With tons of cloud server hosting solutions available today, choosing the best solution can often feel overwhelming. As you begin narrowing down the field, we recommend looking at the features. Consider the uptime guarantees, scalability, fast-loading solid-state drives, and more.
Our quest to provide you with a detailed review saw us researching tens of the best cloud hosting providers today but ultimately settling on 8. Our team compared every service based on essential factors such as popularity, ease of use, and value for money.
We then used a five-star rating system to rank every top cloud server provider mentioned below. As you prepare to jump into this guide, please note that the highest score is five stars. Read on to learn more about the best cloud server hosting providers this year.
Cloud Server Hosting – What Is It?
Cloud hosting for small businesses refers to the process of storing data on a headless computer (no monitor, mouse, or keyboard), popularly known as a server. For a website to work, it requires the resources provided by a cloud server hosting provider.
You may, at times, need separate servers to execute different tasks, e.g.,
- Game servers
- File servers
- Database servers
- Email servers
Your web hosting plan will typically reside at a remote location. You can only access it via the internet: Secure Shell (SSH), web browser, etc. It’s where the generic term “cloud,” commonly used by the best cloud server hosting providers, comes in.
At this point, you should note that people sometimes use “web” and “cloud server hosting” interchangeably. The reason is that all web hosting plans are meant for hosting primarily web-based applications and sites.
Today, cloud technology has advanced to a point where it has become a noteworthy consideration for all web-based applications. What’s more, it has many and easy to digest advantages. And it will ensure that you no longer have to worry about:
- 24/7 physical security
- Natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes
- Hardware maintenance in the data center (HVAC, hard drives, cables, etc.)
The tricky part lies in choosing reliable cloud-based server solutions; we are here to help.
Our Favorite Cloud Server Providers
HostGator – Best for Budget-Conscious Users Interested in a Fast Service
 HostGator is our number 1 pick for the best cloud web hosting providers of this year. It offers the best bang for your money, with its hosting plans starting at an affordable rate of $4.95/month. And this is not forgetting the chance to control your cloud hosting environment.
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DreamHost – Best for WordPress Beginners
 DreamHost cloud server hosting services appeal to us because they allow you to run any application you wish on its all-SSD cloud servers. These services are engineered around Ceph and OpenStack. | Our Expert Rating: Major Perks
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A2 Hosting – Best for Optimized WordPress Solution with Fast Hosting
 A2 Hosting is different from the other best cloud hosting solutions you may have come across in the past. Although it doesn't offer traditional cloud server hosting services, its VPS hosting solutions are the reason we have included it in this list. | Our Expert Rating: Major Perks
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Hostinger – Best for Well-Balanced Hosting without All the Extra Bells and Whistles
 Hostinger has made a name for itself for being a low-cost cloud hosting solution. It provides different hosting plans ranging from cheap to eCommerce, VPS, and cloud hosting. | Our Expert Rating: Major Perks
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Bluehost – Best for Beginners and Amateur Developers
 There's no way that Bluehost hosting provider would have missed out on this list, especially given that it's among the fastest cloud hosting solutions in the market today. Its services are affordable, with basic shared hosting starting at only $2.75 per month. | Our Expert Rating: Major Perks
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Disclaimer: Tech-Recipes partners with Bluehost and may earn commission should you make any purchases through this link. Our opinion, however, is based on independent research, testing and honest impressions.
SiteGround – Best for Businesses Seeking to Scale
 SiteGround came into the industry in 2004 as a brainchild of Bulgarian university students working from their dorms. Years later, this managed cloud server provider has risen to the top of the hosting food chain and easily competes with the top providers on this list. | Our Expert Rating: Major Perks
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Kamatera – Best for Enterprise Level Hosting
 Kamatera entered the hosting industry in 1995 and has spent the last 20+ years gathering invaluable experience. Apart from being one of the oldest cloud server providers on this list, Kamatera stands out because of its work with OMC computers | Our Expert Rating: Major Perks
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HostWinds – Best Hosting for Clients on a Budget
 Last but not least on this list of hosting providers with SSD cloud servers is HostWinds. The reason it's considered one of the best SSD cloud hosting providers has to do with its decent amount of storage offering, RAM, and bandwidth. | Our Expert Rating: Major Perks
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Cloud Hosting Vs. VPS Hosting?
