RunCloud vs Cloudways are frequently compared as if they are two versions of the same product. They are not. Understanding the structural difference between them is the most important thing this article can give you, because it determines which one you should be looking at before any feature comparison becomes relevant. Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform: you pay Cloudways a monthly fee and get a managed server plus a management dashboard as a bundled product. RunCloud is a server management panel: you bring your own VPS from a provider like DigitalOcean, Vultr, or AWS, and RunCloud charges a separate monthly fee to give you a dashboard for managing that server. The same server you pay DigitalOcean for directly costs you $14 per month on Cloudways or approximately $6 per month plus $15 RunCloud Pro per month as a separate bill.
This structural difference explains why comparisons between these two platforms often reach conflicting conclusions. They are solving related but different problems. Cloudways is solving the problem of setting up and managing a cloud server without needing Linux administration skills. RunCloud is solving the problem of managing a cloud server you already control with more granular developer tools than most managed platforms provide. This article covers both platforms across pricing model, web server stack flexibility, security implementation, WordPress management features, Atomic Deployment, the AI Copilot difference, developer tools, support, and the verdict on who each platform genuinely serves.
RunCloud vs Cloudways - The fundamental model difference: why this matters before anything else
The managed hosting versus management panel distinction has direct practical implications for how you set up, use, and pay for each platform.
Cloudways provisions and manages the underlying cloud server on your behalf. You log into Cloudways, choose a cloud provider (DigitalOcean, Vultr, Linode, AWS, or Google Cloud), choose a server size, and Cloudways creates the server, configures it, and presents you with a management interface within the same dashboard session. You never interact directly with the cloud provider. You never SSH into the server to configure a firewall or install software. Cloudways handles OS patching, security monitoring, caching layer configuration, and the general maintenance of the server environment as part of its service. The management fee is bundled into the server cost, which is why the price appears higher than renting the same server from DigitalOcean directly.
RunCloud connects to a server you have already provisioned from a cloud provider. You create a DigitalOcean Droplet, Vultr instance, or AWS EC2 instance under your own account, then install the RunCloud agent on that server and connect it to your RunCloud dashboard. From that point, RunCloud gives you a management interface for the server you control. The cloud provider charges you for the server. RunCloud charges you separately for its panel. The total cost is the server fee plus the RunCloud subscription. On the Pro plan at approximately $15 per month, managing a $6 DigitalOcean Droplet costs $21 per month total, compared to Cloudways’ smallest DigitalOcean-based server at $14 per month. The cost comparison inverts at larger server sizes: a $40 DigitalOcean server plus $15 RunCloud costs $55 per month, while the equivalent Cloudways configuration may cost $70 to $80 per month.
RunCloud vs Cloudways - Web server stack flexibility: RunCloud's multi-stack advantage
Stack flexibility is one of the clearest technical advantages RunCloud holds over Cloudways, and it matters for developers who have specific requirements around which web server technology their applications run on.
Cloudways uses a hybrid Apache and NGINX setup. NGINX serves as the reverse proxy handling incoming connections, and Apache handles PHP processing behind it. This hybrid stack is effective and is what Cloudways has used across its platform history. The limitation is that it is fixed: Cloudways customers cannot switch to a pure NGINX stack, an OpenLiteSpeed stack, or a LiteSpeed Enterprise configuration. For operators who want LiteSpeed’s native caching through LSCAPI for maximum WordPress performance, or who have a specific technical reason to run pure NGINX without an Apache backend, Cloudways does not accommodate those requirements.
RunCloud supports multiple web server configurations per server, selectable at the application level. The available stacks include NGINX, Apache, NGINX plus Apache hybrid (the same configuration Cloudways uses), and OpenLiteSpeed. OpenLiteSpeed support is particularly relevant for WordPress developers who want LiteSpeed native caching, which the LiteSpeed Cache plugin leverages for server-level caching performance. The ability to run different stacks on different applications hosted on the same server is a genuine developer workflow advantage: a PHP application that performs better on pure NGINX can share a server with a WordPress site running on OpenLiteSpeed, managed from the same RunCloud dashboard.
