Best Windows VPS Hosting (2026): 11 Providers for ASP.NET, RDP, and Beyond
Windows licensing turns VPS shopping into a hidden cost minefield. Some providers include the Windows Server license in their advertised price. Others tack on $5-20/mo extra. A few charge per vCPU, making multi-core servers surprisingly expensive. And "Windows VPS" on some comparison lists turns out to be Linux-only hosts that got included by mistake.
Quick answer: For budget Windows VPS with the license included, InterServer delivers at $5/mo with no renewal games. Businesses needing enterprise-grade infrastructure will find Kamatera's 30-day free trial worth testing. If you're running .NET applications and want managed support, ScalaHosting bundles Windows 2022 with full admin access. Below, we compare 11 genuine Windows VPS providers with verified February 2026 pricing.
Last reviewed: February 2026. Prices and features verified.
Jump to: Ultahost | Kamatera | Contabo | ScalaHosting | Hostwinds | TMDHosting | GoDaddy | OVHcloud | IONOS | InterServer | Vultr | How to Choose | FAQ
Two popular VPS providers, Hostinger and HostPapa, don't offer Windows VPS at all. We've removed them from this guide and added IONOS, InterServer, and Vultr as alternatives that actually support Windows Server deployments.
How We Selected These Providers
Every provider here was verified to offer genuine Windows VPS hosting in February 2026. We checked official pricing pages for Windows license costs (included vs. add-on), confirmed RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) access availability, and researched user ratings from aggregated review platforms. Providers advertising "Windows compatible" that only offered Linux were excluded. Research prioritized hosts with transparent renewal pricing and established track records with Windows Server deployments.
| Hosting Provider | Reviews | Overall Rating | VPS Starts from |
|---|---|---|---|
1  Ultahost
|
854 |
|
$3.99 / mo. Flash Sale -40% |
2  Kamatera
|
320 |
|
$4.00 / mo. 30 Days free |
3  Contabo
|
9.1k+ |
|
$4.73 / mo. No Setup Fee |
4  ScalaHosting
|
2.2k+ |
|
$14.95 / mo. -78% |
5  Hostwinds
|
1.5k+ |
|
$4.99 / mo. |
6  TMDHosting
|
2k+ |
|
$24.99 / mo. - 40% OFF |
7  GoDaddy
|
112.7k+ |
|
$8.99 / mo. WB Free Trial |
8  OVHcloud
|
6.7k+ |
|
$5.06 / mo. |
9  IONOS | ionos.com
|
38.1k+ |
|
$2.00 / mo. |
10  InterServer
|
2.3k+ |
|
$3.00 / mo. NOW 65% off |
1. Ultahost
854
4.6
Positive
Positive
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 GB | 1 x 2.7GHz | 1 GB | $3.99 / mo. | View Plan |
| 30 GB | 1 core | 1 GB | $4.80 / mo. | View Plan |
| 50 GB | 2 x 2.7GHz | 2 GB | $6.99 / mo. | View Plan |
Ultahost: Best for Managed Windows VPS
Starting at $11.80/mo | 2 Cores, 2GB RAM, 50GB NVMe | 30-day money-back guarantee
Running a Windows server without management expertise leads to security holes and midnight troubleshooting sessions. Ultahost handles the operational burden: security patches, performance tuning, monitoring. Their Windows VPS plans come with the license pre-activated, eliminating the separate licensing dance. You get a working Windows Server environment within minutes of payment, ready for IIS, ASP.NET applications, or Microsoft SQL Server installations.
Hardware runs on enterprise-grade Supermicro and Dell servers with Intel and AMD processors clocked at 4.2GHz. NVMe storage comes standard, delivering the I/O performance that Windows typically demands. Data centers span 10 locations including Germany, US, UK, Netherlands, Singapore, and India. The included DDoS protection and BitNinja security handle threats without your intervention. Daily backups run automatically.
Entry pricing requires context. The $11.80/mo Windows VPS plan provides modest resources: 2 cores, 2GB RAM, 50GB storage. Production workloads realistically need the $23.90/mo tier (4 cores, 4GB RAM) or higher. Ultahost uses fixed pricing without renewal increases, which simplifies long-term budgeting. Against Kamatera in this list, Ultahost offers more hand-holding but less configuration flexibility. The 99.9% uptime guarantee backs their reliability claims.
