We’re excited to announce the General Availability of the new Lightning Stack.
It is a complete re-architecture of the Cloudways Flexible platform, built on NGINX + PHP-FPM to address one core challenge: performance.
A slow site doesn’t just frustrate users. It affects conversions, engagement, and long-term growth.
Over the past two years, users have highlighted recurring performance bottlenecks: slow backend workflows, lagging WordPress admin panels, and inconsistent frontend speeds during high-traffic events.
These challenges reflect how the modern web has evolved. Most sites today are dynamic, transactional, and data-driven.
Traditional hosting stacks were not built for that level of activity. Cached responses help, but they cannot handle every request. When traffic spikes, backend processes must perform with the same efficiency as cached content.
That requirement shaped the Lightning Stack. It delivers faster response times, greater scalability, and a stable foundation for dynamic workloads that operate under constant demand.
This launch marks a major step forward for Cloudways users running ecommerce, LMS, and membership-based applications. It ensures consistent speed, smoother backend workflows, and reliable performance even without full-page caching.
These challenges led to one clear decision. The stack had to be rebuilt from the ground up. Here’s why.
Why We Built the Lightning Stack
The Lightning Stack was created to solve a clear challenge as web applications have grown more complex and the hosting layer needed to evolve at the same pace.
Cloudways users now manage far more than basic websites. They run ecommerce stores, learning platforms, and membership-based communities that process thousands of live transactions every day.
Performance for these dynamic workloads is not an enhancement. It is a requirement for stability and growth.
As these applications grew, the older Apache-based stack reached its limits. Concurrency, backend responsiveness, and resource management became harder to optimize for workloads that depend on real-time data.
Incremental tuning could no longer keep up. And that insight led to a complete rebuild.
The goal was to create a hosting foundation that could sustain performance under pressure, scale with user growth, and stay efficient even when caching was bypassed.
The result is the Cloudways Lightning Stack.
It uses a modern NGINX and PHP-FPM architecture engineered for concurrency, low latency, and consistent throughput.
Independent benchmarks recorded gains of up to 65% in dynamic response times, confirming that the change delivers measurable impact.
For developers, agencies, and businesses, this means faster sites, smoother workflows, and a hosting layer ready for tomorrow’s workloads.
And it is available at no additional cost to every Cloudways user.
Managing .htaccess Functionality with Web Rules
With the Lightning Stack’s full transition to an NGINX-based architecture, Apache’s .htaccess files and dependent modules are no longer supported. To ensure users can still manage redirects and rules effortlessly, Cloudways introduced Web Rules, a powerful UI-based feature built directly into the Cloudways Platform.
Web Rules allow you to configure most .htaccess-style directives, including 301 and 302 redirects, URL rewrites, and header rules, all without needing to edit configuration files.
This covers nearly 80% of real-world .htaccess use cases and lets you handle common redirect and rewrite needs with the same flexibility you’re used to, while benefiting from the improved efficiency of NGINX.
If your site primarily uses simple redirects, rewrites, or header changes, you’re fully covered with Web Rules on Lightning Stack. However, if your application relies on complex .htaccess logic or Apache-specific modules, you may prefer to remain on the Hybrid Stack or evaluate custom alternatives.
The Story Behind the Stack
The rebuild started with a simple question.
How can Cloudways make performance consistent for every user, no matter the workload?
Our engineering team reviewed years of performance data and feedback from real production sites. Tests showed that small tuning improvements could no longer remove the limits of the existing hybrid stack.
It was time to design a new foundation built for efficiency instead of compatibility.
The team experimented with different architectures and measured how each handled concurrency and uncached traffic. Results showed that a pure NGINX and PHP-FPM setup processed requests faster and used resources more efficiently.
That discovery shaped the new Lightning Stack. It is not an upgrade of the old system but a complete rebuild focused on predictability and control.
Built for Modern Performance
The Lightning Stack delivers measurable gains in speed, efficiency, and stability.
Its event-driven architecture processes multiple requests at once, keeping performance steady during high-traffic periods. Backend operations such as product checkouts or LMS updates complete faster and with less server strain.
