Server hosting comparison: Top 10 online store hosting providers
You want to go live with your online store soon and are faced with the decision of which hosting provider to choose? Then this article is guaranteed to help you! In addition to a large host comparison, in which we examine ten different store hosters and compare them based on a number of features, we also show you which hosting types are available. This will tell you everything you need to know about the different server variants that are available for your online store hosting. Do you need additional support with creating your online store or do you have further questions about online stores? Then feel free to contact us.
Reading time 13 min
- We'll start by explaining what hosting actually is
- In the following section, we will show you the different types of hosting:
- Online store hoster comparison
- Our conclusion
- FAQ
What is hosting anyway?
Web hosting is the service that puts your own website on the Internet, for example. It is a service that provides storage space for the publication of websites. This is often referred to as web space. It enables visitors to find and view your website. Hosting companies provide storage space on their servers as well as tools and software to help you create a website. If you not only want to have a website, but even an online store, then store hosting is the right choice for you.
Store hosting is a type of web hosting service that allows merchants to create and manage their own online stores. This type of hosting service is usually more expensive than traditional web hosting services, but offers merchants a high level of flexibility and control over their online stores.
Online store hosting: the different types
If you want to host your own online store, you can choose between different types of hosting such as dedicated hosting, virtual server hosting and cloud hosting. No matter which web application it is: All of them rely on a server to take care of tasks such as providing data on the network and making it available for retrieval at any time. We would like to explain the differences between the hosting variants in more detail in the next section.
Dedicated server
With a dedicated server, the hosting provider's customer receives their own "device" that is responsible for providing the customer's data. All resources of the hardware components are only available to the one tenant. If you opt for a dedicated server, you are assured of many advantages.
Advantages and disadvantages
| Dedicated server advantages | Disadvantages of dedicated servers |
|---|---|
Virtual server
With a virtual server, the performance of the hardware is shared with several tenants. Here too, only limited performance is available, as it is also a real physical device that can be used by several customers of the hosting provider. Nevertheless, capsules create independence. This means that the host server is divided into several vServers (i.e. virtual servers) and each vServer is allocated a predefined resource capacity. Virtual servers are managed by the hosting provider itself.
Advantages and disadvantages
| Virtual server advantages | Virtual server disadvantages |
|---|---|
Cloud server
The cloud server is actually also a virtual server. The difference lies in the hardware. Unlike a "normal" virtual server, it does not have hardware that is used by several customers, but a so-called server cluster. Among other things, the server cluster consists of many physical hard disks. This means that a cloud server has several advantages over a normal virtual server, which we have summarized for you in the next section.
Advantages and disadvantages
| Cloud server advantages | Cloud server disadvantages |
|---|---|
Root server vs. managed server
A key aspect that you should definitely consider when choosing your hosting provider is whether it is a root server or a managed server. A root server allows you to make all the configurations yourself. You have control and must assign access rights yourself. You can also define all other settings relating to updates, services, security, etc. Root servers are offered as part of dedicated servers.
In contrast to the root server is the managed server. This is because you do not have to make the settings and manage your server yourself. The hosting provider does this for you. Nevertheless, in many cases you have the option of managing and configuring your server.
Advantages and disadvantages of the root server
| Root server advantages | Root server disadvantages |
|---|---|
Advantages and disadvantages of the managed server
| Managed server advantages | Managed server disadvantages |
|---|---|
Our online store hoster comparison
Now that you have learned about the different types of hosting, we would like to introduce you to various providers for your online store hosting. To ensure that the individual providers remain comparable, we have selected a few criteria that we have scrutinized in the hosters. If a certain point is particularly important to you, you can see at a glance whether the host fulfills this point or how it fulfills it. But before we look at all the providers, we would like to briefly explain the criteria to you.
- Hosting type: Here you will find the classification into the above-mentioned hosting types (cloud, virtual or dedicated).
- Root server or managed server: Here you will find the info on whether it is a managed (suitable for beginners) or root server (more suitable for professionals).
- Tariffs: Are there different tariffs and how much does the store host charge for providing web space etc.?
- Set-up fee: Is there a set-up fee? And if so, how much is it and for what?
- Upgrade possible: Can you switch from your previously selected model and tariff to a higher tariff?
