Best Dedicated Hosting Providers: Powerful Solutions for 2024

With website speeds being a critical ranking factor, choosing the right dedicated server hosting is more important than ever.

The good news is that picking the best dedicated hosting for your needs doesn’t have to be complicated.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the key factors to consider so you can select the perfect hosting for faster site speeds, better security, and room to scale.

Whether you want to boost site performance, have complete control over your server environment, or serve resource-intensive apps, migrating to a dedicated server can be a smart move.

The advantages over shared hosting include guaranteed resources, heightened security, and fewer users contending for bandwidth. But not all dedicated server plans are created equal.

In this article, I’ll cut through the industry jargon to focus on the hosting capabilities that matter most: processor speed, RAM, storage, bandwidth, uptime guarantee, DDoS protection, and customer support.

I’ll also provide an overview of key dedicated server features like managed, unmanaged, and self-managed plans so you can choose the right level of support.

With the right dedicated hosting powering your online presence, you can deliver faster, more reliable performance to keep customers happy and exceed your business goals.

The Quick List

Here is a quick rundown of the best dedicated hosting deals available today:

These web hosts were chosen based on extensive research and hands-on testing. They have proven their excellence in performance, ease of use, and value for money.

Please note - I consistently revisit and update this list to ensure that the information I provide represents the best quality web hosting options out there.

Find out more about how I research including the tools I use, test sites and live uptime monitoring. Learn more about my testing and review process

What Is Dedicated Server Hosting and What to Expect

If you need more power and resources for your website, dedicated server hosting may be the solution.. Unlike shared hosting where your site shares resources with other sites, a dedicated server is entirely yours - meaning you get complete control and impressive power.

The biggest benefit is blazing fast speeds. With the server's resources solely dedicated to your site, you avoid the sluggishness that comes from competing for shared resources. Pages load lightning quick, even with spikes in traffic. This speed advantage delivers a better user experience that improves conversions and SEO.

You also get robust security, privacy and reliability. With no other sites on your server, there's no risk of activity on other sites impacting yours. Server uptime and site backups are entirely under your control. And you don't have to worry about other sites consuming resources or exposing vulnerabilities that could compromise your data.

Server customization is another major perk. You can fully configure and optimize the server to suit your site's specific needs. Install any software, apps or scripts. Tweak the operating system, server stack and caching. With dedicated hosting, the server is your oyster!

Of course, with great power comes greater cost. Dedicated hosting is more expensive than shared plans. But for high-traffic sites and mission-critical web apps, the benefits easily justify the cost. And many providers offer enterprise-grade dedicated plans with premium support and managed services.

Dedicated hosting brings faster performance, heightened security, unlimited customization, and ultimate control - at a premium price. For resource-intensive sites, it can be a smart investment to enable the next level of growth and success.

Who is Dedicated Hosting For?

Dedicated hosting is ideal for sites that need high resources and get lots of traffic. The server's RAM, storage space, and bandwidth are all dedicated solely to your site. This ensures your site has the resources it needs to perform well and handle spikes in visitors without slowing down. The improved speed and uptime makes for a better user experience.

Dedicated hosting also gives you root access to the server. This allows much more customization and control compared to shared hosting. You can fine tune the server configuration, software, and security settings specifically for your application.

The enhanced control and performance comes at a premium price. Dedicated hosting costs more per month compared to shared plans. The investment pays off for certain use cases:

• Ecommerce sites during sales rushes - Dedicated resources prevent slow load times and shopping cart abandonment.
• Streaming media platforms - Guaranteed bandwidth and CPU ensure smooth video playback at scale.
• Gaming companies - Immediate provisioning of new game servers as needed to support real-time multiplayer experiences.
• Regulated industries like healthcare and finance - Complete control over data security and compliance measures.
• Mission critical web apps - Maximum uptime and redundancy to avoid costly downtime.

If consistent speed, security, and uptime are essential to your business, the premium price of dedicated hosting is justified. For everyone else, shared hosting provides sufficient resources at an affordable rate.

Best Dedicated Hosting Services - Detailed List

After extensively testing over 10 of the top dedicated hosting providers, I've identified the 5 standout companies that offer the best-in-class uptime, speed, resources, support and value.

I carefully monitored and ranked each host based on server response times, historical uptime, included resources, technical support quality, and overall costs. Here are my top recommendations:

1. Liquid Web

Best Overall Dedicated Host

Liquid Web ✭✭✭✭✭

Get optimized servers and expert guidance from Liquid Web's managed support team. Their customized hosting approach and stellar uptime track record provide immense value for growing businesses.

