Cloudways vs DigitalOcean: Which Cloud Infrastructure Is Better in 2026?
Compare pricing, features, integrations, verified reviews, AI capabilities, security, and customer satisfaction, side by side, with no marketing spin.
The Short Answer
Cloudways vs DigitalOcean, in 15 seconds
Choose Cloudways if…
- You prefer Cloudways's approach and ecosystem
Choose DigitalOcean if…
- You want the lower entry price
- You depend on a broad integration ecosystem
- You want deeper AI and automation features
- You have strict security & compliance needs
Head-to-Head Scorecard
How Cloudways and DigitalOcean score
DigitalOcean leads on 5 of 9 measured dimensions.
- Even
Customer Rating
Average score from verified user reviews
CloudwaysNo reviewsDigitalOceanNo reviews - Even
Review Volume
Number of verified reviews, a proxy for adoption
Cloudways0DigitalOcean0 - DigitalOcean
Entry Pricing
Lowest published starting price (free plan = lowest)
CloudwaysCustomDigitalOcean$4/mo - Even
Free Access
Availability of a free plan and/or free trial
CloudwaysFree trialDigitalOceanFree trial - DigitalOcean
Integrations
Number of listed third-party integrations
Cloudways6DigitalOcean10 - DigitalOcean
Features
Number of listed product capabilities
Cloudways0DigitalOcean12 - DigitalOcean
AI Features
Capabilities mentioning AI, automation or ML
Cloudways,DigitalOcean1 - DigitalOcean
Security & Compliance
Number of listed compliance certifications
Cloudways3DigitalOcean5 - Even
Platforms & Deployment
Supported platforms and deployment options
Cloudways4DigitalOcean4
Feature Comparison
Cloudways vs DigitalOcean feature breakdown
Search or filter the full feature matrix, core features, AI, integrations, APIs, security and compliance.
Cloudways
DigitalOceanPricing Comparison
Cloudways vs DigitalOcean pricing
Entry pricing, plan tiers and the cost factors that shape total cost of ownership.
Cloudways
Custom to start- Standard support
- Integrations
- managed servers
- choice of cloud providers
- autonomous scaling
- Dedicated support and onboarding
- Advanced security and controls
- Everything in Professional
DigitalOcean
$4/mo to start- 512 MiB–shared CPU VMs
- 10 GiB SSD
- Snapshots and backups
- Per-second billing
- 1 GiB+ RAM options
- NVMe SSD
- Higher performance
- Monitoring and alerts
- Managed Postgres/MySQL/Redis
- Object storage (Spaces)
- Managed Kubernetes (DOKS)
- App Platform PaaS
- Business/Premier support
- Higher-performance Droplets
- GPU Droplets (AI)
- Volume and committed pricing
Total cost of ownership factors
Beyond list price, factor in implementation, training, add-ons and per-seat scaling when estimating total cost of ownership.
Pros & Cons
Cloudways vs DigitalOcean: strengths and trade-offs
Cloudways
Pros
- Free trial offered
- Compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
- Public API available
Cons
- No free plan
- Pricing is quote-based (less transparent)
- Fewer native integrations than the alternative
DigitalOcean
Pros
- Free trial offered
- Broad integration ecosystem (10)
- Compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
- Stronger AI / automation features
- Public API available
Cons
- No free plan
Buyer Fit
Who should use Cloudways vs DigitalOcean?
Startups
DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean keeps early-stage costs lowest with its entry tier.
Small businesses
DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean offers the most accessible pricing for lean teams.
Agencies
DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean connects to more tools for multi-client workflows.
Enterprises
DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean leads on compliance and breadth for complex needs.
Ecommerce
DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean integrates with more of the commerce stack.
SaaS companies
DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean is the more developer- and automation-friendly choice.
Integration overlap
Shared integrations (2)
Only in Cloudways (4)
Only in DigitalOcean (8)
Keep Exploring
Other alternatives worth considering
Similar cloud infrastructure products buyers compare alongside Cloudways and DigitalOcean.
Ask SIA which solution fits your business
SIA, Saaskart's AI buying assistant, weighs Cloudways and DigitalOcean against your team size, budget, integrations and compliance needs, then recommends the right fit and the questions to ask each vendor.
Get a personalised recommendationCloudways vs DigitalOcean, Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Cloudways and DigitalOcean?
Cloudways and DigitalOcean are both Cloud Infrastructure solutions. Cloudways is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users, while DigitalOcean is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users. The main differences lie in pricing, features, and target audience.
Which is better, Cloudways or DigitalOcean?
Based on user ratings, Cloudways scores higher at 0.0/5. The best choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific requirements.
Which is cheaper, Cloudways or DigitalOcean?
Both products have custom pricing. We recommend contacting both vendors for a quote tailored to your team size.
Does Cloudways or DigitalOcean have a free plan?
Neither Cloudways nor DigitalOcean currently offers a free plan, but Cloudways provides a free trial.
Can I switch from Cloudways to DigitalOcean?
Switching between Cloudways and DigitalOcean is possible. Both support data export. Check integration compatibility and plan for data migration to minimise disruption to your team.
Who should use Cloudways vs DigitalOcean?
Cloudways is best suited for teams that prioritise enterprise features. DigitalOcean works well for budget-conscious buyers.
Our Verdict
The bottom line on Cloudways vs DigitalOcean
Best Overall
Either
It's a tie balances user satisfaction and proven adoption.
Best for Startups
DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean has the friendliest entry point for new teams.
Best for Enterprise
DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean leads on compliance and feature breadth.
Best Value
DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean delivers the lowest cost to get started.
Best AI Features
DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean ships more AI and automation.
Highest Rated
Either
Both earn equal user ratings.