To verify these improvements, Cloudways partnered with independent performance specialists for third-party benchmarking. The tests compared Lightning against the previous hybrid stack under dynamic workloads. The results were clear:
- Up to 65% faster response times for dynamic workloads
- Up to 33% faster WordPress admin load times
- Up to 54% more requests served under uncached stress tests
- Lower CPU usage and fewer spikes during peak concurrency
These results confirm that Lightning performs consistently across both backend and frontend operations. It handles uncached traffic efficiently while maintaining stable resource usage under pressure.
Lightning also performs evenly across all supported infrastructure providers.
Optimized General Purpose and CPU-optimized instances on DigitalOcean, Vultr, and Linode were tuned to maintain the same performance profile across environments.
With these improvements, Cloudways now provides a faster, more reliable hosting experience for dynamic applications. Lightning keeps performance consistent, even when caching cannot.
Boost site speed with a performance focused stack
See how modern server stacks improve load times and overall website performance.
Mar 10–11 | Free & Live
Independent Benchmarking Confirms the Results
To verify Lightning’s real-world performance, Cloudways commissioned an independent benchmarking study from Koddr.io.
The tests compared the Lightning Stack to the previous hybrid setup under varying levels of traffic and concurrency. Each test replicated real application behavior such as eCommerce checkouts and LMS course progressions.
The findings confirmed Lightning’s consistent advantage across both cached and uncached conditions. It maintained throughput, reduced latency, and delivered faster processing under load.
The results speak for themselves:
- Up to 58% more successful WooCommerce checkouts
- Up to 85% higher throughput for LearnDash course progressions
- Average 21–27% gains in uncached throughput across all tests
- Stable performance without Varnish, even with over 1,000 concurrent users
According to Koddr.io, “Lightning maintains higher throughput and lower response times, especially in uncached workloads, proving its ability to handle modern WordPress use cases efficiently.”
Read the full Koddr.io benchmarking report to learn more about the results.
These independent results validate Lightning’s ability to sustain speed and stability under demanding conditions, confirming its readiness for production-scale workloads.
Optimized for Speed and Scalability
The Lightning Stack’s fully NGINX-based architecture optimizes both request handling and resource utilization, delivering measurable improvements in real-world use cases.
Independent tests showed strong results for write-heavy workloads. Lightning processed up to 58% more WooCommerce checkouts and 85% higher LearnDash throughput compared to the previous stack.
1. Faster Backend & Dynamic Requests
With PHP-FPM handling concurrency more efficiently, backend workflows like WooCommerce checkouts or LMS updates execute faster. This reduces server strain and keeps performance steady during peak activity.
2. Consistent Frontend Experience
Lightning’s streamlined processing path lowers latency and improves time to first byte (TTFB). Frontend performance remains smooth even when multiple requests are handled at the same time.
3. Reduced Dependence on Caching
Traditional stacks rely heavily on Varnish or full-page caching to stay responsive.
Lightning delivers consistent throughput even when caching is disabled, making it suitable for transactional and interactive applications where every request must be processed in real time.
How Cloudways Lightning Stack Delivers More Value
The Lightning Stack delivers higher performance without the restrictions often found in traditional managed hosting.
Many hosting providers limit the number of websites per plan or hide details about server resources. Cloudways takes a different approach by keeping specifications transparent and scaling flexible.
Independent testing has already verified Lightning’s performance improvements of up to 65% faster response times for dynamic websites. Combined with transparent pricing and resource control, Cloudways offers measurable value for developers, digital agencies, and growing businesses.
Lightning provides the speed of a high-performance stack with the freedom to scale on your own terms.
What This Means for Cloudways Users
Lightning is more than a performance upgrade. It is the new foundation for reliability, scalability, and long-term consistency on the Cloudways platform.
- No additional cost. Available to all Cloudways users at the same pricing.
- Future ready. Built to support dynamic, API-driven, and interactive applications.
- Backward compatible. Works seamlessly with existing websites and workflows.
This architectural shift ensures Cloudways continues to deliver the speed, stability, and flexibility that users rely on.
Whether hosting a single WooCommerce store or managing hundreds of client sites, the Lightning Stack provides consistent, dependable performance.
How to Switch to the Lightning Stack on Cloudways
The Lightning Stack is now available to all Cloudways users through the platform dashboard. Switching is quick, safe, and does not cause downtime.