- Store system compatibility: Which store systems is the hosting provider compatible with? This question is of course very important if you have already decided on a store system. (Perhaps link our store system article here)
- Minimum contract term: Some providers stipulate a minimum contract term.
- Support: If you have any questions or problems, it is important that the provider provides appropriate support. Depending on the provider, live chat, telephone or e-mail support is available.
- Server location : The server location is very relevant from a legal perspective and for security reasons. Only servers located in Germany comply with German regulations. EU servers generally have a similar standard - for all other locations, there may be significant differences in legislation.
- SSL certificate included: SSL certificates are used to send data securely "over the Internet" between the PC and server.
- Traffic limit: Larger stores in particular require sufficient capacity for many hits. It is therefore important to know to what extent traffic is limited.
We will also highlight the respective advantages and disadvantages of the hosting provider for a quick overview.
Profihost
Profihost is a hosting provider based in Germany that has been offering its various e-commerce hosting services since 1998.
| Profihost advantages | Profihost disadvantages |
|---|---|
- Hosting type: Cloud server
- Root server or managed server: Managed server, but Profihost FlexServer also available as a root server
- Tariffs: Various tariff packages for hardware and managed services
- Setup fee: No
- Upgrade possible: Flexible scalability
- Store system compatibility: For various store systems
- Minimum contract term: Usually one year
- Support: Telephone support, email support, personal advice
- Server location: In Germany
- SSL certificate included: Can be booked additionally
- Traffic limit: Maximum included traffic depending on tariff
Timme Hosting
The hosting provider Timme Hosting GmbH und Co KG is based in Lüneburg in Germany. The company's servers are also located in Germany. It is particularly noteworthy that Timme Hosting only uses green energy for its servers and offers them in managed hosting.
| Timme Hosting advantages | Timme Hosting disadvantages |
|---|---|
- Hosting type: Cloud server
- Root server or managed server: Managed server
- Tariffs: Various tariffs, store hosting from 29 euros, web hosting from 19 euros
- Setup fee: Yes
- Upgrade possible: Yes
- Store system compatibility: With Shopware, for example
- Minimum contract term: None
- Support: Telephone and e-mail support
- Server location: In Germany
- Including SSL certificate: Can be booked from 19 euros per year
- Traffic limit: No
Host Europe
The company HostEurope has been around since 1997 and offers very good store system hosting. We have already mentioned HostEurope in our guide to choosing the right store system, as HostEurope even offers its own store system. So if you are looking for a hoster for your online store, HostEurope can even offer you the store system directly.
| Host Europe advantages | Host Europe disadvantages |
|---|---|
- Hosting type: Virtual and dedicated server
- Root server or managed server: Root server, but optional Managed WordPress
- Tariffs: Various tariff packages such as Basic, Medium, Premium and Supreme
- Setup fee: 14.99 euros one-off
- Upgrade possible: Yes and downgrade
- Store system compatibility: with your own store system
- Minimum contract term: 1 month
- Support : Support hotline and e-mail support
- Server location: In Germany
- SSL certificate included: Yes
- Traffic limit: No
ALL-INKL
All-INKL is a web hosting company from Germany that offers equally good rates for online store operators. The company's servers are also located in Germany, which guarantees you data security. Since 2000, the company has been offering solutions that have almost everything included: hence the name "ALL-INKL".
| ALL-INKL Advantages | ALL-INKL disadvantages |
|---|---|
- Hosting type: Dedicated server
- Root server or managed server: Managed
- Tariffs: Various hosting packages (Premium, Business)
- Setup fee: None
- Upgrade possible : Yes
- Store system compatibility: Compatible with Magento, Prestashop and WooCommerce
- Minimum contract term: None
- Support : Telephone hotline 24/7
- Server location: In Germany
- SSL certificate included: Yes
- Traffic limit: Traffic is not limited
dogado
The hosting provider dogado, based in Dortmund, has been around since 2001 and is primarily aimed at small and medium-sized companies. One of dogado's plus points is that the company operates its servers with green electricity. If you want to be as sustainable as possible with your web project, dogado is a good contact.