Cloudways AI Copilot: proactive server management in 2026
One of the most significant product developments in the Cloudways platform in 2026 is the introduction of AI Copilot with Smartfix technology, which represents a genuinely new capability in the managed hosting category.
AI Copilot continuously monitors the Cloudways server and WordPress applications for anomalies: unusual traffic patterns, PHP errors, plugin conflicts, and server resource exhaustion. The Smartfix component automatically resolves certain categories of problems without manual intervention. When AI Copilot detects a configuration issue that matches a known resolution pattern, it applies the fix, logs the action, and notifies the account holder. The interactive interface allows you to query the current state of your server and receive guided troubleshooting assistance for issues AI Copilot has flagged. For operators who previously found managed server environments requiring more technical involvement than expected, AI Copilot reduces that operational overhead meaningfully.
RunCloud does not have an equivalent AI-driven proactive monitoring and automated resolution system. RunCloud’s monitoring provides visibility into server CPU, RAM, disk, and network usage, and alerts when thresholds are crossed. The response to those alerts is manual: you log into the server or the RunCloud dashboard and investigate. This is appropriate for technically capable developers who want to understand and resolve issues themselves. It is a limitation for operators who want the hosting environment to self-heal without requiring their attention for routine issues.
RunCloud vs Cloudways security: Imunify360 included versus tiered access
Security implementation is one of the most significant practical differences between these two platforms, and it affects the baseline protection available without additional configuration.
Cloudways includes Imunify360 on every server regardless of the plan tier. Imunify360 is a comprehensive server security suite that provides a dedicated firewall, brute-force attack blocking, bot mitigation, real-time file-level malware scanning, and automated quarantine of detected threats. Alongside Imunify360, Cloudways includes Patchstack, which monitors WordPress plugins and themes for known vulnerabilities (CVEs) and alerts before those vulnerabilities can be actively exploited. Fail2ban handles IP-level intrusion blocking for repeat offenders. This security stack is active from day one without any configuration required from the account holder. The combination of Imunify360 plus Patchstack provides coverage across both server-level and application-level threats.
RunCloud’s security offering varies by plan tier. The Essentials plan and Professional plan do not include Imunify360. The Business plan includes Imunify360 as part of the higher-tier feature set. For operators on RunCloud’s Essentials or Professional plans, server security is the operator’s responsibility: configuring fail2ban, setting up a firewall, installing malware scanning tools, and monitoring for vulnerabilities requires separate action rather than being active by default. RunCloud does hold ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification as an organization, which reflects its security program at the platform operator level. But the certificate covers RunCloud’s own organizational practices, not the security tooling available to customers on entry and mid-tier plans.
RunCloud vs Cloudways WordPress management features: what each platform includes
Both platforms provide WordPress-specific management features, but the depth and convenience differ in ways that matter for operators managing multiple client sites.
Cloudways provides one-click WordPress installation, staging environments for all applications, site cloning, one-click SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt, WP-CLI pre-installed on all servers, SSH terminal access directly from the Cloudways dashboard without needing a separate SSH client, automatic daily backups with configurable frequency, and a vertical scaling option that adds more RAM and CPU to an existing server without application downtime. The Breeze caching plugin is developed by Cloudways and integrates directly with the Varnish caching layer for WordPress cache management from within the WordPress dashboard. Team access management allows multiple users to collaborate on the same server environment with role-based permissions.
RunCloud provides one-click WordPress deployment through its WordPress Canvas feature, which is RunCloud’s system for creating reusable WordPress baseline templates. A Canvas template defines a starting WordPress configuration including theme, plugins, PHP version, web server stack, and other settings that can be deployed to new applications with a single click. This is particularly valuable for agencies and developers who consistently deploy WordPress sites with the same baseline setup and want to eliminate repetitive configuration work. Staging environments are available on Professional and Business plans. SSL certificate management, backup configuration, and team access are all included. WP-CLI is available but requires manual installation rather than being pre-installed as on Cloudways.