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Want complete control over your hosting without complexity? Liquid Web is the top choice for customizable dedicated servers. With over 20 years perfecting their platform, they make customization feel easy whether you're a developer or website-savvy.

Liquid Web excels at providing full control without hassle. Their managed hosting model layered with customization gives you the support you want, then customize resources until your environment perfectly aligns with your needs.

Blazing Fast Server Speeds

Page speed is critical - slower pages mean higher bounce rates. Liquid Web’s dedicated servers deliver lighting fast response times to maximize conversions and improve organic visibility.

In my tests, Liquid Web’s dedicated servers averaged 126ms response time - the second fastest among dedicated hosts. This shows their dedicated environment provides superior speed versus other options.

Not only that, but their servers maintain consistent, stable response times daily. No unexpected slowdowns or spikes. Faster page loads benefit all aspects of your online business from user experience to SEO rankings. Liquid Web delivers the speed to stay competitive.

100% Uptime Guarantee

Downtime kills revenue. Each minute your site is down means lost traffic, sales, and productivity. Liquid Web is one of three dedicated hosts in my tests to achieve 100% uptime over 3 months.

Not a single second of downtime. Their servers stay up 24/7 - crucial for ecommerce, SaaS apps, online courses, and sites needing constant availability. With Liquid Web, never worry about letting customers down.

To maintain flawless uptime, they proactively monitor servers, apply security updates, and provide robust infrastructure. Their 100% uptime guarantee eliminates stress when scaling your business.

Fully Customizable Configurations

Liquid Web’s flexibility shines in full customization. Their servers are extremely customizable - fine tune each component perfectly.

Key benefits:

• Scale resources individually - no pre-set limits.
• Choose your operating system and control panel.
• Managed or self-managed options.
• Real-time pricing - see costs update as you customize.

This control is invaluable for developers, agencies, and advanced users. Craft your ideal dedicated server with no compromises. Their specialists provide guidance if needed.

Top-Notch Customer Support

With dedicated hosting, you need 24/7 technical support - Liquid Web delivers. Their reps are extremely knowledgeable and explain solutions thoroughly.

Wait times between replies are longer than ideal, but the quality outweighs any delays. Their experts know dedicated hosting in-and-out. Liquid Web also provides:

• 24/7 Phone Support - Call anytime for quick help.
• Live Chat - Access support reps through your panel.
• Help Center - Vast library of how-tos and articles.

Reliable support gives confidence issues will be fixed quickly.

Managed Dedicated Hosting Plans

Liquid Web is a premium provider - pricing reflects their services and flexibility.

Here’s what to expect:

• Starting at $149/month.
• 6 cores @ 3.2 GHz (5.0 Max Turbo)
• 16 GB RAM
• 2 x 480 GB SSD Primary Disk
• 1 x 2 TB SATA Backup Disk
• 8 TB Bandwidth

Compared to competitors, Liquid Web sits at the higher end for upfront costs. But the value comes from customization and expert support.

Is Liquid Web Worth the Price?

As a premium provider, Liquid Web’s costs reflect enhanced flexibility and service. Rather than basic packages, fine tune every server component.

Pricing accounts for in-depth support, robust infrastructure, and services to optimize performance. For businesses with critical sites, Liquid Web’s premium features are worth the investment:

• 100% Uptime - No unexpected downtime hurting profits.
• Top Speed - Blazing performance drives conversions.
• High Scalability - Add resources anytime.
• Customization - Tailor server to exact needs.
• Expert Support - Specialized team available 24/7.

More affordable hosts exist, but Liquid Web excels if uptime, speed, and flexibility are top concerns. Their costs directly support enhanced service levels.

Paying more for quality, performance, and reliability is the ideal choice for many growing businesses.

Ready to take hosting higher? Visit Liquid Web and customize the perfect dedicated server for your needs.

Learn more - Read my full Liquid Web review

2. HostGator

Most Reliable Dedicated Host

HostGator ✭✭✭✭✭

Trust HostGator for rock-solid 99.9% uptime to keep your site continuously available to visitors and customers. Get started with HostGator to secure reliable dedicated hosting.

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Reliability matters. Downtime directly impacts your bottom line. You need a dedicated web host that delivers rock solid uptime to keep your site available 24/7. HostGator stands out by providing exceptional uptime reliability at an affordable price. While they fall short in some areas, their infrastructure delivers dependable uptime that can give you peace of mind.

HostGator Delivers Near-Perfect Uptime Reliability

My testing showed HostGator provides exceptional uptime of 100%. I closely monitored our dedicated server and never saw any incidents that threatened availability.

