Choosing the right managed WordPress hosting provider is crucial for your website’s performance, security, and scalability. This comparison delves into the key aspects of Rocket.net and Cloudways, two leading hosting solutions in 2025.
Overview
| Feature | Rocket.net | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2020 | 2012 |
| Primary Focus | Managed WordPress Hosting | Managed Cloud Hosting |
| Starting Price | $30/month | $11/month (DigitalOcean 1GB plan) |
| CDN | Included Cloudflare Enterprise CDN | Optional Cloudflare Enterprise CDN ($4.99/month) |
| Data Centers | 8 global locations | 60+ locations via multiple cloud providers |
| Support | 24/7 live chat, phone, and email | 24/7 live chat and ticketing system |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.99% | 99% |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | Pay-as-you-go billing model |
Performance & Speed
Rocket.net leverages Cloudflare Enterprise CDN with over 275 Points of Presence (PoPs) worldwide, ensuring rapid content delivery. Key performance metrics include:
- Average Response Time: 17 ms
- Highest Load Time: 236 ms
- Global TTFB: 191 ms
- Core Web Vitals:
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 507 ms
- Total Blocking Time (TBT): 0 ms
- Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): 0
Cloudways, depending on the chosen cloud provider, offers:
- Average Response Time: 29 ms
- Highest Load Time: 264 ms
- Global TTFB: 445 ms
- Core Web Vitals:
- LCP: 560 ms
- TBT: 0 ms
- CLS: 0
Note: Cloudways’ performance can be enhanced by adding the Cloudflare Enterprise CDN for an additional $4.99/month.
Pricing & Plans
Rocket.net offers straightforward pricing:
- Starter: $30/month – 1 site, 10GB storage, 50GB bandwidth
- Pro: $60/month – 3 sites, 20GB storage, 100GB bandwidth
- Business: $100/month – 10 sites, 40GB storage, 300GB bandwidth
- Expert: $200/month – 25 sites, 50GB storage, 500GB bandwidth
Cloudways provides flexible pricing based on the chosen cloud provider and server specifications. For example, with DigitalOcean:
- 1GB RAM: $14/month
- 2GB RAM: $28/month
- 4GB RAM: $54/month
- 8GB RAM: $99/month
- 16GB RAM: $170/month
Additional costs may apply for add-ons like Cloudflare Enterprise CDN ($4.99/month) and backups ($0.33/GB).
Security Features
Rocket.net includes robust security measures:
- Imunify360 real-time malware scanning and patching
- Enterprise-grade Web Application Firewall (WAF)
- Automatic daily backups with 14-day retention
- Free SSL certificates with automatic renewal
Cloudways offers:
- Dedicated firewalls and regular security patching
- Optional Cloudflare Enterprise security add-ons
- Automated backups (charged at $0.33/GB)
- Free SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt
Features & Usability
Rocket.net provides:
- User-friendly dashboard tailored for WordPress
- One-click staging environments
- Automatic plugin and theme updates
- Integrated WP Rocket caching plugin
Cloudways offers:
- Advanced control panel for server and application management
- Support for multiple applications beyond WordPress
- One-click server cloning and scaling
- Application monitoring tools
Customer Support
Rocket.net is known for its exceptional customer support:
- 24/7 availability via live chat, phone, and email
- Rapid response times
- Expert assistance from WordPress specialists
Cloudways provides:
- 24/7 live chat and ticketing support
- Optional advanced and premium support plans for prioritized assistance
Global Infrastructure
Rocket.net operates 8 data centers strategically located across the USA, UK, Europe, Singapore, and Australia, ensuring optimal performance for global audiences.
Cloudways partners with major cloud providers (DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Vultr, Linode), offering access to over 60 data centers worldwide, providing extensive geographic coverage.
Ideal Use Cases
- Choose Rocket.net if you prioritize top-tier performance, comprehensive security, and a user-friendly experience tailored for WordPress.
- Choose Cloudways if you seek flexibility, control over server configurations, and a cost-effective solution for hosting multiple applications.
Conclusion
Both Rocket.net and Cloudways offer compelling features for managed hosting in 2025. Your choice should align with your specific needs:
- Opt for Rocket.net for a streamlined, high-performance WordPress hosting experience with robust security and support.
- Opt for Cloudways if you require a flexible, scalable hosting environment with control over server settings and a variety of application support.
Feel free to reach out if you need further assistance in selecting the right hosting provider for your specific requirements.