🌍 Small website or portfolio
You need a reliable, low-maintenance host for a static or light dynamic site. Predictability matters more than peak performance.
Shortlist: Linode (Nanode $5/mo) or Hetzner CX22 (€4.35/mo if EU is fine).
Decision guide
Which VPS should you shortlist?
Don't read five provider pages first. Start with your priorities — then go deep on the one or two that actually fit.
Start here
Match your priority to a provider
If you want
Easiest, most reliable experience
Clean UX, good docs, predictable ops — you don't want to think about the host
Linode
Vultr
If you want
Best value in Europe
European users, EU compliance, or cost-optimised EU hosting
Hetzner
OVHcloud
If you want
Maximum specs per dollar
Biggest RAM and storage numbers for the lowest sticker price — verify performance before committing
Contabo
If you want
Global multi-region deployment
25+ datacenters, fast spin-up in new regions, consistent API across all locations
Vultr
If you want
Strict European budget
The absolute best €/vCPU and €/GB in Germany or Finland — hard to beat
Hetzner
If you want
Broad infra catalogue + EU compliance
VPS plus dedicated, storage, CDN — all from one provider with strong EU data sovereignty credentials
OVHcloud
Side by side
Five providers at a glance
| Provider | Entry price | Regions | Best fit | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vultr Global | from $6/mo | 25+ worldwide — NA, EU, Asia-Pacific | Developers needing broad region selection and fast setup | Can be pricier than EU-focused hosts; IPv4 surcharges on newer plans |
| Linode | from $5/mo | 17+ worldwide — strong in NA, EU, some Asia | Small teams and steady production apps — calm, predictable experience | Not the cheapest per spec; not optimal for latency-sensitive Asia workloads |
| Hetzner EU Value | from ~€4.35/mo | EU core (DE, FI) + US East + Singapore (newer) | Europe-heavy workloads, cost-conscious developers | Limited US West/Asia coverage; no 24h phone support |
| OVHcloud | from €3.99/mo | EU, Canada, Singapore, Australia, US | Experienced operators with EU compliance requirements or diverse product needs | Steeper learning curve; interface less polished than developer-first hosts |
| Contabo Big Specs | from €4.99/mo | DE, US, SG, UK, JP, AU | Budget-constrained buyers who need large RAM/storage — verify performance first | Setup fee; variable real-world performance; slower support |
By scenario
What would you use it for?
🐳 Docker workloads and side projects
Running a few containers, self-hosted tools, or personal apps. You want a proper Linux VPS without surprises.
Shortlist: Hetzner (best value), Vultr (if you need a non-EU location), or Linode.
💰 Tightest possible budget, max RAM
You need 8GB+ RAM but can't spend much. Paper specs are king, and you're comfortable benchmarking before committing.
Shortlist: Contabo VPS M (~€7.49/mo for 8GB). Verify real performance in your region first.
🌏 Global multi-region setup
You need nodes in 3+ regions — US, EU, and Asia — with a consistent API and fast provisioning.
Shortlist: Vultr (25+ locations, strong Asia coverage). Consider Linode as backup.
🇪🇺 EU-primary, cost is key
Your users and data are in Europe. You want GDPR-friendly infrastructure without paying premium prices.
Shortlist: Hetzner first (best €/spec). OVHcloud as alternative if you need more product breadth.
🚀 SaaS or small production app
You're running something real with users. Stability, clear billing, and usable support matter.
Shortlist: Linode or Vultr. Avoid Contabo for latency-sensitive production use without thorough testing.