Uptime is critical because every second of downtime means lost traffic and sales. HostGator's infrastructure shows they take uptime seriously. You can trust your site will be available when customers need it.

HostGator's Reliable Infrastructure

How does HostGator deliver great uptime? Their reliable infrastructure includes:

• Redundant servers ensure uptime if one fails.
• Backup power keeps sites online during power issues.
• Network redundancy provides failover if a network link goes down.
• Enterprise-class hardware maximizes stability.
• Proactive monitoring alerts techs to fix potential problems fast.

This rock-solid infrastructure allows HostGator to deliver exceptional reliability. Customers can rest easy knowing their site will stay online.

Powerful Technology Included

HostGator dedicated hosting includes robust technology to run your site:

• 1 TB SSD storage provides ample, fast space for content.
• Unmetered bandwidth allows traffic spikes without overage fees.
• 8 GB RAM enables responsive performance under load.
• 3 dedicated IPs maintain email deliverability.
• WHM control panel optimizes and configures your server.

These resources equip you to host a successful site with room to grow. The storage, bandwidth, memory, and IPs give you capacity to scale.

One discrepancy: HostGator sales pages list quad-core CPUs but our server had a dual-core processor. More cores provide better performance under heavy loads. When asked, HostGator admitted the sales page was incorrect. It's concerning when hardware doesn't match specifications.

Customer Support Leaves Room for Improvement

My customer support experience with HostGator was frustrating, with long wait times, unclear answers, dropped chats, runaround between reps, and lack of empathy. The one bright spot was a helpful rep who followed up by email. Overall though, their bare minimum service and lack of urgency left much to be desired. You may encounter frustration getting prompt, efficient issue resolution.

Affordable Pricing with Big Savings for Term Commitments

HostGator offers affordable dedicated server hosting starting at $89.98/month. Their reasonable pricing makes dedicated hosting accessible for most budgets. Pricing breaks down as:

• 3 years - $89.98/month
• 2 years - $99.97 total
• 1 year - $109.97/month average
• 1 month - $159.99/month average

The longer the prepaid term, the bigger the discount. But be aware, after your initial term ends, HostGator renews at a much higher $179/month - a 72% price hike.

Overall, HostGator provides inexpensive introductory dedicated hosting rates. But expect a steep increase upon renewal.

Maximize Savings with 3 Year Term

For maximum value, choose the 3 year term. You pay $3,239.28 total - just $107.98 per month on average. That's $348 cheaper than paying month-to-month for 3 years.

The 3 year prepaid plan nets you HostGator's lowest dedicated hosting cost. You get an extra discounted year compared to shorter plans.

In summary, HostGator provides a reliable starting point for dedicated hosting. Their exceptional uptime means your site stays available for visitors.

HostGator's budget-friendly plans make dependable dedicated hosting achievable.

Learn more - Read my full HostGator review

3. InMotion Hosting

Fastest Dedicated Hosting

InMotion Hosting ✭✭✭✭✩

Get lightning fast site speeds and robust resources from InMotion Hosting. Their 292ms server response time and flawless support create a premium hosting experience.

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InMotion Hosting provides robust dedicated servers with blazing fast speeds and exceptional support, making dedicated hosting accessible for agencies and businesses alike. With rock-solid reliability, unmatched performance, abundant resources and world-class support, InMotion has a tailored solution allowing your site to scale.

Rock-Solid Reliability You Can Count On

Through extensive testing, my InMotion dedicated server saw only 2 minutes 59 seconds of total downtime - over 99.99% uptime, excelling by any standard. This lone downtime occurred due to a single connection timeout, with no other systemic issues across 3 months of monitoring.

While falling slightly below average dedicated host uptime, most businesses would be thrilled with InMotion's consistency. Their two-hour hardware replacement guarantee provides assurance, getting your server back up within 120 minutes of any component failure.

When choosing a host, uptime is non-negotiable. InMotion delivers the bulletproof reliability your business needs.

Blazing Fast Page Loads Regardless of Traffic

Today, speed is everything. Even minor delays cause visitors to leave and damage conversions, while faster sites see higher satisfaction, lower bounce rates and better SEO.

With an InMotion dedicated server, slow load times disappear. Over 3 months of testing, pages loaded instantly with an average response time of just 292 milliseconds - the fastest of any host reviewed. Performance remained fast and consistent regardless of traffic loads.

Simply put - InMotion satisfies even the most demanding site owners with lightning fast performance anytime visitors access your site.

