Head-to-head

Cloudways vs RunCloud: choose by operating model, not logo

Cloudways bundles the managed-hosting relationship; RunCloud manages servers you control. The deciding factor is whether owning the infrastructure account is a feature or extra work for you.

Last verified: September 14, 2026

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you sign up for Cloudways through marked links, at no extra cost to you. Our comparisons still explain when another hosting model is a better fit.
Quick answer

Cloudways bundles the managed-hosting relationship; RunCloud manages servers you control. The deciding factor is whether owning the infrastructure account is a feature or extra work for you.

QuestionCloudwaysRunCloud
What are you buying?Managed cloud platform with Flexible and Autonomous routesA server-management control panel used with cloud infrastructure you choose and provision
Where Cloudways stands outCloudways is stronger when you want infrastructure and management purchased as one hosted service, with support and billing centered in one platform.
Where RunCloud stands outRunCloud is stronger when you want to bring your own cloud provider, retain more server ownership and use a control layer to reduce SysAdmin work without giving up that infrastructure relationship.
What decides itHow much infrastructure choice and server responsibility do you want?Does this platform's specialization fit your workload better?

When Cloudways is the better fit

Cloudways is stronger when you want infrastructure and management purchased as one hosted service, with support and billing centered in one platform.

When RunCloud is the better fit

RunCloud is stronger when you want to bring your own cloud provider, retain more server ownership and use a control layer to reduce SysAdmin work without giving up that infrastructure relationship.

Do not compare the smallest advertised number

Normalize the management burden, contract term, renewal pricing, number of sites, traffic or bandwidth limits, backups, CDN, email and support. Two plans with similar monthly prices can place very different amounts of work on your team.

Bottom line

Cloudways bundles the managed-hosting relationship; RunCloud manages servers you control. The deciding factor is whether owning the infrastructure account is a feature or extra work for you.

Sources checked for current product details