| dogado advantages | dogado disadvantages |
|---|---|
- Hosting type: vServer, Dedicated Server
- Root server or managed server: Managed Server
- Tariffs: Various hosting packages from 3.99 euros per month for web hosting, from 4.99 euros per month for WordPress hosting
- Setup fee: No
- Upgrade possible: Yes, possible at any time
- Store system compatibility: Shopware, Magento Hosting, JTL Hosting
- Minimum contract term: one month or twelve months
- Support: Live chat and telephone
- Server location: In Germany
- SSL certificate included: Yes, but not free with the lowest web hosting tariff
- Traffic limit: For tariffs with a traffic flat rate, the entire traffic volume is included
Alfahosting
Alfahosting GmbH has been around since 1999 and has the right offer for every size of online shop with its various tariffs. The hosting offers can also be used well with WordPress and Joomla.
| Alfahosting advantages | Alfahosting disadvantages |
|---|---|
- Hosting type: Dedicated server or virtual server
- Root server or managed server: Root for dedicated servers
- Tariffs: Various hosting packages (M-XL)
- Setup fee: None
- Upgrade possible: Yes
- Store system compatibility: Compatible with PrestaShop, Modified Shop, xtCommerce, OXID eShop, osCommerce
- Minimum contract term: None
- Support: 24/7 support via telephone hotline
- Server location: In Germany
- SSL certificate included: No
- Traffic limit: unlimited, traffic flat rate included
raidboxes
The company raidboxes is an agency from Münster that specializes in WordPress hosting. With the WooCommerce plugin, online store hosting is also possible. The company has been around since 2013 and takes care of updates, performance and security for you with managed WordPress tariffs.
| raidboxes advantages | raidboxes disadvantages |
|---|---|
- Hosting type: Cloud server
- Root server or managed server: Managed WordPress hosting and WooCommerce hosting
- Tariffs: Various Pro and Business plans
- Setup fee: None
- Upgrade possible: Yes
- Store system compatibility: With WooCommerce
- Minimum contract term: One month
- Support: Live chat or mail from 8:00 to 22:00
- Server location: In Germany
- SSL certificate included: Yes
- Traffic limit : Yes, limited in various tariffs (High Traffic Hosting in Business for 300,000 visitors per month)
profi1.de
profi1.de has only been around since 2008, but the hosting provider started back in 2001. profi1.de's web hosting offer is very extensive and is also suitable for online stores of all sizes.
| profi1.de Advantages | profi1.de disadvantages |
|---|---|
- Hosting type: Dedicated server or vServer
- Root server or managed server: Root and managed server
- Tariffs: Various tariffs to choose from (from tariff S to tariff XL)
- Setup fee: None
- Upgrade possible: You can upgrade the tariff
- Store system compatibility: Compatible with PrestaShop, Gambio, OXID eShop, Shopware, Modified Shops, t:Commerce and Magento
- Minimum contract term: Three months
- Support : Telephone hotline Mon-Fri from 09 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Server location: In Germany
- SSL certificate included: Optional or included depending on the tariff
- Traffic limit: unlimited
webgo
webgo is a Hamburg-based company that offers various hosting tariffs for online stores of all sizes. The company has its reliable servers in Germany and offers you quick assistance 365 days a year through its customer support if there are any technical changes.
| webgo advantages | webgo disadvantages |
|---|---|
- Hosting type: Either vServer or dedicated server
- Root server or managed server: Root and managed server
- Tariffs: Various tariffs (Professional, Business, Power)
- Setup fee: One-off 14.95 euros
- Upgrade possible : Tariff changes are possible
- Store system compatibility: With Magento / Adobe Commerce or osCommerce
- Minimum contract term: 12 months
- Support: 365 days support
- Server location: In Germany
- SSL certificate included: Yes
- Traffic limit: unlimited
estugo.net
estugo.net is a provider from Greifswald that has been offering various store hosting tariffs since 2004. The various store hosting tariffs are particularly suitable for small to medium-sized online stores. The traffic limit is not restricted in the tariffs.
