Features |
| – Users can deploy applications like WordPress and WooCommerce with a single click |
Pros | ✅ High-performance hosting with Turbo options | ✅Great for businesses that need scalability |
Cons | ❌ A setup fee applies if you choose month-to-month billing. | ❌ Cloudways can be more expensive |
Ease of Use | – More complex, with a steeper learning curve. |
In this article, you will learn about two good WordPress hosting services that are quite different; we are comparing A2 Hosting and Cloudways.
You will be confused about knowing these two hosting options for WordPress and choosing between them. Here’s all the data given about these two WordPress unbiased comparisons, which will help you make the right decision.
Cloudways functions by managing the cloud server services. You select the cloud provider, and Cloudways hosting will join and connect your organization to it, which can be easily managed.
Cloudways is a website hosting company that provides WordPress web hosting services to its users.
This company assists most agencies and individual developers, focusing on providing high-quality web hosting. The overall usage of this hosting makes it convenient, easy, and rapid.
A2 Hosting is a company that offers its users WordPress hosting services and works at the fastest speeds of the servers people have seen in the past 24 months. This hosting provider offers us many features and benefits, including SEO-friendly hosting plans.
In this fast-paced world, if you’re looking for rapid-speed server services that are relatively budget-friendly and help you increase your website’s stats as it grows, then A2 Hosting is a better option.
In this article, we provide extensive information and details about these two hosting services, enabling you to compare A2 Hosting and Cloudways.
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A2 Hosting vs Cloudways 2025: Overview
About A2 Hosting (Hosting.com)
A2 Hosting, now rebranded as Hosting.com in January 2025, is a web hosting provider known for its high-performance infrastructure and developer-friendly tools.
Bryan Muthig founded A2 Hosting and is especially known for its fastest and most convenient user capacity.
As mentioned below, A2 Hosting offers the fastest server among its services. This company guarantees 20x faster page loads compared to other hosting services.
Founded in 2001 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, it has grown to host over 3 million websites globally. The rebranding aims to unify its global operations under a single, memorable brand name.
The primary objective of A2’s server is to establish and maintain a superior hosting company, enabling its users and staff to utilize it seamlessly without encountering any issues.
A2 Hosting has consistently delivered the best services and speed over the past few years without any complaints. It offers excellent customer support and includes a complimentary SSL certificate. When you start using it, it’s easy and better to use.
About Cloudways
Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform that simplifies server management for developers, agencies, and businesses.
Founded in 2012 and headquartered in New York, Cloudways offers a user-friendly interface for deploying and managing applications on top-tier cloud providers, including DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Linode, and Vultr.
Cloudways Hosting is one of the companies that provides its users with a balance of cost-effective strategies and good functionality when it comes to managing Cloudways WordPress hosting.
Cloudways is a powerful and flexible managed cloud hosting platform, perfect for users who want cloud performance without the headaches of server management.
It’s a middle ground between full DIY cloud hosting (like AWS direct) and traditional shared hosting, providing scalability, speed, and security in an easy-to-use package.
This hosting comes with an excellent feature that helps users set up their websites, and the resources enable them to grow their sites.
Key Features: A2 Hosting (Hosting.com) vs Cloudways
Cloudways Features
Managed Cloud Hosting
Cloudways offers fully managed cloud hosting, which means the platform handles all the technical aspects of server management on your behalf. This includes operating system updates, security patches, server monitoring, and automated backups. You don’t have to worry about the underlying infrastructure, allowing you to focus entirely on developing and running your website or application. The platform also offers easy scaling options, allowing you to increase or decrease your server resources on demand without downtime.
Multi-Cloud Provider Flexibility
One of Cloudways’ standout features is the ability to deploy your applications across five leading cloud providers: DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Linode, and Vultr. This multi-cloud approach provides the flexibility to select the provider that best suits your performance requirements, budget, and geographic preferences. You can also switch between providers or use multiple providers for different projects within the same Cloudways account.
Performance Optimization with ThunderStack
Cloudways utilizes a proprietary technology stack called ThunderStack, which combines Nginx, Apache, Memcached, Varnish, Redis, and PHP-FPM to optimize website speed and reliability. This configuration is designed to deliver high performance out of the box, without requiring users to configure each component manually. Additionally, Cloudways offers built-in caching mechanisms, including the Breeze WordPress caching plugin, to further enhance page loading speeds and reduce server load.