Pros
- Windows Server license included in price
- Fully managed with security patches handled
- NVMe storage with enterprise-grade hardware
- No renewal price increase
Cons
- Entry plan has only 2GB RAM
- 10 data center locations (fewer than competitors)
- Production needs realistically start at $23.90/mo
Pricing: Windows VPS starts at $11.80/mo for 2 cores, 2GB RAM, 50GB NVMe. Mid-tier at $23.90/mo for 4 cores, 4GB RAM, 100GB NVMe. Enterprise at $240.90/mo for 12 cores, 64GB RAM, 750GB NVMe. All plans include Windows license and managed support.
Best for: Businesses wanting managed Windows infrastructure without hiring server admins.
Skip if: You need budget pricing below $10/mo or prefer unmanaged control.
Ultahost solves the "who maintains this server?" problem that plagues small teams running Windows. The included management and fixed pricing justify the premium over raw infrastructure providers.
2. Kamatera
320
4.2
Positive
Positive
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 GB | 1 x 2.6GHz | 1 GB | $4.00 / mo. | View Plan |
| 20 GB | 1 x 2.6GHz | 2 GB | $6.00 / mo. | View Plan |
| 30 GB | 2 x 2.65GHz | 2 GB | $12.00 / mo. | View Plan |
Kamatera: Best for Flexible Windows Configurations
Starting at $4/mo | Fully Customizable | 30-day free trial with $100 credit
Fixed VPS plans waste money when your workload doesn't match predetermined resource bundles. Kamatera solves this with component-level pricing: CPU cores, RAM, storage, and bandwidth each carry separate costs. A Windows server with 4 vCPU, 8GB RAM, and 100GB SSD might run $35-50/mo, but you're not subsidizing unused resources. For SQL Server instances or .NET applications with specific memory requirements, this prevents overspending.
Windows licensing at Kamatera carries no premium over Linux deployments. Same specs, same price, regardless of operating system. This differs significantly from providers charging $5-20/mo extra for Windows licenses. The 30-day trial with $100 credit allows deploying production-equivalent Windows environments before committing. With 21+ data centers globally (including 8 US locations), latency optimization becomes possible for geographically distributed applications.
The unmanaged nature demands Windows Server competence. You handle updates, security configurations, and troubleshooting. The pricing calculator overwhelms beginners. That $4/mo minimum gets you a server barely capable of running Windows (1 vCPU, 1GB RAM). Realistic production Windows servers start around $20-30/mo. Against InterServer in this comparison, Kamatera offers more locations and customization but less predictability for those wanting simple fixed plans.
Pros
- No Windows license premium over Linux pricing
- 30-day trial with $100 credit
- Per-component pricing eliminates resource waste
- 21+ data centers including 8 US locations
Cons
- Unmanaged requires Windows Server expertise
- Pricing calculator complexity
- Production servers realistically $20-50/mo
Pricing: Base starts $4/mo (1 vCPU, 1GB RAM, 20GB SSD). Windows license included at no extra cost. Typical production config (4 vCPU, 8GB RAM, 100GB SSD): approximately $35-50/mo depending on data center. Pay-as-you-go or monthly billing available.
Best for: Developers and businesses with specific resource requirements who want Windows without licensing premiums.
Skip if: You want simple fixed pricing or need managed support.
Kamatera's no-premium Windows licensing makes it genuinely competitive with Linux VPS pricing. The trial period provides real testing runway. Just ensure you're comfortable managing Windows Server independently.
3. Contabo
9.1k+
4.0
Positive
Positive
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400 GB | 4 cores | 6 GB | $4.73 / mo. | View Plan |
| 800 GB | 4 cores | 8 GB | $9.98 / mo. | View Plan |
| 2.3 TB | 6 cores | 12 GB | $14.71 / mo. | View Plan |
Contabo: Best Budget Windows VPS (With License Add-on)
Starting at $4.95/mo + $4.99/mo Windows license | 3 vCPU, 8GB RAM, 75GB NVMe | No renewal increase
Contabo's reputation rests on delivering more resources per dollar than competitors. Their Cloud VPS 10 plan bundles 3 vCPU cores, 8GB RAM, and 75GB NVMe storage for $4.95/mo. No other provider matches these specs at this price tier. The catch for Windows users: you'll add $4.99/mo (approximately $5.50 USD) for the Windows Server license. Total: roughly $10/mo for a Windows VPS that would cost $25-40/mo elsewhere.