RunCloud vs Cloudways atomic Deployment: RunCloud's CI/CD capability
Atomic Deployment is one of RunCloud’s most compelling developer features and is not available on Cloudways in an equivalent form.
RunCloud’s Atomic Deployment enables zero-downtime code deployment through direct Git repository integration configured in the RunCloud dashboard. When you push a new version of your code to a connected Git repository, RunCloud creates a new deployment directory alongside the current live version, installs dependencies, and runs any configured build steps. Once the new deployment is ready, RunCloud switches the symlink that points to the live code directory, making the new version live instantly. If the deployment fails or a problem is detected after deployment, the symlink can be switched back to the previous version with equal speed. The entire process happens without taking the site offline or serving a maintenance page to visitors.
For development teams using Git-based workflows, Atomic Deployment changes how releases are managed. Traditional deployment on shared or managed hosting requires either manual file uploads, FTP transfers, or plugin-based update mechanisms that can take a site offline during the process. Atomic Deployment eliminates that downtime risk entirely and makes rollback a matter of seconds rather than a restore operation. This capability is relevant for applications that require frequent code updates, for teams running continuous integration pipelines, and for any deployment where downtime or partial update states are not acceptable.
Cloudways does not offer Atomic Deployment. Cloudways deployments follow a more traditional model where updated code replaces the existing files in the application directory. For most WordPress sites managed through the WordPress admin rather than through code pushes, this limitation is not practically relevant. For developer teams building custom WordPress themes, plugins, or PHP applications that are deployed from a repository, the absence of Atomic Deployment means Cloudways is not appropriate for that specific workflow.
RunCloud vs Cloudways pricing at scale: when each model becomes more cost-effective
The managed premium that Cloudways charges becomes more or less cost-effective depending on server size and the value placed on the time saved by not managing server infrastructure directly.
At small server sizes, the models are close. A $6 DigitalOcean Droplet plus $15 RunCloud Pro costs $21 per month. Cloudways‘ smallest DigitalOcean server costs $14 per month, which is cheaper at this tier because the management overhead at small server sizes is relatively low in Cloudways’ pricing model. At mid-range server sizes, the gap widens in RunCloud’s favor. A $40 DigitalOcean server plus $15 RunCloud Pro costs $55 per month. The equivalent Cloudways configuration typically costs $70 to $80 per month. For a large server at $80 per month from DigitalOcean, adding $15 RunCloud costs $95, while the Cloudways equivalent may reach $120 to $140 per month.
The cost comparison must account for what each model includes that the other does not. Cloudways includes Imunify360, Patchstack, 24/7 support, AI Copilot, and full server management without Linux knowledge requirements. These have real value that RunCloud’s lower headline cost does not provide. For an operator who would otherwise need to hire a system administrator or spend personal time on server maintenance, Cloudways’ managed premium represents a legitimate cost offset. For a developer who is comfortable with Linux administration, security configuration, and server troubleshooting, RunCloud allows spending that managed premium on larger server resources instead.
RunCloud vs Cloudways support: 24/7 included versus plan-dependent access
Support is another area where the managed hosting versus panel model difference produces different outcomes.
Cloudways provides 24/7 live chat and ticket support on all plans. The support team handles server-level issues, WordPress application issues, Cloudways dashboard questions, and infrastructure events. For operators who are not Linux administrators and who need server-level problems resolved without doing it themselves, Cloudways’ included support is a core component of the managed service value proposition rather than a feature add-on. Premium and Advanced support tiers are available for faster response time guarantees and dedicated support access.
