Head to head · Best Hosting for Media Publishers
Cloudways vs Nexcess
Cloudways scores higher overall (3.0 vs 2.6), but the right pick depends on which dimension matters most to you.
| Criterion | CloudwaysMarginal Fit | NexcessLimited |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.0— higher score for Cloudways | 2.6 |
| Capability45% of composite | 3.3 | 3.4— higher score for Nexcess |
| Publisher fit40% of composite | 2.5— higher score for Cloudways | 1.5 |
| Total cost of ownership15% of composite | 3.8— higher score for Cloudways | 2.9 |
| Best for | Small, Mid-Market | Small, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Pricing | Plans from ~$14/mo; pricing tracks chosen cloud provider. | Tiered monthly subscription model starting at low-tier entry points with costs scaling based on resource needs and specialized clusters. |
Cloudways
- Choice of 5 underlying cloud providers
- Very cost-efficient for the performance
- Easy vertical scaling
- Less hand-holding than fully-managed WP hosts
- Support is ticket-first
- No built-in email hosting
Nexcess
- Automated resource autoscaling
- Pre-configured CMS performance tuning
- Integrated edge delivery and security
- Lacks native publishing-specific editorial tools
- No built-in monetization or paywall modules
- Support is infrastructure-focused rather than workflow-specific
Common questions
Is Cloudways or Nexcess better?
Cloudways scores higher overall (3.0 vs 2.6), but the right pick depends on which dimension matters most to you. Cloudways scores 3.0/5 and Nexcess scores 2.6/5 on Benchmark Grid's independent assessment. Scores are set editorially by SODP against published criteria and cannot be purchased.
Which is cheaper, Cloudways or Nexcess?
On total cost of ownership — which covers pricing transparency, entry cost, implementation, hidden-fee risk and ongoing cost — Cloudways scores 3.8/5 and Nexcess scores 2.9/5. A higher score means better value, not a lower sticker price.
How are these scores calculated?
Each tool is assessed across 12 criteria grouped into Capability (45% of the composite), Publisher Fit (40%) and Total Cost of Ownership (15%). Assessment is carried out by SODP's editorial team against a published methodology. Vendors cannot pay for inclusion, scores or rankings.
Still deciding?
Answer four questions about your publication and we'll recommend a full stack — with the reasoning for each pick and what it will cost.
Both tools are scored in Best Hosting for Media Publishers. See alternatives to Cloudways or alternatives to Nexcess.
