If you write about hosting, WordPress, or online business tools, you’ve probably already run into Cloudways.
It’s one of the programs I promote here, and it’s consistently one of the higher-paying, lower-friction programs in the web hosting affiliate space.
In this review, I’m breaking down exactly how the Cloudways affiliate program works in 2026 — the commission models, payout thresholds, cookie duration, and where it actually fits in a content or affiliate site strategy.
No fluff, just what you need to decide if it’s worth adding to your stack.
What Is the Cloudways Affiliate Program?
Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform.
It runs sites on infrastructure from providers like DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, and Vultr, without requiring users to manage servers themselves. It’s popular with WordPress users, agencies, WooCommerce store owners, and developers who want performance without the sysadmin work.
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The Cloudways affiliate program pays partners for referring new paying customers. It’s run through Cloudways’ own affiliate platform (with listings also appearing on networks like Awin), and it’s built around three commission structures rather than one flat rate.
How Much Does Cloudways Pay Affiliates?
Let’s get straight to the commission Cloudways pays its affiliates per sale. Cloudways offers three commission models, and you pick the one that fits how you promote:
| Model | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Slab (Performance-based) | Earn up to $125 per sale, with payout tiers that increase based on your monthly referral volume | Affiliates with existing traffic who can push volume |
| Hybrid | A smaller upfront payout of $30 per sale, plus a 7% recurring commission for as long as the referred customer stays active | Content creators who want long-term, compounding income |
| Custom | A blended structure negotiated directly with your Cloudways affiliate manager | High-performing partners and established agencies |
Also, you earn two-tier affiliate commission. If you refer an affiliate, Cloudways rewards you with an additional 7% per sale coming from this affiliate.
A few details worth knowing before you pick a model:
- Cookie duration: 90 days, which is generous compared to a lot of hosting programs that cap out at 30–60 days.
- Minimum payout: Commissions are typically paid out once approved earnings hit $250 (or $1,000 if you’re using wire transfer). According to a recent conversation with my account manager, the threshold for wire transfer can be lower for some regions.
- Payout method: Mainly PayPal, with wire transfer available at a higher threshold.
- Approval window: A referred signup only counts as an approved sale once that customer has paid at least two invoices — so there’s a short lag before commissions move from “pending” to “approved.”
- Churn: Cloudways reports a low customer churn rate, which matters a lot if you go with the Hybrid model, since your recurring 7% is only as good as how long referred customers stick around.
If you’re building a review or “best hosting” style page and want readers to convert fast, Slab tends to make more sense. If you’re building a long-term content site and can afford to wait, Hybrid’s recurring commission compounds nicely over 12+ months.
I referred a user in 2024, and I am still receiving commission for that sale. I’ve received $230 from May 2024 to July 2026. So, for me, hybrid is a win because Cloudways retains users I send to them with high-quality services.
My Experiences Promoting Cloudways
I started promoting Cloudways in 2019, but I earned my first commission in November 2020 during their black Friday campaign.
To encourage affiliates to promote their program, Cloudways often increases the commission per sale or gives a bounty for promotional efforts.
In the following screenshots, you can see my earnings from bonuses, sales with a hybrid and slab commission structure, as well as recurring revenue.
You can change from hybrid or slab commission structure anytime. The change will take effect the next month. While slab gives you higher income per sale upfront, hybrid brings you recurring revenue as long as the affiliate program lifetime commission terms stays current and the customers keep paying.
I’ve got paid for my promotional efforts. Here’s one of payouts in 2026.
When you recommend Cloudways to its right audience, it will save them lot of money because, while technical, it allows them to host multiple sites per plan. As an affiliate, you earn more money by promoting a product you can trust to deliver good performance.
Why Cloudways Is Worth Promoting (Pros)
- High per-sale payout. $125 per sale sits well above what most shared hosting affiliate programs pay.
- Long cookie window. 90 days gives your readers time to research and come back later, which matters a lot for hosting decisions that people don’t make impulsively.
- 3-Day free trial: Your referred users can sign up and try Cloudways free for 3 days without entering their credit card info. This removes barriers that can increase your conversion rate.
- Recurring option. The Hybrid model is one of the few in hosting that pays you monthly for as long as the customer stays, not just a one-time bounty.
- Dedicated affiliate support. You get an actual affiliate manager, not just a dashboard — useful when you want a custom deal or a seasonal promo to push during Black Friday content.
- Product sells itself to a technical audience. If your audience already understands WordPress, WooCommerce, or agency hosting needs, Cloudways doesn’t require much convincing. Also, the renewal price is the same as the initial price; no price hikes at renewal.
Where It Falls Short (Cons)
- Two-invoice approval delay means your commissions sit in “pending” status longer than some programs.
- Slab tiers reward volume, so if you’re a smaller site, you may be stuck at the lower end of the $30–$125 range until your referral count grows.
- Recurring commission is percentage-based, so if your referred customers stay on small server plans, the monthly payout is modest — it adds up, but slowly.
- Competitive niche. Hosting affiliate content is heavily saturated, so ranking for commercial terms like “Cloudways review” or “best managed hosting” takes real SEO work, not just a signup link.
How to Join the Cloudways Affiliate Program
- Create a Cloudways account (a free trial account works).
- From your account dashboard, find the Affiliate section in the side menu.
- Fill out your affiliate profile — this is where you choose or discuss your commission model.
- Submit your application. Approval is generally quick since the program isn’t gated behind a large-traffic minimum.
- Grab your affiliate links and start placing them in relevant, high-intent content — hosting comparisons, WordPress setup guides, “how to start a blog” tutorials, and speed/performance case studies all convert well.
Is the Cloudways Affiliate Program Worth It for Your Site?
Here’s my honest take from running an affiliate content site: Cloudways works best when it’s embedded in content that already has commercial or transactional intent — a hosting comparison post, a “how I migrated my site” case study, or a tutorial where recommending managed hosting is a natural next step, not a forced plug.
It’s not a program I’d build an entire site around, because the hosting review space is competitive and dominated by large, well-linked sites. But as one line item in a diversified affiliate stack — alongside programs like Systeme.io, Kit, or Empire Flippers — it pulls solid weight, especially if you lean into the Hybrid model and let the recurring commissions build up over time.
Cloudways Affiliate Program FAQ
How much can you make with the Cloudways affiliate program? Payouts range from $30 to $125 per sale depending on the commission model you choose, plus an optional 7% recurring commission under the Hybrid model for as long as the referred customer stays subscribed.
What is the Cloudways affiliate cookie duration? 90 days from the first click.
How does Cloudways decide when a sale is approved? A referral has to pay at least two invoices as a Cloudways customer before the commission status changes from pending to approved.
What’s the minimum payout for Cloudways affiliates? $250 for PayPal payouts, or $1,000 if you’re being paid via wire transfer.
Is the Cloudways affiliate program free to join? Yes, there’s no cost to apply, and approval doesn’t require a minimum traffic threshold.
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