Cloudways vs DreamHost: Which Is Better in 2026?

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right web hosting tool for your needs.

Our Pick: Cloudways

Cloudways has a significantly higher overall rating (8.5 vs 7.5)

Quick Comparison

Aspect
C
Cloudways(Winner)
D
DreamHost
Overall Rating
8.5/10
7.5/10
Starting Price
$14/mo
$2.59/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
medium
small
Ease of Use
7/10
7/10
Features
9/10
8/10
Value for Money
8/10
8/10
Support
8/10
7/10

Overview

C

Cloudways

Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform that deploys on AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, and more. Great for developers wanting cloud power with managed simplicity.

D

DreamHost

DreamHost is an independent hosting provider known for transparency and WordPress expertise. Also officially recommended by WordPress.org.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: DreamHost
C

Cloudways

Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$14/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier
D

DreamHost

Better Value
Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$2.59/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

Winner: DreamHost
FeatureCloudwaysDreamHost
Shared Hosting
Vps Hosting
Cloud Hosting
Managed Word Press
Free S S L
Free Domain
Cdn Included
Daily Backups
Staging Environment
Uptime Guarantee
99.99%
100%

1

features unique to Cloudways

3

features unique to DreamHost

Pros & Cons

C

Cloudways

Pros

  • Choice of cloud providers
  • Excellent performance
  • Pay-as-you-go pricing
  • Free staging and migrations
  • Server cloning and scaling

Cons

  • No email hosting included
  • Learning curve for beginners
  • No domain registration
  • Support varies by plan
D

DreamHost

Pros

  • WordPress.org recommended
  • 97-day money-back guarantee
  • Transparent pricing
  • Privacy-focused (free WHOIS privacy)
  • Good month-to-month options

Cons

  • No traditional cPanel
  • Email hosting costs extra
  • Support can be slow
  • Custom control panel learning curve

The Verdict: Cloudways Wins

After thorough evaluation, Cloudways emerges as the clear winner in this comparison. With an overall rating of 8.5/10 compared to 7.5/10, it offers a noticeably better experience across most evaluation criteria.

Cloudways particularly excels in Developers and agencies and High-traffic websites, making it the go-to choice for most users looking for a web hosting solution.

Our recommendation: We confidently recommend Cloudways for most users. However, DreamHost remains a viable option if you specifically need wordpress users.

Choose Cloudways if you...

  • • Need developers and agencies
  • • Need high-traffic websites
  • • Need e-commerce stores

Choose DreamHost if you...

  • • Need wordpress users
  • • Need privacy-conscious users
  • • Need those wanting month-to-month

Ready to Get Started?

Try CloudwaysTry DreamHost

Read our full reviews:

Cloudways Full ReviewDreamHost Full Review

* We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit these tools through our links. This doesn't affect our ratings or comparisons.

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Cloudways vs DreamHost FAQ

Based on our evaluation, Cloudways has a slight edge with an overall rating of 8.5/10. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs and use case.
Yes, DreamHost is more affordable with plans starting at $2.59/month, compared to $14/month for the other.
Both tools have similar ease of use ratings at 7/10.
Yes, migration between Cloudways and DreamHost is possible. Most tools offer data export features. Check each tool's documentation for specific migration guides and import capabilities.
For small teams, DreamHost is specifically designed for this use case. Consider your budget and specific feature needs when choosing.
For startups, consider your growth trajectory. Both tools require paid plans, so factor pricing into your runway calculations.
Yes, each tool has unique strengths. Cloudways excels at: Developers and agencies, High-traffic websites. DreamHost is better for: WordPress users, Privacy-conscious users. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
Cloudways rates higher in customer support (8/10) compared to DreamHost (7/10).
Both tools offer similar value for money, each rated 8/10.
Consider switching if DreamHost's strengths (WordPress users) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.