The infrastructure operates across 9 data center regions: EU locations, US (East, Central, West), UK, Singapore, Japan, India, and Australia. Storage choices include NVMe for I/O performance or traditional SSD for larger capacity at the same price. The 99.9% uptime guarantee applies across all plans. Unlimited incoming bandwidth removes traffic concerns for download-heavy applications.
Support matches the pricing tier. Response times run longer than premium providers. Documentation assumes you can handle a Windows Server environment. The control panel functions but lacks the polish of DigitalOcean or Vultr interfaces. The Windows license adds friction to the otherwise simple pricing. Against Kamatera, Contabo provides more raw resources but less data center flexibility and no free trial.
Pros
- 8GB RAM for under $10/mo total with Windows
- No renewal price increase
- Choice between NVMe speed or SSD capacity
- 9 global data center regions
Cons
- Windows license costs extra $4.99/mo
- Slower support response times
- Unmanaged infrastructure
Pricing: Cloud VPS 10 at $4.95/mo + $4.99/mo Windows license (3 vCPU, 8GB RAM, 75GB NVMe). Cloud VPS 20 at $7.95/mo + license (6 vCPU, 12GB RAM, 100GB NVMe). All prices exclude setup fees on short-term contracts. Windows Server 2022 available.
Best for: Technical users prioritizing RAM and storage per dollar spent.
Skip if: You need managed support or want Windows licensing included in base price.
Contabo wins pure resource comparisons even with the Windows license add-on. The 8GB RAM for roughly $10/mo total makes it viable for memory-hungry applications like SQL Server or multi-site IIS deployments.
4. ScalaHosting
2.2k+
4.9
Positive
Positive
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 GB | 2 x 3.6GHz | 2 GB | $14.95 / mo. | View Plan |
| 50 GB | 2 x 3.6GHz | 4 GB | $29.95 / mo. | View Plan |
| 50 GB | 2 x 3.6GHz | 4 GB | $39.95 / mo. | View Plan |
ScalaHosting: Best for ASP.NET and .NET Developers
Starting at ~$35/mo | 4 Cores, 8GB RAM, 100GB NVMe | 30-day money-back guarantee
ScalaHosting built their Windows VPS offering around developers running Microsoft stacks. The plans include Windows Server 2019 or 2022 Standard licenses. You get full Administrator access via RDP, enabling installation of IIS, ASP.NET Core, Microsoft SQL Server, SharePoint, or Exchange. Server deployment takes roughly 30 seconds. A dedicated IP comes free with every plan.
The self-managed VPS approach provides complete control without the management overhead of full dedicated servers. ScalaHosting's infrastructure runs on NVMe storage with individually adjustable resources: $3 per additional CPU core, $1 per 1GB RAM. This flexibility suits applications with growing requirements. The anytime money-back guarantee extends beyond the typical 30-day window, offering refunds for unused portions of your term.
Pricing positions ScalaHosting above budget competitors. The Build #2 plan (4 cores, 8GB RAM, 100GB NVMe) runs approximately $40/mo promotional, with renewal around $82/mo. This follows a shared hosting pricing model: attractive introductory rates with significant renewal increases. For production .NET applications needing reliable Windows infrastructure, the premium may justify itself. Against Contabo, ScalaHosting costs more but includes Windows licensing and better support.
Pros
- Windows Server license included in pricing
- Full admin access for IIS, SQL Server, .NET
- Per-resource scaling ($3/core, $1/GB RAM)
- Anytime money-back guarantee
Cons
- Renewal pricing roughly doubles promotional rates
- Entry tier requires ~$35/mo minimum
- Self-managed (unmanaged) infrastructure
Pricing: Build #1 at ~$30/mo (2 cores, 4GB RAM, 50GB NVMe). Build #2 at ~$40/mo promo, $82/mo renewal (4 cores, 8GB RAM, 100GB NVMe). Build #3 at ~$60/mo promo (8 cores, 16GB RAM, 160GB NVMe). Windows 2019/2022 Standard included.