Security Features
Security is a major priority for Cloudways. The platform provides free SSL certificates through Let’s Encrypt, as well as the option to install custom SSL certificates. It utilizes dedicated firewalls and hardware-level firewalls provided by the underlying cloud providers to safeguard your servers. User accounts are protected with two-factor authentication (2FA), and IP whitelisting can be configured for additional security. Cloudways also performs regular security patching and provides active server monitoring to quickly detect and respond to potential threats.
User-Friendly Control Panel
Cloudways offers an intuitive and user-friendly control panel designed to simplify cloud hosting management. Through this dashboard, users can deploy new servers and applications in minutes, monitor server performance with real-time metrics, manage backups and restores, and configure DNS settings. The panel also supports team collaboration by allowing multiple users with customizable permission levels, which is especially useful for agencies and businesses managing multiple projects.
A2 Hosting (Hosting.com) Features
Security and Reliability
Security is a top priority at Hosting.com. They provide comprehensive protection measures, including free SSL certificates to encrypt data and secure communication. Their servers are fortified with dual firewalls, DDoS protection, and continuous malware scanning to detect and prevent threats. The company also deploys brute force defense mechanisms to block unauthorized login attempts. A 99.9% uptime commitment ensures reliability, keeping websites accessible with minimal downtime. Regular security updates and server hardening techniques add additional layers of defense against emerging vulnerabilities.
Developer and Technical Tools
Hosting.com supports a wide array of technologies favored by developers. Users can choose from multiple programming languages, including the latest versions of PHP (up to 8.4), Python, Node.js, and Ruby. For database management, both MySQL and PostgreSQL are available. The platform provides SSH access for secure command-line control and Git integration, streamlining deployment workflows. Advanced users benefit from features such as staging environments for WordPress and Joomla, which enable safe development and testing before publishing changes live. The cPanel control panel offers an intuitive interface for managing websites, email accounts, and domains.
Hosting Plans and Flexibility
Hosting.com offers a diverse range of hosting solutions tailored to meet various needs. Their shared hosting plans are ideal for small websites and beginners, with affordable pricing and generous storage allocations. For users requiring greater control and resources, they provide managed and unmanaged VPS hosting with root access options. Businesses with high traffic or specialized needs can opt for dedicated servers that deliver full hardware resources. Additionally, reseller hosting plans are available, featuring WHM control panels and billing automation tools, which enable users to host and manage multiple client websites under their brand. The plans offer flexibility in resource allocation, allowing customers to scale as their websites grow.
Customer Support and User Experience
Hosting.com is known for its dedicated 24/7/365 customer support, provided by its expert “Guru Crew” team. Support is accessible via phone, live chat, and ticketing systems to resolve technical issues promptly. They also offer free website migration services, assisting new customers in transferring their existing sites without downtime or data loss. Their anytime money-back guarantee allows full refunds within the first 30 days and prorated refunds up to 90 days, demonstrating confidence in their service quality. While the platform uses the popular cPanel interface, some users may find the user experience less modern compared to newer hosting dashboards; however, it remains a robust and widely trusted control panel.
Environmental Responsibility
Hosting.com has incorporated energy-efficient technologies and sustainable practices within its data centers. This includes optimized cooling systems such as hot/cold aisle containment and variable-speed fans to reduce energy consumption. Their commitment to sustainability reflects growing industry standards and helps reduce the environmental impact of web hosting.
Pricing Battle: A2 Hosting (Hosting.com) vs Cloudways
A2 Hosting (Hosting.com) – Pricing
| Plan | Original Price | Discounted Price | Discount | Payment Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $11.99/month | $1.99/month | 83% OFF | For a 1-year term. Pay $23.88 today, then $143.88 on renewal. |
| Plus | $14.99/month | $1.99/month | 87% OFF | For a 1-year term. Pay $23.89 today, then $179.88 on renewal. |
| Pro | $22.99/month | $6.99/month | 70% OFF | For a 1-year term. Pay $83.87 today, then $275.88 on renewal. |
| Max | $27.99/month | $8.99/month | 68% OFF | For a 1-year term. Pay $107.88 today, then $335.88 on renewal. |
Key Features Across All Plans:
Backup: Automatic backups included.
Control Panel: cPanel for easy website management.
Performance: LiteSpeed web server for enhanced speed.
Programming Support: Node.js, Python, and PHP (up to version 8.4).
Email: IMAP/POP3 support with varying numbers of mailboxes and forwarders.
Security: Free SSL certificates included.
Performance Enhancements: Redis caching is available.
A2 Hosting offers a range of hosting plans to suit various needs and budgets. A2 Hosting also offers various discounts and promotional codes to make their services more affordable.
