Dedicated Server Comparison for the UK 2025

Dedicated Server Comparison - Providers in the Test

Are you searching for a powerful dedicated server that you can fully manage without restrictions? Then you’ve come to the right place! With a dedicated server, you can utilise the entire physical machine exclusively and customise it precisely to the requirements of your online projects.

Our server comparison helps you keep track of the ever-growing range of server providers. Because almost monthly, new providers enter the market, new plans are introduced, or conditions for existing plans are changed. Keeping up with all of that isn’t always easy!

With our always up-to-date server provider test, you can easily compare the features and prices of individual server rentals. The extensive filter functions enable you to find the best offers according to your personal preferences:

• If you need lots of storage space, then only display servers with more than 500 GB of storage.
• If high speed is your priority, then select only servers with SSD drives in the search.
• If sustainability is particularly important to you, then only consider providers that utilise green electricity.
• If cost is especially important, then set your maximum budget in the search filter.

Using the filter function, you can find the optimal web hosting for your project in the server comparison!

Why use a dedicated server?

Extensive web projects such as large online shops, popular communities, or high-traffic websites of online service providers often require better performance and more configuration options than are available with shared web hosting or VPS. For the high demands of these customers, the dedicated server providers in our comparison offer suitable hosting solutions. Dedicated servers provide the opportunity to fully utilise the available resources and make customised settings according to your specific requirements.

Table of Contents

• What is a dedicated server?
• What are the advantages of a dedicated server?
• Who benefits from using a dedicated server?
• What should you consider when choosing a dedicated server provider?
• Server costs – what is included?

Not the right choice?

Now submit a free and non-binding personalised request and receive offers within a very short time.

Start request

What is a dedicated server?

A dedicated server, often also offered under the name of a physical server, is a physical computer used for the permanent operation of one or more services within a network. This mainly distinguishes a server from a standard workstation computer, which is only used temporarily to perform tasks. By using specialised software applications, various services can be set up on the machine. Through the permanent internet connection in the data centre of the dedicated server provider, all data and configured services on the server can also be made available to other users. Depending on the intended use, the servers can be utilised as different types of servers. These include, among others, the following applications:

• Web Server
• Web servers are used to deliver the contents of a server to the client's device. The delivery of content, such as a website, takes place via the transfer protocol HTTP to the client's browser. The document is then made available to the user. All data can be accessed and utilised simultaneously by multiple users. In addition to delivering data, the web server can also perform additional tasks such as access restrictions, encryption, or logging.
• Mail Server
• Mail servers manage all email traffic and thus represent another important service on the internet. Incoming emails are distributed to the recipients' mailboxes, while outgoing emails are forwarded to the appropriate servers.
• Nameserver
• Nameservers are used for name resolution. This process allows the domain name entered by the user to be resolved to an IP address understandable by the computer, thereby directing the user to the desired website.
• Database Server
• Database servers are used for managing extensive database systems. Database systems are particularly suitable for storing large volumes of data in an organised and structured manner for quick access.
• Gameserver
• Gameservers are required to enable multiple participants in online games to compete against each other simultaneously. Due to the high performance demands, especially powerful computers are needed for gameservers.
• Chat Server
• Chat servers facilitate direct communication between participants over the internet. There are various types of chats; nowadays, instant messaging is the most commonly used. Unlike email traffic, chat communication occurs synchronously, in real-time without delay.

What are the advantages of a Root Server?

A Root Server offers numerous benefits for the user. The main criterion for choosing a dedicated server is higher performance. Especially when compared to a standard web hosting, where several hundred customers share a server, or compared to VPS hosting systems, where system resources are divided among multiple accounts, with a Root Server you have the entire hardware performance and bandwidth exclusively at your disposal. This allows you to run resource-intensive applications or multiple services simultaneously without issues.

Another criterion that speaks in favour of choosing a dedicated server is the freedom in configuration. On a dedicated server, customers are subject to no restrictions and can make any settings necessary for operating the desired services and applications themselves. Starting with the choice of the operating system, through the deployed services and applications, up to specific policies and configuration settings for scripting languages or database applications. The customer determines all settings themselves.

Who benefits from using a dedicated server?

A dedicated server is ideal for webmasters with high demands on performance and functionality. The scope of application for dedicated servers is virtually unlimited. Thanks to the unrestricted configuration options and the exclusive performance available, projects of all kinds can be realised. Whether it is about running an online shop or implementing a specialised online service, or even setting up your own web hosting offer — all are possible. For some services such as game servers or large database applications, the performance of a basic web hosting package would not suffice; in these cases, there is no alternative but to acquire a dedicated server.

Due to the numerous configuration options, managing and maintaining a dedicated server requires good administrative knowledge from the user. Important security settings, as well as updates to the operating system and individual services, are necessary to operate the server stably and securely. For customers without technical expertise in these areas, dedicated server providers from our comparison also offer special managed servers. These packages are managed by specialised professionals from the hosting provider, who take over all technical tasks related to server maintenance. This allows the customer to focus entirely on their website, just like with a web hosting package, without having to deal with the technical side of the server.

What should be considered when choosing a dedicated server provider?

