Windows Dedicated Server Hosting (2026): 10 Providers Compared
IONOS advertises a dedicated server from USD 41 a month. Add the Windows Server license and you are closer to USD 79 before the machine serves a single request. Windows dedicated hosting works like that almost everywhere: the headline number and the real number are different, and the gap is the license. This comparison covers ten providers with pricing verified in May 2026. It separates the hosts that fold the license into the price from the ones that bolt it on after.
Quick answer: Contabo gives you the most Windows hardware per dollar, with the license already included. For a hands-off managed Windows box, pick Liquid Web or Hostwinds. For the lowest real bare-metal entry price, InterServer runs about USD 67 a month with renewal locked at the signup rate.
Jump to: Contabo | Ultahost | Kamatera | Liquid Web | IONOS | OVHcloud | Hostwinds | Hivelocity | InterServer | AccuWebHosting
Last reviewed: May 2026. Prices and features verified.
How We Selected These Providers
This list began with fifteen hosts that show up in Windows dedicated server roundups. Five did not survive the checks. GoDaddy is out because its dedicated servers are end-of-life, with existing customers being moved to VPS. A few others were cut for a quieter reason: they appear in dedicated-server listings but only run Windows on VPS plans, not on physical hardware. For the ten that remain, the angle here is cost. The heaviest weight went to two numbers: the entry-to-renewal price ratio, and whether the Windows Server license is included or charged separately. A host that looks cheap until renewal doubles it does not score well. We also weighted money-back terms, since this group runs from 30 days down to nothing at all. Sources were official pricing pages first, then recent user-review aggregators and provider status histories for uptime. What we didn't do: run synthetic load tests, or pin down every Windows license add-on to the dollar. Several providers only reveal that figure at checkout. We have said so in each section rather than guessing. If you are weighing this against Linux, the Linux dedicated server market sits a clear step cheaper.
| Hosting Provider | Reviews | Overall Rating | Dedicated Server from |
|---|---|---|---|
1  Contabo
|
9.1k+ |
|
$103.99 / mo. No Setup Fee |
2  Ultahost
|
854 |
|
$74.80 / mo. Flash Sale -40% |
3  Kamatera
|
320 |
|
$19.00 / mo. 30 Days free |
4  Liquid Web Inc.
|
2.8k+ |
|
$39.50 / mo. up to -55% |
5  IONOS | ionos.com
|
38.1k+ |
|
$60.00 / mo. |
6  OVHcloud
|
6.7k+ |
|
$7.00 / mo. |
7  Hostwinds
|
1.5k+ |
|
$122.00 / mo. |
8  InterServer
|
2.3k+ |
|
$49.00 / mo. NOW 65% off |
9  AccuWebHosting
|
242 |
|
$75.00 / mo. FX VPS -33.40% |
1. Contabo
9.1k+
4.0
Positive
Positive
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 TB | 12 x 3.7GHz | 32 GB | $103.99 / mo. | View Plan |
| 1 TB | 12 x 3.7GHz | 64 GB | $119.74 / mo. | View Plan |
| 2 TB | 12 x 3.7GHz | 125 GB | $130.25 / mo. | View Plan |
Contabo – Best for the License Already in the Price
From around USD 160/month (EUR 136.40) | AMD Ryzen 9 7900, 12 cores | 64 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe
Contabo is the one provider here where the Windows Server license isn't a separate line item. Its dedicated servers ship with Windows Server Standard preinstalled. The dedicated server page doesn't list a license add-on the way the IONOS or AccuWebHosting pages do. The price you see is close to the price with the OS on it.
That changes the math. Contabo's 12-core Ryzen 9 7900 with 64 GB RAM and 1 TB NVMe runs about USD 160 a month. To reach a comparable Windows configuration on IONOS, you start at a USD 41 base and add a USD 38 license. Even then you end up with four cores and spinning HDD storage. The hardware-per-dollar gap is not close. Pricing is shown in euros only, which matters if you budget in dollars: EUR 136.40 on the entry tier, or EUR 146.00 (about USD 171) on the standard non-discounted rate. There is no promo-to-renewal trap, the rate holds. Contabo also allows bring-your-own-license on dedicated servers, so existing Windows Server licensing can be applied.
