Dedicated server hosting is an internet hosting model in which an entire server (dedicated server) is assigned to a single customer. Unlike shared hosting, this web hosting type permits you to lease a whole server without sharing it with other clients. It also offers you full control over the web server and choice of hardware and operating system. Dedicated servers have an edge over shared servers in terms of reliability, stability, and security.
At HostAdvice, our specialists research and test the most suitable web hosting providers for each category. We weigh their features and performance against our well-calculated specifications. The choice hosting platforms are indexed according to their overall scores and specific ratings. In this light, we will discuss the top 6 dedicated server hosting platforms in the UK in 2023 and the key factors you should consider when making your choice.
Key Points to Consider When Choosing Dedicated Server Hosting Mediums in the UK
- Choose a dedicated server hosting provider with useful, user-friendly features.
- Confirm that the hosting provider offers full control over the server and hardware and operating system preference.
- Pay proper attention to the CPU model performance. You should be able to differentiate and choose between AMD, Intel, Atom, Opteron, and Xeon processors.
- Choose an affordable dedicated server hosting platform with favorable pricing. However, you should not prioritize price over features and performance.
- Evaluate the bandwidth, RAM, and data center and ensure they suit your needs.
- Assess the disk drive storage and choose according to your requirements. HDD is great if you prefer substantial storage capacity, while SSD is ideal if you desire speedy storage performance.
- Make sure the dedicated hosting medium has a responsive and reliable customer support team that is fluent in English.
- Choose a web host that possesses solid in-built security features and permits you to install security add-ons.
The Best UK Dedicated Server Hosting Services of 2023 (Bought and Tested)
Ionos is a global hosting provider established in Germany in 1988. It was formerly known as 1&1 IONOS and 1&1 Internet. Currently, it is a subsidiary of United Internet. The web host is renowned for providing cloud services and cloud infrastructure. Ionos deserves to be mentioned among the most promising dedicated server hosting platforms in the UK, thanks to its wide range of dedicated servers.
- Overall Score: 4.5
- Features: 4.6
- Support: 4.4
- User Friendly: 4
- Pricing: 4.7
- Reliability: 4.6
If you seek an eco-friendly dedicated server host in the UK, Ionos would be your best option. The provider also offers a managed service, thereby helping you oversee your dedicated server resources. To guarantee the optimal safety of your server and website, it employs powerful security elements, such as a Wildcard SSL certificate, SIEM, IDS, IPS, Site Scan malware protection, daily data backup, and data recovery. Ionos also enables you to configure your managed server to a database server, an FTP server, or an email server.
Features: The platform features crucial hardware and software tools suitable for web service newbies and established enterprises.
Support: A supportive medium built to provide direct and virtual assistance. You can contact its customer support team via live chat, email, and phone. Although it may take up to 5 minutes to get a response, it is usually worth the wait at the end.
User Friendly: Ionos has a custom control panel, which is not intuitive enough for individuals already used to cPanel. It tries very hard to make activities, like application installation, as easy as possible. Yet, the term “user-friendly” does not apply to this platform.
Pricing: It has flexible pricing due to its numerous dedicated server plans. Hence, the pricing is generally favorable. Some of the cheapest plans and their features are cited below.
- L4i HDD– $47/month – 1000 GB HDD Storage / 12 GB RAM / 4 CPU Cores
- A8i HDD– $60/month – 2×1000 GB HDD Storage / 8 GB RAM / 8 CPU Cores
- x4i HDD + SSD– $105/month – 2×1,000 GB HDD Storage / 2×240 GB SSD / 16 GB RAM / 4 CPU Cores
- Dedicated Server o12A-32– $120/month – 2×240 GB SSD Storage / 2×2000 SATA / 32 GB RAM / 12 CPU Cores
Reliability: Ionos has a satisfactory server speed and a decent uptime of 99.9%.
Server Performance and Resources – 4.7/5:
Ionos permits you to choose from different server configurations. Each of its dedicated servers features HDD or SSD storage, AMD or Intel® processors, and DDR 4 ECC RAM. Thus, you can enjoy excellent server speed and capacity. Meanwhile, the server’s specific storage space, RAM capacity, and number of CPU cores are determined by the dedicated server plans.
Management and Control Features – 4.4/5:
The provider presents a unique control panel and helps you manage your dedicated server resources with its IONOS Managed Server feature.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Eco-friendly
- Managed server
- Various dedicated servers
- Generally favorable pricing
- Adequate server resources
- Fair server speed
- Tight security
Cons:
- It is not user-friendly
- The support team may not respond on time.
