Best VPS for a Bitcoin node
Don't want hardware in your house? A virtual server works. But not all VPS providers are equal — disk space and bandwidth limits matter more than CPU for a node.
Disk space is the constraint
A pruned Bitcoin node needs about 15–20GB of disk including OS headroom. A full node needs 750GB+ chain data in mid-2026. Most cheap VPS plans ship with 40–80GB, which means you're running pruned or paying for extra storage.
Bandwidth is the second constraint. Initial block download (IBD) downloads the entire chain even if you prune afterward — expect 600–750GB egress in the first week. Ongoing relay traffic is smaller (often 10–20GB/month) but non-zero. "Unlimited" plans still throttle CPU or fair-use oversubscribed hosts.
| Mode | Disk | IBD bandwidth | Typical plan fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pruned | 40–80GB OK | Still ~600–750GB download once | Hetzner CX23, Contabo VPS 10 |
| Full | 850GB–1TB+ | Similar IBD + retained storage | Attached volume or large disk tier |
Deep dive: pruned vs full node. Setup walkthrough: Bitcoin Core setup.
- Specs
- 2 vCPU (shared) · 4GB RAM · 40GB NVMe
- Disk note
- 40GB fits pruned node (~7-10GB data). Full node needs volume attachment.
- Location
- Germany / Finland / USA
- Sync time
- 1-3 days (pruned)
- Bandwidth
- 20TB/mo included
- Best for
- Cheapest competent option, EU data sovereignty
The deal
- Successor to CX22 — similar price, slightly better specs
- 40GB disk is enough for pruned node with headroom
- Add a volume (~€4-8/mo per 100GB) for full chain (750GB+)
- Hetzner raised CPX/CCX prices 2-3x in June 2026, but CX series stayed reasonable
- Bitcoin-friendly — no account bans for node software
- Specs
- 4 vCPU · 8GB RAM · 75-150GB NVMe/SSD
- Disk note
- 75GB NVMe or 150GB SSD — pruned node fits comfortably.
- Location
- Germany / USA / UK / Singapore (+7 more)
- Sync time
- 1-2 days (pruned)
- Bandwidth
- 32TB/mo (unlimited)
- Best for
- Best specs per euro, 8GB RAM for Electrum server
The deal
- Unbeatable RAM/CPU per dollar — 8GB for under €5
- Caveat: Contabo oversells — CPU steal is real under load
- Fine for a node that sits and validates, not for performance work
- Support is slow (email, 24-48h)
- 11 global locations, unlimited bandwidth
- Specs
- 2 vCPU · 4GB RAM · 80GB SATA (regular tier)
- Disk note
- 80GB fits pruned node. High Frequency tier adds NVMe ($24/mo).
- Location
- Global (32 regions)
- Sync time
- 1-3 days (pruned)
- Bandwidth
- 3TB/mo transfer
- Best for
- Most region options, good API, established provider
The deal
- Actually cheaper than DigitalOcean ($20 vs $24)
- 32 regions — more than any competitor
- Regular tier uses SATA, High Frequency uses NVMe
- $100-300 promotional credit available for new accounts
- 672-hour monthly billing cap protects from overages
- Specs
- 2 vCPU · 4GB RAM · 80GB SSD
- Disk note
- 80GB fits pruned node. Full chain needs 750GB+ volume.
- Location
- Global (9 regions)
- Sync time
- 1-3 days (pruned)
- Bandwidth
- 4TB/mo transfer
- Best for
- Developers already in the DO ecosystem
The deal
- Most expensive of the standard providers
- Clean dashboard, reliable infrastructure, good docs
- 4TB bandwidth is generous
- $200 referral credit covers ~8 months — use it then migrate to Hetzner/Contabo
VPS questions
Can I run a full node on a €5 VPS?
Not on default disk sizes. Budget plans fit pruned nodes. Full chain needs hundreds of gigabytes — attach a volume or pick a large disk tier.
How much bandwidth does initial sync use?
Plan for 600–750GB download during initial block download, plus ongoing relay traffic of roughly 10–20GB per month.
Is a VPS less private than home hardware?
Yes. The provider sees your instance, IP, and billing. You still control Bitcoin Core config — see our security and Tor guides.