Top Hetzner alternatives for 2024

Selecting a cloud provider can unlock scalability, efficiency, and innovation, while a poor choice can lead to higher costs, complexity, and missed opportunities. From data management to customer experience, cloud hosting directly affects your operations.

Hetzner, a popular cloud service provider, offers budget-friendly computing solutions. However, their focus is primarily on compute resources, with a limited product range compared to some competitors. Notably, they lack managed databases, Kubernetes, or Platform as a Service (PaaS) options, potentially limiting their suitability for specific needs. Additionally, Hetzner’s data centers are concentrated in Europe and North America, offering regional coverage but lacking a broader global presence. While Hetzner excels in affordability for computing resources within these regions, businesses seeking a wider range of services or global reach may need to consider other providers.

This guide explores alternatives to Hetzner in 2024. We’ll delve into both, hyperscalers—industry leaders like AWS, Azure, and GCP—offering vast infrastructure for large deployments, and alternative providers specializing in cost-effective or niche solutions.

Key factors to consider when choosing a cloud services provider

Selecting a cloud provider is a crucial decision that impacts your entire IT infrastructure. Here’s a breakdown of essential factors to consider:

Security and compliance

Assess the provider’s security certifications (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001) and data governance practices. Ensure their policies align with relevant industry standards and data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) to safeguard your sensitive information.

Scalability and services

Evaluate the provider’s technology roadmap and service offerings to ensure they can adapt to your evolving needs. Analyze if their service portfolio includes the functionalities you require, such as managed databases, containerization (Kubernetes), or serverless options. Consider their ability to scale up or down based on your fluctuating resource demands.

Reliability and performance

Investigate the provider’s uptime history, performance benchmarks, and disaster recovery protocols to ensure consistent service delivery that minimizes downtime and potential disruptions. Look for metrics that align with your business-critical needs.

Vendor lock-in and portability

Analyze contract terms, data portability options, and migration support to avoid getting locked into a restrictive vendor ecosystem. Consider the ease of migrating your data and applications to a different provider if needed. Also evaluate the egress costs associated with moving data out of the cloud provider’s network, as these can significantly impact the total cost of ownership and affect your flexibility to change providers without incurring prohibitive expenses.

Cost and value

Review pricing models (pay-as-you-go, reserved instances), service-level agreements (SLAs) that outline performance guarantees, and ongoing costs associated with storage, large amount of egress or bandwidth, and support. Ensure the provider offers a competitive and transparent value proposition that delivers a return on your investment.

Business health and company profile

Research the provider’s financial stability, industry reputation, and track record of customer service. Consider the company’s experience within your specific industry and its commitment to ongoing innovation. Additionally, scour through online forums and review platforms, such as Reddit’s /r/cloud and HackerNews, as well as tech-focused sites like Gartner Peer Insights and TrustRadius, to gather unfiltered feedback and user experiences.

Service dependencies and partnerships

Evaluate the provider’s existing partnerships with other cloud services or software vendors you use. Strong integration capabilities can streamline your workflow and improve overall efficiency.

Top Hetzner alternatives for 2024

Alternatives to Hetzner include hyperscalers such as AWS and GCP, but also alternative cloud providers in the industry. These providers offer distinct functionalities tailored to specific business requirements, widening the scope of reliable and cost-effective cloud solutions.

Hyperscalers

Hyperscaler cloud providers are well-known global entities with extensive cloud services, robust infrastructure, and widespread data center networks. Ideal for enterprises seeking alternatives to Hetzner, these providers offer comprehensive tools tailored to complex business needs. However, small-to-medium-sized businesses and individual developers may find their intricate product offerings and opaque pricing challenging. Key hyperscalers include:

1. AWS

AWS offers a diverse array of cloud services including computing, storage, and database solutions. With a global network of data centers, it caters to varied geographic requirements. However, AWS’s pricing structure is often thought of as complex, posing challenges for some users. Notably, while it offers a range of services, the absence of free support options may be a factor for businesses assessing cloud service providers. The complexity of AWS often leads users to seek simpler, more user-friendly AWS alternatives for their cloud computing needs.

2. Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure, a leading cloud computing platform, emphasizes Windows-based virtual machines, catering to businesses integrated into Microsoft’s ecosystem. With a diverse range of services including AI, machine learning, and analytics, Azure addresses multifaceted business needs. While supporting Linux operating systems, Azure’s focus on Windows services is more pronounced. Operating through a global network of data centers, Azure offers scalable solutions. However, businesses prioritizing Linux-based options may find Azure alternatives more suitable.

3. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) delivers an extensive range of cloud services, prioritizing AI, machine learning, and multi-cloud compatibility. It offers advanced AI solutions and supports efficient machine learning workflows through NVIDIA GPU options. Despite its robust offerings, GCP’s product suite may present complexities for users less versed in technology.

Additionally, businesses facing significant data transfer needs might encounter GCP’s pricing, especially regarding bandwidth usage, resulting in swift cost escalation and prompting exploration of alternative solutions to GCP.

4. Oracle cloud infrastructure

OCI offers a diverse range of solutions, from containers to VMware to AI, and facilitates the migration, modernization, building, and scaling of various workloads, including existing and new applications and data platforms. Oracle emphasizes its commitment to the open-source community, providing direct support for Hadoop, Kubernetes, Linux, and Python. Additionally, OCI integrates a full suite of Oracle Cloud Applications and enables direct interconnection with Microsoft Azure to enhance customer cloud strategies. However, Oracle’s promotion of its proprietary database and middleware solutions within OCI may lead to vendor lock-in, potentially complicating and increasing costs for future transitions to other cloud providers.

5. IBM Cloud

IBM Cloud provides a suite of cloud computing services, including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS solutions, tailored primarily for enterprise-level demands. It integrates with IBM’s range of hardware and software products, emphasizing an enterprise-centric approach. While offering advanced features such as AI, machine learning through Watson, blockchain, IoT, and data analytics, its complexity may pose challenges for smaller businesses. Additionally, IBM Cloud offers limited free support options. Its blend of public, private, and hybrid cloud deployments caters to diverse business and compliance needs, although it may not be optimal for organizations seeking simpler or more cost-effective solutions.

6. Alibaba Cloud

Specializing in cloud solutions, Alibaba Cloud maintains a significant presence in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in China and neighboring Asian countries. Offering a suite of cloud services, including computing, database management, and AI capabilities, it caters to the specific requirements of its primary market. This comprehensive range makes it a solid choice for businesses operating within these regions. While Alibaba Cloud has expressed intentions for global expansion, its infrastructure and strengths presently best serve businesses situated in or targeting the Asian market.

Alternative providers

A growing number of cloud service providers are emerging as compelling alternatives to established hyperscalers. These providers, characterized by their specialization and agility, offer distinct advantages such as personalized customer support, transparent pricing models, and customized solutions. Particularly suited for small to medium-sized enterprises, these alternatives present opportunities for enhanced efficiency and tailored services, catering to diverse business needs.

7. DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean offers cloud hosting solutions tailored for developers and small businesses. Its range of virtual private servers and cloud computing services come at competitive rates, accompanied by a straightforward setup process and user-friendly control panel. Noteworthy is its 24/7 support and a 99.99% uptime SLA, making it a prominent alternative to Hetzner for SMBs and developers alike.

DigitalOcean stands out for its extensive product offerings, boasting a wider selection of Managed Databases and a robust PaaS, App Platform. Businesses now have an exceptional chance to leverage AI capabilities and implement machine learning models in the cloud, thanks to DigitalOcean’s recent acquisition of Paperspace. Additionally, a notable advantage of using DigitalOcean over Hetzner lies in its effective integration capabilities, allowing one-click deployment of popular applications such as WordPress, LAMP, and Node.js. This feature simplifies operations, particularly for those less inclined toward manual server configurations. With its comprehensive features and robust support, DigitalOcean is an appealing choice for businesses in search of an intuitive and comprehensive cloud service platform.

8. Hostwinds

Hostwinds presents an economical choice for those seeking managed VPS services without compromising quality. Although its resources may not cater to larger workloads, Hostwinds’ low-tier VPS packages are ideal for small websites or lightweight projects. Moreover, Hostwinds surpasses Hetzner in managed service, providing package installations, server optimization assistance, and 24/7 proactive monitoring. Whether you’re on a tight budget or require tailored support, Hostwinds stands out as a compelling alternative in the managed VPS arena.