HostArmada is a privately owned and independently funded web hosting platform launched in the United States in 2019. Although it is headquartered in Delaware, US, the provider has quickly become a household name in other countries, including the UK. It is best known for its scalable and cost-effective Cloud SSD-powered web hosting services. These benefits along with its speedy, secure, reliable, and optimally operative managed dedicated servers make it the most excellent dedicated server hosting provider in the UK overall.
- Overall Score: 4.9
- Features: 4.8
- Support: 4.9
- User Friendly: 4.9
- Pricing: 4.7
- Reliability: 4.9
HostArmada grants access to the operating system’s root user, which gives you complete control over the dedicated server. The web host also offers free regular (daily, weekly, or monthly) backups of your valuable data and comes with effective server monitoring tools. Furthermore, it possesses a firm security system comprising SSL, WAF, IP firewall, Imunify360, malware scan, and malware removal which forestalls hacks, malware, and other threats. The hosting provider operates with CloudLinux OS, NGINX web server cache, and Cloudflare to enable optimum website performance.
Features: The platform is loaded with various functional hardware and software components that make it ideal for managed dedicated CPU server hosting.
Support: A web host designed to provide excellent customer assistance with its 24/7 technical support service. The support team receives and responds to comments and questions via email, live chat, and support tickets.
User Friendly: An easy-to-navigate web hosting medium with the traditional cPanel control panel and straightforward interface.
Pricing: It offers three feature-packed dedicated CPU server hosting plans at reasonable prices. Additionally, you can enjoy a 25% discount on your first purchase and 7 days money-back guarantee.
- LIFT OFF!– $149/month – 160 GB SSD Storage / 4 CPU Cores / 8 GB RAM / 5 TB Bandwidth / 40 Gbps Speed in / 2000 Mbps Speed Out / Unlimited Sites
- Low Orbit– $209/month – 320 GB SSD Storage / 8 CPU Cores / 16 GB RAM / 6 TB Bandwidth / 40 Gbps Speed In / 2000 Mbps Speed Out / Unlimited Sites
- High Orbit– $329/month – 640 GB SSD Storage / 16 CPU Cores / 32 GB RAM / 7 TB Bandwidth / 40 Gbps Speed in / 2000 Mbps Speed Out / Unlimited Sites
Reliability: A super-fast and stable dedicated server host with a 40 Gbps speed in, 2000 Mbps speed out, and a 99.9% uptime.
Server Performance and Resources – 4.8/5:
HostArmada boasts an ideal environment for dedicated server hosting with its ample server resources. It has an SSD storage space ranging from 160 GB to 640 GB, depending on the dedicated server hosting plan. Additionally, the dedicated server possesses 4-16 CPU cores, 8-32 GB of RAM, and a bandwidth of 5-7 TB.
Management and control features – 4.9/5:
To enable adequate management of the dedicated server and server resources, HostArmada features root access for users, cPanel, KVM virtualization, MySQL, PHP, and WHM.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Scalable SSD-based web host
- Grants clients full control over the server
- Rapid and stable servers
- Iron-clad security
- Reliable technical support
- Relatively cost-effective
- Feature-rich
- Easy to use
- Fully sufficient server resources
- Practical management and control tools
Cons:
- Relatively new web host
- Doesn’t provide remote assistance in line with US law.
Verpex is a modern-day internet hosting service platform launched in London, England in 2018. It is globally recognized for its ultra-fast hosting services and reliable performance. For optimal security and stability, the provider offers fully managed dedicated cloud servers. What makes it exceptional is that the company’s representatives constantly monitor the servers to quickly resolve any issue that arises.
- Overall Score: 4.6
- Features: 4.6
- Support: 4.7
- User Friendly: 4.7
- Pricing: 4.6
- Reliability: 4.5
Verpex employs LiteSpeed and Apache web servers for an enhanced dedicated server hosting atmosphere. Its managed cloud servers permit you to create unlimited email addresses, operate multiple websites, and transfer data without limitation. Similarly, they come with firm security features, including CloudLinux, SSL certificates, and Imunify Web App Firewall. The web host also offers Memcache and Redis to optimize your server for advanced WordPress- and Magento-powered websites.
Features: A contemporary web host with a wide range of impressive technical tools.
Support: A customer-friendly hosting platform with 24/7/365 available technical assistance and a reliable knowledge base. You can contact their experienced cloud server agents via live chat and phone calls.
User Friendly: It uses the conventional cPanel control panel known for its straightforward interface and helpful built-in features.
