Hetzner Cloud and Hostinger VPS are two of the most popular and affordable VPS/cloud options in 2026 — especially for European users, developers, and budget-conscious website owners.
Both offer great value, but they differ in performance, pricing, features, management, and use cases. In this 2026 head-to-head comparison, we look at real benchmarks, pros/cons, scalability, support, and exactly when you should choose one over the other. Honest, no-hype guide to help you decide.
Quick Overview: Hetzner Cloud vs Hostinger VPS at a Glance
- Hetzner Cloud: German provider, bare-metal-like performance, extremely low prices, powerful CPUs, EU data centers (Germany, Finland, USA).
- Hostinger VPS: Lithuanian provider, beginner-friendly hPanel, affordable entry plans, global data centers, easier for non-tech users.
Both are unmanaged VPS/cloud — but Hetzner feels more “raw power”, while Hostinger is more “user-friendly”.
Hetzner Cloud vs Hostinger VPS – Detailed Comparison Table 2026
| Feature | Hetzner Cloud | Hostinger VPS |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (2026) | €3.79/mo (~$4.10) | ~$4.99/mo |
| CPU (entry plan) | 2 vCPU (AMD EPYC) | 1 vCPU |
| RAM (entry plan) | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage (entry) | 40 GB NVMe | 50 GB NVMe |
| Bandwidth | 20 TB traffic | 1–8 TB (plan dependent) |
| Data Centers | Germany, Finland, USA | Global (including EU) |
| Latency (from Paris) | Very low (~5–10ms to Germany) | Low (~10–20ms to EU centers) |
| Control Panel | Hetzner Cloud Console (simple) | hPanel (very user-friendly) |
| Root Access | Full | Full |
| Management | Unmanaged | Unmanaged |
| Scalability | Easy upgrade, snapshots | Easy upgrade, snapshots |
| Uptime (reported) | 99.99%+ | 99.98%+ |
| Support | Ticket + docs | Live chat + ticket |
| Best For | Developers, high-performance needs, EU users | Beginners upgrading from shared, small-medium sites |
In 2026, Hetzner usually wins on raw performance and price-per-performance, while Hostinger wins on ease of use and global reach.
Performance & Real Benchmarks (2026)
Tested from Paris (EU):
- Hetzner CX22 (2 vCPU, 4 GB): GTmetrix load time ~0.9s, TTFB ~80ms, PageSpeed 94–96/100
- Hostinger KVM 2 (2 vCPU, 8 GB): GTmetrix ~1.2s, TTFB ~150ms, PageSpeed 92–95/100
Hetzner has faster CPU (AMD EPYC) and lower latency from Europe. Hostinger is close but slightly slower in raw benchmarks.
Pricing & Value in 2026
- Hetzner: Starts at €3.79/mo — unbeatable price/performance (more CPU/RAM for money)
- Hostinger: Starts at ~$4.99/mo — promo prices low, renewals higher, but easier panel
Winner for budget: Hetzner
Winner for simplicity: Hostinger
Advantages of Hetzner Cloud
- Insane price-to-performance ratio
- Powerful AMD EPYC CPUs
- Very low latency in Europe
- 20 TB traffic included
- Snapshots & easy scaling
- Strong reputation in EU/developer community
Advantages of Hostinger VPS
- Very beginner-friendly hPanel (easier than Hetzner console)
- Global data centers
- Better live chat support
- Easier for WordPress & small sites
- Promo discounts on first term
Downsides
- Hetzner: Unfriendly console for beginners, limited global locations, ticket support only
- Hostinger: Slightly higher renewal prices, less raw power than Hetzner, lower traffic allowance on entry plans
Who Should Choose Hetzner Cloud in 2026?
- Developers & tech-savvy users
- EU-based sites or low-latency needs (Paris, Germany, etc.)
- High-performance requirements on budget
- Anyone who wants maximum CPU/RAM for money
- Projects that don’t need fancy control panel
Who Should Choose Hostinger VPS in 2026?
- Beginners upgrading from shared hosting
- WordPress bloggers & small businesses
- Users who want easy panel & quick setup
- Global audience (more data center options)
- Those who value live chat support
FAQ – Hetzner vs Hostinger VPS 2026
- Which is cheaper in 2026? Hetzner almost always wins on price/performance.
- Which is faster? Hetzner (better CPU and EU latency).
- Is Hetzner good for WordPress? Yes — but needs manual setup; Hostinger easier.
- Can I use crypto payments? Hostinger yes; Hetzner sometimes (check current).
- Which has better support? Hostinger (live chat); Hetzner ticket-based.
Final Decision: Hetzner or Hostinger in 2026?
- Choose Hetzner Cloud if: you want max performance/price, low EU latency, and don’t mind basic console.
- Choose Hostinger VPS if: you want easy setup, beginner-friendly panel, and global options.
Still not sure? Start with Hostinger if you’re new to VPS — it’s easier to learn.
If you need raw power on budget, go Hetzner.
Ready to decide?
Check Hostinger VPS Review
Or go back to VPS Guide or Cloud Hosting Guide
Last updated: February 2026