The weak spots are real. Contabo's contractual SLA is 95% network uptime, well below the 99.9% the marketing pages imply, and far below what IONOS or Liquid Web commit to in writing. Support is live chat and tickets only, with no phone line. And this is an unmanaged box: you patch it, you secure it, you fix it.
Pros:
- Windows Server license preinstalled, no published add-on
- 12 cores and 64 GB RAM at the entry tier
- 1 TB NVMe storage standard
- No renewal price increase
Cons:
- 95% contractual uptime SLA
- EUR-only pricing, no phone support
- Fully unmanaged
Pricing: EUR 136.40/month entry, EUR 146.00 standard rate. No setup fee. Windows Server Standard preinstalled, bring-your-own-license accepted.
Best for: Teams that want maximum Windows hardware per dollar and can run the server themselves. Skip if: You need a written uptime guarantee above 99%, or you want phone support.
Choose Contabo if hardware per dollar is the priority and you have the skills to run an unmanaged Windows box. If you need a real SLA in the contract, IONOS commits to 99.99% for roughly half the hardware. If you want someone else managing the server, Hostwinds or Liquid Web are the call, at a higher price.
2. Ultahost
854
4.6
Positive
Positive
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 480 GB | 4 cores | 16 GB | $74.80 / mo. | View Plan |
| 960 GB | 6 cores | 64 GB | $97.80 / mo. | View Plan |
| 960 GB | 12 cores | 64 GB | $115.80 / mo. | View Plan |
Ultahost – Best for a Real Money-Back Window
From USD 74.80/month (24-month term) | Intel Xeon E3-1265L V3, 4 cores | 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD
Start with what is dated. Ultahost's entry Ulta-X1 plan runs an Intel Xeon E3-1265L V3, a chip from 2013. It's paired with DDR3 memory and a plain 256 GB SSD rather than NVMe. For a 2026 server, that is old hardware.
What pulls it back is everything around the hardware. Ultahost is one of only two providers here with a 30-day money-back guarantee. The rest of this group runs from 7 days down to nothing. The entry price is USD 74.80 a month on a 24-month term, and the renewal holds at that same USD 74.80 rather than jumping. Compare that to Liquid Web, where the cheapest Windows box renews at USD 378, roughly five times higher. You also get a fuller package than the price suggests: free DDoS protection, unmetered bandwidth, a 99.99% uptime guarantee, and 35-plus data center locations to deploy in. Support is 24/7 over live chat and tickets, with critical issues answered fast, though there is no phone line.
For modern hardware you have to climb to the Ulta-X3 tier at USD 141.50 a month, which brings an 8-core Ryzen 7 7700X, 64 GB of DDR5, and a 1 Gbit/s port. That is the plan most buyers should actually look at. The Ulta-X1 is best understood as a low-commitment entry point, not a performance pick.
Pros:
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Renewal holds at USD 74.80, no hike
- 35+ data center locations
- Free DDoS protection, unmetered bandwidth
Cons:
- Entry hardware is 2013-era, DDR3, non-NVMe
- 24-month term for the headline price
- No phone support
Pricing: USD 74.80/month entry on a 24-month term (USD 93.50 without the term discount). Renewal stays at USD 74.80. Windows offered as a selectable OS in the plan configuration.
Best for: Buyers who want a 30-day exit and predictable renewal pricing. Skip if: You need current-generation hardware at the entry price.
Pick Ultahost if a 30-day money-back window and flat renewal pricing matter more than raw specs. Budget on the Ulta-X3 tier if you need modern silicon. If you want today's hardware at the floor price, InterServer's USD 67 Ryzen 3600X box beats the Ulta-X1 outright. If you want fully managed hosting, Hostwinds includes it.
3. Kamatera
320
4.2
Positive
Positive
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 GB | 2 x 5.33GHz | 4 GB | $19.00 / mo. | View Plan |
| 50 GB | 2 x 5.33GHz | 8 GB | $32.00 / mo. | View Plan |
Kamatera – Best for Workloads That Change Size
From USD 27/month | 1 dedicated vCPU core | 2 GB RAM, 30 GB NVMe SSD
Kamatera's product is called a Dedicated Windows VPS, and the name does some work it shouldn't. This isn't bare metal. It's a virtual machine with dedicated vCPU cores allocated to you, running on shared physical hardware. If you came here for single-tenant hardware, this isn't that.