Best for: .NET developers and businesses running ASP.NET, IIS, or SQL Server applications.
Skip if: Budget is primary concern or you want predictable renewal pricing.
ScalaHosting makes Windows development deployment straightforward. The included licensing and granular resource scaling suit growing applications. Calculate the renewal cost into your decision, as the promo-to-renewal jump is substantial.
5. Hostwinds
1.5k+
4.4
Positive
Positive
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 GB | 1 core | 1 GB | $4.99 / mo. | View Plan |
| 30 GB | 1 core | 1 GB | $8.24 / mo. | View Plan |
| 50 GB | 1 core | 2 GB | $9.99 / mo. | View Plan |
Hostwinds: Best Managed Windows VPS Under $25/mo
Starting at $14.94/mo | 1 CPU, 1GB RAM, 30GB SSD | 99.9999% uptime claim
Hostwinds delivers something rare in Windows VPS: managed services at reasonable pricing. Their managed Windows VPS includes proactive monitoring, security updates, and support intervention when issues arise. Windows Server 2022 licenses come applied automatically during deployment. The infrastructure spans Dallas and Seattle data centers, providing solid US coverage.
The 99.9999% uptime claim sets ambitious expectations. VNC access supplements standard RDP, useful when Windows hangs during updates. All plans include nightly backups and dedicated IPv4 addresses. Full Administrator access allows complete Windows customization. Hostwinds offers 10 managed Windows VPS configurations, scaling from entry servers to production-ready multi-site hosts.
Entry specs disappoint given the price. The $14.94/mo plan provides just 1 CPU core and 1GB RAM. That barely runs Windows comfortably, let alone applications. Practical deployments need the $23.74/mo tier (2 cores, 4GB RAM) minimum. Renewal increases to $22.99/mo from promotional pricing. Compared to InterServer in this list, Hostwinds provides more management but charges more for similar resources.
Pros
- Managed Windows VPS with proactive monitoring
- Windows Server 2022 license included
- 99.9999% uptime guarantee
- VNC access available alongside RDP
Cons
- Entry plan has only 1GB RAM
- Only 2 US data center locations
- Practical plans start $23.74/mo
Pricing: Managed Windows VPS entry at $14.94/mo promo, $22.99/mo renewal (1 CPU, 1GB RAM, 30GB SSD, 1TB bandwidth). 2GB tier at $17.24/mo promo. 4GB tier at $23.74/mo promo (2 CPU, 4GB RAM, 60GB SSD). Unmanaged Windows VPS also available at lower pricing.
Best for: Businesses wanting managed Windows infrastructure with strong uptime guarantees.
Skip if: You need budget pricing or data centers outside the US.
Hostwinds bridges the gap between DIY VPS and fully managed hosting. The management inclusion justifies the premium for teams without Windows Server expertise. Size your plan for adequate RAM from the start.
6. TMDHosting
2k+
4.6
Positive
Positive
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 GB | 2 x 1.8GHz | 2 GB | $24.99 / mo. | View Plan |
| 100 GB | 2 x 2.4GHz | 4 GB | $34.99 / mo. | View Plan |
| 180 GB | 4 x 2.4GHz | 8 GB | $49.99 / mo. | View Plan |
TMDHosting: Best Premium Windows VPS
Starting at $89.99/mo | 2 Cores, 4GB DDR4 RAM, 128GB NVMe | 30-day money-back guarantee
TMDHosting positions their Windows VPS as premium managed infrastructure. The entry plan bundles 128GB NVMe storage, 3TB bandwidth, and Windows Server 2022 with ASP.NET 4.8.0 support. Their team handles server optimization, automatic backups, security updates, and performance tuning. A dedicated IP and enterprise firewall come standard. This isn't budget hosting, but rather production-grade Windows infrastructure with support included.
The company operates data centers globally with a focus on performance optimization. Windows VPS plans specifically support Microsoft workloads: IIS, .NET Framework, MSSQL databases. The managed approach means you're not Googling Windows Server errors at midnight. 24/7 support responds to configuration issues, security concerns, and application troubleshooting.
