Web hosting services: Cloudways Managed Hosting vs. Google Cloud Compute Engine

Quick Verdict

Cloudways is a good option for users who want a simplified, managed hosting experience with easy-to-use tools and support for popular applications. Google Cloud Compute Engine is better suited for users who need more control over their infrastructure and are comfortable with a more complex environment. The choice depends on the user's technical expertise and specific needs.

Cloudways simplifies cloud hosting management by offering a managed platform on top of providers like Google Cloud, while Google Cloud Compute Engine provides both managed and unmanaged services directly.
Cloudways focuses on ease of use with a custom dashboard and one-click installers, whereas Google Cloud offers a more comprehensive and potentially complex set of features.
Both offer scaling options and pay-as-you-go pricing, but Google Cloud provides more granular control and potentially more complex pricing structures.
Google Cloud Compute Engine offers a slightly higher uptime guarantee (99.95%) compared to Cloudways (99.9%).
Both provide robust security features, but Google Cloud emphasizes encryption of data at rest.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Cloudways Managed Hosting	Google Cloud Compute Engine
Name	Cloudways Managed Hosting	Google Cloud Compute Engine
Managed vs. Unmanaged	Managed hosting, handles server setup, security, updates, and backups.	Offers both managed and unmanaged services.
Scaling	Vertical and horizontal scaling options.	Vertical and horizontal scaling with autoscaling capabilities.
Storage	SSD storage for faster loading speeds.	Persistent disk storage with standard and SSD types.
Uptime Guarantee	99.9% uptime guarantee.	99.95% monthly uptime SLA.
User Interface	Custom-built, user-friendly dashboard.	Google Cloud Console, considered cleaner and more intuitive by some.
Customer Support	24/7/365 via live chat, support tickets, and a knowledge base.	Different support packages, including Basic, Standard, Enhanced, and Premium.
Security Features	Dedicated firewall, free SSL certificates, IP whitelisting, bot protection, vulnerability scanning, and DDoS mitigation.	Industry-leading security features, including encryption of data at rest.
Pricing	Pay-as-you-go pricing model, varies based on cloud provider, server size, and features.	Pay-as-you-go model with per-minute billing and sustained use discounts.
Application Support	WordPress, Magento, Laravel, and PHP-based apps with one-click installation.	Supports various operating systems, including Debian, CentOS, CoreOS, SUSE, Ubuntu, Red Hat, and FreeBSD.
Backup	Automated backups with frequency and retention options.	Backup and Disaster Recovery service.
Data Center Locations	Multiple data center locations globally.	Vast network of data centers globally.
Ease of Use	Simplifies website setup with one-click installers.	Considered easier to learn by some, with more descriptive and straightforward names for services. Organization around 'projects' provides a clear structure for managing resources.

Overall Comparison

Cloudways: 99.9% uptime guarantee, Managed Hosting. Google Cloud Compute Engine: 99.95% uptime SLA, Both Managed and Unmanaged services.

Pros and Cons

Cloudways Managed Hosting

Pros:

Managed hosting simplifies server management.
Offers vertical and horizontal scaling options.
Uses SSD storage for faster loading speeds.
Provides a user-friendly dashboard.
Offers 24/7 customer support.
Includes various security features.
Supports various applications with one-click installation.
Provides automated backups.
Simplifies website setup with one-click installers.

Cons:

No major disadvantages reported.

Google Cloud Compute Engine

Pros:

Offers both managed and unmanaged services
Provides vertical and horizontal scaling with autoscaling
VMs offer persistent disk storage and consistent performance
Offers industry-leading security features, including encryption of data at rest
Supports various operating systems
Vast network of data centers globally
Considered easier to learn by some, with more descriptive and straightforward names for services
Organization around 'projects' provides a clear structure for managing resources

Cons:

Google Cloud's interface can be complex
Pricing can be complex, depending on usage and resource allocation
Requires a greater level of technical knowledge

User Experiences and Feedback

Cloudways Managed Hosting

What Users Love

User-friendly interface simplifies server management.
Responsive and helpful customer support.

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

Simplifies management of cloud services like Google Cloud Compute Engine.
Offers one-click installation for many applications.

User Recommendations

Some users have reported significant performance improvements after moving to Cloudways.

Google Cloud Compute Engine

What Users Love

Cleaner and more intuitive interface compared to AWS
Logically grouped services
Easier to learn by some
Clear structure for managing resources

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.