The best WordPress cloud hosting control panels are usually a set of tools built around the server configuration. They are designed specifically for experienced web hosting users and have many features for managing sites, settings, caching, development, etc., and – they make it easy to manage multiple cloud servers.
A good WordPress hosting panel fits the user’s needs. You can pick any web server, such as Nginx, Apache, LiteSpeed, etc.
Users may prefer a cloud-based hosting panel for WordPress because it can integrate with other apps or services. These panels are already optimized for what most typical sites need.
Yes, there are traditional control panels such as Cpanel, but they are complex and not designed for small servers. They also have many features that not everyone will use – only good if you have time to mess around with them.
You can use WordPress cloud hosting control panels with famous providers like Vultr, Linode, DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, Hetzner, and OVHcloud.
Top 4 WordPress Cloud Hosting Control Panels
1. Cloudways
Cloudways is a popular managed cloud hosting platform for various apps. It has had its ups and downs since being acquired by DigitalOcean, but I’m still satisfied with the Cloudways panel and its services. DigitalOcean delivers decent performance – if you’re familiar with DO – better to use Cloudways.
It is easy to use and offers good support compared to other WordPress hosting control panels. You can ask any rookie question you want.
Cloudways platform has proven to be a safe option that remains popular among many users. Although Cloudways is not the top or affordable platform, it provides the required functionality without touching a line of code.
Cloudways discontinued Linode and Vultr services after being acquired by DigitalOcean but have recently added them back to their service.
With most cloud panels, you can choose any cloud server, DB, caching option, or private server, but Cloudways has limited customization options.
Since CW is PRE-configured with Nginx and Apache stacks, users cannot choose an application like LiteSpeed, and you can’t use a VPS or dedicated server.
They only offer cloud hosting services such as Vultr, Linode, DigitalOcean, AWS, and Google Cloud with pre-setup apps.
Advantages
- Cloudflare Enterprise Add-on: Cloudways offers the Cloudflare Enterprise package as a paid service ($5 for 1 website). It has features like full-page caching, Argo, image optimization, etc. The average site can get quick page loads and good TTFB. FlyingCDN is integrated with Cloudflare Enterprise.
- Built-in Caching: Cloudways offers built-in caching options, such as Memcached, Varnish, Redis Free, and Pro.
- More data centers with scalability: Cloudways offers 60+ global data centers with expandable CPU and RAM. Choose from DO, Vultr, AWS, Google Cloud, and Linode.
- Recent Sever App: You can update server apps like PHP, MariaDB, etc.
- Server Transfer and Team Acces: You can move servers between accounts. With TEAM Access, you can share access to servers or applications with teammates or customers.
- Monthly pricing with free trial: CW’s pricing model is monthly-based, so it doesn’t have long-term pricing traps. Can try it for 3 days without a card.
Breeze is Cloudways’ cache plugin for WordPress. It can help with the CW server setting; however, I suggest you use FlyingPress instead of Breeze.
Cloudways Prices
| Provider | First Plan Prices | RAM | CPU | Bandwidth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DigitalOcean | $11 | 1 GB | 1 Core | 1 TB |
| DO Premium | $14 | 1 GB | 1 Core | 1 TB |
| Vultr | $14 | 1 GB | 1 Core | 1 TB |
| Vultr HF | $16 | 1 GB | 1 Core | 1 TB |
| Linode | $14 | 1 GB | 1 Core | 1 TB |
| AWS | $38.56 | 2 GB | 2 Core | 2 GB |
| Google Cloud | $37.45 | 1.75 GB | 1 Core | 2 GB |
Unlike other cloud panels, Cloudways doesn’t charge you separately for the panel and the host. AWS and Google Cloud prices depend on your bandwidth. You’ll be charged more if you use more (the default bandwidth is 2 GB).
Cons
- Customization is limited: Due to its limited customization capabilities, you cannot use any cloud host or VPS. They already have pre-configured server stacks. Nginx+Apache, MariaDB-Memcached already configured.
