Cloudways has launched Velocity, a managed Node.js hosting service for developers and agencies. The product expands the company beyond WordPress hosting into Node.js application workloads.
Velocity is aimed at teams that want to move applications into production without managing core infrastructure or facing variable, consumption-based hosting charges. It uses flat monthly pricing and persistent server resources, positioning it between raw virtual private servers and serverless hosting models.
The launch comes as software teams face growing pressure to turn prototypes into live products more quickly. Cloudways argued that while AI-assisted coding tools have sped up development, developers and agencies still need a practical route to production that does not add heavy operational work.
Under the new service, Cloudways manages server maintenance, patching, SSL and backups. Developers can deploy Node.js applications through Git and retain oversight of applications, services and deployment history while avoiding direct administration of tools such as PM2 and NGINX.
Velocity supports several common production use cases, including server-side rendered and client-side rendered applications, Express-based API backends and Next.js projects. It is also designed for long-running APIs and backend services that require persistent infrastructure rather than short-lived serverless execution.
Pricing model
The pricing structure is central to Cloudways' pitch to agencies and development teams. Flat monthly charges are intended to make hosting costs easier to forecast, particularly for agencies working on fixed-fee client retainers that need clearer visibility into delivery margins.
Velocity plans start at USD $20 per month. The service also includes Cloudflare Enterprise, a web application firewall, DDoS protection and malware scanning at no extra charge.
Cloudways is seeking to address what it sees as a gap between tightly managed platforms with usage-linked bills and self-managed VPS setups that require more time from technical staff. For agencies already using Cloudways for WordPress sites, the new offer also provides a way to host JavaScript front ends, headless builds and standalone applications with the same supplier.
Early user
One of the first users cited is Regal IT, a UK eCommerce agency. According to Cloudways, Regal IT adopted Velocity to move its RMA Pro Shopify application from local development into production after finding rival hosting approaches required separate configuration and maintenance across multiple infrastructure components.
Cloudways said Regal IT used Velocity's Git-based deployment alongside managed backups, SSL, patching and infrastructure management within a single service. The agency also plans to use the platform for additional Shopify applications and software-as-a-service products.
The move reflects broader changes in hosting demand as agencies increasingly build not only websites but also custom applications, front-end interfaces and API-driven services for clients. Those workloads often sit outside traditional content management systems and require deployment methods more closely tied to software development workflows.
Cloudways is part of DigitalOcean, which has built much of its business around cloud services for developers, startups and smaller digital businesses. Extending the Cloudways product set into managed Node.js hosting gives the parent group a way to target users seeking more operational support than basic infrastructure services provide.
Suhaib Zaheer, SVP and General Manager at Cloudways, said: "Developers and agencies tell us they want predictable hosting costs and less infrastructure work while keeping control of their applications, services and deployments. Velocity brings those needs together in a managed Node.js offering that helps them move from development to production.
For agencies, understanding hosting costs helps them plan client projects and protect margins. For developers, having the infrastructure managed means more time to build, improve and grow their applications. Velocity extends Cloudways' longstanding promise: removing infrastructure friction so developers and businesses can focus on building, launching and growing what comes next."