Cleared up, here is why it still earns a spot. Kamatera is the cheapest entry on this list at USD 27 a month, less than half Ultahost's USD 74.80, and the Windows Server Datacenter license is included at that price. Storage is NVMe across every tier, which is more than IONOS can say at USD 41. You can bill hourly or monthly, and you can scale CPU, RAM, and storage up or down without rebuilding the server. That flexibility is the actual reason to choose it. A workload that spikes for three days a month and idles the rest costs far less on Kamatera's hourly billing. A fixed bare-metal box charges you around the clock either way. For steady, predictable load, the logic flips, and a real dedicated server gives you more for the money.
The entry tier is small: 1 core, 2 GB RAM, 30 GB storage. The Plus tier at USD 52 and Premium at USD 117 scale that up. Management is on you by default, and a managed add-on costs extra. If a virtual machine is honestly all you need, a dedicated Windows VPS hosting plan may serve you better than anything labeled dedicated here.
Pros:
- Lowest entry price at USD 27/month
- Windows Server Datacenter license included
- NVMe storage on every tier
- Hourly billing and live scaling
Cons:
- Not a true bare-metal dedicated server
- Tiny entry-tier resources (1 core, 2 GB RAM)
- Self-managed unless you pay for management
Pricing: USD 27/month Basic, USD 52 Plus, USD 117 Premium. Hourly billing available. 30-day free trial with up to USD 100 credit. Windows Datacenter license included.
Best for: Variable or bursty workloads that benefit from hourly billing and live scaling. Skip if: You need physically isolated, single-tenant hardware.
Kamatera is the right call when your workload size moves and you want to pay for what you use, with the Windows license already covered. If you need true single-tenant hardware, this is the wrong list entry, so look at Contabo or OVHcloud instead. If you want a managed virtual server, Ultahost gives you more hand-holding.
4. Liquid Web Inc.
2.8k+
4.5
Positive
Positive
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 480 GB | 4 x 3.5GHz | 16 GB | $39.50 / mo. | View Plan |
| 960 GB | 16 x 2.9GHz | 64 GB | $82.50 / mo. | View Plan |
| 960 GB | 32 x 2.9GHz | 128 GB | $114.00 / mo. | View Plan |
Liquid Web – Best for Hands-Off Enterprise Management
USD 210/month promo, USD 378/month renewal | Intel Xeon 6226R, 16 cores | 64 GB RAM, 2x960 GB SSD RAID-1
USD 378 a month. That is what Liquid Web's cheapest Windows dedicated server costs once the two-month introductory discount runs out.
The promo rate of USD 210 is real (enjoy it while it lasts), but it only runs 60 days, so plan around the renewal number, not the sticker. For that price you are not buying hardware, you are buying the fact that you never touch it. Every Liquid Web Windows dedicated server is fully managed, with 500 GB of Acronis Cyber Backup, ServerSecure hardening, and DDoS protection included. The uptime commitment is among the strongest here: the all-servers page lists 99.99%, and the managed-server SLA references 100% network and power with account credits when missed. The cost gap is the headline trade. Liquid Web's USD 378 renewal is roughly five times Ultahost's USD 74.80 and about three times Hostwinds' USD 122 starting rate. What separates it from Hostwinds, which is also fully managed, is depth: included Acronis backups, a choice of cPanel, Plesk, or InterWorx, and the long-running Heroic Support operation.
The entry hardware is capable on its own terms: a 16-core Xeon 6226R with 64 GB RAM and RAID-1 SSD storage. There is no stripped-down low-spec Windows option below it, which is part of why the floor price is high. The money-back guarantee technically exists for managed hosting, but coverage on dedicated specifically was inconsistent across sources, so do not count on it.
