Websites using Hetzner

Okay, let s break down Hetzner, covering its overview, revenue, alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

Hetzner Overview

• Company: Hetzner Online GmbH is a German web hosting provider and data center operator.
• Founded: 1997
• Headquarters: Gunzenhausen, Bavaria, Germany
• Focus: Hetzner is known for providing cost-effective, high-performance dedicated servers, VPS (Virtual Private Servers), colocation services, and cloud hosting solutions. They cater to a wide range of customers, from individual developers and small businesses to larger enterprises.
• Strengths:
  • Competitive Pricing: Often cited as one of the most affordable options, especially for dedicated servers.
  • Performance: Good reputation for hardware quality and network performance.
  • Customization: Offers considerable flexibility in configuring servers.
  • Data Centers: Owns and operates its own data centers, giving them more control over infrastructure. Primarily located in Germany (Falkenstein, Nuremberg) and Finland (Tuusula). New data centers planned for the USA.
• Weaknesses:
  • Customer Support (Historically): Historically, support was perceived as being slower or less responsive than some competitors. This has improved but is still a common point of discussion.
  • User Interface: The interface (especially for some older services) can feel a bit dated compared to more modern cloud providers.
  • Geographic Limitation (Data Centers): While expanding, their data center locations are primarily in Europe. This can be a drawback for users needing low-latency access in other regions (though the new US data center is changing this).

Revenue

• Hetzner is a privately held company, so exact revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. However, industry estimates suggest that Hetzner is one of the largest web hosting providers in Germany.
• It s estimated that Hetzner has over 400 employees.

Alternatives

Here s a breakdown of alternatives, categorized by the type of service:

• Dedicated Servers:
  • OVHcloud: Another large European provider with competitive pricing and a broad range of services.
  • LeaseWeb: Offers dedicated servers in various locations worldwide.
  • Contabo: A lower-cost alternative that is similar to Hetzner.
  • iWeb: Canadian provider offering a variety of server options.
• VPS (Virtual Private Servers):
  • DigitalOcean: Popular for its simplicity, developer-friendly tools, and strong community.
  • Vultr: Similar to DigitalOcean, with a global network and easy-to-use interface.
  • Linode: A well-established provider known for its reliable performance and straightforward pricing.
  • Amazon Lightsail: AWS s simplified VPS offering.
  • Google Compute Engine: Google s Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) offering.
  • Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines: Microsoft s IaaS offering.

• Cloud Hosting (More comprehensive platforms):

  • Amazon Web Services (AWS): The market leader, offering a vast array of services.
  • Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Google s comprehensive cloud platform.
  • Microsoft Azure: Microsoft s cloud platform.
  • Scaleway: A European cloud provider focused on simplicity and affordability.

• Factors to Consider When Choosing Alternatives:

  • Budget: Hetzner is often a strong contender for those on a tight budget.
  • Geographic Location: Consider where your target audience is located and choose a provider with data centers in relevant regions.
  • Technical Expertise: Some providers are more developer-focused (DigitalOcean, Linode), while others offer more managed services.
  • Scalability: If you anticipate rapid growth, consider a provider that can easily scale resources.
  • Support Requirements: Evaluate the level of support you need (e.g., 24/7 availability, dedicated support).
  • Specific Features: Do you need specific features like load balancing, managed databases, or serverless computing?
  • Compliance: Specific countries may have laws that dictate where data should be stored.

Pricing

Hetzner is known for its highly competitive pricing. Here s a general overview, but it s essential to check their website for the most up-to-date details:

• Dedicated Servers: Pricing varies widely based on the configuration (CPU, RAM, storage, bandwidth). Entry-level dedicated servers can start from around €30-€50 per month, while high-end servers can cost several hundred euros per month. Setup fees may apply to some dedicated server configurations. Their server auction site can be an excellent option for lower prices on older hardware.
• VPS (Virtual Private Servers): VPS plans are available at different tiers, with prices starting from a few euros per month. The price depends on the amount of vCPUs, RAM, storage, and bandwidth included.
• Cloud Servers: Cloud servers are generally priced hourly or monthly, depending on resource usage.
• Colocation: Hetzner offers colocation services, where you can house your own hardware in their data centers. Pricing depends on the amount of rack space, power, and bandwidth you require.

Important Pricing Considerations:

• Traffic Overage: Be mindful of bandwidth limits, as exceeding them can result in additional charges.
• Setup Fees: Some dedicated servers may have setup fees, especially for custom configurations.
• Value-Added Tax (VAT): Prices may be subject to VAT, depending on your location.
• Currency: Usually, they will display prices in Euro (€).

Customer Care Details

• Support Channels:
  • Support Ticket System: The primary method for contacting Hetzner support. You submit a ticket through their web interface, and they will respond via email.
  • Knowledge Base/Wiki: Hetzner has a comprehensive knowledge base with articles and tutorials on various topics.
  • Community Forum: A place to ask questions and get help from other Hetzner users.
  • Phone Support: Phone support is offered, but it may be limited to certain hours or specific service levels. It s best to check their website for the most accurate information on phone support availability.
• Response Times: Historically, response times were a common complaint. While improvements have been made, it s still a factor to consider. Complex issues may take longer to resolve.
• Support Quality: The quality of support can vary. Some users report excellent experiences, while others have found it lacking. Clear communication and detailed descriptions of your issues are crucial.
• Tips for Getting Good Support:
  • Be Specific: Clearly describe the problem you are experiencing, including error messages, steps to reproduce the issue, and any relevant details.
  • Provide Context: Include information about your server configuration, operating system, and any recent changes you have made.
  • Be Patient: Support teams can be busy, so be patient and allow them time to investigate your issue.
  • Use the Knowledge Base: Before contacting support, check the knowledge base for solutions to common problems.
  • Be Polite: A respectful and courteous attitude can go a long way in getting the help you need.
  • Escalate if Necessary: If you are not satisfied with the initial response, don t hesitate to escalate your ticket to a higher level of support.

In Summary

Hetzner is a solid choice for users seeking cost-effective, high-performance hosting solutions, particularly dedicated servers and VPS. While their customer support has historically been a point of concern, improvements have been made. Consider your specific needs, budget, and support requirements when comparing Hetzner to its alternatives. If you re comfortable with a slightly less polished interface and are primarily concerned with price and performance, Hetzner is definitely worth considering.