The unpredictability of AWS, Azure, and Google cloud pricing models is huge. You will never know what will be the current month’s billing. In that case, you might want to consider other small cloud hosting providers.

It’s hard to find reliable and cheap VM hosting providers. We have done the hard boring research for you. We have assembled a complete list of the best hosting providers you can use.

The list covers

  • 13 cheapest VM hosting providers
  • 3 cloud VM providers

Let’s start.

cheap vm hosting

Best OverallKamateraKamatera
Best forAny OS
CPU / RAM / Storage1 core / 1 GB / 20 GB SSD
Bandwidth5 TB per month
Starting price$4/month (no contract)
Developer-friendlyVultrVultr
Best forDevelopers
CPU / RAM / Storage1 core / 0.5 GB / 10 GB SSD
Bandwidth0.5 TB per month
Starting price$2.50/month
Best ValueInterServerInterServer
Best forMore resources per dollar
CPU / RAM / Storage1 core / 2 GB / 30 GB
Bandwidth2 TB per month
Starting price$6/month
Compare these plans in a table
Comparison of Kamatera, Vultr, InterServer
ProviderKamateraVultrInterServer
Best forAny OSDevelopersMore resources per dollar
CPU / RAM / Storage1 core / 1 GB / 20 GB SSD1 core / 0.5 GB / 10 GB SSD1 core / 2 GB / 30 GB
Bandwidth5 TB per month0.5 TB per month2 TB per month
Starting price$4/month (no contract)$2.50/month$6/month
Contents
  1. 13 Cheap VM hosting providers (virtual machine servers)
  2. 3 Cheap Cloud VM Hosting
  3. Buying guide for VM providers
  4. Conclusion
  5. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

13 Cheap VM hosting providers (virtual machine servers)

From industry giants with extensive global infrastructure to specialized providers focused on specific use cases.

This list will help you compare the options available, enabling you to make an informed decision for your virtual machine hosting needs.

1. Kamatera (Best VM Hosting Provider for any OS)

kamatera best vm hosting

Kamatera is the cheapest virtual machine server you can get with the premium features.

The virtualized cloud computing environment provides complete flexibility to configure the server as per your need. You can add your desired specs, add-ons, etc. Due to the same reason, the overall cost of the server is low.

Not only you will get full root access, but you will also get a proprietary API using which you can add the resources whenever required.

They have a sophisticated development environment. You can also add as many DBs as you want. Further, you can add/remove any servers without paying any penalty.

They have more than 13 data centers across 4 continents. They offer the highest combinations of operating systems. You can also add load balancers on the go.

Starting specs

  • CPU: 1 core
  • Memory: 1024 MB
  • Storage: 20 GB SSD
  • Uplink aka connection speed: 10 Gbit per sec
  • Bandwidth traffic: 5000 GB/month or 50 Mbit/sec burstable
  • Price: $4 per month (no contracts)

OS Library

  • Microsoft Windows 8,9, & 10, and all the versions of the Windows server with all the editions.
  • Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, FreeBSD, Cloud Linux, RockyLinux, AlmaLinux, TrueNAS, FreeNAS, Gentoo, and OpenSUSE.
  • You can also upload a custom ISO.

Best Features of Kamatera

  • You will get amazing performance with a 99.95% uptime guarantee.
  • They have hourly billing with instant scaling.
  • Complete root access to the server with an unlimited restart.
  • Unlimited storage (you can add as many drives as you want for additional cost).
  • There are 100+ OS images.
  • Support is amazing.

Visit Kamatera

2. Vultr (Developer-friendly VM)

Vultr is the most reliable virtual machine hosting provider you can find. You can deploy your server in less than 60 seconds from 33 locations. You can choose any location around the globe.

It’s great for business apps as they already have a ton of OS combinations and a marketplace to install any app you want.

They have flexible networking configurations. All the cloud instances also support dynamic changes to IPv4, IPv6, and private networks. You will also get a super easy-to-manage control panel.

vultr developer friendly vm

The cloud is fully configurable. You can select the resources as per your need. They have multiple cloud VMs you can choose from.

For cheap rates, you can go with regular performance (includes SSD) or you can also choose a high-performance cloud. It will still cost you less.

They have various plans to choose from. So, scaling up won’t be an issue.

