A cloud server is a virtual server that runs on cloud infrastructure built from powerful physical servers, with CPU, RAM and disk resources reserved for you alone. With full root (administrator) access you install any operating system and manage the server as if it were your own machine.
When you rent a physical server, everything depends on that one machine: hardware ages, parts fail, and when you need more power you have to move to a new machine. A cloud server leaves that burden to the infrastructure. You use only the resources you need and upgrade your plan as you grow.
How does a cloud server work?
Cloud infrastructure is made of several powerful physical servers (compute nodes), a fast network and enterprise storage. A virtualisation layer such as KVM divides these resources into independent servers. Each cloud server has its own operating system, its own IP addresses and its own reserved cores, RAM and disk.
KVM isolates servers at hardware level, so however busy another server on the same infrastructure gets, it cannot touch your resources. Because nothing is shared, performance does not fluctuate during the day.
You manage the server from a panel: choose or reinstall the operating system, start and stop the server, and take a snapshot before any important change.
Cloud server vs VPS vs VDS
All three run on the same virtualisation technology. The difference lies in how many resources you get, how many IP addresses are included and the workload the infrastructure is designed for.
| Cloud server | VDS | VPS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 100% dedicated, 4–20 cores | Guaranteed cores, 2–20 cores | vCPU, 1–8 cores |
| RAM | 8–64 GB DDR4 ECC | 4–64 GB DDR4 | 2–32 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 160–700 GB NVMe SSD | 80–540 GB NVMe SSD | 30–280 GB NVMe SSD |
| IPv4 | 5–15 addresses included | 1–8 addresses, by plan | 1 address, more available |
| Traffic | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Best for | Business applications, busy online stores, projects needing many IPs | High traffic, databases, game servers | Business websites, test environments, small applications |
| Starting price | 19.99 $/mo | 8.99 $/mo | 5.49 $/mo |
Figures are based on Plus Datacenter plans and monthly billing; annual billing is discounted. For current prices see our cloud server, VDS server and VPS server pages. For more on VDS, read What is a VDS?
Advantages of a cloud server
- Consistent performance: cores and RAM are not shared with other customers, so your server runs at the same speed at peak times.
- Easy growth: when you need more cores or RAM you move to a larger plan, without rebuilding the server or migrating your data.
- Snapshots: take a snapshot before an update or a big change and roll back within minutes if something goes wrong.
- Any operating system: Windows Server, Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux and more install from the panel with one click.
- Several IP addresses: with 5–15 IPv4 addresses included you can run different services, sites or mail traffic on separate IPs.
- No hardware headaches: no failed disks, ageing processors, part replacements or high upfront costs.
Is cloud hosting the same as a cloud server?
No. Most packages sold as “cloud hosting” are shared hosting running on cloud infrastructure. You get a panel such as cPanel, but no root access, and resources are shared with other accounts on the same server.
With a cloud server the whole server, operating system included, is yours: you install any software and configure services yourself. If you only need to host websites and email, a hosting plan is enough and costs less. If you need to run your own application, Docker containers or a custom service, you need a cloud server.
Who is a cloud server for?
- Online stores: shops that must handle sudden traffic spikes on sale days.
- SaaS and web applications: software that serves customers around the clock and cannot afford slowdowns.
- Database servers: MySQL, PostgreSQL and Redis on isolated resources at NVMe speed.
- Docker, CI/CD and DevOps: container-based services and build and test pipelines.
- Agencies and software companies: running many client projects on one powerful server with separate IP addresses.
- Anyone replacing an old physical server: a modern cloud server is often faster than a physical machine running processors from a decade ago.
What to check when choosing a cloud server
- Are the resources really reserved? The word “cloud” alone tells you nothing. Confirm that cores and RAM are not shared.
- Processor generation: the age of the CPU matters as much as the core count. Many cores of an old processor can fall behind a current Xeon Gold core.
- Storage type: NVMe SSD is many times faster than a classic SATA SSD, and the difference shows immediately for databases and online stores.
- Traffic and port speed: plans with a monthly TB cap may charge for overage or throttle your speed. Look for unlimited traffic and a 1 Gbps port.
- DDoS protection: during an attack, traffic should be filtered rather than your server being taken offline (null-routed).
- Snapshots and backups: a snapshot is for quick rollbacks; it does not replace regular backups. Make sure backups are stored somewhere else.
- Location: if your users are in Türkiye, the Middle East or south-eastern Europe, a server in Istanbul keeps latency low.
- Renewal price: watch out for plans that are discounted in the first year and get more expensive on renewal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a cloud server and a VPS?
Both are virtual servers. On a cloud server cores and RAM are 100% dedicated, resources are higher and several IP addresses are included. A VPS is a more affordable start for small and medium projects.
Can I install Windows on a cloud server?
Yes. You can install Windows Server or Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux from the panel with one click.
Do I need technical knowledge to manage a cloud server?
It is a server with root access, so basic Linux or Windows Server administration skills help. We migrate your sites for free, and our support team is available 24/7 for questions about using your server.
Can I upgrade my plan later?
Yes. When you need more resources you can move to a larger cloud plan; your data and setup stay in place.
Is there a traffic limit on cloud servers?
No. All our cloud plans include unlimited monthly traffic on a 1 Gbps port.
Cloud server or dedicated server?
Unless you need the entire machine, special hardware or software licensed per physical machine, a cloud server is usually the better choice: it is delivered within minutes, you never deal with hardware failures and it is easy to grow.
Cloud servers from 14.99 $/mo on annual billing
100% dedicated Xeon Gold cores, NVMe SSD, 5–15 IPv4 addresses and unlimited traffic.