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Best for Long-Term Pricing
4.7
AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On IONOS’s website
IONOS
PROMOTION: Save 94% With 1-Year Term
Very affordable plans, both during the introductory period and on renewal
Excellent server speed and reliability
Managed WordPress hosting plans include guided setup through the WordPress Cockpit and its AI site builder
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Best for Custom Enterprise Solutions
4.5
AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Liquid Web’s website
Liquid Web
A wealth of features for advanced users
Easy WordPress and ecommerce setup
Admin UI could be more intuitive for beginners
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Best for Storage and Power Users
4.4
AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Editorial Rating
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On InMotion Hosting’s website
InMotion Hosting
Remarkably fast site speeds
Above-average uptime guarantee
Dashboard, help center, and cPanel can be difficult to navigate
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IONOS is the best dedicated server hosting provider for most users based on our analysis and offers an exceptional balance of performance, features, and transparent pricing, starting at just $41/mo. In our testing, IONOS achieved a near-perfect performance score, with lightning-fast load times and rock-solid uptime.
On the other hand, if you need a lot of storage capacity and can afford higher renewal rates, then InMotion Hosting is worth considering. Meanwhile, for businesses requiring highly customized server configurations or industry-specific compliance (such as HIPAA), Liquid Web’s managed dedicated servers offer preconfigured solutions tailored to specific use cases.
In this guide, we’ll break down each provider in detail so you can determine which one best fits your needs.
The best dedicated server hosting providers
Compare the best dedicated hosting providers
Best for
Best for long-term pricing
Best for custom enterprise solutions
Best for storage and power users
Star rating
4.7
AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
4.5
AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
4.4
AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Starting price
Starts at $41/mo
Starts at $44/mo
Starts at $35/mo
Uptime guarantee
99.99%
99.99%
99.999%
CPU cores
4 – 32
4 – 32
4 – 64
Memory
16 GB – 512 GB
16 GB – 128 GB
16 GB – 2,048 GB
Storage
1 TB HDD – 1,920 GB SSD / 8 TB HDD
2 x 480 GB SSD – 2x 960 GB NVMe
1 TB SSD – 6 x 6.4 TB NVMe
Bandwidth
Unmetered (1 Gbps)
10 TB – 15 TB
Unmetered (1 Gbps – 20 Gbps)
Server locations
USA, Europe
USA, Europe, Australia
USA, Europe, Asia
Learn more
IONOS: Best for long-term pricing
What we liked
Accessible pricing: Dedicated hosting is by no means cheap, but IONOS offers a line of servers using older hardware at bargain prices. They’re perfect if you want a dedicated server but don’t need the latest technology.
Free SSL: IONOS offers Wildcard SSL certificates with all its dedicated server plans, ensuring your sites are safe and secure.
Plesk control panel: If you request it during checkout, IONOS will install the Plesk control panel on your server for free. You can add unlimited users, and it offers support for unlimited domains.
Software RAID and hardware RAID: The RAID 1 standard ensures your data is safe in the event of a data carrier failure by mirroring it to a second drive. IONOS offers plans with both software RAID 1 (which is cost-effective and easy to manage) and hardware RAID 1 (providing superior performance with dedicated controllers). This gives you the flexibility to balance your budget with your performance needs.
What we didn’t like
Backup storage is a paid add-on: If you don’t need backups, you might prefer to have it as an optional feature. On the other hand, many users do want backups, so it would make sense for IONOS to have at least a few plans with backup storage included.
Test results
When we tested IONOS’s shared plans, it scored exceptionally well, earning an overall performance score of 99.6/100. We recorded a First Contentful Paint (FCP) of 0.46 seconds, which is well below Google’s recommended maximum of 1.8 seconds.[1] Its Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), which measures how quickly the largest element on a web page loads, was only 0.53 seconds, well below Google’s recommended threshold of 2.5 seconds.[2]
To measure IONOS’s reliability, we monitored uptime over several days, and the provider maintained a rock-solid 100% uptime throughout. We also ran a stress test to see how IONOS would perform if we sent 250 visitors to the site in 1 minute. It handled the spike without errors and reported an average response time of 397 milliseconds.
Star rating summary
IONOS scored very well across all our rating categories, with its highest marks in performance and security. IONOS’s pricing is highly competitive, and it has some of the best promo rates in the industry, earning it a high score for pricing and capacity.
When it comes to features, meanwhile, IONOS has a lot to offer, including free SSL certificates and email hosting — even on its VPS and dedicated server plans. We also found the IONOS support team to be consistently reliable when we contacted them, which contributed to a very positive overall experience with the provider. In terms of its dedicated hosting plans, IONOS offers a wide range of features and notably affordable options.