Starting specs and price

  • CPU: 1 core
  • Memory: 512 MB
  • Storage: 10 GB SSD
  • Bandwidth traffic: 0.5 TB
  • Price: $2.50 (IPv6 only)

OS Library

  • Windows 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, and 2022.
  • Almalinux, Arch Linux, CentOS, Debian, Fedora (Fedora CoreOS), FreeBSD, OpenBSD, RockyLinux, Ubuntu, and VzLinux.
  • Vultr also supports custom ISO.

Best Features of Vultr

  • They have isolated virtual private cloud to get the best performance.
  • 100% SLA.
  • You will get native DDoS mitigation.
  • High-performance IP network with reserved IPs.
  • You can easily manage PI access with a configurable IP list
  • Single sign-on feature and team collaboration.

Visit Vultr

3. Interserver

Interserver offers virtualization with KVM, Openvz, Virtuozzo, and Hyper-v. You will get full control over the server. You can access and update the data from anywhere you want.

Their self-healing hardware is something that all VM hosting lovers would admire. If any of the hardware has some issues, your data will automatically be transferred to another server. For the same reason, you will have 99.9% of uptime.

interserver vps hosting

All these features are available at a very affordable rate. For the same reason, it’s one of the cheapest VM providers. The security is top-notch. You can also add a control panel as an addon (it will cost you extra).

You can choose storage-based VPS for more disk space.

Starting specs and price

  • CPU: 1 core
  • Memory: 2048 MB
  • Storage: 30 GB
  • Uplink aka bandwidth aka connection speed: 2 TB
  • Price: $6

OS Library

  • For Linux, you can choose from Centos, Debian, FreeBSD, Ubuntu, Cern Linux, Funtoo, Gentoo, Openwall, Altlinux, Suse Scientific, Fedora, Opensuse, and Slackware.
  • The Windows plan supports Windows desktop and Windows server.
  • You can upload your ISO.

Best Features of InterServer

  • You will get container-based hosting for better security.
  • It supports all 4 types of virtualization (KVM, OpenVZ, Virtuozzo, and Hyper-v).
  • The support is incredible.
  • Your backups are stored in a remote location (chargeable).
  • The resources are dedicated. So, you will get the advantage of every penny you pay.

Visit Interserver

4. BitLaunch

BitLaunch is a good choice if you want a flexible virtual machine with cryptocurrency payments and hourly billing. Instead of committing to a long hosting contract, you fund your BitLaunch account and pay for your server based on how long it remains active.

Its own VPS servers use KVM virtualization and support both Windows and Linux. BitLaunch also provides access to cloud servers from other infrastructure providers through the same platform.

One of the biggest advantages is bandwidth. BitLaunch's own servers include unlimited transfer, making them especially useful for projects that would otherwise exceed the relatively small traffic allowances included with some cheap VM providers.

Its newer Amsterdam infrastructure is particularly powerful, offering network connectivity of up to 10 Gbps.

bitlaunch cheap vm hosting

Starting specs and price

BitLaunch uses hourly billing, and available configurations and prices are displayed when deploying a server. Because BitLaunch has also recently changed the pricing of its first-party servers, check the current deployment panel for the exact entry-level price rather than relying on an older fixed monthly rate.

Depending on the configuration, BitLaunch's Amsterdam infrastructure scales up to:

  • CPU: Up to 10 Intel Gold CPUs
  • Memory: Up to 64 GB RAM
  • Storage: Up to 1.2 TB Samsung SSD
  • Uplink aka connection speed: Up to 10 Gbps
  • Bandwidth traffic: Unlimited
  • Virtualization: KVM

OS Library

  • Linux
  • Windows

BitLaunch also provides one-click applications including WordPress, LEMP, OpenVPN, WireGuard, Outline, and Shadowsocks.

Best Features of BitLaunch

  • Unlimited transfer on BitLaunch's own VPS infrastructure.
  • Network speeds of up to 10 Gbps on its newer Amsterdam servers.
  • KVM virtualization with nested virtualization support.
  • Both Windows and Linux are available.
  • Free advanced DDoS protection is included.
  • Cryptocurrency payments are supported.
  • Hourly billing means you don't need a long-term hosting contract.
  • Servers can be resized when you need additional resources.
  • One-click applications make it easier to deploy popular server software.

