable economics help protect margins and simplify forecasting. Transparent pricing also supports more confident packaging of hosting into client retainers or service bundles. When costs scale predictably, agencies can grow without compromising profitability. 

4. Workflow alignment 

Infrastructure should support how your team operates. Consider staging environments, role-based access and collaboration tools that make client delivery smoother. 

The right hosting platform reduces operational friction instead of adding complexity. Centralized management and streamlined workflows allow teams to focus on strategy rather than server oversight. As agencies mature, operational efficiency becomes just as important as performance. 

5. WordPress expertise and support 

For agencies working primarily with WordPress, platform-specific expertise matters. Look for hosting backed by WordPress-trained specialists who understand performance optimization and real-world workloads. 

Reliable support reduces downtime and protects client relationships. When technical issues arise, faster resolution helps maintain credibility and continuity across client projects. Support that understands agency environments reduces back-and-forth and accelerates problem solving. 

Final thoughts 

Choosing the right Cloudways alternatives comes down to how well a platform supports your agency’s growth and client expectations. Infrastructure flexibility matters, but operational alignment matters more. 

As portfolios expand, agencies need performance consistency, centralized management and predictable scalability across every client project. The best alternative is the one that aligns with how your team works and how your clients evolve. 

Bluehost for Agencies is designed with that in mind, offering scalable VPS and Dedicated Hosting tiers backed by WordPress expertise and workflows built for multi-site management. 

Check out our Agency plans are built for multiple website management with predictable pricing per site. 

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