IONOS received a high star rating of 4.7 due to its highly intuitive dashboard, comprehensive features for affordable prices, and impressive performance.
Although we had a positive testing experience with IONOS, it received in a lower score in the experience category due to the upsells on various pages of the dashboard. IONOS also lacks built-in content delivery network.
Decision factor
Weight
Verdict
Our experience
10%
4.5
Value and capacity18%
4.8
Performance20%
5.0
Features25%
4.5
Security20%
5.0
Support and reputation7%
4.9
Learn more about our testing experience in our IONOS review.
Liquid Web: Best for custom enterprise solutions
What we liked
Choice of managed or bare metal servers: If you have experience managing a server or are ready to do so, you can save significantly by going the bare metal route. On the other hand, if you lack experience but need the power and security of a dedicated server, then Liquid Web’s managed options are perfect.
Managed service includes root access: One significant benefit of Liquid Web’s managed server plans is that they still give you root access. This gives you the advantages of a managed server while still allowing you to make your own tweaks.
Preconfigured servers according to need: Perhaps the most attractive aspect of Liquid Web’s dedicated hosting is that the provider will configure your setup based on your industry or use case. For example, if you work in healthcare and need to protect patient data, they can ensure your server is HIPAA-compliant.
What we didn’t like
No SSL: Some hosting companies help offset the cost of a dedicated server by bundling perks into their plans. Free SSL certificates are a popular option, but Liquid Web leaves SSL up to the customer.
Test results
Liquid Web scored very highly in our performance testing of its shared plans, receiving an overall score of 98.5/100, with lightning-fast FCP and LCP speeds of 0.7 and 0.8 seconds, respectively. Uptime remained constant at 100% throughout the testing period, and the provider handled our simulated traffic surge without issue.
However, its average response time under heavy traffic was 1,475 milliseconds, which is more than 3.5 times slower than we saw with IONOS. That said, it’s important to note that these tests were performed on Liquid Web’s WordPress Launch plan, not on one of its dedicated server plans, which would likely be significantly faster.
Star rating summary
Liquid Web nailed a flawless 5/5 rating for security in our review. It also received a great score for pricing, and we found that Liquid Web offers a very fair trade-off given its cost and features.
Our experience with the support team was also positive, and overall, we had a great time testing the platform. In terms of dedicated hosting, the provider offers many options and makes it easy to get started quickly.
Liquid Web earned a solid star rating of 4.5 due to its user-friendly setup experience, great server performance, and strong security measures.
Decision factor
Weight
Verdict
Our experience
10%
4.5
Value and capacity18%
4.75
Performance20%
3.75
Features25%
3.5
Security20%
5.0
Support and reputation7%
5.0
Learn more about our testing experience in our Liquid Web review.
InMotion Hosting: Best for storage space and power users
What we liked
Massive storage capacity: InMotion is well known for its generous storage limits across hosting types, and its dedicated server plans are no exception. The top-tier plan provides two hard drives with 3.84 TB of NVMe SSD, and bare metal enterprise options go even higher, with plans offering up to 6x 6.4 TB NVMe SSD drives, with 2x 960 GB boot disks.
Dedicated IPs that scale: When you pay to have a physical server all to yourself, most hosting companies will give you a dedicated IP address to go along with it. InMotion separates itself from the pack by scaling the number of IPs that they give you as you move up the plan ladder, with the highest plan topping out at 32 dedicated IPs.
What we didn’t like
Confusing entry-level plan: InMotion’s Aspire plan is only $35/mo, which sounds almost too good to be true for a dedicated server. While you can technically just pay the sticker price, doing so will leave your server with no security and no control panel. These are both paid add-ons, which means the true price for most users will be around 3.5 times higher.
Upsells without context: If you make it to the checkout screen, InMotion will offer you all kinds of features and upsell options. Unfortunately, some have no explanation. For example, when you’re on the checkout page trying to purchase the Aspire plan, you’ll see “Solutions Pro Level 1” offered, but there’s no explanation of what it is. A simple tooltip or a link would go a long way here.
Test results
InMotion scored a rock-solid 99.6/100 in our shared hosting performance testing. FCP and LCP readings were blazingly fast, clocking in at 0.53 and 0.63 seconds, respectively. Uptime never faltered, remaining at 100% throughout the monitoring period.
The stress test is where InMotion really stood out, though. Not only did we see no errors during the 1-minute traffic spike, but the average response time was a minuscule 9 milliseconds. That’s over 150 times faster than Liquid Web. For comparison, the blink of an eye is between 100 and 150 milliseconds.