Cloudways – Pricing
| Plan | Price (USD per month) | Hourly Rate (USD) | RAM | vCPU | NVMe Storage | Transfer Bandwidth | Visits | Websites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro | $14 | $0.0208 | 1GB | 1 | 25GB | 1TB | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Small | $28 | $0.0417 | 2GB | 1 | 50GB | 2TB | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Medium | $54 | $0.0804 | 4GB | 2 | 80GB | 4TB | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Large | $99 | $0.1473 | 8GB | 4 | 160GB | 5TB | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Cloudways offers more affordable pricing options compared to other companies. The starting monthly rate for Cloudways is $14.
Customer support
A2 Hosting
A2 Hosting provides excellent customer support and is available 24/7. You can contact them through mobile phones, tablets, desktops, email, and texting.
One of the advantages of A2 Hosting is that they speak fluent English, which is the common language used worldwide.
The experts at this company provide their full support. Even if you ask for help at any time, late at night or early in the morning, they will respond promptly and be ready to assist you with any doubts you may have.
Cloudways
This company’s customer support is the best and available 24/7. Even if the bot is unable to respond, there are alternative options available, such as live chat, texting, or a mobile phone.
They will guide you through the process of selecting a subscription plan tailored to your requirements and website.
Also, you can try the free trial of Cloudways and clear your doubts by asking questions. The company will provide you with convenient experts to help you out through the website.
Pros and Cons: A2 Hosting (Hosting.com) vs Cloudways
Pros and Cons: A2 Hosting (Hosting.com)
Pros
- High-performance Turbo Servers offering up to 20x faster page loads
- Global data centers for low-latency access worldwide
- Comprehensive security features, including free SSL, malware scanning, and DDoS protection
- Developer-friendly with support for PHP, Python, Node.js, SSH, Git, and staging environments
- Flexible hosting plans ranging from shared to VPS, dedicated, and reseller hosting
- User-friendly cPanel control panel for easy website and email management
Cons
- Renewal prices can be significantly higher than initial promotional rates
- The user interface (cPanel) may feel dated or less intuitive for beginners
Pros and Cons: Cloudways
Pros
- Managed cloud hosting with automated updates, backups, and security
- Choice of top cloud providers (DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Linode, Vultr)
- High performance with optimized ThunderStack and caching tools
- Easy scalability without downtime
- Intuitive, user-friendly dashboard suitable for developers and non-tech users
- Strong security features: free SSL, firewalls, 2FA, DDoS protection
- 24/7 expert live chat support
Cons
- Additional costs for add-ons like Cloudflare Enterprise and SafeUpdates
- Generally more expensive than basic shared hosting
- Limited deep server-level customization compared to unmanaged cloud hosting
FAQs
What is A2 Hosting's lowest plan, what additional service I get with A2 Hosting?
The lowest A2 Hosting plan is $2.99, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Additional services include a free website magazine subscription, ad credits, 24/7 site availability, email marketing, and discounts on WordPress themes.
What kind of payment methods does Cloudways prefer, and where are all the credit card details stored?
Cloudways securely stores information using owned third-party systems. They prioritize security and do not store or track credit card information. Payment is preferred through MasterCard or Visa, with PayPal accepted upon request.
Does Cloudways and A2 Hosting provide affiliate programs?
Both A2 Hosting and Cloudways offer affiliate programs, allowing you to earn extra income by referring new visitors. You can participate in affiliate networks like Viglink and Webgains for these programs. Check their official websites for updates on affiliate referral programs for new customers.
Quick Links:
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Conclusion: A2 Hosting vs Cloudways 2025
A2 Hosting offers you quick and the best services of all time, with excellent features and support. A2 Hosting is a company known for its excellent speed, which is 20 times faster than any other page.
It has good names and marvellous customer service. It offers users a free trial and provides a backup option in case their website is corrupted.
A2 Hosting is a great option to try for a good experience in shared website hosting. The plans of VPS and resellers are the top choices to be relied upon.
Cloud hosting is also one of the best WordPress web hosting companies, which you shouldn’t be frightened of.
You will get better hosting providers through the Cloudways service platform. They are budget-friendly and provide 24/7 customer support.
With these services, creating and upgrading your website hosting is much simpler and easier, just like with all other regular hosts.
They provide a quick and simpler setup, and a free trial is also available for users to learn more about this service.
Both of these plans are suitable and offer special features and unique functions, which are detailed throughout this article. This will help you make your decision without any trouble or confusion.
