Buying guide · Checked October 2026
The best Windows VPS providers in 2026.
There is no single best Windows VPS. The right provider depends on whether you need the Windows license included, how much RAM you need for the price, where your servers must be, and how you want to pay. This guide compares 10 providers on those points.
Disclosure: FlashRDP publishes this guide and is one of the providers in it. Picks are calculated from each provider's published prices and specs, not ranked by hand, and FlashRDP's own trade-offs are listed alongside.
Quick picks
Cheapest with a Windows license included
AWS Lightsail
From $9.50/month (2 vCPU · 0.5 GB · 30 GB). Check the RAM: entry plans with a license are often small.
Most RAM in the entry Windows plan
FlashRDP
From $11.99/month (2 vCPU · 4 GB · 50 GB SSD). Ships with an evaluation license; bring your own for long-term use.
Most datacenter locations
Vultr
33 regions listed by the provider.
Pay with crypto
FlashRDP, Vultr, Hostwinds and Cloudzy
Providers that accept cryptocurrency for Windows servers.
Windows VPS providers compared
Sorted by entry Windows price. "Windows from" is the cheapest Windows plan each provider lists; a dash means no published Windows price.
| Provider | Windows license | Windows from | Crypto | Billing | Regions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Lightsail | License included | $9.50/mo2 vCPU · 0.5 GB · 30 GB | No | Hourly | 19 |
| Hostwinds | License included | $10.99/mo1 vCPU · 1 GB · 30 GB | Yes | Monthly | 3 |
| IONOS | License included | $11.00/mo2 vCPU · 2 GB · 80 GB | No | Monthly | — |
| FlashRDP | Trial or own license | $11.99/mo2 vCPU · 4 GB · 50 GB SSD | Yes | Flat monthly | 2 |
| Cloudzy | Trial or own license | $14.48/mo2 vCPU · 4 GB · 120 GB · promotional price | Yes | Hourly | 13 |
| Contabo | License costs extra | $14.88/moon a 24-month term | No | Discounts for long terms | 9 |
| Vultr | License costs extra | $21.00/mo1 vCPU · 1 GB · server + Windows license | Yes | Hourly | 33 |
| Kamatera | License costs extra | $21.00/mo1 vCPU · 1 GB · server + Windows license | Not listed | Hourly | 24 |
| Hetzner | Bring your own license | — | No | Hourly | 6 |
| OVHcloud | License costs extra | — | No | Monthly | — |
Checked October 2026 against each provider's own pages; sources are linked on every comparison page. Providers without Windows servers are left out.
How to choose a Windows VPS
- Windows license
- Included, a monthly add-on, or bring your own. An add-on can double a small plan's price; an evaluation license costs nothing but expires.
- RAM for the price
- Microsoft lists 2 GB as the minimum for Windows Server with the Desktop Experience, so smaller plans struggle; 4 GB or more is comfortable for a desktop.
- Location
- Pick a region close to you, your users, or the service you connect to, such as a broker's trade server.
- Payment and billing
- Hourly billing suits short-lived servers; flat monthly plans are easier to predict. Check whether crypto, card or PayPal is accepted.
Running something specific? See forex VPS for MT4 & MT5, NinjaTrader VPS or remote workstation.
Windows VPS questions
What is the best Windows VPS provider?
It depends on what matters most. For a Windows license included at the lowest entry price, AWS Lightsail starts at $9.50/month (2 vCPU · 0.5 GB · 30 GB). For the most RAM in an entry plan, FlashRDP offers $11.99/month (2 vCPU · 4 GB · 50 GB SSD). For the most locations, Vultr lists 33 regions. For crypto payments: FlashRDP, Vultr, Hostwinds and Cloudzy.
Which Windows VPS providers include the Windows Server license?
AWS Lightsail, Hostwinds and IONOS include the license in their Windows plan prices. Others charge a separate license fee or ship a trial license.
Which Windows VPS providers accept cryptocurrency?
FlashRDP, Vultr, Hostwinds and Cloudzy accept cryptocurrency, based on each provider's published payment methods.
Does FlashRDP include a Windows Server license?
No. FlashRDP ships Windows Server 2019, 2022 or 2025 with Microsoft's 180-day evaluation license at no extra cost and does not resell SPLA licenses, so for long-term production use you activate your own license.
How were these providers compared?
From each provider's own pricing, regions and payment pages, last checked in October 2026. Every comparison page links its sources. Prices change often, so confirm on the provider's site before you buy.
Last reviewed October 13, 2026 by the FlashRDP Editorial Team.