Cloudways vs SiteGround
SiteGround for a simple start. Cloudways for flexible server billing. Compare the full cost before you choose.
Your decision in 30 seconds
Two hosts. Different needs.SiteGround
$47.88
First year · StartUp · paid upfront
- 1 website · 10 GB storage
- Email included
- Daily backups included
Watch for: $17.99/mo renewal. No staging on StartUp.
Cloudways
From $14/mo
Flexible · server cost before extras
- Hourly usage · monthly invoice
- Choice of cloud servers
- Staging tool included
Watch for: Backup storage and email cost extra.
Look beyond the monthly headline
What will you actually pay?
| Period | SiteGround | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $47.88 | $168 + extras |
| Year 2 | $215.88 | $168 + extras |
| 2-year total | $263.76 | $336 + extras |
USD estimates checked 8 Sep 2026. SiteGround: 12 months at $3.99 then 12 at $17.99. Cloudways: $14 × 24 months for the cheapest Flexible server only. Assumes unchanged rates and configuration. Taxes excluded. These are different hosting setups rather than equivalent capacity plans.
The differences that matter
- Plan
- SiteGround: StartUp
- Cloudways: Flexible
- Commitment
- SiteGround: 12 months prepaid
- Cloudways: Pay as you go
- SiteGround: Included
- Cloudways: Paid add-on or external service
- Backups
- SiteGround: Daily · up to 30 copies
- Cloudways: Off-site storage billed separately
- Staging
- SiteGround: GrowBig upgrade needed
- Cloudways: Tool included
- Main trade-off
- SiteGround: Higher renewal rate
- Cloudways: More setup choices and extras
Which setup fits your website?
- One service website: SiteGround StartUp is our pick if the renewal fits your budget.
- Changing server requirements: Cloudways Flexible is our pick if you have someone to manage the setup.
- Multiple sites or WordPress staging: compare SiteGround GrowBig with a suitable Cloudways server.
Need staging on SiteGround?
Cloudways extras to budget for
- Off-site backup storage: $0.033 per GB per server.
- Rackspace email: $1.50 per mailbox each month. Two mailboxes add $36 a year.
- A separate running server for testing adds to the bill. The staging tool itself is free.
- Server upgrades and usage beyond included limits can increase your invoice.
Cloudways Flexible bills active server hours each month. A running server still costs money when your site has no visitors. Check estimated usage in the billing dashboard. If you already use an external email service, keep that cost in your budget rather than assuming another mailbox is needed.
Backups: check what you could lose
SiteGround shared hosting includes up to 30 daily backup copies with restore options. GrowBig and higher plans include manual backup slots. Daily backups can miss orders or edits made since the last copy. For a busy store, check whether you need more frequent backups before buying either host.
Which host is faster?
This comparison does not establish a speed winner. We did not run matching websites on both hosts. If your current site is slow, check its images, plugins and server response before paying to move. Test the same pages with the same content before drawing a performance conclusion.
How we compared them
We checked official pricing pages and support documents on 8 September 2026. The totals above are our calculations using the stated assumptions. We did not buy these plans or run hands-on tests for this article. Recommendations reflect documented features and billing arrangements. This page compares Cloudways Flexible with SiteGround shared hosting rather than Cloudways Autonomous or SiteGround Cloud.
Still choosing a host?
See the hosting shortlistThe tools, in detail
SiteGround
Best SupportBest for: Businesses that prioritize support and reliability
Why we picked it
Premium managed hosting with standout support and uptime.
Pros
- Excellent support
- Strong performance
- Great for WooCommerce
Cons
- Storage limits
- Premium pricing on renewal
Cloudways
Best for: Growing stores and apps needing scalable cloud
Why we picked it
Managed cloud hosting on top of DigitalOcean, AWS and more.
Pros
- Scales cleanly
- Choice of cloud providers
- Pay-as-you-grow
Cons
- No domain registration
- Steeper for total beginners
Official sources
Independent
Rankings aren't for sale.
Kept current
Reviewed and dated.
Clear method
Same 5 criteria, every time. See how
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to start?
SiteGround has the lower first-year total in this comparison. Cloudways avoids the annual prepayment but adds usage-based charges. Compare the full period you plan to stay rather than only the monthly headline.
Is Cloudways email included?
No. Use an external email provider or a paid add-on. Include your mailbox costs when comparing the hosting bill.
Does SiteGround StartUp include staging?
No. SiteGround's WordPress staging tool is available on GrowBig and GoGeek. Compare those plans if testing changes on a separate copy matters to you.
Keep reading
Best Hosting for Small Businesses
The best web hosting for small businesses, ranked for speed, support and value. Compare real costs, key limits and the best fit for your site.
SiteGround vs Hostinger
SiteGround vs Hostinger compared on price, lock-in, storage and backups. One is cheaper to start. The other is far cheaper to stay.
Bluehost vs SiteGround
Bluehost and SiteGround both start at $3.99/mo. The plans behind that price are not close. Compare sites, storage, backups and renewal cost.