Pros:
- Fully managed, including OS and security
- 500 GB Acronis backups included
- 16-core entry hardware
- 99.99%+ uptime commitment with credits
Cons:
- Renewal jumps to USD 378/month after 60 days
- No low-spec budget Windows option
- Money-back coverage on dedicated unclear
Pricing: USD 210/month for the first 2 months, then USD 378/month. Windows handled as a managed configuration. No published setup fee.
Best for: Businesses running a mission-critical Windows app that want zero server administration. Skip if: Budget is the deciding factor, or you can manage the box yourself.
Go with Liquid Web if a Windows workload is business-critical and you want it fully managed, with backups and a real SLA built in. If you want managed Windows for less, Hostwinds does it at USD 122. If you can administer the server yourself, Contabo gives you more hardware for under half the renewal price.
5. IONOS | ionos.com
38.1k+
4.3
Positive
Positive
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.95 TB | 12 x 2.6GHz | 32 GB | $60.00 / mo. | View Plan |
| 1.95 TB | 12 x 2.6GHz | 64 GB | $77.00 / mo. | View Plan |
| 480 GB | 6 x 3.6GHz | 32 GB | $81.00 / mo. | View Plan |
IONOS – Best for Knowing Your Full Cost Upfront
USD 41/month base, around USD 79/month with Windows | Intel Xeon E3-1230 v6, 4 cores | 16 GB RAM, 2x1 TB HDD
Where Contabo folds the Windows license into one number, IONOS itemizes it, and that turns out to be a feature. The dedicated server starts at USD 41 a month. The Windows Server license is a clearly published USD 38 a month for 4-to-8-core servers, rising to USD 57 at 12 cores. No surprises at checkout.
Add it up and a Windows IONOS box lands near USD 79 a month. That undercuts Hostwinds' roughly USD 122 entry by about 35%, though Hostwinds includes management and IONOS does not. Against OVHcloud, the two are within a few dollars monthly, but OVHcloud charges a USD 70 setup fee and IONOS does not. IONOS commits to a 99.99% uptime SLA in writing, the kind of contractual number Contabo does not match. Billing terms are flat 1-month, 12-month, or 24-month with no renewal hike, and support runs 24/7 across phone, chat, and email. For a buyer who wants to know the full monthly cost before committing, this is the most transparent option on the list.
Two real drawbacks. The entry plan ships 2x1 TB SATA HDD, not SSD or NVMe. Storage performance is the weak link until you pay up for a faster config. And there is no money-back guarantee on dedicated servers at all. The flexible 1-month term is the only safety net IONOS offers.
Pros:
- Windows license cost published, USD 38/month flat
- 99.99% uptime SLA in writing
- No setup fee, no renewal increase
- 24/7 phone, chat, and email support
Cons:
- Entry storage is HDD, not SSD/NVMe
- No money-back guarantee on dedicated
- Total cost higher than the USD 41 headline
Pricing: USD 41/month base, plus USD 38/month Windows Server license (4-8 cores). Roughly USD 79/month all-in. No setup fee.
Best for: Buyers who want the full Windows cost itemized and a contractual SLA. Skip if: You need fast storage at the entry price, or a money-back trial.
IONOS is the pick if cost transparency and a written 99.99% SLA matter, and you can live with HDD storage on the entry tier. If you want NVMe at a similar price, OVHcloud's Rise-1 has it. If you want a refund window in case it doesn't work out, IONOS has none, while Ultahost gives you 30 days.
6. OVHcloud
6.7k+
2.3
Neutral
Neutral
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited | 24 x 3.35GHz | 768 GB | $7.00 / mo. | View Plan |
| Unlimited | 4 x 3.9GHz | 64 GB | $60.00 / mo. | View Plan |
| Unlimited | 4 x 2.7GHz | 16 GB | $62.00 / mo. | View Plan |
OVHcloud – Best for NVMe on a Budget Box
USD 70/month + USD 70 setup fee | Intel Xeon-E 2386G, 6 cores | 32 GB RAM, 2x512 GB NVMe SSD
If you want NVMe storage on the cheapest physical server you can find, OVHcloud's Rise-1 is the box. It's the one entry tier on this list that ships NVMe as standard. Most budget tiers here, IONOS included, still hand you SATA HDD at the floor price.
