If you’ve ever launched a server on Cloudways, you know how quick and seamless the process is. But if you’re like most developers or sysadmins, you probably want to know what’s actually going on behind the scenes.
What packages are pre-installed? What tools are ready out of the box? And how does the Cloudways stack support performance, security, and scalability?
In this post, I’ll walk you through the core packages that come with every Cloudways-managed server. No guesswork, just clear details.
Operating System: Debian 11 “Bullseye”
Every Cloudways server runs on Debian 11, a long-term support release that’s widely regarded for its stability and security.
It’s not flashy, but it’s reliable, and that’s exactly what you want when you’re hosting production workloads. Now to confirm your server’s OS version, SSH in and run the following command:
lsb_release -a
Cloudways Web Server Stack: Nginx + Apache
Cloudways uses a hybrid approach to web serving:
- Nginx (v1.25.x) is used as a reverse proxy. It handles incoming requests, serves static files, and offloads the heavy lifting from Apache.
- Apache (v2.4.x) sits behind Nginx and processes dynamic content. It’s still widely used for PHP applications and plays well with .htaccess configurations.
This setup is designed to give you the performance benefits of Nginx while preserving the compatibility and flexibility of Apache.
You can check versions with following commands via SSH:
dpkg -l | grep nginx dpkg -l | grep apache
Cloudways Caching Tools (Varnish, Redis, and Memcached)
Out of the box, Cloudways supports several caching layers that you can enable via the platform dashboard. These tools help you reduce server load and improve page load times:
- Varnish (v6.0.x) is an HTTP accelerator that caches responses for fast delivery.
- Redis (v7.0.x) is a versatile in-memory store often used for object caching, sessions, and queues.
- Memcached provides simple key-value caching and works well with various CMS platforms.
These are not all enabled by default, but you can turn them on with a few clicks depending on your application needs. To check and verify if they’re installed on your server, you can run the following commands:
dpkg -l | grep varnish dpkg -l | grep redis dpkg -l | grep memcached
Database: MariaDB
Cloudways ships with MariaDB 10.5, a fork of MySQL that offers better performance and full compatibility.
If you’re running WordPress, Magento, or custom PHP apps, this is likely what’s powering your backend. It’s fast, secure, and widely supported.
You can run the command mysql -V to check the installed version.
PHP Environment
PHP is still at the core of many modern web applications, and Cloudways gives you a well-configured environment from the start:
- PHP 8.1 is the default version (though multiple versions are available and you can switch easily).
- PHP-FPM (FastCGI Process Manager) is used to manage PHP processes efficiently, especially under high load.
Cloudways also lets you adjust PHP settings directly through the control panel.
To verify the current php version, you can run the following command:
php -v
Useful Development Tools
Several essential tools are pre-installed so you can get started without wasting time setting up your dev workflow:
- Git (v2.30.x) – For version control and deployments
- Composer (v2.2.x) – For PHP dependency management
You can confirm installed versions with the following commands:
git --version composer --version
- New Relic Lite (v9.17.x) – Basic application monitoring and diagnostics
- ElasticSearch (v7.17) – Optional; great for apps needing advanced search functionality
Why Cloudways Stack Matters
The beauty of Cloudways is that you don’t have to spend hours setting up your environment. The core stack is already optimized for performance, so you can go from server launch to app deployment in minutes by just a few clicks.
Whether you’re running a WooCommerce store, a Laravel API, or a blog on WordPress, the included stack gives you a production-ready foundation without the manual work. And because it’s a managed environment, updates and patches are handled for you, so you spend less time on ops, and more time shipping.
Final Thoughts
Understanding what’s included in your Cloudways server helps you build smarter, troubleshoot faster, and take full advantage of what’s already there. You’re not starting from a blank slate, you’re starting with a well-optimized, production-ready stack.
If you haven’t already explored these tools, SSH into your server and take a look around. You might find that most of what you need is already waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Redis, Varnish, and ElasticSearch installed by default?
No, these services are supported but must be manually enabled via the Cloudways dashboard.
2. Can I install additional packages myself?
Yes, you may but you will need to get in touch with Cloudways Support if that requires root access, and to check the compatibility with Cloudways Stack.
3. Can I change the operating system?
No, all Cloudways servers run Debian 11, which is selected for its stability and support.
4. How are updates handled?
Security patches and core updates are applied by Cloudways. You control major updates (like PHP version changes) through the platform dashboard.
Salwa Mujtaba
Salwa Mujtaba is a Technical Content Writer at Cloudways. With a strong background in Computer Science and prior experience as a team lead in Cloudways Operations, she brings a deep understanding of the Cloudways Platform to her writing. Salwa creates content that simplifies complex concepts, making them accessible and engaging for readers. When she's not writing, you can find her enjoying good music, reading a book, or spending quality time with her family.