Pricing: The provider offers valuable features and server resources at appealing costs. These commodities are wrapped up in 3 dedicated server hosting plans. Additionally, Verpex presents a 7 days money-back guarantee and a 50% discount on your first purchase.
- D4– $79/month – 80 GB SSD Storage / 4 GB RAM / 2 Cores of Dedicated Xeon vCPU
- D8– $119/month – 140 GB SSD Storage / 8 GB RAM / 4 Cores of Dedicated Xeon vCPU
- D16– $189/month – 300 GB SSD Storage / 16 GB RAM / 6 Cores of Dedicated Xeon vCPU
Reliability: One of the fastest dedicated server hosting platforms with an expected network port speed of 1 Gbit/s and an uptime of 99.5%.
Server Performance and Resources – 4.6/5:
Each Verpex dedicated server has a SSD storage capacity of 80-300 GB, a dedicated RAM of 4-6 GB, and 2-6 cores of dedicated Xeon vCPUs. These resources are responsible for its speedy and stable server performance.
Management and Control Features – 4.6/5:
Verpex allows you to organize your dedicated server and server resources with a cPanel control panel and WHM management/billing software. You can also customize your firewalls to make the regulations stricter or more lenient.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Outstanding server speed
- Daily backup
- Affordable dedicated server plans
- It constantly monitors your server
- Feature-packed
- Fully managed
- It grants you full control over the servers
- Free website migration
- 50% discount on the first subscription
- Trustworthy support
- Strong security
Cons:
- It is relatively new to web hosting.
- Compared to many other providers, its 99.5% uptime is inferior.
FastComet is a multi-purpose global web hosting solution established in San Francisco, USA in 2013. The platform is widely acclaimed for its numerous hosting plans and remarkable features. However, it is its employment of highly efficient AMD EPYC CPU cores and ultra-fast Cloud SSD technology that earns it its spot on this list. We like that this web host offers a scalable, fully managed dedicated CPU server hosting service.
- Overall Score: 4.8
- Features: 4.8
- Support: 4.9
- User Friendly: 4.7
- Pricing: 4.7
- Reliability: 4.8
Effective security is one of the main characteristics of proper dedicated server hosting. Accordingly, FastComet provides solid security features, such as WAF, DDoS detection & mitigation, SSL encryption, malware detection & removal, and botnet attacks filter, all summed up as “FastGuard Security.” It also presents automatic daily and weekly backups and offers free complete data snapshots upon your request. Again, the provider utilizes Cloudflare CDN and Softaculous one-click installer for smooth website performance and application installation, respectively.
Features: The platform comes with various useful features, including those conventional and unique. It also provides room for add-ons.
Support: One of its most functional services, FastComet has a responsive, dependable, and thoughtful support team. The customer service department is available 24/7/365 and can be reached via email, live chat, phone, and support tickets.
User Friendly: Generally, the web host and its dedicated server hosting features are not complicated to use and understand. It employs a cPanel control panel and has a promising interface. However, the user experience (UX) aspect is not reliable.
Pricing: It is not the cheapest dedicated server hosting provider out there. Yet, it offers four high-quality dedicated server hosting plans at nice rates. You can also benefit from a 20% discount on your initial purchase and 7 days money-back guarantee.
- DS 1– $139/month – 80 GB SSD Storage / 2 CPU Cores / 4 GB RAM / 4 TB Bandwidth / 4000 Mbps Speed Out
- DS 2– $169/month – 160 GB SSD Storage / 4 CPU Cores / 8 GB RAM / 5 TB Bandwidth / 5000 Mbps Speed Out
- DS 3– $229/month – 320 GB SSD Storage / 8 CPU Cores / 16 GB RAM / 6 TB Bandwidth / 6000 Mbps Speed Out
- DS 4– $349/month – 640 GB SSD Storage / 16 CPU Cores / 32 GB RAM / 7 TB Bandwidth / 7000 Mbps Speed Out
Reliability: This web hosting medium performs at a satisfactory speed and has an adequate uptime of 99.9%. Its most commendable reliability feature is its maintenance of numerous data centers, even in remote areas. Consequently, your website will be available no matter your visitors’ location.
Server Performance and Resources – 4.8/5:
FastComet has great server resources that make it suitable for dedicated CPU server hosting. Its dedicated server has an SSD disk space ranging from 80 GB to 640 GB SD, hinging on the plan. Furthermore, it possesses 2-4 AMD EPYC 7501 CPU cores, 4-7 TB bandwidth, and 4-32 GB of RAM, thereby enhancing its performance.
