Bitcoin node on a VPS
A rented server works if you don't want hardware at home. Disk and bandwidth decide whether a plan fits; CPU barely matters. Prices checked October 2026, ex VAT unless noted; they move.
Disk and bandwidth math
Disk. A pruned node uses about 12GB, so a 40GB plan is enough. A full node needs the whole chain, about 800GB in mid-2026 and growing 70-80GB a year, so plan 1TB.
Bandwidth. The first sync downloads about 740GB even if you prune afterward. After that, expect about 20GB a month of download, plus upload that can reach 200GB or more a month if you accept inbound connections (bitcoin.org). A slow port stretches the first sync: at 200 Mbit/s the download alone takes at least 8 hours.
| Mode | Disk | First sync download | Plans that fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pruned | About 12GB (40GB plan is fine) | About 740GB, once | Every plan below |
| Full | About 800GB; 1TB is tight within two years, 2TB to be safe | About 740GB, once | None, without an attached volume |
More: pruned vs full, setup. Prefer to own the box? Hardware.
Plans
- Specs
- 4 vCPU · 8GB RAM · 100GB SSD
- Disk
- 100GB fits a pruned node. Extra disk is sold as an upgrade.
- Location
- Several regions; pick at checkout
- Bandwidth
- Unlimited traffic (fair use), 200 Mbit/s port
- Best for
- Most RAM and CPU for the price, and orderable today
Notes
- At 200 Mbit/s the first sync download takes at least 8 hours, usually longer
- The advertised price needs a 24-month commitment
- Contabo has renamed its plans before; match the specs and check the name on the page
- Specs
- 2 vCPU (AMD, shared) · 4GB RAM · 80GB NVMe
- Disk
- 80GB fits a pruned node (about 12GB). A full node needs an attached volume.
- Location
- Nuremberg and Helsinki; Singapore at a higher price
- Bandwidth
- 20TB/mo included in EU locations
- Best for
- A European host with good traffic limits, if you accept the price
Notes
- Hetzner's own page marks the cost-optimized CX and CAX lines as not available, so the cheap plans cannot be ordered right now
- CPX22 was orderable when checked, but it costs about four times what Contabo charges for double the RAM
- Volumes are billed per GB. Check the current rate before sizing a full node
- Specs
- 2 vCPU · 4GB RAM · 80GB SSD (regular tier)
- Disk
- 80GB fits a pruned node.
- Location
- Many regions worldwide
- Bandwidth
- 3TB/mo included
- Best for
- A specific region that cheaper hosts don't offer
Notes
- Several times the price of Contabo, with half the RAM
- 3TB/mo is plenty for a pruned node after the first sync
- vultr.com blocks automated requests, so confirm the plan and price on the site
- Specs
- 2 vCPU · 4GB RAM · 80GB SSD
- Disk
- 80GB fits a pruned node. A full node needs an attached volume.
- Location
- Multiple regions in North America, Europe and Asia
- Bandwidth
- 4TB/mo included
- Best for
- You already use DigitalOcean
Notes
- The most expensive plan here for the same specs as Vultr
- Good documentation and dashboard
FAQ
Can I run a full node on a small VPS?
Not on the included disk. A full node needs about 800GB for the chain, and budget plans ship with 40-100GB. Run a pruned node (about 12GB) or attach a large volume.
How much bandwidth does a node use?
About 740GB of download the first time, then roughly 20GB a month, according to bitcoin.org. Upload is typically 200GB a month or more if your node accepts inbound connections; cap it with the maxuploadtarget option.
Is a VPS less private than hardware at home?
Yes. The provider sees your instance, its traffic and your billing details, and can read its disk and memory. Use it for a node you can afford to lose, and keep wallets with real funds elsewhere.