Visit BitLaunch

5. Impreza.Host

Impreza.Host offers KVM-based virtual servers with a strong focus on privacy and flexible server locations. Its VPS plans give you dedicated virtual resources with full control over your server environment.

One of the more interesting features is the ability to change your VPS location, which can be useful if you want to move a project to a different region. Impreza.Host also follows a No-KYC approach and accepts cryptocurrency payments.

Even its cheapest VPS includes a generous 5 TB monthly bandwidth allowance.

impreza.host kvm vm hosting

Starting specs and price

  • CPU: 1 core
  • Memory: 1 GB RAM
  • Storage: 20 GB SSD
  • Bandwidth traffic: 5 TB
  • Price: $9 per month
  • Virtualization: KVM

OS Library

  • AlmaLinux
  • CentOS
  • Debian
  • Rocky Linux
  • Ubuntu

Impreza.Host gives you several Linux distributions to choose from and full control over the KVM virtual server.

Best Features of Impreza.Host

  • All VPS plans use KVM virtualization.
  • The entry-level plan includes a generous 5 TB bandwidth allowance.
  • Multiple server locations are available, including the Netherlands, Romania, Switzerland, Finland, Lithuania, Ukraine, the USA, and Hong Kong.
  • You can change your server location instead of being permanently tied to one region.
  • Port 25 is unlocked.
  • An .onion domain is included with the VPS plans.
  • No-KYC hosting is available.
  • Cryptocurrency payments are supported.
  • 24/7 support is available through live chat, email, tickets, and Telegram.

impreza.host vps server locations

Visit Impreza.Host

6. Cherry Servers

Cherry Servers offers KVM-based cloud virtual machines with hourly and monthly billing. Its Cloud VPS lineup is designed for smaller websites, development and staging environments, APIs, bots, microservices, and other lightweight workloads.

The servers are highly scalable, allowing you to move to larger configurations when your application requires more CPU, memory, or storage. Cherry Servers also provides a choice of server locations across Europe, North America, and Asia.

One major advantage is its 1 Gbps network connection, even with its inexpensive entry-level Cloud VPS configurations.

cherry servers cloud vm

Starting specs and price

The current Cloud VPS 1 (Gen 2) starts with:

  • CPU: 1 vCore
  • Memory: 1 GB RAM
  • Storage: 20 GB SSD
  • Uplink aka connection speed: 1 Gbps
  • Bandwidth traffic: 1 TB per month
  • Price: $3.51 per month

cherry servers cloud vps plans

This makes it one of the cheaper virtual machines in this list for lightweight applications.

OS Library

Ubuntu is available as the default operating system, and Cherry Servers gives you root access via SSH or VNC console, allowing you to configure the virtual server for your workload.

Best Features of Cherry Servers

  • Uses KVM virtualization for its virtual servers.
  • Entry-level Cloud VPS starts at just $3.51 per month.
  • You get a 1 Gbps connection even with the inexpensive Gen 2 Cloud VPS.
  • Servers can be deployed in around 5 minutes.
  • Cloud VPS resources can be scaled as your requirements increase.
  • Server locations include Lithuania, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, the USA, Singapore, and Japan.
  • 24/7 technical support is available.
  • Servers can be managed through the Client Portal, CLI, or REST API.
  • Hourly billing is available if you don't need the virtual machine for an entire month.

Visit Cherry Servers

7. AlexHost

AlexHost offers affordable KVM-based VPS hosting with full root access, NVMe storage, dedicated IPv4, and a choice of multiple server locations. Its entry-level plans are suitable for smaller websites, development environments, VPNs, and other lightweight virtual-machine workloads.

The VPS is highly configurable, and you can choose between managed and unmanaged hosting depending on how much server administration you want to handle yourself. Network connectivity varies by location, with up to 1 Gbps available.

AlexHost also offers several VPS platforms, including its affordable U-series plans and higher-performance configurations.

alexhost cheap vm hosting

Starting specs and price

  • CPU: 1 vCore
  • Memory: 1.5 GB RAM
  • Storage: 10 GB NVMe
  • Uplink aka connection speed: 100 Mbps shared
  • Bandwidth traffic: Unlimited
  • Price: €6 per month

OS Library

  • Ubuntu
  • Debian
  • CentOS
  • Fedora
  • Windows

You get full root access, allowing you to install and configure additional server software according to your needs.

