Cloudways and Hetzner are opposite approaches to the same operator need. Cloudways abstracts stack configuration into a panel -- PHP, Redis, SSL, backups, and staging are handled services. Hetzner provides raw EU compute at high density, where every configuration decision is the operator's to own.

What you get that Hetzner doesn't offer

PHP configuration, Redis, Varnish, SSL renewals, and backups managed through a panel -- routine stack operations stay inside the interface. Staging environments with one-click clone built in. Cloud provider choice within the same panel: DigitalOcean, AWS, GCP, or Vultr. 24/7 live chat support for managed stack questions. SSH access available when direct server interaction is needed.

What you give up

Hetzner's compute density per euro -- equivalent CPU and RAM cost measurably less than the Cloudways margin over its underlying cloud providers. ISO 27001 certification with data centers entirely in Germany and Finland. Dedicated server options and a scalability path to bare metal. Reliability built on owned EU infrastructure rather than a management layer over third-party cloud. Cloudways' scalability is limited to server resize -- no auto-scaling, no Kubernetes, no horizontal path.

What you get that Cloudways doesn't offer

More CPU, RAM, and storage per euro for EU-based infrastructure. ISO 27001 certification with data centers exclusively in Germany and Finland. Dedicated server options alongside cloud VPS under the same account. A scalability path from cloud VPS to bare metal without changing vendors. Infrastructure reliability built on owned EU hardware.

What you give up

Cloudways' managed panel handles stack operations that Hetzner leaves to the operator -- PHP versions, Redis, SSL renewals, backups, and staging. Hetzner's interface and support model assume Linux administration familiarity -- there is no managed onboarding path. Support at Hetzner is ticket-based without live chat.