- Lack of file manager: Most cloud panels use this approach, but some do not. Cloudways doesn’t include a file manager, so you’ll need an external one like Tiny File Manager or FileZilla.
- Scaling up is expensive: Costs go up with server size – 1 GB of RAM costs $11, but 4GB of RAM costs $54 with DigitalOcean.
- Lagging control panel: The dashboard is slow, and everything runs slowly on the platform – UI is being developed but still appears to be unstable.
Cloudways is a good choice for those wishing to experience cloud hosting with a customized control panel. However, you can’t choose your VPS to go with it; you must select from Vultr, Linode, DigitalOcean, AWS, and Google Cloud.
It can get expensive when you scale up. For example, if you only use 1 GB RAM and 1 core on an average server, the monthly cost will be less than $15.
It costs twice, three times, or even more when you scale up. So, it’s not a good choice for online stores or other traffic-heavy web pages.
2. ServerAvatar
An easy-to-use cloud server management panel, ServerAvatar offers modern software and an intuitive interface for managing cloud VPS. I’d like to compare this to RunCloud, but its UI is more user-friendly and lets you choose any cloud server or VPS you want. With ServerAvatar’s simple setup, you can install WordPress, Git deployment, Node.js, Joomla, and customized PHP apps.
Pricing
You can try ServerAvatar for free for seven days. The fees are clearly outlined. Starter plans cost $9 monthly and include all features and up to three servers.
However, if you’re an agency or small business, ServerAvatar Pro is ideal at $29 with Team management, Custom roles, Permission management, etc.
Advantages
- Optimized Server Stacks: ServerAvatar allows you to install Apache, NGINX, OpenLiteSpeed, Redis, and MySQL-MariaDB on Linux.
- File Manager: Yes, SA supports file managers like RunCloud.
- Robust Security: ServerAvatar has many security features, such as IP whitelisting, two-factor , security updates, and health monitoring.
- Low-cost unlimited plan: With ServerAvatar Pro, you can access all of the features with team activities. This is an ideal solution for agencies and freelancers managing large websites and servers.
- Multiple integrations: You can integrate various third-party services, such as Github, Telegram chat, Gitlab, Slack, and Cloudflare.
Cons:
- Lack of reliable backup: Unlike RunCloud, ServerAvatar’s backup solution lacks reliable backup. You’ll have to obtain a service provider to store remote backup (compatible with Google Drive and Amazon S3).
- Lacking some stacks: You can’t run Nginx+Apache, Nginx+Docker, etc.
ServerAvatar is an Indian-based cloud hosting control panel for WordPress and other PHP apps. Supports OpenLiteSpeed and other modern server stacks and includes dev-friendly features with WordPress themes. Although it lacks several features, the friendly UI and simple pricing structure make it worth testing.
3. RunCloud
RunCloud is a robust server management panel for multiple web apps. It likely does not attract users who are not pro or do not have experience managing servers. It’s more affordable, has more features with an improved interface, and performs better than most cloud panels. Ideal for development environments.
The support isn’t great. I like the features, but it is a little complicated for beginners. It is more relevant to dev than average website owners.
Advantages
- File manager: RunCloud’s built-in file manager makes it easy to access your application files. Few cloud providers provide file managers on their panels. This means you don’t need to open a terminal window to SSH in.
- Modern Server Stack: RunCloud uses modern server stacks, like Pure Nginx, Apache+Nginx, MariaDB, Redis, Memcached, etc. Integrated caching: RC uses Nginx-FastCGI caching like most of its competitors.
- Multiple frameworks: Along with WordPress, RunCloud supports Laravel, Yii, Joomla, CodeIgniter, and CakePHP.
- OpenLiteSpeed: Besides Nginx and Apache+Nginx stacks, RC has OpenLiteSpeed but doesn’t support LiteSpeed Enterprise. You can see the difference between server-side vs. cache plugins.
- Free Backup: Depending on the plan, it offers backup up to 30GB.
