Cloudways
Managed cloud hosting platform with multiple cloud providers and developer tools...
Vercel
Frontend cloud platform for deploying web applications with automatic scaling....
Cloudways vs Vercel: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Cloudways and Vercel covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Quick Overview
Cloudways
- Best for: Developers, Agencies
- Starting price: $14/mo
- Category: hosting
- Founded: 2011
Vercel
- Best for: Frontend developers, Next.js projects
- Starting price: Free
- Category: hosting
- Founded: 2015
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Cloudways and Vercel.
| Feature | C Cloudways | V Vercel |
|---|---|---|
| Website Builder | ||
| WordPress Hosting | ||
| Free SSL | ||
| Free Domain | ||
| SSD Storage | ||
| Email Hosting | ||
| Daily Backups | ||
| 24/7 Support |
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Vercel edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Vercel offers better overall user satisfaction. Cloudways remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize developers.
Pros & Cons
Cloudways Pros & Cons
Pros
- Multiple cloud providers
- Excellent performance
- Pay-as-you-go
- Free migrations
- Staging environment
Cons
- No email hosting
- Learning curve
- No domain registration
- Extra cost for add-ons
Vercel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Instant deployments
- Edge network
- Git integration
- Preview URLs
- Next.js optimized
Cons
- Learning curve
- Vendor lock-in risk
- Can get expensive
- Limited backend support
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
Cloudways
subscription- 1GB RAM
- 25GB SSD
- 1TB bandwidth
- 2GB RAM
- 50GB SSD
- 2TB bandwidth
- 2GB RAM
- 20GB SSD
- AWS infrastructure
- 1.7GB RAM
- 20GB SSD
- GCP infrastructure
Vercel
freemium- Personal projects
- 100GB bandwidth
- Automatic HTTPS
- Team collaboration
- 1TB bandwidth
- Preview deployments
- SLA
- Priority support
- Advanced security
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose Cloudways if you need:
- Developers
- Agencies
- Growing businesses
- WooCommerce stores
- Multiple cloud providers
- Excellent performance
Choose Vercel if you need:
- Frontend developers
- Next.js projects
- JAMstack sites
- React applications
- Instant deployments
- Edge network
Cloudways vs Vercel FAQ
What are the main differences between Cloudways and Vercel?
Cloudways focuses on developers with multiple cloud providers, while Vercel excels at frontend developers with instant deployments. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Cloudways or Vercel better for small businesses?
Vercel offers a free tier which is great for small businesses starting out. For small businesses with limited budgets, consider starting with the tool that offers Vercel's lower starting price of $0/month.
What is the pricing difference between Cloudways and Vercel?
Cloudways starts at $14/month, while Vercel starts at $0/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Cloudways integrate with Vercel?
While direct integration may vary, both Cloudways and Vercel support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Cloudways integrates with WordPress, Magento, Laravel, while Vercel works with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket.
Which tool is easier to use, Cloudways or Vercel?
Based on user reviews, Vercel generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.8 rating. However, ease of use can depend on your specific needs and technical background. Cloudways is known for excellent performance.
Does Cloudways or Vercel offer better customer support?
Both Cloudways and Vercel provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Cloudways offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Cloudways compared to Vercel?
Cloudways's main advantages include: Multiple cloud providers, Excellent performance, Pay-as-you-go. Compared to Vercel, it's particularly strong for developers.
What are the cons of Cloudways compared to Vercel?
Cloudways's potential drawbacks include: No email hosting, Learning curve. Vercel may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Cloudways to Vercel or vice versa?
Consider switching if your current tool doesn't meet your needs. Key factors include: current pain points, migration complexity, team training, and total cost of ownership. Use our ROI calculator to estimate the potential impact of switching.
Which tool is best for hosting in 2026?
In 2026, Vercel leads in this comparison with a 4.8 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Cloudways excels for developers, while Vercel is ideal for frontend developers.