Best Features of AlexHost

  • Unlimited bandwidth is available with its VPS plans.
  • KVM virtualization provides an isolated virtual server environment.
  • Fast NVMe storage is included.
  • You get a dedicated IPv4 address and IPv6 support.
  • Network speeds of up to 1 Gbps are available depending on the server location and plan.
  • Both managed and unmanaged VPS options are available.
  • VPS resources can be upgraded as your project grows.
  • AlexHost offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Visit AlexHost

8. DigitalOcean (Simplest Developer Cloud)

DigitalOcean is one of the best-known developer clouds, and its virtual machines are called Droplets. You pick a size and a data center, and the VM is ready in about a minute, from the control panel, the API, the command line, or Terraform.

The Basic Droplets use shared vCPUs and start at a low price, which makes them a good fit for test servers, small apps, and personal projects. When you need more power, you can move to CPU-Optimized, General Purpose, Memory-Optimized, or Storage-Optimized Droplets, which use dedicated vCPUs.

Billing is per second (with a 60-second minimum), so a VM you only run for a few hours costs very little. The Marketplace adds 1-click apps that set up a VM with common software already installed.

The catch: Droplets are unmanaged and Linux-only, and backups are a paid add-on. New accounts get a $5 free credit, valid for 90 days, to try it out.

digitalocean droplets virtual machines

Starting specs and price

  • CPU: 1 vCPU (shared)
  • Memory: 512 MiB
  • Storage: 10 GiB SSD
  • Bandwidth traffic: 500 GiB
  • Price: $4 per month ($0.00595 per hour); the 1 GiB plan is $6 per month

OS Library

  • Linux only: Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04, and 26.04 LTS, Debian 13, AlmaLinux 8 to 10, Rocky Linux 8 to 10, CentOS Stream 9 and 10, and Fedora 43 and 44.

Best features of DigitalOcean

  • Per-second billing with a 60-second minimum.
  • Shared and dedicated vCPU Droplets, including memory-optimized and storage-optimized plans.
  • 1-click apps from the Marketplace.
  • Control panel, API, CLI, and Terraform support.
  • $5 free credit for new accounts, valid for 90 days.

Visit DigitalOcean

9. Time4VPS (Cheapest Virtual Machine Hosting provider)

Time4VPS is yet another affordable virtual machine hosting provider you can go with.

They use KVM as the virtualization. The hypervisor will fully integrate with the server giving you full benefits of the hardware capability. You will also get complete root access to the server.

As they use KVM, scaling up and down is super easy. You can add the resources on the go. The base plan has got enough resources to get started with the VM hosting.

It’s a Linux-based VM with TIER III Data Center in Europe. They have only one data center.

You can rely on Time4VPS as they have been in the industry for quite a while. They have 8 different plans to choose from.

You will also get a promotional discount for the first invoice. The renewal price is higher.

time4vps cheapest virtual machine hosting provider

Starting specs and price

  • CPU: 1 core
  • Memory: 2 GB
  • Storage: 20 GB RAID SSD
  • Uplink aka bandwidth aka connection speed: 100 Mbps
  • Bandwidth traffic: 4 TB
  • Price: €2.07 ($2.22) per month for an annual plan (renewal is at $4.45)

OS Library

  • They only offer Linux distributions. The OS supported includes CentOS, Debian, and Ubuntu. You can use the past 3 latest versions of these operating systems.

Best Features of Time4VPS

  • They provide 99.98% uptime.
  • They use KVM virtualization.
  • You will get Xeon CPU for better performance.
  • You can get 1 Gbps port speed for an extra euro.
  • The support is great.
  • You can also pay using Cryptocurrency.

Visit Time4VPS

10. RackNerd

RackNerd is one of the cheapest ways to get a KVM virtual machine with a real IPv4 address. Its yearly VPS specials start at about the price of a single month on many other hosts.

Every plan runs on KVM virtualization with full root access, so you can install your own stack and kernel modules. Servers are provisioned instantly after payment, and you manage them through ctrl, RackNerd's own control panel.

You can deploy in 12 locations: Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Ashburn, Toronto, Amsterdam, France, and Dublin. That gives North American and European projects a nearby data center without paying more for it.