Before you begin, review the latest documentation to confirm compatibility with your setup. The guide “How to Change Your Application Stack” provides full details and troubleshooting tips.
Follow the steps below:
Step#1 — Navigate to Your Application
- Log in to the Cloudways Platform using your credentials.
- Navigate to Applications.
Step#2 — Change the Stack Setting
- Under Application Management, open Application Settings.
- Select the Stack Setting tab.
- Check whether the application uses the Hybrid or Lightning Stack.
- Choose Lightning Stack and click Update Now.
- Click the “Yes, I want to” button to apply the change.
The switch completes in moments and does not affect your existing configurations or data.
For the latest information and known limitations, refer to our Knowledge Base. It is updated regularly with the newest guidance and compatibility notes.
Conclusion
The Lightning Stack sets a new standard for performance on the Cloudways platform.
It improves how dynamic websites handle traffic, concurrency, and real-time processing. The outcome is faster response times and greater stability across all workloads.
For developers, agencies, and businesses, this upgrade provides a hosting foundation that is faster, more reliable, and easier to scale. It delivers measurable results without added cost or complexity. Lightning is built for the future of the web.
What’s Next?
Cloudways will continue to enhance Lightning with new performance improvements, expanded compatibility, and better resource monitoring across all infrastructure providers.
This release marks the beginning of the next chapter in Cloudways performance and reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Should I switch my application to the Lightning Stack?
Yes, in most cases switching to Lightning will improve performance, especially for dynamic or high-traffic websites such as eCommerce stores, LMS platforms, and membership sites. Before switching your live site, test it on a clone or staging environment to confirm compatibility. The process is quick and reversible if you ever need to return to the Hybrid Stack.
Q2: Is there any additional cost for using the Lightning Stack?
No. The Lightning Stack is available to all Cloudways users at no extra charge.
Q3: Which applications are supported?
Lightning supports WordPress, WooCommerce, Magento, Laravel, and other PHP-based applications that do not depend on .htaccess or Apache modules.
Q4: Will my sites automatically switch to the Lightning Stack?
No, your sites will not be automatically migrated. Cloudways will continue to support both the Hybrid and Lightning stacks for the foreseeable future. You can choose when (and if) you want to move your applications to the Lightning Stack.
Q5: Can I switch between the Hybrid and Lightning stacks?
Yes. You can switch at any time, depending on your project needs. Read our guide on How to Change Your Application Stack to choose the stack that best suits your application and switch accordingly.
Q6: How do I switch an existing site to the Lightning Stack?
You can switch from the Cloudways Platform Dashboard in just a few clicks:
- Open Application Settings under your selected server.
- Go to the Stack Setting tab.
- Choose Lightning Stack and click Update Now.
The process takes less than a minute and does not cause downtime. For detailed guidance, see the “How to Change Your Application Stack” article in the Knowledge Base.
Q7: Will switching stacks result in any downtime?
No. Switching happens at the application level and completes within minutes without affecting uptime.
Q8: Can applications on the same server use different stacks?
Yes. Each application can use the stack that fits its workload best.
Q9: Will performance improve automatically?
Performance gains depend on your site’s setup, plugins, and server resources. Testing under real conditions is recommended, but benchmarks show consistent improvements for dynamic workloads.
Q10: Will team members have access to this setting?
Yes. Any team member with application or server access can manage stack settings.
Q11: What happens if I push changes from a staging site that uses a different stack?
Only files and databases are pushed. The stack configuration remains separate on the live application.
Q12: Are there any other limitations or considerations before switching?
The Lightning Stack does not support .htaccess files or Apache modules. Review your configuration before switching if your site depends on them.
Q13: Are logs and monitoring impacted?
No. There is no impact on logs, metrics, or performance monitoring when switching between stacks.
Ammar Ahmed
Ammar, a Senior Product Marketing Manager at DigitalOcean, has 25+ years of experience in technology and telecom. He has led marketing initiatives for renowned companies such as Colgate Palmolive, Nokia, Microsoft and HMD Global across multiple regions. He specialises in translating complex technology offerings into compelling value proposition narratives for diverse audiences. His extensive background in both product marketing and brand management has fostered a comprehensive approach to product storytelling and market positioning.