Here's where it gets interesting: pricing creates sticker shock. Entry at $89.99/mo exceeds what competitors charge for far more resources. The Smart Plan at $197.99/mo and Super Powerful at $269.99/mo target enterprise deployments with serious budgets. For small businesses or developers, this pricing tier rarely makes sense when Ultahost or Hostwinds offer managed Windows VPS at a fraction of the cost. TMDHosting suits organizations prioritizing support quality over cost optimization.
Pros
- Fully managed with performance optimization
- Windows Server 2022 with ASP.NET 4.8.0 ready
- 128GB NVMe storage on entry plan
- Enterprise-grade support included
Cons
- Entry pricing at $89.99/mo (expensive)
- Only 4GB RAM at entry tier
- Overkill for small projects
Pricing: Starter at $89.99/mo (2 cores, 4GB DDR4 RAM, 128GB NVMe, 3TB bandwidth). Smart at $197.99/mo (4 cores, 8GB RAM, 192GB NVMe). Super Powerful at $269.99/mo (6 cores, 12GB RAM, 256GB NVMe). All plans include Windows Server 2022 and managed services.
Best for: Enterprises requiring premium managed Windows infrastructure with top-tier support.
Skip if: Budget is any concern or you can manage servers yourself.
TMDHosting targets the "money isn't the issue, reliability is" segment. The premium pricing buys genuine managed services. Most users will find equivalent quality at lower cost elsewhere in this comparison.
7. GoDaddy
112.7k+
4.5
Positive
Positive
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 GB | 1 core | 2 GB | $8.99 / mo. | View Plan |
| 100 GB | 2 cores | 4 GB | $17.99 / mo. | View Plan |
| 200 GB | 4 cores | 8 GB | $34.99 / mo. | View Plan |
GoDaddy: Best for Brand Recognition and Bundling
Starting at $8.99/mo | 2GB RAM | 3-year commitment required
GoDaddy needs no introduction. Their VPS offering includes Windows Server with Plesk Web Pro or Web Host editions. The infrastructure runs on NVMe SSDs with DDoS protection standard. For businesses already using GoDaddy domains, SSL certificates, or other services, bundling VPS simplifies vendor management. The brand recognition provides comfort for organizations uncomfortable with lesser-known hosts.
All plans include full root access, automated daily backups with scheduling, and monitoring tools. Support operates 24/7. Windows Server options mirror Linux plan specs but run the Windows operating system. Resources scale from 2GB RAM entry to 32GB RAM on high-performance tiers. Both standard and high-performance VPS configurations exist.
Pricing requires decoding. The $8.99/mo headline demands a 3-year commitment. Monthly billing doesn't exist for promotional rates. After the initial term, renewal hits $11.99/mo (36% increase) for standard plans. High-performance plans start at $50.39/mo with worse renewal ratios. The SSL certificate renews at $119.99/year after the first free year. Against IONOS in this list, GoDaddy charges significantly more for comparable resources with less transparent pricing.
Pros
- Established brand with 24/7 support
- Windows Server with Plesk included
- NVMe storage and DDoS protection standard
- Easy bundling with GoDaddy domains/SSL
Cons
- Requires 3-year commitment for promotional pricing
- Renewal increases 36%+
- SSL renewal at $119.99/year
Pricing: Standard VPS entry at $8.99/mo (3-year), $11.99/mo renewal (2GB RAM). Higher tiers at $17.99-44.99/mo promo. High Performance starting $50.39/mo (3-year), $67.16/mo renewal. All prices require multi-year commitment.
Best for: Businesses already invested in GoDaddy ecosystem wanting consolidated vendor management.
Skip if: You want flexible billing or transparent long-term pricing.
GoDaddy works for organizations valuing brand familiarity and vendor consolidation. The pricing structure punishes anyone who hasn't calculated total 3-year costs carefully. IONOS or Contabo deliver better value for pure Windows VPS needs.