The trade-off is the network allowance. Every VPS gets a 1 Gbps port, but traffic is a fixed monthly allowance rather than unmetered, so check the TB figure if you plan to serve large files.

racknerd kvm vps specials

Starting specs and price

  • CPU: 1 vCPU
  • Memory: 1 GB RAM
  • Storage: 20 GB SSD
  • Uplink aka connection speed: 1 Gbps
  • Bandwidth traffic: 3 TB per month
  • Price: $21.99 per year on the current VPS specials (the standard 512 MB KVM plan is $26.99 per year)

OS Library

  • You can install Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, and other Linux distributions from the control panel.
  • Custom ISO installs are available on request through a support ticket.

Best features of RackNerd

  • Instant setup, with reboot, reinstall, VNC console, and firewall controls in the ctrl panel.
  • One-click apps such as Ollama, AnythingLLM, and LibreChat.
  • A network firewall in front of the VPS, managed from ctrl.
  • Up to 100 free IPv6 addresses on request in the Los Angeles and France locations.
  • 24/7 support.
  • The specials page shows only the first-year price, so check the renewal rate on the order page before you pay.

Visit RackNerd

11. Contabo

Looking for a cheap virtual machine provider with more server specs? Contabo is the one for you.

Even their base plan has 4 virtual cores. They use German-quality hardware to enhance your performance.

They use standard hardware of AMD. The obvious catch is that the servers are not the latest.

In simple words, you might not get performance as good as you will get in the latest hardware of 4 cores.

Talking about bandwidth, you will get unlimited incoming traffic with private networking. They use KVM and Proxmox virtualization.

contabo cheap vm hosting

The number of features you are getting in the price range is impressive. Therefore, you can surely consider Contabo as one of the cheap VM hosting providers.

You can run automation with their powerful API. It supports Command Line Interface (CLI ).

Starting specs and price

  • CPU: 4 cores
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Storage: 50 GB NVMe or 200 GB SSD
  • Uplink aka connection speed: 200 Mbit/s
  • Bandwidth traffic: 32 TB outgoing and unlimited incoming
  • Price: $8.49 per month (no setup fee if you go with the annual plan)

OS Library

  • For Linux, you can use Ubuntu, CentOS, FreeBSD, Debian, OpenSuse, AlmaLinux, and RockyLinux.
  • You can get Windows server 2012R2, 2016, 2019, and 2022.
  • They also allow custom ISO.

Best features of Contabo

  • They use NVMe SSD for faster read/write speed.
  • You will get private networking.
  • DevOps features such as SSH, Cloud-init, etc. are also included here.
  • You can customize the servers per your need.
  • They sue DDoS protection (network-level) to keep your servers safe.
  • You can deploy your server in just a couple of minutes.

Visit Contabo

12. Hostinger VPS

Hostinger VPS suits you if you want plenty of memory on a small budget. Even the entry plan, KVM 1, comes with 4 GB of memory, which is enough for a few WordPress sites, a small database, or a Docker stack.

The servers run on AMD EPYC processors with NVMe storage, and every plan includes free weekly backups, firewall management, and a public API. You also get full root access, Wanguard DDoS filtering, and a Docker manager in the panel.

You can pick from 10 data centers on 4 continents, including the USA, Brazil, the UK, Germany, France, Lithuania, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Hostinger also lets you move the VPS to another location later.

The catch is the billing. The entry price is paid upfront for the full term, and the plan renews at a higher monthly price.

hostinger kvm vps plans

Starting specs and price

  • CPU: 1 vCPU
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Storage: 50 GB NVMe
  • Uplink aka connection speed: 1 Gbps
  • Bandwidth traffic: 4 TB
  • Price: $6.49 per month, paid upfront for 24 months (renews at $11.99 per month)

OS Library

  • Hostinger uses Linux-based OS templates, including plain distributions such as Ubuntu and templates with a control panel or app preinstalled.
  • Windows isn't offered on these KVM plans.

Best Features of Hostinger VPS

  • AMD EPYC CPUs and NVMe SSD storage on every plan.
  • Free weekly backups that you can restore from the dashboard.
  • An AI web terminal that turns plain-language requests into server commands.
  • You can change the server location at any time.
  • A 30-day money-back guarantee.