The Rise-1 runs a 6-core Xeon-E 2386G with 32 GB of ECC memory and 2x512 GB NVMe. That's USD 70 a month, plus a one-time USD 70 setup fee. Compared to a Windows-licensed IONOS box at around USD 79, OVHcloud is a few dollars cheaper monthly, with faster storage and more cores. The setup fee narrows that gap in month one. The Windows licensing here is flexible but not transparent. You choose Standard or Datacenter edition, pay monthly through SPLA (Microsoft's Services Provider License Agreement), or bring your own license (BYOL). The limitation is that OVHcloud does not publish the monthly Windows figure anywhere public. It appears only in the order configurator, so budget for it as a real add-on and confirm the number before you commit.
OVHcloud's SLA sits at 99.9%, lower than the 99.99% from IONOS. There is also no meaningful money-back guarantee: dedicated server fees are non-refundable unless no OS was ever installed. What you do get is real scale, anti-DDoS included, and NVMe as the default rather than an upsell.
Pros:
- NVMe storage standard at the entry tier
- 6 cores, 32 GB ECC RAM for USD 70/month
- Flexible Windows licensing, including BYOL
- Anti-DDoS included
Cons:
- USD 70 one-time setup fee
- Windows license price hidden until checkout
- 99.9% SLA, no real money-back guarantee
Pricing: USD 70/month plus a one-time USD 70 setup fee. Windows Server license is an add-on priced at checkout.
Best for: Buyers who want NVMe and ECC memory at the lowest possible monthly rate. Skip if: You need the all-in Windows price confirmed before ordering, or you want a refund option.
Choose OVHcloud Rise-1 if NVMe storage and ECC memory at USD 70 a month outweigh a setup fee and an opaque license price. If you need the total Windows cost itemized first, IONOS publishes it. If a money-back window matters, skip both and look at Ultahost.
7. Hostwinds
1.5k+
4.4
Positive
Positive
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 TB | 4 x 3.4GHz | 8 GB | $122.00 / mo. | View Plan |
Hostwinds – Best for Round-the-Clock Managed Support
From around USD 122/month | Intel Xeon E3-1270 v3, 4 cores | 8 GB RAM, 1 TB HDD
99.9999%. That is the uptime figure Hostwinds prints on its dedicated server guarantee, which works out to roughly 30 seconds of allowed downtime per year. Whether any host truly hits six nines is its own debate, but the commitment on paper is the highest on this list.
Hostwinds builds its dedicated servers as configurable, à la carte machines and includes full management on every one of them. The base build starts around USD 122 a month. That sits above InterServer's USD 67 and IONOS's roughly USD 79, but both of those leave you to administer the server yourself. Hostwinds doesn't. The Windows license is an extra cost layered on top of the base. Hostwinds doesn't publish the exact figure, so treat it as an unconfirmed add-on until you configure a build. Data centers are limited to three: Seattle, Dallas, and Amsterdam. If you need a server in Asia or South America, Hivelocity's 40-plus locations will serve you better.
The weak point is the refund policy. Hostwinds gives you a 3-day money-back window, 72 hours, one of the shortest in hosting. For a managed server you'll likely keep for years, that may not bite you. But it's a thin safety net next to Ultahost's 30 days. Support itself is 24/7 across phone, chat, and tickets, and the management is the real product here.
Pros:
- Full management included on every plan
- 99.9999% uptime guarantee
- 24/7 phone, chat, and ticket support
- À la carte custom builds
Cons:
- 3-day money-back window
- Only three data center locations
- Windows license price not published
- Entry storage is HDD
Pricing: From around USD 122/month for the base managed build. Windows license is an unpublished add-on. No long-term contract required.
Best for: Buyers who want a fully managed Windows server and will keep it long term. Skip if: You need a longer trial window, or a server outside the US and Netherlands.
Hostwinds is the move if you want managed Windows hosting without Liquid Web's USD 378 renewal, and a US or Amsterdam location works for you. If you need global data center choice, Hivelocity has it. If you want a real money-back window, 3 days won't cut it, and Ultahost gives you 30.