| estugo.net Advantages | estugo.net disadvantages |
|---|---|
- Hosting type: vServer / virtual dedicated server
- Root server or managed server: Managed or root
- Tariffs: Various tariffs (Shophost Starter, Shophost Basic, Shophost Pro)
- Setup fee: 14.95 euros one-off
- Upgrade possible: Yes
- Store system compatibility : With PrestaShop, JTL Shop, OXID eShop, Open Cart, Modified Shop, Virtuemart and Shopware
- Minimum contract term: one month
- Support : Direct contact person
- Server location: In Germany
- SSL certificate included: Yes
- Traffic limit: All traffic is included with store hosting
Our conclusion
Overall, there are many online store hosting providers on the market that offer a variety of different tariffs. You will definitely find what you are looking for here if you want to host your store. Of course, it is important that you think about which store system you would like to use for your e-commerce business beforehand. This way, you can see directly which hosters are suitable for you and which are not. Many of our customers use Shopware to get their online store up and running from start to finish. Timme Hosting offers a good service for this, which is why we are very happy to be able to call the store host our partner. If you are shortly before the start in the online trade and need help with the store creation and the hosting or if you have a general question, you can contact the experts at EXWE at any time!
FAQ about online store hosting
To conclude this article, we will address a few questions that arise in connection with store hosts. If you still have any questions, we at EXWE will be happy to answer them over the phone.
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What does a root server cost?
The costs for a root server vary from provider to provider. You can find more detailed information on how expensive an explicit hoster is in our report. You can often find root servers for as little as 40 to 50 euros per month. Incidentally, root servers are generally cheaper than managed servers, as you take care of the administration yourself.
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What is Gambio?
Gambio is an e-commerce platform that enables companies to set up and operate an online store. The platform offers a variety of features, including product management, payment processing, shipping options, marketing tools and more.
One advantage of Gambio is that it is easy to use and doesn't require much effort to set up an online store. Gambio is also known for its fast loading times, which helps customers navigate through the online store quickly and efficiently.
Another important aspect of Gambio is data security. The platform offers secure data transmission and protects customer information from unauthorized access. In addition, Gambio offers regular updates and security patches to ensure that the online store remains protected from threats.
Gambio is a powerful e-commerce platform that helps companies run a successful online store. The platform offers fast loading times, easy setup and high data security, making it an attractive option for companies looking to run an online store.
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What does "encrypt" mean?
"Encrypt" means to encrypt data or information so that it is unreadable or unintelligible to unauthorized persons. Encryption is an important security mechanism that helps to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data and protect it from unauthorized access or misuse.
During encryption, the data is converted into an incomprehensible code using an encryption algorithm. The code can only be decrypted by people who have the corresponding key or password. This ensures that only authorized users can access the data and protects the data from theft or unauthorized access.
Encryption is often used when transferring sensitive information such as passwords, credit card information or personal data to ensure that it remains secure during transmission. Encryption is also used when storing data on a computer or server to ensure that it is protected from unauthorized access.
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What factors should be considered when choosing a hosting provider?
When choosing a hosting provider for an online store, there are several factors that should be considered. Here are some important points:
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What security aspects should be considered when choosing a hosting provider?
The security of an online store is of great importance, as customers disclose their personal data and payment information during the purchasing process. For this reason, companies should consider various security aspects when choosing a hosting provider to ensure that their online store is protected from attacks and hackers. One important security aspect is the firewall. The hosting provider should provide a firewall to protect the online store from attacks. Another important security function is the SSL certificate. The hosting provider should provide an SSL certificate to ensure a secure connection between the web server and the customer's browser.
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Why are servers expensive?
The price of a server depends on how high the performance and how extensive the functions of the server you book need to be. It will be more expensive if you need more storage and RAM. Additional costs are added for CPU speed and data volume. The price depends on the complexity of the web application. You can host a simple website for very little money.
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Which hosting for online stores?
Various providers are available for your online store hosting. Technical requirements should be met to ensure that your online store runs smoothly. It's best to think about what is important to you beforehand and then see which host is best for your online store and meets your criteria. You can find many hosters for your online store in our report - perhaps you'll find what you're looking for there.
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Hello, my name is Meike. I take care of the EXWE back office and am responsible for our social media channels. All of our articles are meant to make your life easier and help you make decisions. Nevertheless, it can happen that something remains unclear, so: If you have questions about this article you can easily reach me at +49 231 93149827.
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