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  5. THE 7 Best Windows VPS Hosting Services [in 2024]

THE 7 Best Windows VPS Hosting Services [in 2024]

Caitlin Greyling Caitlin GreylingWeb Hosting Expert March 18, 2024
March 18, 2024
There are many reasons you might prefer using Windows Server over Linux on your VPS. Maybe you prefer the intuitive GUI, maybe your company or organization already uses ASP.NET, Exchange, or Sharepoint, or maybe you just don’t like the look on that smug Linux penguin’s face.

Whatever your reason, you can’t choose any old host and call it a day. A VPS plan is a big commitment, and you want to go with a service that will provide the best performance, the newest server OS, different managed options, and more.

Not only that, but a VPS isn’t exactly cheap (even if it is a worthwhile investment) so you don’t want to just throw your money around while you’re looking for the best Windows VPS hosting for you. That’s why we decided to test and compare the best options on the market.

Kamatera landed the absolute top spot thanks to its incredible customization and reach, but there might be another host that better suits your needs. You can try Kamatera for free right now, or keep reading to discover why we recommend these hosts above all others.

In a hurry? These are our top Windows VPS hosting picks for 2024

  1. Expert’s Choice
    kamatera-logo Kamatera
    Kamatera is a popular choice with our readers
    Fast VPS host with widest selection of Windows versions and data centers across the globe.
  2. ionos_logo_2023 IONOS Beginner-friendly service offers personal advisor to help with hosting basics.
  3. InterServer-logo InterServer Affordable US-based Windows hosting in a variety of configurations.

What We Look For in the Best Windows VPS Vendors

I expect a lot more from Windows VPS hosting than I would from Linux VPS hosting, given that, unlike with Linux, Windows Server licenses cost money. For a host to make this list, it needs to offer the following:
  • Performance – Just as with any other kind of hosting, your Windows Server VPS should offer blazing-fast speeds and uncompromising uptime. In other words, your websites should load immediately and always be available.
  • Windows licenses – Windows VPS is a curious thing, as it requires specific Microsoft licenses. Some web hosts sell only the server, leaving you to take care of the rest. Not these hosts.
  • Scalability – Your Windows VPS has to be able to scale up with the demands of a rapidly-growing website and surging online traffic.
  • Managed support – You’re here because you want to host a website, not because you want to get a Ph.D. in virtual servers. These hosts offer fully-managed services to help you focus on what’s important.
  • Value for money – Even if a VPS is pricier than shared hosting, you shouldn’t spend any more than you have to. These hosts offer quality VPS plans that don’t cost as much as a second mortgage.
Alright, so those are the ground rules. Ready for our top 5 picks? Let’s begin.

A drop-down box showing a list of the available Windows Servers Kamatera offers
I love how easy it is to customize your server setup with Kamatera
Kamatera offers more server locations across the globe than any other host on this list. Data centers are available in Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the US.

Not only does Kamatera offer a truly global cloud, it also offers a truly ridiculous amount of resources. In theory, you could get a VPS with as many as 104 cores, as much as 512 GB of RAM, and 16 TB of SSD storage split into four 4 TB disks, which might be enough to host a basic simulation of the known universe.

Thanks to its advanced infrastructure, Kamatera allows you to launch a server in a matter of minutes. The company also provides the widest choice of Windows Server OS versions, from the classic 2012 to the spanking new 2022.

The only “catch” is that the price of a fully managed service is relatively high. Then again, there’s a 30-day free trial, so Kamatera’s team of professionals has enough time to show you exactly how great it is when someone takes complete care of your server.

Features

  • Modular virtual servers. No one-size-fits-all plan here. Choose exactly how many virtual cores, RAM, and SSD storage you want to start with. You’ll always be able to scale up or down.
  • All OS versions available. If it’s on the market, Kamatera can install it for you. There are no limitations on OS versions and no differences between their licensing price.
  • Several management levels. You can go the unmanaged route, add a management panel (Plesk for Windows), or explain your needs to the Kamatera team and let them take care of it all.
  • 99.95% uptime guarantee. Each of the company’s data centers is equipped with various redundancy measures, and you’re promised nearly perfect uptime.
Find out more about Kamatera in our expert review.