When creating a website, you’ll find yourself having to make all kinds of decisions. Of these, some will be straightforward, while others will appear complex and mind-numbing. Selecting a hosting plan will fall into the latter category.
Luckily, this doesn’t always have to be the case if you know their differences.
An Overview of Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting occurs when your preferred hosting plan taps into an interconnected web of potentially unlimited virtual machines. The machines in question will rely on an underlying network of connected physical servers to do their job.
As such, website owners who need flexibility will highly benefit from it. Cloud hosting is the right fit for you if:
- Your web traffic varies from one month to the next
- You love the idea of only paying for the resources you need
- You’re a new startup and are anticipating a lot of growth in the coming days
An Overview of VPS Hosting
VPS hosting refers to a type of hosting where one server gets divided into smaller virtual servers. Although all these servers are part of one physical server, they all operate as independent and dedicated server environments.
You will find VPS perfect for you if:
- Your website will require a specific type of software
- The site has too much traffic to use a shared web hosting plan
- Your programmer may want additional power over your site’s customization
What Types of Cloud Servers Are There?
As you sift through this list of the top cloud server providers, you should note that almost all those mentioned here will offer the same community access, e.g., post comments and get access to their forums. Otherwise, the type of cloud servers available are:
Web Applications
Some of the most commonly available application servers include:
- Virtual private networks
- Server management applications
- Load balancers
- Content management systems and web applications like WordPress
- Web application firewalls that provide DDoS protection
Operating Systems
Cloud server hosting plans typically offer their clients a list of base operating systems without bloatware. Therefore, make sure to confirm that the best cloud hosting providers under consideration do, in fact, provide the most common operating systems used for web servers.
Examples of these include Ubuntu, Debian, and CentOS.
What Are the Most Important Features to Look For?
Certain features, such as domains and free migrations, you can consider as added bonuses, but others are non-negotiable, e.g., storage and security. Below are features to look for in the best cloud VPS provider.
Customer Support
Every cloud server hosting provider will brag about having excellent customer support. However, you need to dig deeper to see what they have to offer. Check whether they have phone support, chat, and video support.
Pricing Plans
The pricing plans quoted by the best cloud server hosting providers must be transparent and straightforward. They should make it easy for you to compare their offerings with that of their competitors.
Security
The security provided by the cloud-based server solutions must be top-notch regardless of whether your website is business-related or for use in casual blogging. This calls for you to check for frequent backups, cloud security, and an SSL certificate.
Data Storage
Inquire about where the best cloud web hosting providers mentioned here will store your data, how much storage they will offer, and who can access your data. Furthermore, confirm that these terms are clearly outlined on the official website.
Speed & Performance
A hosting plan that can’t deliver the best performance possible is a crappy solution. As you learn how to set up a cloud server, try to find a hosting solution that delivers fast load and response times.
Benefits of a Cloud Server?
A cloud server has many benefits to offer, some of which include the following:
Better Security
Storing company information online helps safeguard it against malicious activity and accidental data loss. It also protects it from unforeseen events such as earthquakes, floods, and fires.
Scalability and Flexibility
Today’s best cloud hosting solutions range from basic packages to fully managed custom solutions. Clients can scale these services to meet their ongoing growth and changing priorities.
Convenience and Collaboration
Installing data and applications to a local system typically limits access to predetermined times. Cloud hosting, however, ensures that these are available at all times, regardless of the time or location.
Data Backups
Storing your data online assures you that you have a backup ready for download in case something happens. Additionally, these data backups don’t require your input – it all happens automatically and occurs daily.
While it has its advantages, a cloud server can also have its downsides, e.g.,
- Limited control as the server belongs to the cloud hosting company
- Vulnerability to attacks
- Downtime resulting from technical difficulties on the providers’ end
How Does Cloud Hosting Compare to Other Types of Hosting?
Traditional web hosting and cloud hosting are significantly different from one another. Each type of hosting has its benefits and depending on your needs. Each type will have an option that stands out from the others.