Visit Hostinger VPS

13. Ionos

Ionos is yet another cheap virtual server to go for. It offers dedicated resources with unlimited traffic.

They offer a guarantee of 99.99% uptime. They offer a fully virtualized server.

You don’t have to worry about isolation, autonomy, and security. All of these are included in the VPS.

They offer one of the cheapest plans for the virtual machine. However, as the cost is low, the quality and performance will be slightly affected.

On the positive side, you can try the server risk-free for 30 days. Thereafter, you can decide whether it’s required for you or not. You will get 24/7 support but they fail to deliver a proper response.

You will get DDoS protection and firewall management as well.

ionos vm

Starting specs and price

  • CPU: 1 core
  • Memory: 512 MB RAM
  • Storage: 40 GB
  • Uplink aka connection speed: 400 Mbit/sec
  • Bandwidth: Unlimited concerning connection speed
  • Price: $2 per month

OS Library

  • You can install Ubuntu, OpenSuse, Debian, and CentOS.
  • For Windows, it supports Windows servers 2016 9and 2019.
  • You can import images but it will cost you extra. (100 GB for $7.20/month).

Best features of Ionos

  • The hardware is standard and updated.
  • You will get dedicated resources with full virtualization.
  • It uses SSD SAN storage system for better speed.
  • The monitoring feature allows you to keep an eye on usage.
  • Even the invoice can show your usage and forecast.
  • The virtualization is done using KVM. You will get access to the KVM console.

Visit Ionos

3 Cheap Cloud VM Hosting

These are cloud-based virtual machine hosting providers. You can go with private or public cloud.

14. Linode, now Akamai Cloud (Best Cloud VM Hosting Provider)

Linode is now part of Akamai, and its cloud is sold as Akamai Cloud (the compute instances are still called Linodes).

Linode is a cloud-based virtual machine that is the best in all terms. Whether you consider the pricing or performance of the cloud, Linode tops the competition.

They offer shared CPUs and dedicated CPUs. Depending on your budget and requirements, you can choose one.

For most workloads, their shared CPU is enough. The features are almost similar in both of them.

You will have predictable pricing with affordable rates. They offer DDoS protection, Cloud firewalls, and a private layer network.

They offer a 99.99% uptime guarantee. You will get a fast network.

As Linode is a cloud service, you can easily scale with just a couple of clicks. The shared hosting uses a container cluster to provide optimal performance.

linode best cloud vm hosting

Starting specs and price

  • CPU: 1 core
  • Memory: 1 GB
  • Storage: 25 GB
  • Uplink aka connection speed: 40 Gbps Network In and 1 Gbps Network Out
  • Bandwidth traffic: 1 TB
  • Price: $5 for shared and $30 for dedicated

OS Library

  • You can use all the latest versions of Alpine, Arch Linux, CentOS (stream), Debian, Fedora, OpenSuse, Slackware, Rocky Linux, and Ubuntu.

Best features of Linode

  • They have a powerful API to automate your cloud.
  • The Cloud manager and Longview allow you to simply monitor the server.
  • Stack scripts allow you to deploy the apps with ease.
  • There are many paid addons you can use such as backups, custom images, Nodebalancers, etc.
  • It has a perfect combination of AMD CPUs and Nvidia GPUs.
  • They also have 24/7 support.
  • You have servers at more than 11 global locations.

Visit Linode

15. Hetzner (Best for Europeans)

Hetzner is yet another excellent cloud provider with a high bandwidth limit. You can deploy your server with just a couple of clicks and your Hetzner cloud will be up in seconds.

They have been in the industry for more than 25 years now. The support is awesome.

It has a private networking cloud. You will also get a load balancer here.

So, in case of heavy traffic, your web app will still be accessible. They have AMD and Intel hardware for better performance.

You can get the standard CPU or you can also get the dedicated CPU. You can always go with the shared CPU. It has great performance.

They have a developer-friendly panel. You can choose from data centers in Germany, Finland, the United States, and Singapore. Some plans are not available in every location, and the pricing page shows where each plan can be deployed.

