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Hetzner VPS is a popular option for low-cost virtual private servers (and more so in Europe). It offers good functionality for a lower cost, so it is good for developers and businesses. However, some users look for alternatives due to the absence of global data centers, some support requirements, or to scale better with their scaling needs.
Personally, Hetzner rejected my account a couple of times when I tried to sign up despite providing valid identification, and a quick Google Search shows that many genuine users have faced the same fate.
In this guide, we take a look at seven alternatives that are sure to deliver: Netcup, Linode, DigitalOcean, Contabo, Vultr, Kamatera, and ScalaHosting, and we compare what each of these providers offers.
What to Look for in a Hetzner VPS Alternative
Choosing the right VPS provider requires more than just comparative shopping. You need to assess performance, reliability, scalability, and support to ensure the server will fit your technical and business needs. A powerful alternative should provide stable infrastructure, fair pricing, and flexible growth options.
Performance and Infrastructure
Look for modern CPUs like AMD EPYC servers or Intel Xeon, NVMe SSD storage, fast network speed, as well as an uptime record to ensure consistent and stable performance.
Pricing & Billing Model
Compare monthly and hourly billing plans, make sure you look at renewal rates carefully, and make sure you know how easily you can bump up resources without having to worry about unexpected fees coming your way.
Data Center Locations
Choose providers with multiple locations around the globe to minimize latency and speed up loading times to your target audience.
Support & Managed Options
Check whether 24/7 support is available, as well as managed VPS services, if you want to be less involved in the more technical aspects of things.
Quick Comparison Snapshot (Pricing & Features Compared)
Provider | Starting Price | Global Locations | Managed Option | Best For |
€5.25/month (VPS 500 G12) | Primarily Europe | No (unmanaged) | Global, including US data centers | |
$5.00/month (Nanode 1GB) | North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific | Limited managed options | Developers & general VPS use | |
$4.00/month (Basic Droplet) | Multiple regions worldwide | Limited managed features | Simple cloud VPS needs | |
$3.96/month (Cloud VPS S)* | Europe + growing US coverage | No (unmanaged) | High-resource value at low cost | |
$5.00/month (Cloud Compute 1GB) | Wide global coverage | No (unmanaged) | Flexible global deployments | |
Starting ~$4.00/month (custom config) | Global including US data centers | Optional managed services | Scalable cloud infrastructure | |
$19.95/month (Cloud VPS) | US & international | Yes (managed) | Global, including US data centers |
Prices reflect typical lowest-tier offerings with basic resources and may change based on location.
Best Hetzner VPS Alternatives
Below, I have listed out some of the affordable alternatives to Hetzner:
netcup
Netcup is a Germany-based VPS provider with good hardware for a good price. It is focused on performance-driven unmanaged servers with NVMe storage and modern DDR5 RAM. Most data centers are located in Europe.
I has been using netcup root servers for a couple of weeks now after migrating this site from Linode, and so far, I haven’t faced any issues; the server performance is quite good. My RS 1000 G12 root server costs €12/month, hosted on a USA data center.
The network speed seems to vary a little, but overall it’s worth the money. Here’s the Performance screenshot of this site hosted on the netcup root servers.
If i have to pick a few cons of netcup, one would be setup fees on monthly plans, and another is that you need some Linux server administration skills because the support is limited. Also, orders are manually verified by staff before you can access their dashboard.
I have installed a control panel called Cyberpanel to host this website with OpenLiteSpeed.
If you would like to try netcup, then here are a few one-time vouchers that give you €5 on sign-up.
Basic Pricing:
VPS 500 G12: €5.25/month
Linode (Akamai Cloud)
Linode offers predictable pricing and good US infrastructure. It has shared and dedicated CPU plans with easy-to-understand monthly caps. It is highly used for development and small production workloads.
I have used Linode for over three years before migrating this site to netcup. Although a bit pricey on dedicated CPU plans compared to netcup, the performance and speed of Linode servers were consistent.
Basic Pricing:
Nanode 1GB: $5.00/month
DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean is popular because you can easily control the panel, and you can deploy fast. It has multiple data centers in the US and has scalable Droplets for web apps and small projects.
Basic Pricing:
Basic Droplet: $4.00/month
1 GB plan: $6.00/month
Contabo
Contabo is focused on high resource allotment at low pricing. It provides NVMe storage and a lot of RAM compared to most of the competition, though it is still not managed.
Basic Pricing:
Cloud VPS: $3.96/month (approx., depending on region)
Vultr
Vultr charges on an hourly and monthly basis with multiple locations in the US. It offers both standard cloud compute options and high-frequency CPU options.
Basic Pricing:
Cloud Compute 1GB: $5.00/month
Kamatera
Kamatera offers customizable cloud servers, which are billed by the hour. It enables users to create a server by choosing CPU, RAM, and storage separately.
Basic Pricing:
Starting at $4.00/month (custom configuration) approximately
ScalaHosting
ScalaHosting specializes in managed VPS hosting and its own SPanel control panel. It is aimed at users who want the built-in support and security features. ScalaHosting is an ideal provider if you want to host WordPress on a LiteSpeed server; their managed hosting comes with a Premium LiteSpeed license.
Basic Pricing:
Cloud VPS: $19.95/month
Final Words:
Choosing the appropriate Hetzner VPS alternative depends on your priorities. Linode and DigitalOcean are great choices for developers and small businesses alike, with predictable pricing, plus they have very good global infrastructure. Contabo and Netcup have the best resource value at very low-price points, and they are ideal if you want as much RAM and storage as you can for the money.
Vultr is extra flexible with hourly billing and multiple locations; Kamatera is outstanding for customizability. ScalaHosting is best when you want managed support as well as beginner-friendly tools. Overall, Linode and DigitalOcean provide the best combination of value, performance, and ease of use for the majority of users.
FAQs
Is Hetzner cheaper than its alternatives?
Hetzner is one of the cheapest VPS providers, particularly for the basic European plans. However, some alternatives such as Contabo and Netcup provide comparable low prices and more allotment at some tiers, whilst some US-focused providers can be a little more expensive due to infrastructure in the region.
Which VPS provider is best for beginners?
For beginners, ScalaHosting is the highlight here as it has managed support and an easy control panel. DigitalOcean is also easy to learn because of its user-friendly interface and comprehensive documentation.
Which VPS has the most locations in the world?
Vultr and DigitalOcean are the only providers with the widest data center footprint across the globe, with many in the US, Europe, and Asia. These providers help to reduce the latency by having servers closer to your audience.
Are these total options managed?
Most alternatives here are unmanaged by default (yeah, you handle the setup and maintenance). ScalaHosting and optional services by Kamatera have managed support, while others, such as Linode and DigitalOcean, have paid add-ons, but are mostly self-managed.