Hivelocity – Best for Picking Your Server's Location
USD 129/month regular, USD 65/month first 3 months | Intel Xeon E-2236, 6 cores | 16 GB RAM, 480 GB SSD
Need a Windows server in São Paulo, Singapore, or Sydney specifically? Hivelocity runs more than 40 data centers across six continents, the widest geographic footprint on this list by a wide margin. For latency-sensitive workloads tied to a region, that reach is the reason to look here.
The entry server is a 6-core Xeon E-2236 with 16 GB RAM and a 480 GB SSD. Regular pricing is USD 129 a month, with a 3-month promo at USD 65 using a launch code. The promo roughly doubles when it ends, so the USD 129 figure is the one to plan against. That regular rate is close to double InterServer's USD 67 everyday price for broadly similar hardware. Windows is available as a deployment option for what Hivelocity calls a nominal monthly fee. As with several hosts here, the exact number is not published and only surfaces at order time. Hivelocity says it passes through Microsoft's rate without markup, which is reassuring, but you still cannot budget it precisely in advance.
Now the honest negative: there is no money-back guarantee. Hivelocity's own FAQ states plainly that it does not offer refunds, with credits handled case by case. Some third-party reviews claim a 30-day guarantee, but the official policy contradicts them. Uptime is committed at 99.99%, support is 24/7 and fully in-house in the US, and there is no setup fee.
Pros:
- 40+ data centers across six continents
- No setup fee
- 99.99% uptime SLA
- US-based in-house 24/7 support
Cons:
- No money-back guarantee at all
- Promo price doubles after 3 months
- Windows license fee not published
Pricing: USD 129/month regular, USD 65/month for the first 3 months with a launch code. Windows license is an unpublished add-on. No setup fee.
Best for: Workloads that need a server in a specific region outside the usual US and EU hubs. Skip if: You want a refund option, or you only need a standard US location.
Hivelocity earns the pick when server location is the deciding factor and you need reach into Asia, South America, or Oceania. If you only need a US server, InterServer delivers similar hardware for about half the regular price. If a money-back guarantee is non-negotiable, Hivelocity offers none, while Ultahost does.
8. InterServer
2.3k+
4.4
Positive
Positive
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.05 TB | 4 x 3.2GHz | 32 GB | $49.00 / mo. | View Plan |
| 500 GB | 6 x 3.8GHz | 64 GB | $66.00 / mo. | View Plan |
| 2 TB | 6 x 3.8GHz | 64 GB | $74.00 / mo. | View Plan |
InterServer – Best for Locked-In Renewal Pricing
From around USD 67/month | AMD Ryzen 3600X, 6 cores | 64 GB RAM, SSD or NVMe
Every other budget host on this list can raise your rate at renewal. InterServer contractually cannot. Its price-lock guarantee means the rate you sign up at is the rate you keep, for as long as you keep the server. In a market built on promo-to-renewal jumps, that is rare.
The entry server is the best raw value here. A 6-core AMD Ryzen 3600X with 64 GB of RAM runs around USD 67 a month, with SSD or NVMe storage as an option. That USD 67 is the lowest real bare-metal price on this list. It runs roughly USD 55 under Hostwinds and well under half Hivelocity's USD 129 regular rate, for comparable or better specs. The Windows license is an add-on. InterServer didn't publish an exact figure, but the SPLA range for Windows Server typically adds somewhere around USD 20 to USD 40 a month. Even at the top of that range, an all-in Windows InterServer box stays under USD 110. Support is 24/7 by phone, chat, and email, US-based, and reviewers consistently note it is comfortable with Windows-specific issues.
What that low price costs you is reach and refunds. InterServer runs just two data centers, both in the US (New Jersey and Los Angeles), so it is a weak pick for a non-US audience. And there is no money-back guarantee on dedicated servers. Once the server is provisioned, it's non-refundable. The 30-day guarantee InterServer advertises applies to shared hosting only.
Pros:
- Lowest real entry price at around USD 67/month
- Price-lock guarantee, renewal never increases
- 64 GB RAM at the entry tier
- 24/7 US-based, Windows-literate support
Cons:
- Only two data centers, both US
- No money-back guarantee on dedicated
- Windows license price not published
Pricing: From around USD 67/month, price-locked at the signup rate for the life of the server. Windows license is an add-on, roughly USD 20 to USD 40/month based on standard SPLA rates. No setup fee.