Hetzner raised its cloud prices in June 2026, and the shared plans currently show as unavailable to order on its site. Check the plan page before you count on getting one.

hetzner cheap virtual machine

Starting specs and price

  • CPU: 1 shared AMD vCPU (CPX02)
  • Memory: 1 GB
  • Storage: 20 GB NVMe
  • Uplink aka connection speed: not published per plan
  • Bandwidth traffic: 20 TB in the EU locations (0.5 TB in Singapore)
  • Price: €5.99 per month in Germany and Finland (Hetzner's USD price is $7.49)

OS Library

  • You can choose from Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch Linux, CentOS, Rocky Linux, and Alma Linux.

Best features of Hetzner

  • They have a developer-friendly panel.
  • You can add the resources as per your need.
  • There are floating IPs.
  • You will get DDoS protection.
  • Hetzner also provides a firewall for security.
  • You can add backups and snapshots for an extra charge

Visit Hetzner

16. UpCloud

UpCloud is the European cloud for businesses and individuals. They have two types of cloud packages. You can either go with the simple plan with fixed resources or you can configure your server.

They also offer a powerful REST API to automate your cloud. One of the interesting things about UpCloud is the separation of the compute and storage. So, you can easily restart your virtual machine in case of failure.

Talking about failure, it’s resilient to a fault. The automatic restarts will allow your server to recover with very minimum interruption.

You can add managed databases and managed load balancers for an extra charge. They have 12 global data centers to select from. The Helsinki server will cost you slightly more as compared to others.

Overall, it’s a great VM hosting provider to go with. Let’s see the supported operating systems on UpCloud.

upcloud vm for smb

Starting specs and price

  • CPU: 1 core
  • Memory: 1 GB
  • Storage: 25 GB MaxIOPS
  • Uplink aka bandwidth aka connection speed: 1 TB
  • Price: $5 for 28 days, $7.5 for the Helsinki server

OS Library

  • For Linux, you can use CentOS, Fedora, Debian, and Ubuntu.
  • You can also add Windows servers in 2008, 2016, and 2019.
  • They also support custom ISO files at an extra cost of $0.22 per month.

Best features of UpCloud

  • You can deploy your server in less than 45 seconds.
  • They offer 100% SLA.
  • You will get consistent performance.
  • Customer support is available 24/7.
  • It has fully transparent billing. The renewal price stays the same.

Visit UpCloud

Buying guide for VM providers

Many people are confused about virtual machine hosting and how to select the best one. We will see more about VM hosting, its advantages, and then we will quickly see how you can select the best one for your needs.

Let’s see this in more detail

What is VM or virtual machine hosting exactly?

Virtual Machine (VM hosting), also known as VPS, is software-based virtualization made on the server to provide the users with an isolated environment. The allocated resources for the VM can only be used by that particular machine.

There are many isolation software such as KVM, OpenVZ, XEN, etc. These virtualization tools are used to isolate the resources from the server.

In simple words, VM hosting will allow you to have isolated resources on the server.

Advantages of using VM Hosting Servers

  • Dedicated Resources: You can have all the resources for yourself. There are no noisy neighbors to steal your resources.
  • Scalability: You can scale up the resources as per your need. It’s one-click scaling.
  • Easy Management: VPS are easy to manage as compared to dedicated servers.

Selecting the Right VM Host for your Need

Here’s a quick guide on how to select the VM based on your need.

  • Isolation: You need to ensure that you’re getting an isolated environment.
  • Adding resources: You should be able to add individual resources such as storage, bandwidth, etc. on the server.
  • Price: Make sure that the pricing is predictable. You can also see renewal pricing.
  • Tech features: You can look at the OS library, technology stack, and API.

Conclusion

You can select any of the given reliable and cheap VM hosting providers. All of them are great in their way. Depending on your need, you can select the best one.

Here’s a quick recommendation for you.

  • Best Overall: Kamatera
  • Best Specs: Vultr
  • Best Price: Time4VPS
  • Best for Windows: Kamatera or Vultr
  • Best Cloud VM: Linode

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Are virtual servers free?

No, you will have to pay a monthly fee for the virtual servers. You can surely try them for free if they offer a trial.

Is there any free cloud VM?

There are no reliable free cloud VM. However, you can try out the servers for free or at a very affordable price. Vultr, Cherry Servers, and Linode are the cloud VMs among the cheapest cloud VMs.

Is cloud cheaper than VPS?

It depends on the features and specs you are getting. Usually, people prefer VPS to VM which provides all the features similar to the cloud. So, the cost is very much similar.