Which netcup server is right for me?
VPS or root server? The difference comes down mainly to dedicated CPU cores and the availability guarantee (SLA) – here's the orientation.
Not every recipe needs the biggest stove. netcup offers two server classes suited to self-hosting: the VPS (virtual server) and the root server (RS). Technically they differ in two main points.
VPS or root server – the difference
| Feature | VPS (virtual server) | Root server (RS) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU cores | shared vCores – the physical CPU is shared with other customers | dedicated cores – permanently assigned, yours alone |
| Availability (SLA) | 99.6% minimum availability (annual average) | 99.9% guaranteed minimum availability (annual average) |
| Performance | good, but can be affected by neighbours | consistent and predictable |
| Price | cheaper | slightly higher |
| Ideal for | getting started, single services, test setups | production, many or demanding services |
In short: a VPS shares CPU power with others and comes with a lower availability commitment of 99.6% (annual average) – but it’s cheap and perfectly fine for most starter projects. A root server gives you dedicated CPU cores and a stronger 99.9% availability SLA, meaning predictable performance and a contractual commitment – worthwhile as soon as something needs to run reliably in production.
Tipp
VPS – the affordable start
Shared vCores and 99.6% minimum availability – ideal for getting going without a big budget.
Root server (RS) – dedicated cores & SLA
Dedicated CPU cores and a contractual availability guarantee for production.
Root-Server RS 1000 G12
Ad4 dedicated cores · 8 GB RAM · 256 GB NVMe
from €12.79/month
All prices and specifications are without guarantee – the current information on the netcup site always applies (including the exact SLA terms). Links marked “Ad” are affiliate links (see About).