Below is a look at the main differences between cloud hosting and normal hosting:
Standard Hosting
- It refers to a service where your data gets stored in a single server located at a data center
- Best for use by websites that have a low traffic
- Downtime can occur due to a cyber attack or a hardware failure leading to massive data loss.
- Little flexibility to scale. You may have to change your hosting solution
- Your site becomes dependent on one single physical server reducing the reliability of the available resources.
- It’s impossible to allocate resources in real-time or on demand.
- It has a fixed pricing plan which means you’ll have to pay for the resources assigned to you regardless of whether they are in use or not.
Cloud Hosting
- It refers to a network of servers used by the low-cost cloud hosting company to host your website and other applications
- It is recommended for websites that handle a vast amount of traffic. Users can balance server load and increase capacity if they notice a spike.
- Your data gets stored on multiple servers spread out across various locations or continents.
- It offers more scaling flexibility allowing you to add more capacity and even scale worldwide.
- It provides a network of servers allowing for an unresponsive server to be replaced by another one.
- Users can adjust resources depending on their prevailing demand.
- It uses the pay-as-you-go model, which means you’ll only pay for what you need.
Final Verdict
Summing up, cloud server hosting is the best solution for growing platforms. There might come a time when your shared plan can no longer meet the needs of your website. Then it’s time that you start looking into cloud hosting.
From the eight brands we mentioned, it’s clear that the top cloud hosting services have tons of SSD space, resources, and performance power to offer. So, all that remains is for you to choose one who understands and appreciates your hosting needs.
Remember, many factors separate these brands. Look for a brand that provides access to around-the-clock support and a broad range of scalable hosting services.
Better yet, choose one that will listen to your hosting needs allowing you to grow together.
Looking for more information on affordable cloud hosting? Check out this article.
FAQ
In the world of cloud hosting, not every hosting plan you find online is the same. Some of the features and benefits offered by some providers aren’t available in others. The key to getting the best package is comparing what they all offer.
For this, make sure to check for the following:
Scalable Resources: Make sure you have enough disc space, SSD storage, and bandwidth.
Pricing Plans: Does the hosting provider charge a monthly or yearly rate?
Speed and Performance: Check for a host that can increase your capacity to boost loading speeds
Security: Consider the security mechanisms in place to protect against DDoS attacks.
The best cloud service available will typically depend on your budget, CLI skills, and primary goal. However, it’s best to consider getting a managed cloud server if you need:
• Consistent performance that’s unaffected by DDoS attacks
• To continue paying for what you need and use
• Server resources dedicated to the applications you have installed
• Root access for all your administrative functions
• Little to no technical support
For most people, the question boils down to whether you have the time and expertise to build a custom solution. If you don’t have either of these, the best thing you can do is to opt for cloud hosting.
When it comes to online security, there are no two ways about it. You’ll want to make sure that your business and website are protected. So, to answer your question, yes, cloud hosting is secure.
Why is it secure? Well, there are five reasons for this:
• No data loss
• Constant backup
• Next-generation firewall software
• Encryption methods put in place by different hosting platforms
• Strict adherence to the compliance methods put in place
Cloud server prices typically start at $5.00 per month for the small servers having 1GB of RAM, 25GB of SSD storage, and 1 CPU core. The amount charged by the hosting company will increase based on the memory required for your server and the resources it’s using.
For example, a cloud server that has 128GB of RAM, 3TB SSD storage, and 24 CPU cores will set you back as much as $650 per month. However, you have the option to set up many smaller servers running independent functions as a way of lowering your monthly bill.
You can also sign up for a free trial to see whether the host works for you.
No! Depending on your chosen cloud server hosting provider, you may not need any technical skills. For some, you’ll need some basic skills to help you complete the setup and perform ongoing maintenance.
But for most of the brands mentioned in this guide, you can expect to receive an intuitive control panel. It will be beginner friendly and easy to navigate. Make sure to do your research well to ensure that you end up with the right hosting solution.
Yes. The web is filled with platforms where you can host your website for free for as long as you desire. Make sure to choose the right hosting provider, or the free hosting package may not be worth it.
Please note that a free hosting solution will typically come with limited features, which will reduce your functionality. It also will not include the tools needed to maintain the website or protect its integrity, e.g., an SSL certificate or regular checks for viruses and malware.