Best for: US-based buyers who want the lowest long-term price with no renewal surprises. Skip if: You need data centers outside the US, or a refund window.
Go with InterServer if you're US-based and want the cheapest Windows box that will never cost more at renewal than it does today. If your audience is global, Hivelocity's 40-plus locations are worth the premium. If you need a money-back trial, InterServer has none, while Ultahost gives you 30 days.
9. AccuWebHosting
242
4.4
Positive
Positive
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 TB | 4 x 3.4GHz | 16 GB | $75.00 / mo. | View Plan |
| 4 TB | 4 x 2.4GHz | 32 GB | $95.00 / mo. | View Plan |
| 4 TB | 4 x 2.4GHz | 32 GB | $101.00 / mo. | View Plan |
AccuWebHosting – Best for SQL Server and IIS Workloads
From USD 105/month (US), USD 88/month (Poland) | Intel Xeon E3 | 1 TB SATA storage
AccuWebHosting builds its dedicated lineup around Windows-specific tooling. MSSQL Express, IIS, DNS, and control panels come configured at no extra charge. The host also lets you select SQL Server editions, Express, Web, Standard, or Enterprise, as add-ons. For a Windows shop running a database-backed line-of-business app, that pre-configuration saves real setup time.
The entry US server, the Classic-1 in Denver, runs an Intel Xeon E3 with 1 TB SATA storage for USD 105 a month. A cheaper Classic-1 in Poland comes in at USD 88 with 16 GB RAM, if location is flexible. Most dedicated plans include CDP (Continuous Data Protection) automated daily backups plus around 500 GB of separate backup space, more than InterServer or Contabo bundle at this price. Then there is the Windows licensing, and the marketing language oversells it. AccuWebHosting describes Windows as a "small price premium." Its own licensing page lists Windows Server Standard 2022 at USD 38/month for 8 cores, climbing to USD 76 at 16 cores. Datacenter edition starts at USD 234. On the Denver Classic-1, that pushes a real all-in price toward USD 143 a month, above Hostwinds' fully managed USD 122.
The money-back window is 7 days, short, though longer than Hostwinds' 3. Entry hardware leans older, and because pricing swings hard with data center and configuration, the advertised "from" price is rarely what you actually pay. Uptime is committed at 99.9%, and support is 24/7.
Pros:
- Windows tooling (MSSQL, IIS, DNS) pre-configured free
- CDP daily backups plus ~500 GB backup space
- 20+ data center locations
- Selectable SQL Server editions
Cons:
- "Small premium" Windows licensing is USD 38/month minimum
- 7-day money-back window
- Older entry hardware, pricing varies by config
Pricing: USD 105/month (Denver) or USD 88/month (Poland) base, plus USD 38/month or more for the Windows Server license. Realistic all-in around USD 143/month.
Best for: Windows shops that want SQL Server and IIS configured out of the box. Skip if: You want a predictable all-in price, or current-generation entry hardware.
Choose AccuWebHosting if your workload is SQL Server and IIS heavy and pre-configured Windows tooling saves you setup work. If you just want a cheap Windows box, InterServer's USD 67 entry beats it on price. If you want managed Windows for less than the all-in AccuWeb figure, Hostwinds is USD 122 with management included.
How to Choose a Windows Dedicated Server
The Windows license changes every comparison. The right pick depends less on hardware than on how you want to pay for the OS, and how much you want to manage. Four scenarios cover most buyers.
Budget under USD 90/month: If you're comfortable managing the server yourself, InterServer runs around USD 67 plus license, and a Windows-licensed IONOS box lands near USD 79. InterServer wins on RAM (64 GB versus 16 GB) and on the price-lock; IONOS wins on the written 99.99% SLA. The cheapest dedicated servers overall skew Linux, but among Windows-capable boxes, these two are the floor. Skip Liquid Web here, its USD 378 renewal is four times your ceiling.