- Multiple Dev-Friendly Features: DB operations, Git deployment, PHP settings, Manage service, Custom NGINX, Cron jobs, etc.
- Budget-friendly: RunCloud PRO plan is ideal for anyone who wants to run unlimited websites and servers cheaply since it costs less than $15/mo.
Cons
- Not ideal for beginners: Compared with other WordPress cloud hosting control panels like SpinupWP, Cloudways, GridPane, etc., RunCloud is an advanced panel with lots of cool features for coders. Also, you can’t get entry-level support like Cloudways and other managed hosts.
RunCloud won’t fit entry-level users, but you can try it. RunCloud offers LiteSpeed, so it is an ideal LiteSpeed web host.
It is probably the most suitable solution for professionals – detailed dashboard allows you to manage servers, websites, and settings.
Multiple server stacks for different apps work with any kind of VPS or cloud VPS. Also, the price is low; with the Pro plan, you can manage unlimited websites and servers for less than $15 a month. Comparatively, it’s a bit outdated.
4. SpinupWP
SpinupWP is a cloud host control panel specifically designed for WordPress. Its interface makes it seem that anyone can deploy a server and maintain sites.
You can connect with any VPS or dedicated server with some technical integration. And the ready-to-use servers from Digital Ocean and Linode make SpinupWP easy for people who like using those. SpinupWP is ideal for people who need a panel to maintain sites that require minimal maintenance.
Despite decent performance, the user interface isn’t ideal due to a lack of the file manager, PHP admin, and other features. It seems kinda empty in the UI.
Pricing
With SpinupWP, you can choose between individual and multi-user plans. The personal plan includes unlimited sites and one server for $12 a month, and each additional server is $5/mo.
The multi-user plan costs $39 monthly, and the site monitoring feature allows you to connect three servers. However, you’ll have to pay $7/m for each additional server. (SpinupWP offers a 7-day free trial).
Advantages
- WordPress-centric: SpinupWP focuses solely on WordPress, and most of its features are designed to fit within its platform.
- Built-in Cache: SpinupWP allows full-page caching features by using FastCGI. Instead of using cache plugins, the full-page cache can improve your site’s performance. However, this approach also has some cons.
- Magic Login: The dashboard provides one-click access to the login screen. It lets you set up your WP Admin link to automatically log users.
- Multisite: Enabling a multisite network is as simple as changing a switch while creating a new site. You can choose a subdomain/subdirectory.
- Security Features: SpinupWP doesn’t have advanced features, like file managers and PHP admins, for security reasons. And built-in features include server firewall, auto-patch updates, SSL, etc.
- Simple UI: The dashboard is fast and clutter-free, unlike Cloudways. It gives the impression that hosting a cloud server with WordPress is as easy.
Cons
- Not developer-friendly: It needs more developer-friendly options since S-WP lacks progressive features. Even the database isn’t easy to find. Setting up cloud servers other than Digital Ocean and Linode takes a lot of work.
- Only Nginx: It’s easy to set up if you like DO with pre-installed Nginx + FastCGI. You cannot use LiteSpeed or customized server software.
- Pricey: SpinupWP isn’t as cheap as RunCloud, Cloudways, ServerPilot, etc. There’s also an extra charge for additional servers.
SpinupWP is a reliable WordPress cloud hosting control panel for average websites. However, developers will not like it because it lacks features and detailed configurations. Pricing works fine for a couple of servers but is expensive for multiple servers. If you prefer a simple and clean control panel with NGINX configurations on a cloud host such as DigitalOcean, try this.
To Wrap It Up
You can host WordPress with some of the most popular hosting control panels, like Plesk, SPanel, GridPanel, etc. Each has a significant user base but doesn’t have the creativity to make changes.
But they’re mostly hosting control panels for enterprise levels. Most cloud server management panels are designed for website owners seeking a cheap, high-performance hosting solution with the benefits of VPS or dedicated servers.
If you have a lot of clients or servers, you should use a solid control panel – In the end, it’s all about personal preference.
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