9. OVHcloud

OVHcloud, headquartered in France, offers versatile cloud hosting solutions tailored to businesses of all sizes. Their product range includes virtual private servers, dedicated servers, and cloud computing services, with customizable configurations and a robust control panel for seamless management. However, for highly specialized needs such as AI or advanced workloads, alternative providers may offer more tailored features and integrations.

10. Bluehost

Bluehost caters to bloggers, online stores, and marketers with a suite of user-friendly services. Their infrastructure prioritizes up-to-date test automation for a seamless experience. Unique resource protection technology ensures consistent performance, even in shared hosting environments. Bluehost boasts affordability, reliability, and robust customer support, outshining Hetzner in several aspects. However, with limited data center locations, some plans may appear costly for startups.

11. Inmotion hosting

InMotion Hosting offers a variety of hosting solutions, from web and shared to WordPress and VPS hosting. Known for its commitment to quality service, InMotion Hosting boasts strong performance, excellent uptime, and customer-centric support. However, it lacks block storage solutions and load balancer support, potentially leading to additional operational costs. Despite these limitations, InMotion Hosting remains a popular choice for those seeking reliable hosting solutions.

12. Hostinger

Hostinger offers an appealing alternative to Hetzner’s shared hosting, advertising faster performance and a modern, beginner-friendly control panel. Unlike Hetzner’s interface, Hostinger’s hPanel stands out for its clean, intuitive design, making navigation effortless. For those prioritizing performance and user experience, Hostinger presents a compelling option.

Advantages and disadvantages of using Hetzner

Hetzner has established itself in the competitive cloud services market as a cost-effective solution provider. Catering to various hosting needs, from personal projects to enterprise solutions, Hetzner offers a range of services. However, it’s important to evaluate both its advantages and limitations before making a decision.

Advantages of Hetzner:

• High performance: Hetzner’s servers are known for reliability and raw processing power. Ideal for tasks demanding high computing resources like scientific computing or video rendering.
• Bare-metal servers: Hetzner offers bare-metal servers, granting complete control over the hardware. This is perfect for advanced users needing complete customization of their server environment.
• API access: They provide an API for automating server management tasks. This can be a huge time-saver for developers and system administrators.
• Payment flexibility: They offer various payment options, including credit cards, SEPA bank transfers, and Bitcoin, allowing for convenient payment methods.

Disadvantages of Hetzner:

• Limited DDoS Protection: While some basic DDoS protection is included, advanced DDoS protection might require additional configuration or a separate service.
• Less user-friendly interface: The control panel might be less intuitive compared to competitors. This may make it more challenging for beginners to navigate and configure servers.
• Limited customer support: Basic customer support is offered, but advanced technical assistance may incur additional fees. This can be a drawback for users requiring more hand-holding.
• Limited software options: Pre-configured application stacks like LAMP may be less readily available compared to some providers.

DigitalOcean is the Hetzner alternative for your business needs

DigitalOcean is a robust alternative to Hetzner, offering a seamless cloud service for businesses seeking efficiency and reliability.

With the swift deployment of preconfigured cloud servers within minutes, DigitalOcean streamlines infrastructure setup for developers. Its intuitive control panel and APIs facilitate seamless management of Droplets, Load Balancers, and other services.

DigitalOcean excels across various fronts, including:

• Superior customer support: With 24/7 technical assistance and dedicated support options, DigitalOcean ensures prompt resolution of queries.
• Developer-centric approach: Our documentation and tutorials enhance the user experience, setting a benchmark in the cloud hosting industry.
• Integrated solutions: From Managed Databases to serverless computing via DigitalOcean Functions and App Platform, the platform offers a comprehensive suite of services.
• Global reach: With data centers spanning nine regions, DigitalOcean ensures minimal latency worldwide.

With a blend of support excellence, an intuitive interface, comprehensive features, and global reach, DigitalOcean is a compelling alternative to Hetzner. Explore our risk-free trial to experience the difference firsthand.

Here’s what Oleksandr Polishchuk, CTO of Younet AI, a business automation platform, had to say about using DigitalOcean, “Everything with DigitalOcean is well documented and logical. My experience with AWS wasn’t as great because it’s over-complicated with lots of documentation. DigitalOcean cuts down the development time, and it’s stable and much cheaper which I love as well.”

Sign up for a DigitalOcean account today to get started.