Windows Server Versions Available Windows Server 2012, 2016, 2019 and 2022
Free SSL
Money-Back Guarantee No, but there is a 30-day free trial
Starting Price $4.00

IONOS Windows VPS hosting features.
IONOS is one of the few hosts offering a personal support agent
IONOS offers some unique benefits that make it well worth considering. While the cheapest server is Linux-only, every other IONOS server supports Windows OS as an option – there’s quite a selection ranging from entry-level VPSs to memory-optimized powerhouses.

What’s most interesting about IONOS is the caliber of support included with your plan. Every customer is assigned a dedicated support agent, who will usually be your single point of contact. As all your queries will be going to the same agent, they can become familiar with your server and overall goals, leading to more effective, targeted support.

Your dedicated support agent has the capability to assist with tasks that carry a substantial premium in other places. They can provide complimentary server monitoring, aid in performance optimization, and offer support in enhancing security. Despite this additional value, please note that IONOS’ support quality is often lacking. Additionally, opting for the Windows operating system incurs a significant monthly fee alongside your server expenses.

Features

  • Optional advanced support. You can request extra help with server configuration, installation of third-party software, and more. However, these tasks will cost extra – you’ll need to contact support and explain what you require to get a quote.
  • Free mobile app. The IONOS mobile app allows you to manage your hosting, invoices, and even contact support, wherever you may be.
  • Fast server setup. IONOS aims to make new servers available within 55 seconds.
  • Root access. All IONOS servers come with full root access. You can use Windows Remote Desktop Protocol to connect to your server and control it programmatically, which is supported by several of IONOS’ APIs.
Check our in-depth IONOS review for more details.

Windows Server versions available Windows Server 2019 and 2022
Free SSL?
Money-back guarantee? 30 days
Starting price $6 (shared, Windows VPS is $12)

interserver_windows_vps
With 16 different VPS configurations for Windows, InterServer has a plan to suit most needs.
American powerhouse InterServer offers a variety of hosting services, operating off its six state-of-the-art data centers. With four in New Jersey, one in Los Angeles, and one in New York, any US-based website is promised great performance from coast to coast.

Interserver also stands out for its special attention to Windows hosting, as it provides no less than 16 different Windows VPS configurations. This selection makes it possible to host virtually anything, from a successful blog to a multi-site network.

InterServer is also one of the cheapest Windows VPS hosts on the list, offering plenty of vCPU cores and RAM at lower prices than most. If you’re targeting an American audience and you’re looking to save some cash, InterServer is a safe bet. However, keep in mind that performance will be slower outside the US.

Features

  • No-commitment monthly billing. Interserver doesn’t lock you into a multiple-year contract to give you the best deal. There’s no sneaky renewal fees to watch out for either – you just pay the same reasonable price every month.
  • 99.9% uptime guarantee. InterServer commits to a binding 99.9% uptime guarantee in its service level agreement. If the guarantee isn’t met during any given month (highly unlikely), up to 50% of your monthly fee will be returned in credits.
  • Choose between Windows 10, Server 2016, 2019, or 2022. It isn’t an extensive list, but these are just the versions that can be preinstalled for you. You’re free to manually install whatever version of Windows you prefer.
  • Free Windows OS repair. If you choose one of InterServer’s supported Windows operating systems, they will help you resolve any significant issues at no extra cost. You can also request reinstallations whenever you need them.
Read our expert review to learn more about InterServer.

Windows Server Versions Available Windows Server 2016, 2019 and 2022
Free SSL
Money-Back Guarantee 30 days
Starting Price $6.00

Liquid Web Windows VPS features
Liquid Web’s Windows VPS plans pack a lot of power
Liquid Web is one of the most respected and professional companies in the business – serving a smaller client base, but keeping it mighty happy. It offers completely managed VPS services that come with a myriad of perks.

Independent benchmarks place the company’s fast VPS hosting as one of the best options available today, outperforming many big names in terms of page loading times and server responses.

Liquid Web provides three levels of Windows VPS packages with 4, 8, and 16GB of RAM, respectively. You have the option to pay on a monthly, yearly, or every two years basis, with substantial savings for longer durations. The lack of options is why it ranks lower on this list, but it’s a high-quality service unlike many others.