SQL Server plus IIS workload: For a database-backed line-of-business app, AccuWebHosting configures MSSQL and IIS at no charge, which saves setup hours. If you also want it fully managed, Liquid Web is the alternative. Skip Contabo, you would build the entire Windows stack yourself on an unmanaged box.
Zero server administration: For a business-critical workload, Hostwinds at around USD 122/month includes management. Liquid Web at USD 378 is the alternative if you need bundled Acronis backups and a credit-backed SLA. Skip the unmanaged hosts here, Contabo, OVHcloud, and IONOS, because the price looks better until something breaks at 2 a.m.
Variable workload size: When usage changes month to month, Kamatera billed hourly and scaled live beats the alternatives. A bursty job that runs three days a month costs a fraction of a fixed bare-metal server you pay for around the clock. Skip fixed-spec hosts like Contabo or Hivelocity for this pattern, you would pay full freight for idle time.
One check before you buy: if your traffic and resource needs are moderate, you may not need a physical server at all. Be honest about whether a VPS covers your needs before paying dedicated-server prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay extra for Windows on a dedicated server?
Usually yes. Most providers here charge the Windows Server license as a separate add-on, often USD 38 a month or more. Two exceptions stand apart: Contabo ships dedicated servers with Windows Server Standard preinstalled, and Kamatera bundles a Windows Datacenter license into its USD 27 entry price. IONOS publishes its license fee openly at USD 38/month, while OVHcloud, Hostwinds, and Hivelocity only reveal it at checkout.
Can I use my own Windows Server license on a dedicated server?
Sometimes. Contabo explicitly allows bring-your-own-license on its dedicated servers, and OVHcloud supports BYOL alongside its monthly SPLA option. That route makes the most sense if you already hold volume licensing through a Microsoft agreement. Many hosts, though, only sell the license through their own SPLA channel. Confirm BYOL is allowed before you assume you can transfer an existing license.
Is Contabo or Liquid Web better for a Windows dedicated server?
They solve different problems. Contabo gives you far more hardware per dollar: 12 cores and 64 GB RAM for about USD 160, license included. But the server is fully unmanaged, and the contractual SLA is only 95%. Liquid Web costs USD 378 at renewal but is fully managed, includes Acronis backups, and commits to 99.99% uptime with credits. Choose Contabo if you can run the box yourself, and Liquid Web if you want someone else to.
Do I need Windows Server Datacenter or Standard for a dedicated server?
For most workloads, Standard is enough. Datacenter edition mainly matters if you plan to run dense virtualization. It allows unlimited Windows VMs on the host, while Standard licenses only a couple. The cost gap is large: AccuWebHosting lists Standard 2022 at USD 38/month for 8 cores but Datacenter at USD 234/month. Unless you are building a virtualization host, Standard is the cheaper and correct pick.
Final Verdict
The Windows license is what should drive your decision, not the headline hardware price. Contabo wins on value for anyone who can manage their own server: 12 cores, 64 GB RAM, and the license preinstalled for around USD 160 a month, with no renewal increase. InterServer takes the budget crown for US buyers at roughly USD 67 a month, with a price-lock that never lets renewal climb. Liquid Web and Hostwinds are the managed picks. Liquid Web is for businesses that want backups and a credit-backed SLA bundled in; Hostwinds delivers the same hands-off management at a third of the renewal cost. Kamatera is the one to choose when your workload size moves, since hourly billing beats paying for idle bare metal. And IONOS is the most honest about total cost, publishing its USD 38 license fee instead of hiding it until checkout.
The rest fit narrower needs. OVHcloud earns its place when NVMe at the entry price outweighs a setup fee and an opaque license. Hivelocity is the answer when you specifically need a server outside the usual US and EU regions. AccuWebHosting is for the Windows shop where pre-configured SQL Server and IIS tooling is worth a higher all-in price. Ultahost is the safe entry point, the only budget option here with a 30-day money-back window.
For a wider view beyond Windows specifically, our guide to the best dedicated server providers covers Linux and managed options across the market. US-based buyers who care about data center proximity should also look at the best dedicated servers in the USA. That guide gives location and latency the closer treatment they deserve.