8. OVHcloud
6.7k+
2.3
Neutral
Neutral
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 GB | 2 x 2.4GHz | 2 GB | $5.06 / mo. | View Plan |
| 80 GB | 4 x 2.4GHz | 4 GB | $10.12 / mo. | View Plan |
| 160 GB | 16 x 2.4GHz | 16 GB | $41.40 / mo. | View Plan |
OVHcloud: Best for European Windows Deployments
Starting at ~$4.20/mo base | Configurable resources | Unlimited traffic
OVHcloud operates their own data centers across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific. This infrastructure ownership translates to competitive pricing and genuine European presence for GDPR-conscious deployments. Windows VPS options span six configurations from 4 vCores/8GB RAM to 24 vCores/96GB RAM. All plans include unlimited ingress and egress traffic, simplifying bandwidth planning for high-traffic Windows applications.
OVHcloud's 2026 VPS lineup delivers improved specifications with Gen 5 NVMe storage in select locations. Bandwidth allocations range from 400 Mbps to 3 Gbps depending on tier. Control panel access enables backup automation, snapshots, and resource scaling without re-provisioning. Windows Server options include 2019 and 2022 editions with various control panel choices (Plesk, cPanel).
User ratings tell a cautionary story. OVHcloud reviews average lower than competitors (approximately 2.3/5 on some platforms), with support responsiveness cited as the primary concern. The infrastructure itself performs adequately, but resolving issues requires patience. Pricing transparency could improve, as Windows license costs aren't always immediately clear in the configurator. For technically self-sufficient teams, OVHcloud delivers solid value. For those needing responsive support, look elsewhere.
Pros
- Unlimited traffic on all plans
- European data center ownership (GDPR friendly)
- Scalable configurations up to 24 vCores
- Competitive pricing from major infrastructure provider
Cons
- Lower user ratings (~2.3/5 on some platforms)
- Support responsiveness concerns
- Windows pricing not always transparent
Pricing: VPS base from approximately $4.20/mo. Windows configurations vary by tier. VPS 2026 line ranges from 4 vCores/8GB RAM to 24 vCores/96GB RAM with NVMe storage. Daily backups included. Check official configurator for current Windows-specific pricing.
Best for: Technical teams wanting European infrastructure with unlimited traffic.
Skip if: You need responsive support or straightforward pricing.
OVHcloud suits self-sufficient teams comfortable troubleshooting their own Windows Server issues. The unlimited bandwidth and European presence serve specific use cases well. Factor support expectations into your decision.
9. IONOS | ionos.com
38.1k+
4.3
Positive
Positive
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 GB | 1 core | 1 GB | $2.00 / mo. | View Plan |
| 80 GB | 2 cores | 2 GB | $4.00 / mo. | View Plan |
| 160 GB | 2 cores | 4 GB | $6.00 / mo. | View Plan |
IONOS: Best Budget Windows VPS Overall
Starting at $2/mo base | Pay-as-you-go Windows licensing | 30-day trial
IONOS consistently ranks among the most affordable VPS providers with genuine Windows support. Base VPS pricing starts at $2/mo for Linux, with Windows Server licensing available on a pay-as-you-go model. The per-minute billing for Windows licenses means you pay only for actual usage, beneficial for development environments or burst workloads. Microsoft licenses cover Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025 editions.
The infrastructure delivers NVMe storage, unlimited traffic, and full root access across all plans. No setup costs or hidden fees appear at checkout. Contract flexibility spans 1, 12, or 24-month terms. The 30-day money-back guarantee provides testing runway. VPSBenchmarks ranked IONOS as 3rd best VPS under $8/mo for 2026, validating the value proposition with independent testing.
Windows licensing adds variable costs. A setup fee applies for month-to-month contracts. Support quality sits in the mid-tier, adequate for most needs but not premium. Against InterServer in this list, IONOS offers more flexible Windows licensing but slightly more complex pricing. For budget Windows VPS with established infrastructure, IONOS delivers exceptional value.
Pros
- Pay-as-you-go Windows licensing (per-minute billing)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- NVMe storage with unlimited traffic
- Ranked 3rd best budget VPS (VPSBenchmarks 2026)
Cons
- Windows license adds variable cost
- Setup fee for month-to-month contracts
- Mid-tier support quality
Pricing: Base VPS from $2/mo. Windows licensing billed per-minute based on usage. VPS XXL at $30/mo (12 vCores, 24GB RAM, 640GB NVMe). Windows Server 2016/2019/2022/2025 available. 1, 12, or 24-month contract options.