Star rating summary
As you might expect, InMotion received a flawless performance score from us, with an equally high rating for its exceptional security, and we appreciate the features it includes in its plans. Support also scored well, and using InMotion’s live chat is much like talking to a helpful friend, which is refreshing.
InMotion’s downside — where it lost some points — is pricing. Renewal rates tend to be higher than other hosting options, which may be off-putting for those on a budget. This brought InMotion’s overall rating down to 4.4/5, which is still good, but if you don’t need the extra storage space, you might do better with Liquid Web or IONOS. If you want substantial resources and scalable plans for dedicated hosting, it’s a great option, though.
InMotion earned a solid star rating of 4.4 because of its perfect performance during our testing, availability of basic features across plans, and having all the security essentials.
However, we had to dock InMotion in the experience category. The dashboard was difficult to navigate and it doesn’t offer any guided WordPress tools.
Decision factor
Weight
Verdict
Our experience
10%
3.0
Value and capacity18%
3.6
Performance20%
5.0
Features25%
4.5
Security20%
5.0
Support and reputation7%
4.7
Learn more about our testing experience in our InMotion Hosting review.
What are the pros and cons of dedicated hosting?
Dedicated hosting offers complete server control and the maximum level of resources, but it comes with greater technical demands and higher hosting costs.
Dedicated hosting pros
Full server resources dedicated to your site — no sharing CPUs, RAM, or bandwidth with other users
Complete control over server configuration, software installations, and security settings
Better performance and faster load times, especially under heavy traffic
Enhanced security, as you’re not affected by the vulnerabilities of other sites
Predictable, consistent performance without “noisy neighbor” issues
Dedicated hosting cons
Significantly more expensive than shared or VPS hosting
Requires technical expertise to manage and maintain, including server updates, security patches, and troubleshooting, unless you pay extra for managed services
Longer setup time compared to shared web hosting solutions
Bottom line: The best dedicated hosting service
IONOS stands on top of the podium for dedicated hosting in our view, thanks to its exceptional performance, transparent pricing, and valuable features (which its competitors often charge for). Starting at $41/mo, IONOS makes dedicated hosting accessible without sacrificing quality.
If you need massive storage capacity and a server that can perform under pressure, InMotion is a solid pick, as long as you’ve got the budget for its renewal rates. Lastly, if your business requires custom server configurations or compliance-specific setups, then you’ll feel right at home with Liquid Web.
How we test web hosting services
We use our proprietary grading rubric to evaluate web hosts based on performance, ease of use, features, support, and overall value. Our hands-on approach ensures our ratings reflect how each service actually performs in the real world, so you can choose a host with confidence.
Our process starts with signing up for each service and setting up a real website, just like you would. We run page speed, uptime, and stress tests to measure reliability and performance under load. We also explore the dashboard, test security tools, and contact support to see how responsive and helpful it is.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full testing methodology here.
FAQs
Why do I need dedicated hosting?
You may need dedicated hosting if your site experiences high traffic volumes, requires fast performance and reliable uptime, requires custom server configurations, or must meet strict security and compliance standards. A dedicated server gives you exclusive access to a server’s resources, ensuring consistent speed and reliable service for resource-intensive and business-critical operations. If you have more limited requirements, then shared or VPS hosting may be sufficient.
How much does dedicated hosting cost?
Dedicated hosting typically ranges from $35/mo to $500+/mo, depending on hardware specifications and the level of management provided. Entry-level dedicated servers with older hardware start at around $35/mo to $50/mo, while mid-range servers with modern CPUs, 64 GB to 128 GB RAM, and NVMe storage run from around $100/mo to $300/mo.
We think the top picks for good, cheap dedicated servers are IONOS, Bluehost, and InterServer.
High-end managed dedicated servers with premium hardware, full management, and custom configurations can exceed $500/mo. You also need to factor in potential add-on costs, such as backup storage, SSL certificates, control panels, and additional IP addresses, which can increase your monthly bill.
How do I choose the best dedicated host?
The best dedicated host depends on your specific needs. You should evaluate hosts based on their uptime guarantees (look for 99.9%+), hardware specs, network speed and bandwidth limits, quality of support (including 24/7 availability and response times), scalability options, and the total cost of their plans, including setup fees.
Read reviews from third-party sources like this one, test the host’s support, and ensure the company offers management options that align with your technical expertise.
Author Details
Martin is a writer for All About Cookies with over three years of professional experience as a writer and editor for leading online publications in the WordPress space. A long-time tech enthusiast, he has also served as Chief Editor of a quirky tech newsletter with more than 13,000 subscribers.