Hosting Comparison

Hosting at a glance: which type suits which project?

Hosting means a provider supplies storage and computing power so that your website or application is reachable around the clock. The range goes from an entry-level package for a few euros to your own virtual server. Which one fits depends less on price than on how much of the technical work you want to take on yourself and what runs on your site.

For classic websites and blogs, web hosting is usually the simplest solution. If you use WordPress, WordPress hosting has plans with staging and backups. Applications built with JavaScript, on the other hand, need a permanently running process; more on that in the comparison for Node.js hosting. If you build projects with AI tools, start with the article on hosting for vibe coding.

Shared hosting, managed hosting, VPS and PaaS

With shared hosting, many customers share one server. That is cheap and low-maintenance because the provider takes care of the operating system, web server and updates. Performance and configuration options are limited, though. Managed hosting goes one step further: the provider also looks after software updates, caching and application security, for example for WordPress, and charges a premium for it.

A virtual server (VPS, see the VServer comparison) gives you root access and complete freedom but requires administration skills. You have to install updates, configure the firewall and set up backups. Platforms as a service (PaaS) sit in between: you upload your code and the platform builds and runs it. Many bill by usage, however, which can become expensive under heavy load.

Typical costs and pricing pitfalls

Entry-level packages start at just under €2 a month, managed WordPress plans usually at around €9, and virtual servers at a few euros. The advertised prices often apply only to the first contract period, though. After that the price jumps to the regular rate, sometimes to a multiple. Always calculate the cost over the entire minimum term plus one renewal.

There are also items outside the plan. A domain is billed annually, and the renewal price can be higher than the registration price, as our domain price comparison shows. Set-up fees, extra mailboxes, backup options and SSL certificates are included with some providers and chargeable with others. Also check whether prices are quoted gross or net.

• Renewal price: the price after the promotion ends is the figure that counts in the long run.
• Term: monthly payment is more flexible; annual or multi-year contracts are cheaper per month.
• Traffic and storage limits: “unlimited” usually sits under a fair-use clause.
• Extras: factor in domain, email, backups, set-up and support packages.

Legal framework

Anyone who processes personal data on a rented server, for instance through a contact form or a shop, needs a data processing agreement with the host under Art. 28 GDPR. Reputable providers supply it in the customer area. A server location in Germany or the EU simplifies the documentation because no transfer to a third country has to be assessed.

Business websites in Germany must also have a legal notice (Impressum) under the German Digital Services Act (section 5 DDG) and a privacy policy. .de domains are registered with the registry DENIC, which you manage through your provider or directly through the registrar. Make a note of the auth code, because without it you cannot transfer the domain to another provider.

Choosing in five steps

If you are unsure, a fixed sequence helps. It stops you paying for performance you never use or saving in the wrong place.

• Describe the project: static site, WordPress, shop, Node.js application or AI-generated app.
• Decide how much technical work and maintenance you want: do you handle updates yourself or hand them off?
• Clarify location and data protection: data centre in the EU, data processing agreement.
• Calculate the total cost over the minimum term and renewal, including the domain.
• Check the exit route: how will you get your data and domain out later if you switch?

Frequently asked questions

How much does hosting for a simple website cost?

Realistically €2 to €10 a month for an ordinary website. Plans below that are mostly promotional prices for the first contract period. Details and renewal prices are in the web hosting comparison.

Do I need special hosting for WordPress?

Not necessarily. WordPress runs on ordinary web hosting if you have updates and backups under control. Managed WordPress pays off as soon as the site is business-critical or several people work on it. More in the WordPress hosting comparison.

What is the difference between hosting and a domain?

The domain is the address, for example my-site.de. Hosting is the storage space where the website's files live. Both can be booked from the same provider or separately, which makes switching hosts easier later.

Is a server location in Germany mandatory?

No, the GDPR allows hosting anywhere in the EU. A German location does offer short routes for support and contract questions and is the lowest-risk choice for personal data. With providers outside the EU, transfers to third countries must additionally be assessed.

When is your own server better than web hosting?

As soon as you need root access, your own services, Docker or several applications on one machine. Entry prices for VServers are now on a par with good web hosting plans. You do, however, have to look after security and updates yourself.