Management and Control Features – 4.8/5:
FastComet features a client control area that enables you to manage your domains, billing, accounts, and orders. It also utilizes a cPanel control panel and WebHost Manager (WHM), thereby facilitating proper control of your dedicated server and website(s).
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 24/7/365 available customer support
- Feature-packed
- It offers fully managed dedicated server hosting
- Tight security
- It has numerous data centers, even in hard-to-reach regions.
- Adequate server resources
Cons:
- Imperfect UX
- The dedicated server hosting plans may be too expensive for some individuals.
- There are faster web hosts.
Ranking comparison between the Top Providers
Best Dedicated Server Hosting Services in the UK: Final Recommendations
With Dedicated server hosting, you need to generate enough revenue from the dedicated server before the lease renews to make optimum profits. When seeking profitable dedicated server hosting platforms in the UK, look out for your performance requirements, your budget, the server’s security features, potential downtime, scalability, technology advancements, management features, and data center quality.
All the reviewed web hosts dominate others in these aspects. This makes them the most suitable providers for dedicated server hosting. Still, a perfect dedicated server host will also be outstanding in technical support, backup services, network quality, and control panel options.
Our recommendation for the Best UK Dedicated Server Hosting Overall that possesses all of these top qualities is HostArmada.
How Do We Rank and How You Should Choose Your Dedicated Server Hosting Provider?
- Server Performance and Resources30%
- Management and control features13%
- User Reviews30%
- Customer Support10%
- Security Features10%
- Pricing7%
This chart shows the specific parameters we assessed . We independently evaluated these components, tested them and surveyed user reviews to formulate our list of dedicated server hosting providers in the UK.
Our professionals analyzed their server performance and resources. We ensured they were up to standard for dedicated server hosting before choosing them. Similarly, we scrutinized their management and control features, making sure they offered the customer full control over the server and administrative advantages.
Then, we rated each essential parameter over five, factored in their respective percentages, and calculated the final result to determine each provider’s overall score.
Here are the fundamental factors you should consider when choosing a dedicated server hosting provider in the United Kingdom:
Server Performance and Resources:
What is a dedicated server without reliable performance? Server performance is one of the most critical factors to consider when choosing a dedicated server hosting platform. Without adequate server speed and stability, you would not make sufficient profits from dedicated server hosting. Meanwhile, server performance depends on the server resources, including storage space, RAM, bandwidth, processors, threads, gigahertz, and CPU cores.
A dedicated server with an SSD storage disk is best for you if you prioritize rapid loading speeds. But, if you prefer a large storage capacity, one with HDD will suit you better.
Management and Control Features:
A decent dedicated server hosting provider comes with a fully managed service and allows complete control over the server and server resources. It is best to choose a platform with user-friendly and functional control tools, such as cPanel and WHM.
User Reviews:
User reviews provide an in-depth insight into a web host’s features, benefits, downfalls, and tendencies. A past customer is usually in a better position to explain their experience with a dedicated server than a random promotional review site. Consequently, 30% of the provider’s overall scores come from honest user reviews we studied.
Customer Support:
A web host’s customer support team is supposed to provide timely and adequate assistance when you incur technical issues or need answers to important questions. Thus, you should opt for a dedicated server hosting platform with easily accessible and dependable customer service personnel.
Security Features:
A good dedicated server host features iron-clad security tools, such as SSL certificates, WAF, IP firewall, DDoS detection & mitigation, and botnet attacks filter. These elements protect your dedicated server from malware, viruses, spam DDos, and other threats. Accordingly, don’t forget to check out the security features when choosing a dedicated server hosting medium.
Pricing:
There is no generally agreed pricing scale for dedicated server hosting plans. Still, it would be helpful to pick a dedicated server hosting platform that is readily affordable for you and can potentially yield decent profits.
What Is Dedicated Server Hosting and Who Is it For?
As its name implies, dedicated server hosting is a web hosting model in which one or more physical servers are dedicated (assigned) to a single customer. It offers you full management of the server, thus enabling you to optimize it for your specific needs, including security and performance.
The hosting platform provides the physical server and setting, server-related services, and technical support. So, you are the sole renter of the server. This internet hosting option is synonymous with managed hosting service, dedicated hosting service, and dedicated server.
Dedicated server hosting is favorable to business owners because it provides top-notch control, performance, security, and flexibility. It is specifically useful to people who work in the banking, education, and finance sectors. Again, businesses that demand private servers can also employ a dedicated hosting service.