Best for: Budget-conscious users wanting flexible Windows licensing and established infrastructure.
Skip if: You need premium support or prefer fixed Windows licensing costs.
IONOS proves Windows VPS doesn't require enterprise budgets. The pay-as-you-go licensing model suits variable workloads. Calculate expected Windows usage to estimate total monthly costs accurately.
10. InterServer
2.3k+
4.4
Positive
Positive
| Storage | Cpu | Ram | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 GB | 1 core | 1 GB | $3.00 / mo. | View Plan |
| 30 GB | 1 core | 2 GB | $5.00 / mo. | View Plan |
| 30 GB | 1 core | 2 GB | $6.00 / mo. | View Plan |
InterServer: Best Fixed-Price Windows VPS
Starting at $5/mo | 1 Core, 1GB RAM, 15GB SSD | No renewal increase
InterServer eliminates the renewal pricing games that plague hosting. Their Windows VPS starts at $5/mo and stays $5/mo forever. No promotional periods expiring into doubled rates. No surprise invoices after year one. The slice-based system allows adding resources incrementally: each additional slice adds 1 CPU core, 1GB RAM, 15GB SSD, and 1TB bandwidth for $5/mo. Two slices equals $10/mo for 2 cores, 2GB RAM, 30GB storage.
All plans include DDoS protection, SSD storage, and unmetered bandwidth. Month-to-month billing comes standard without long-term contract requirements. This flexibility suits development environments, staging servers, or projects with uncertain timelines. Windows Server deployment works through their control panel with RDP access available immediately.
Entry specs run modest. The $5/mo plan's 1GB RAM barely handles Windows Server comfortably. Practical Windows deployments need 2-3 slices minimum ($10-15/mo). No money-back guarantee exists, though month-to-month billing provides exit flexibility. Support quality receives mixed reviews. Against Kamatera, InterServer offers simpler pricing but less geographic flexibility. The predictable costs suit anyone tired of hosting renewal sticker shock.
Pros
- No renewal price increase (lifetime pricing)
- Flexible slice-based scaling ($5/slice)
- Month-to-month billing standard
- Unmetered bandwidth included
Cons
- Entry plan 1GB RAM (barely runs Windows)
- No money-back guarantee
- Mixed support reviews
Pricing: 1 Slice at $5/mo (1 CPU, 1GB RAM, 15GB SSD, 1TB data). 2 Slices at $10/mo (2GB RAM, 30GB). 4 Slices at $20/mo (4 CPU, 4GB RAM, 60GB). Windows Server license included in pricing.
Best for: Users wanting predictable Windows VPS costs without renewal surprises.
Skip if: You need strong entry specs or money-back guarantees.
InterServer's pricing honesty stands out in an industry built on promotional bait-and-switch. Budget accordingly for adequate resources, as the $5/mo entry point requires realistic expectations about Windows Server demands.
Vultr: Best Cloud-Native Windows VPS
Starting at $2.50/mo base + Windows license | Hourly billing | 32 global locations
Vultr operates as a developer-focused cloud platform with Windows as one deployment option among many. Their VX1 compute line delivers strong performance-per-dollar ratios. Hourly billing enables spinning up Windows servers for specific tasks and destroying them when finished. The 32 global data center locations across 19 countries provide geographic flexibility unmatched by traditional VPS hosts.
Full root access and dedicated IPs come standard. The web control panel and API suit both manual management and automated deployments. Egress includes 2TB/mo free pooled across instances, with additional bandwidth at $0.01/GB. CentOS, Debian, Ubuntu, FreeBSD, and Windows all deploy through the same interface.
Windows licensing creates the catch. Vultr charges approximately $14/mo per vCPU for Windows licenses. A 2-vCPU server adds roughly $28/mo in licensing alone. This makes Windows deployments much more expensive than Linux. For budget Windows VPS, InterServer or Contabo deliver better value. Vultr suits workloads where cloud-native features (API provisioning, hourly billing, geographic distribution) outweigh licensing costs.