In Germany, numerous dedicated server providers have established themselves. Due to high demand from customers, new providers are constantly entering the market. To keep track of the many options, we have created a database with over 700 dedicated server providers tested. Since different criteria are important depending on the intended use, a detailed comparison of dedicated server providers is worthwhile. Most hosting providers of dedicated servers offer exclusively Linux-based dedicated servers. for example, with the operating system Debian or Suse. However, the number of providers for Windows systems in dedicated servers has been steadily increasing in recent years. This also allows for the realisation of MySQL databases and applications with high demands. The different performance levels of CPUs and RAM should be carefully considered and actively compared, as services like game servers require a lot of power. The installed hard drives are also an important criterion. How much storage space is needed, and should data security solutions such as a RAID system be used? To achieve even higher access speeds for web applications, modern SSD drives can be utilised. In addition to questions about network connectivity and specialised backup solutions, contractual aspects such as setup fees or contract durations should also be considered. It is also important to clarify before signing the contract in what form support from the hosting provider will be offered.

Here is a practical overview of the most important criteria:

• CPU and RAM
• Will a processor with multiple CPU cores and high clock speed be used? How much memory is required for the operation of the planned applications?
• Hard drive
• How much storage space should be available on the hard drive? Is a RAID system used, which requires multiple drives?
• Connectivity
• How is the server connected to the internet? Via a 100 Mbit or Gigabit port? What data rate is permanently guaranteed by the provider?
• Traffic
• Is all data traffic to and from the server included in the price, or are there potentially additional costs?
• Data security
• Is an automatic backup of the server created, which can be restored immediately in an emergency?
• Support
• Is support available around the clock? Which support services may incur additional charges?
• Contract duration
• How long is the contractual period for using the server? What notice periods must be observed?
• Fees
• Are there one-time setup fees in addition to the monthly costs?

If you also wish to utilise the numerous advantages of a dedicated server for your projects, it is advisable to compare the different terms offered by all dedicated server providers. In the list above, you will find special offers from dedicated server providers and can compare them with each other. If you need more options to find a more specific server offer, our extensive detailed search is available for you.

Not the right one?

Request a customised quote now — free of charge and without obligation — and receive offers in the shortest possible time.

Start a request

Server Costs

If a larger infrastructure is required for your web project, operators quickly reach their limits with affordable shared web hosting packages. A dedicated server offers more flexibility and performance but also involves higher costs. But how are these costs composed, and which fees are reasonable regarding server costs?

What server costs are incurred by the hosting provider?

Hosting providers generally have their servers located in large data centres. This can be a large hall housing numerous physical computers and servers. In addition to the purchase costs for the hardware, many other expenses are incurred for operating the servers.

Thus, the server costs are made up of the following items:

• Costs associated with the location: These include, among others, rent or caretaker costs. If the property is owned, property taxes or contributions to building insurance are added.
• Energy: Besides the pure electricity costs for running the servers, expenses for heating or lighting of workplaces also apply.
• Personnel costs: Hosting providers need to pay their staff. These are not only technical specialists but also employees in marketing or administration.
• Taxes and levies: A hosting provider must also account for taxes and levies in their expenses to operate economically.

Based on all these costs, hosting providers calculate the prices and fees they charge their customers.

How are the server costs passed on to the customer?

Those who do not wish to buy their own server can rent a dedicated server from a suitable provider. Depending on the tariff, fixed rental prices apply. Billing can be monthly, quarterly, or yearly. The principle is: The longer the billing interval, the cheaper the fees per month.

The actual server costs depend on the hardware resources chosen. Those requiring a high-performance machine with large storage capacity, ample RAM, and a suitable processor speed should expect higher fees.

What server costs are reasonable?

How much customers should spend on a dedicated server largely depends on the purpose of the server. Private users often pay less for a server than commercial users, as companies require more resources and higher server speed for more complex web presences.

The necessary hardware resources are determined by the requirements of the software to be used. The more complex the software, the higher the demands on the server. Affordable servers are available from around £30 per month. For well-equipped servers, costs of over £80 per month should be expected.

What additional costs might there be?

When renting a dedicated server, additional services can also be booked, which may be included in the regular billing.

Many providers offer a managed service, where they handle the administration and setup of the server. If needed, an external agency can also be engaged to manage the server. Anyone wishing to utilise this service should factor in the additional costs.

Depending on the model, these extra costs may appear in the hosting provider’s invoice or be billed separately by the agency.

Use a server provider comparison

When looking for a suitable server provider, one quickly encounters a vast array of different offers. Selecting the right offer from this multitude of options requires a lot of time-consuming research. Therefore, a comparison based on a large database with many offers from server providers is recommended. Our affordable Root Server comparison is specifically designed for servers under €50.

The search for a server provider can also be much quicker and more relaxed: On hosttest, you can submit requests for web hosting, web design, servers, and programming work free of charge. This allows you to search for the right offer completely anonymously.

Compare and test server providers!

Currently, over 400 companies are registered with hosttest, which are subjected to neutral and independent tests and comparisons. Each month, the best server providers and web design companies in Germany are determined.

Additionally, hosttest offers a free server monitor that can automatically notify the owner by email and SMS in case of website or server failures.

With over 6,000 offers in web hosting, servers, and VPS hosting, along with editorial background information on web hosting, web design, and online marketing, hosttest is one of the largest German portals in this field.

Didn’t find what you’re looking for?

Now submit a free and non-binding individual request and receive offers within a very short time.

Start request