Dedicated Server

Dedicated Server: What to Check Before You Buy

Not every "dedicated server" listing is built the same way — even within our own lineup, hardware, location, and extras vary a lot by plan. A few things worth confirming before you order.

• 1

  CPU generation and core count matter more than the price tag

  A budget plan with an older 2-core Xeon and a premium plan with a 32-core EPYC are both "dedicated servers" — but they're built for completely different workloads. Match the hardware to what you're actually running, not just the monthly price.

• 2

  Check for hidden setup fees

  Most of our plans have no setup fee, but at least one does (a one-time $5 charge). Always check the fine print on the specific plan card — a small setup fee isn't a dealbreaker, but it shouldn't be a surprise at checkout either.

• 3

  SSD vs. NVMe vs. HDD — know what you're getting

  Storage type varies significantly across dedicated server plans, including within a single provider's lineup. NVMe is fastest, SATA SSD is a step down, and HDD (sometimes bundled alongside SSD on higher-capacity plans) is slower but higher-capacity. Check which one your workload actually needs.

• 4

  Root access, or admin access — and on what OS

  "Full access" can mean root access on Linux, admin access on Windows Server, or both depending on the plan. If your software only runs on one OS, confirm that before ordering, not after.

• 5

  Anti-DDoS protection isn't universal

  Some dedicated server plans include DDoS protection as standard; others don't mention it at all. If you're hosting anything public-facing or high-traffic, this is worth checking explicitly rather than assuming it's included.

• 6

  Location affects latency, not just legal jurisdiction

  A server in Germany and a server in the USA will perform very differently for users in different regions. Pick the location closest to your actual traffic, not just the cheapest available region.