I've been using RunCloud to host and manage a number of my WordPress blogs. I think it makes a great alternative to Cloudways, but there are some drawbacks. Here are the pros and cons of using Runcloud for WordPress.
What is RunCloud
RunCloud is a control panel for managing cloud servers. Using Runcloud you can easily install apps like WordPress and manage a whole range of server settings. While you can do similar sort of things through DigitalOcean such as installing WordPress, you don't get the same level of features.
Why I use Runcloud to Manage WordPress Blogs
I run a lot of WordPress blogs. While a hosting provider like SiteGround is excellent when you've got one or maybe up to 5 blogs – when you've got a couple dozen you really need your own server.
The problem with running a VPS server is that if anything goes wrong, you basically need to fix it. With Runcloud, I have the peace of mind that my servers are getting security updates, backups are being managed for each individual app (and server) and I can easily change settings without breaking things.
Tools For Managing Multiple Blogs
If you run a lot of niche sites or blogs, Runcloud has some nifty features for managing them. One really nice feature is WordPress Canvas. This lets me choose the theme, plugins and a bunch of other settings to install when installing WordPress. This saves me a ton of time. I basically have a niche site up and running within 5 minutes.
Runcloud also has a backup tool. Usually you need to install a plugin to backup WordPress. This tool makes it easy to backup lots of WordPress blogs to the cloud without needing any plugins.
Runcloud can also manage your Cloudflare settings. Runcloud can automatically add your domain to Cloudflare and add the correct settings.
There is an option to create a staging site for all of your WordPress blogs. This is useful if you're planning on doing a redesign or for testing out plugins. I haven't used this feature yet.
If you work with other people such as virtual assistants, there are collaboration features.
Why Use Runcloud
Runcloud is the perfect tool if you need to run a lot of WordPress sites but you aren't a server expert. If you're not comfortable playing around with SSH and the Terminal then Runcloud is an excellent tool.
RunCloud has a lot of features and to be honest I don't use most of them. I use it to install WordPress and automatically install the themes and plugins I use on all my niche sites. I also use it to keep my server up to date with the latest security updates.
The server stack that Runcloud installs (there are a variety of options to choose from) is super fast. And because it works on any cloud server you can use a cloud hosting provider of your choice. I use Vultr.
Runcloud vs Serverpilot
You can more features on Runcloud. ServerPilot is better for beginners. They both do pretty much the same thing. The big difference is pricing. I end up saving money using Runcloud. ServerPilot also doesn't have any backup features.
Runcloud vs Cloudways
The main difference between Runcloud and Cloudways is with RunCloud you still need to pay cloud hosting costs. With Cloudways the price of cloud hosting is included in the price of your package. Cloudways is more of an all-in-one product, where as Runcloud is mainly just a control panel for your cloud server.
Runcloud vs VPS Hosting
VPS Hosting is an older term that isn't really used as much anymore. Hosting companies have moved away from just offering VPS servers as most people aren't server experts. When I used to run my own VPS servers I had to hire a server engineer to manage them. These days I can just use Runcloud. If you're still using traditional vps hosting, I'd definitely recommend looking into an alternative like Runcloud that can help you manage it.