RunCloud’s support model depends on which plan you are using. The Essentials plan includes standard support. The Professional and Business plans include priority support with faster response time commitments. Because RunCloud is a panel installed on your own server rather than a managed service, some categories of issues that Cloudways handles as part of its service, specifically server configuration errors, OS-level problems, and infrastructure incidents from the underlying cloud provider, are not RunCloud’s responsibility. You are responsible for the server; RunCloud is responsible for the panel. For developers comfortable managing their own servers, this delineation is natural and appropriate. For operators who want a single point of contact for anything that goes wrong with their hosting environment, Cloudways provides that.
RunCloud vs Cloudways backup policies: automated offsite versus configurable per server
Backup configuration is an area where both platforms provide functionality, but through different mechanisms that reflect their underlying operational models.
Cloudways includes automated daily backups for all applications. The backup frequency can be adjusted from the Cloudways dashboard to run as frequently as every hour on higher-tier plans. Backups are stored offsite on infrastructure separate from your server, which is the appropriate backup architecture: a backup stored on the same server as the original data is not useful if the server experiences hardware failure. Off-site backup storage is available as a paid add-on at an additional monthly cost beyond the base server plan. On-demand manual backups are available from the application view in the Cloudways dashboard. Backup restoration is handled within the same dashboard interface, without needing to connect to the server via SSH or use external tools. The ease of the backup restoration process is one of the practical benefits of the managed hosting approach that RunCloud’s model does not replicate by default.
RunCloud provides backup integration through its dashboard, but backup storage is the operator’s responsibility. RunCloud’s backup feature connects to external storage destinations including Amazon S3, DigitalOcean Spaces, and other compatible object storage services. You configure the backup schedule, select the destination storage, and RunCloud performs the backup transfers to that destination. The backup storage cost is separate from both the RunCloud subscription and the server cost, making backup a third billing line rather than an included feature. For developers who already have AWS or DigitalOcean accounts for other purposes, connecting backup storage is straightforward. For operators who want backup to work without configuration, Cloudways’ automated included backup is the simpler path.
RunCloud vs Cloudways migration: moving sites onto each platform
Website migration is a consideration for any operator coming from another hosting environment, and both platforms handle it differently depending on their fundamental model.
Cloudways offers a free WordPress migration plugin (Cloudways WordPress Migrator) that handles file and database transfer from any WordPress host automatically without requiring manual export or import procedures. The plugin is installed on the source WordPress site, provided with the destination Cloudways server credentials, and runs the transfer without requiring manual file or database export. For sites migrating from shared hosting, managed WordPress platforms like SiteGround or Bluehost, or other cloud providers, the plugin approach works for most standard WordPress configurations. Cloudways also offers one free managed migration per new account, handled by the Cloudways support team for sites where the automated plugin approach encounters complexity such as large databases, custom server configurations, or non-standard WordPress setups requiring manual intervention.
RunCloud handles migration through WordPress standard tools rather than through a proprietary migration plugin. A migration to a RunCloud-managed server typically involves exporting the WordPress database and files from the source host, connecting to the new server via SFTP or SSH, uploading the files to the appropriate application directory, importing the database, and updating the WordPress configuration file with the new database credentials. For developers comfortable with these procedures, the process is reliable and gives full control over what is transferred and how. For operators without technical experience, the migration process on RunCloud requires either learning these standard server administration procedures or engaging a developer to perform the migration on their behalf.
RunCloud vs Cloudways scalability: vertical scaling versus server replacement
How each platform handles a site outgrowing its current server is a practical consideration that affects the operator experience during growth.
Cloudways provides vertical scaling through a one-click operation directly within the Cloudways dashboard interface. You navigate to the server view, select the target server size, and Cloudways resizes the server’s CPU and RAM allocation. The scaling operation completes without downtime for the hosted applications. This means a site experiencing sustained growth can be moved to a larger server configuration without scheduling a maintenance window, preparing for downtime, or coordinating file transfers between servers. The ease of this scaling operation is one of Cloudways’ most consistently praised practical features in long-term user reviews, particularly from operators who have experienced the complexity of vertical scaling on other platforms.
