Strapi Cloud is a fully-managed hosting solution that offers predictable costs, streamlined setup, and managed security protocols. It's ideal for teams with limited DevOps expertise or those prioritizing ease of use over deep customization. In contrast, self-hosting provides full control and flexibility but demands technical resources for tasks like setup, monitoring traffic, database optimization, and scaling. Self-hosting is better suited for projects with unique requirements or teams with the resources and skills to manage these complexities. The choice between Strapi Cloud and self-hosting depends on specific project needs, available resources, and the desired level of control, with Strapi Cloud offering a managed experience and self-hosting providing complete control over infrastructure, configurations, and customization.