Features

  • CloudFlare CDN. No longer will physical server locations impact your international visitor’s loading times. CloudFlare CDN is included free of charge, and your website will be promptly delivered to visitors anywhere – from Japan to Argentina.
  • ServerSecure Security and DDoS Protection. The security suite is included with all VPS plans, and will keep your data secure and safe from any unwanted access. Additionally, the company provides a shield from DDoS attacks.
  • 100 GB Acronis Backups. Backups let you operate with peace of mind. No matter what disaster befalls you, there will be a copy of your website waiting.
  • Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022. Choose the OS version you want, according to your needs and your website’s dependencies.
Read our expert Liquid Web review for more information.
Windows Server Versions Available Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022
Free SSL
Money-Back Guarantee 30 days
Starting Price $15.00

5. Hostwinds: Feature-Packed Windows VPS with Low-Cost Managed Services

Hostwinds Windows VPS hosting features
Hostwinds’ managed Windows VPS hosting plans are feature-packed.
Hostwinds offers both managed and unmanaged Windows VPS hosting in many plan configurations. Though reasonably priced, Hostwinds’ managed plans are only a little more expensive than unmanaged options with the same specs, making them great value.

You also get 24/7/365 assistance from Hostwinds’ team regarding the management of your Windows server, but only through live chat and ticket. Via Hostwinds’ in-house Cloud Control Panel, you can manage your Windows server’s firewall, security, backups, storage volumes, and load balancers.

Hostwinds provides your Windows VPS license with every plan. However, one of the main downfalls of Hostwinds is its lack of support for the latest Windows Server 2022 version. Only Windows Server 2019, 2016, and 2012 can come preinstalled, which is why we ranked Hostwinds lower on our list.

Features

  • 99.9999% uptime guarantee. Hostwinds ups the level of service with an extra 0.0009% on its uptime guarantee. In our tests, it actually only achieved 99.982% uptime for three months. However, that’s still pretty solid.
  • Redundant network. Putting in place multiple measures, Hostwinds has increased its redundancy to ensure minimal site or server downtime. Being a cloud service, its redundancy is also further improved compared to other types of hosting.
  • Nightly backups. Included in your Windows hosting plan, automatic nightly backups ensure your site is prepared for the worst. However, do note that you need to opt in for this service.
  • SSD storage. Storage is offered on faster, newer SSDs, improving site and server loading and operating speeds.
Read our expert Hostwinds review for more details.

Windows Server Versions Available Windows Server 2012, 2016, and 2019
Free SSL
Money-Back Guarantee 72 hours (prorated)
Starting Price $8.24

6. ScalaHosting – Windows Cloud VPS with Generous Resources at Good Prices

Scala Hosting Windows VPS hosting features
ScalaHosting doesn’t cut any corners – expect great speed, service, control, and reliability.
ScalaHosting allows you to custom-build a Windows-based cloud VPS, though it isn’t quite as flexible as Kamatera. Servers start with 2vCPU and 4GB RAM. ScalaHosting also offers nice features that Kamatera lacks – every cloud VPS package includes free snapshot backups and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unfortunately, ScalaHosting only supports Windows on self-managed plans, and even then, only Windows Server 2019 is available as pre-installed server software. It’s not the latest version, but as you’ll have full root access, you’ll have free rein to manually install whatever works for you.

While ScalaHosting’s resource-heavy servers are slightly pricier than similar setups with Kamatera, it offers equally good performance. As long as you don’t mind choosing configuring and managing your own server, ScalaHosting is certainly worth considering.

Features

  • Easy server management. ScalaHosting allows you to manage your cloud VPS easily from the client area. You can upgrade and downgrade resources, monitor performance, stop or start your server, and more.
  • Highly redundant. Your server data will be replicated across three different servers. If one server experiences a slowdown or a critical failure, traffic will be routed automatically to another with no downtime.
  • Plenty of extra options. For additional fees, you can choose to purchase a cPanel licence, preinstall LiteSpeed web servers, additional storage and backup space, or add the useful Softaculous app installer.
  • Premium support available. While these servers are primarily unmanaged, you can request help from ScalaHosting’s managed support team. You’ll be charged for every 15 minutes of work in response.
Take a look at our ScalaHosting review for more information.

Windows Server Version Available Windows Server 2019
Free SSL
Money-Back Guarantee 30 days
Starting Price $20.00

Other Notable Web Hosts for Windows VPS Hosting

The Windows VPS hosts below are also worth looking into – especially if you feel none of the top six reviewed so far are the best for your needs.

7. Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure trial options and features
You can try out Microsoft Azure or pay as you go to test it out for yourself.
As the creators of the Windows OS, it makes sense to choose Microsoft’s Azure platform for Windows VPS hosting. However, Azure is best suited to larger projects and experienced web hosts. If you’re a beginner or just want to host something basic, Azure might be complex and costly for you.

That said, Microsoft Azure is a favorite amongst Fortune 500 companies and well-positioned to handle bigger projects. If you can afford it and either know your stuff or have someone handling that for you or your business, we can’t knock it. Just be sure to compare pricing and features with other hosts beforehand, as you may still be surprised by the better value you can get elsewhere.

Find The Best Windows VPS Host for Your Specific Needs

While a Linux alternative could be more popular and cost-effective than Windows, opting for a Windows VPS offers numerous compelling reasons. You have a variety of excellent choices among the hosts mentioned above. However, the most suitable selection for you will depend on your specific needs.

If you’re struggling to decide, here are my top recommendations.

For the best global performance, I’d go with Kamatera. With 18 data centers around the world, you’ll be able to serve your chosen audience with fast page loading speed wherever they are. It also features the widest range of Windows Server versions available for preinstallation.

New to Windows VPS? I’d recommend IONOS. The dedicated personal consultant can give you all the support you need getting set up. A wide range of server options also means you’ll have plenty of room to scale.

InterServer impresses with the variety and range of its Windows hosting plans and competitive pricing. Being a US-based host with many local data centers, its local US performance is another standout feature – but this may be a con for customers with international audiences.

Take a look at the table below for a comparison of some of the most popular hosting providers.

Standout Feature Windows OS Options Management Level Starting Price
Kamatera Full customization of your server & truly global reach 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022 Unmanaged, optional management available $4.00
IONOS Dedicated support agent 2019, 2022 Unmanaged $6 (shared, Windows VPS is $12)
InterServer Inexpensive & great performance in the US 2016, 2019, 2022 Unmanaged $6.00
Liquid Web One of the best performing VPS hosts in the industry 2016, 2019, 2022 Managed $15.00
Hostwinds Low-cost managed Windows hosting 2012, 2016, 2019 Unmanaged, managed $8.24
Scala Hosting Generous resources at low prices 2019 Unmanaged $20.00

FAQ

What is the best Windows VPS host?

This will vary a lot depending on what you’re looking for, as different hosts will offer different levels of customization, server locations, and server OSs. That said, Kamatera is my favorite option, as it gives you every tool you need to customize your Windows VPS exactly how you want it.

Can I get free Windows VPS hosting?

The short answer to this question is no. You might stumble across one or two services that claim to offer free VPS hosting, but I can promise you that there’s always a real, hidden price – that of unreliability.

That said, there are plenty of Windows VPS hosts that offer a free trial. For example, you can try out every single one of Kamatera’s Windows VPS features with the 30-day free trial.

What’s the difference between Windows VPS and Linux VPS?

Linux is the usual standard for web hosting. Windows, on the other hand, can be used for web hosting, but is most often used in situations where an office is already also using Microsoft applications like Exchange or Sharepoint, and already has technical staff on hand who are accredited for Microsoft products. Windows also tends to be more user-friendly, but it’s also usually more expensive.

I say usually, because there are some hosts out there that offer Windows VPSs at outlandishly affordable prices. If you prefer the familiarity of Windows Server without breaking the bank, I recommend you check out IONOS.

Is Windows VPS hosting better than Windows shared hosting?

A virtual private server (VPS) offers better performance and way more control over your resources. It also allows you to configure a server however suits you best, which is something that shared hosting simply can’t offer.

That’s not to say that there is no point to shared hosting. If you’re a beginner, or you don’t plan on growing your ASP.NET site too much, then shared hosting can save you more than a couple of bucks. If you are ready to take the leap into VPS, and you are already using ASP.NET for your website, then the familiarity of a Windows VPS might be ideal for you.

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Kane
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InterServer does have Win Server 2019 Standard x64. Along with the Windows 10 Pro x64 & Server 2016 Standard x64 options. They've dropped Server 2012. It's a real shame they don't have a European host option as they're on paper one of the best options I've found in my search.
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Alexander
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Godaddy? It seems they are not too good option for Windows VPS. Although they are cheap, but the server is very slow. It seems the hardware is not good. I agree that big brand aren't always better. I'm now using Asphostportal windows VPS hosting, they are not so famous like EIG or Godaddy, but the server performance is amazing, worth for money
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