RunCloud’s scaling approach depends on how you manage the underlying cloud server. If your cloud provider supports vertical scaling (resizing the same Droplet or instance), you can resize through the cloud provider’s interface and RunCloud continues to manage the same server with its new resource allocation. The RunCloud panel itself does not have a vertical scaling control because the server is managed by the cloud provider, not by RunCloud. If your cloud provider requires creating a new server and migrating to it rather than resizing in place, that migration is your responsibility to manage. DigitalOcean supports in-place resizing to higher tiers (though not to smaller tiers without a new Droplet), which makes the practical scaling experience on RunCloud plus DigitalOcean reasonably smooth for upward scaling.
Performance monitoring and observability
Understanding what is happening on your server in real time affects how quickly you can diagnose and respond to performance problems, and the two platforms offer meaningfully different levels of observability that reflect their fundamental operational philosophies. A managed platform like Cloudways can surface problems proactively because it has full visibility into the server it manages. A panel like RunCloud provides the tools to investigate problems but places the investigation responsibility with the operator who controls the server.
Cloudways provides server-level monitoring through its dashboard, including real-time graphs of CPU usage, RAM usage, disk I/O, and network bandwidth. Application-level monitoring through New Relic integration is available on higher-tier plans. The Cloudways AI Copilot, introduced in 2026, adds proactive anomaly detection that surfaces issues before they become visible outages, including PHP error rate spikes, plugin conflict signals, and unusual resource consumption patterns. This monitoring layer reduces the operator’s time investment in watching metrics manually, because the system notifies you when something requires attention rather than requiring you to check dashboards on a schedule.
RunCloud provides server monitoring through its dashboard, including CPU, RAM, disk, and network metrics with fully configurable alert thresholds. The monitoring data is presented clearly and is accessible without leaving the RunCloud interface. For developers who regularly review server metrics as part of their daily workflow, RunCloud’s monitoring is adequate and provides the data needed to make informed scaling and optimization decisions over time. For operators who prefer a system that watches the server and notifies them of anomalies rather than requiring active monitoring, RunCloud’s monitoring is less proactive than Cloudways’ AI Copilot.
Who should use each platform
Cloudways is the right choice for agency owners, freelancers, and WordPress site operators who want cloud VPS performance without managing Linux servers. The bundled model, Imunify360 security, AI Copilot, pre-installed WP-CLI, staging environments on all applications, 24/7 support, and pay-as-you-go billing without long-term contracts make Cloudways the most accessible managed cloud hosting platform for operators who do not want server administration to be part of their job. The Cloudways Autonomous tier with autoscaling is also the right choice for sites with unpredictable traffic that need infrastructure that responds to demand without manual intervention.
RunCloud is the right choice for development teams and technically capable developers who want granular control over their server stack without being locked into a managed hosting provider’s fixed configuration. The ability to choose web server stack per application, Atomic Deployment for zero-downtime Git-based releases, WordPress Canvas for template-based deployment, multi-cloud provider flexibility under your own account, and lower marginal cost at larger server sizes make RunCloud the stronger platform for developers building custom PHP applications and WordPress configurations that require stack-level access. RunCloud is also appropriate for operators who want to keep their cloud provider relationship direct rather than mediated through a third party, and for agencies that have staff comfortable managing Linux servers and want to reduce per-server hosting overhead at scale.
The platforms are not interchangeable alternatives. They are different tools for different operators. A non-technical site owner who wants cloud VPS performance without Linux knowledge should not use RunCloud regardless of the cost saving. A developer building a custom deployment pipeline with CI/CD, Atomic Deployment, and stack-level control should not use Cloudways regardless of its convenience features. Identifying which description matches your actual operational model resolves the comparison immediately.
Sources and references consulted: WordPress hosting, cloudways.com, runcloud.io, hostadvice.com.