Pros
- 32 data center locations globally
- Hourly billing for flexible deployments
- Developer-friendly API and automation
- 2TB/mo free egress pooled across instances
Cons
- Windows license ~$14/vCPU/mo extra
- Multi-core Windows servers become expensive
- Per-vCPU licensing discourages scaling
Pricing: Base VPS from $2.50/mo (0.5GB RAM). Regular frequency from $6/mo (1 vCPU, 1GB RAM, 32GB NVMe). Windows license approximately $14/vCPU/mo additional. High Performance from $6/mo base with NVMe. Total Windows VPS cost = base + license.
Best for: Developers needing cloud-native features with Windows as occasional workload.
Skip if: Windows is your primary use case or budget is constrained.
Vultr's Windows licensing model suits Linux-primary users who occasionally need Windows. For dedicated Windows VPS, the per-vCPU licensing makes competitors far more cost-effective.
How to Choose Windows VPS Hosting
The Windows VPS decision differs from Linux VPS selection. Consider these factors:
1. License Cost Structure
Providers handle Windows licensing three ways:
- Included: Ultahost, ScalaHosting, InterServer, Hostwinds, TMDHosting bundle licenses
- Fixed add-on: Contabo charges approximately $5/mo extra
- Per-vCPU: Vultr charges ~$14/vCPU, making multi-core expensive
Calculate total cost including licensing before comparing providers.
2. Managed vs. Unmanaged
Windows Server requires ongoing maintenance: security patches, updates, IIS configuration. Managed providers (Ultahost, Hostwinds, TMDHosting) handle this. Unmanaged providers (Kamatera, Contabo, Vultr) expect you to manage your server. Your Windows Server competence determines which approach makes sense.
3. Application Requirements
Running ASP.NET or .NET Core? Prioritize providers explicitly supporting these (ScalaHosting, TMDHosting). Need SQL Server? Ensure adequate RAM (4GB minimum, 8GB+ recommended). Remote desktop workstation? Prioritize CPU and ensure RDP latency works from your location.
4. Renewal Pricing Reality
Promotional pricing misleads. ScalaHosting approximately doubles on renewal. GoDaddy increases 36%+. InterServer and Contabo maintain fixed pricing. Calculate 3-year total cost, not monthly promotional rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which providers include Windows license in the price?
Ultahost, ScalaHosting, InterServer, Hostwinds, and TMDHosting include Windows Server licenses in their advertised pricing. Kamatera charges no premium for Windows over Linux. Contabo, IONOS, and Vultr charge Windows licensing separately, adding $5-14+/mo depending on configuration.
Can I run SQL Server on Windows VPS?
Yes, with adequate resources. SQL Server Express (free) runs on 4GB RAM minimum. SQL Server Standard requires separate Microsoft licensing. Most Windows VPS providers allow SQL Server installation, but verify RAM availability (8GB+ recommended for production databases) and storage I/O performance (NVMe preferred).
Is Windows VPS more expensive than Linux VPS?
Generally yes, due to licensing costs. Expect $5-20/mo additional for Windows licensing with most providers. Kamatera offers Windows at Linux pricing as an exception. Budget Windows VPS realistically starts around $10-15/mo for usable configurations, versus $3-5/mo for equivalent Linux specs.
Which Windows VPS has the best uptime?
Hostwinds claims 99.9999% uptime (six nines). Kamatera guarantees 99.95% with compensation. Ultahost and Contabo guarantee 99.9%. These guarantees matter primarily for compensation calculation, as actual uptime varies by data center and maintenance schedules.
Final Verdict
InterServer wins for budget Windows VPS with fixed lifetime pricing at $5/mo per slice. Kamatera offers the best flexibility with no Windows licensing premium and a genuine 30-day trial. Ultahost delivers managed Windows VPS for teams without server administration expertise. Contabo provides maximum resources per dollar when you calculate the Windows license add-on.
Avoid providers advertising Windows VPS that actually only offer Linux (we removed two from the original list). Calculate total cost including Windows licensing before committing. And size your RAM appropriately, as Windows Server demands more resources than Linux distributions.
For cloud hosting alternatives or if you're considering dedicated servers for heavy Windows workloads, we have dedicated comparisons covering those options.