Unmatched Resources Supporting Your Growth

Dedicated hosting provides abundant resources, allowing your site to scale beyond shared hosting limits.

InMotion's entry-level Essential plan includes:

• 1 TB SSD storage with RAID 1 for redundancy
• 15 TB monthly bandwidth
• 16 GB RAM for seamless multitasking
• Quad-core CPU for top processing speed

Scoring a perfect 5/5 in my technical review, InMotion earned top marks for resources. Whether running a busy blog, online store or web app, their plans provide everything you need. The Essential plan also costs reasonably compared to other entry-level offerings - premium resources at mid-range pricing.

With managed and unmanaged options, you can choose your level of control. Up to 5 dedicated IP addresses maintain excellent email deliverability across all your sites. As your presence grows online, InMotion's generous resources will grow with it.

World-Class Support - Help Just a Chat Away

Even experienced webmasters sometimes need support. With complex dedicated hosting, knowledgeable assistance becomes even more crucial.

InMotion's 24/7 customer support is second to none. With minimal wait times, their team provides thoughtful guidance tailored to your needs. Their expertise and professionalism impressed across multiple chats.

No matter the question, InMotion's stellar support gives customers immense peace of mind. Whether you need help logging in, verifying server specs or troubleshooting issues, they treat every inquiry with care. With dedicated hosting, even pros need backup sometimes - InMotion provides the ultimate safety net.

Excellent Value at Competitive Pricing

Given the high-end resources, outstanding performance and support, InMotion presents remarkable value. InMotions Essential plan costs just $89.99 monthly on a 1-year term, totalling $1079.88 the first year. Renewal pricing rises slightly to $99.99 monthly or $1199.98 for year two.

Over two years, you'll pay an average of $94.99 per month - very reasonable rates considering what's included.

You get premium capabilities for a mid-tier price. Given InMotion's superb uptime, speed, resources and support, the value is extremely compelling.

For businesses ready to step into dedicated hosting, InMotion maximizes your investment with fair rates and best-in-class service.

Experience the fastest dedicated hosting on the market and get your site upgraded today with InMotion Hosting.

Learn more - Read my full InMotion Hosting review

4. Bluehost

Most Affordable Dedicated Hosting

Bluehost ✭✭✭✭✩

Save hundreds compared to competitors with Bluehost's budget-friendly dedicated servers. Their instant setup and low prices make dedicated hosting achievable.

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Bluehost makes dedicated hosting affordable even for bootstrapped startups and small businesses. You get your own server with ample resources to support growing traffic for hundreds less than competitors. The money saved goes right back into your online business.

After thoroughly testing Bluehost and 7 other popular dedicated hosts, I found Bluehost the winner for fast setup, bargain pricing, and immediate availability - top concerns for many.

Bluehost’s 30 Minute Setup Gets Sites Live ASAP

With Bluehost, your dedicated server is ready in about 30 minutes. Provisioning and setup happen quickly, unlike most hosts taking 1-5 days.

As soon as your order completes, their system automatically provisions and configures the new server. Within 30 minutes, you’re ready to point your domain and start building.

For startups and small businesses, this instant startup means no wasted time or lost momentum. You get your site live right now instead of waiting days.

And for site migrations, less downtime and traffic loss by getting up and running fast.

Bluehost’s instant setup is perfect when...

• Launching a new site and want it live ASAP.
• Outgrowing limited shared hosting resources.
• Moving from another provider to minimize downtime.

Other hosts can take days for provisioning and setup. But Bluehost removes delays so you start conquering goals immediately.

All Bluehost Plans Are Unmanaged

With dedicated hosts, choose either managed or unmanaged plans.

Managed plans include server management and monitoring by the technical team. They handle updates, security, and troubleshooting.

Unmanaged plans put you fully in charge with root server access. But you’re also responsible for all management and maintenance.

Most hosts offer both options. But Bluehost only provides unmanaged dedicated hosting.

Their technical team won’t handle any server management for you. You have full control and responsibility.

This is great because...

• Total freedom over your server environment and software.
• No fees for unneeded support.
• Lower costs since support isn’t included.

But unmanaged hosting requires Linux and server management expertise. Managed hosting with support may be better if you lack experience.

But capable in-house tech teams get full control over performance, security, and configuration.

A Look at Bluehost's Speed and Reliability

Here's Bluehost's performance...

Very Fast Server Setup, But Faster Site Speeds Needed. My Bluehost server took just 30 minutes to be ready. Far faster than other hosts.

For actual page loading, Bluehost was moderately fast, averaging 540ms in tests. That's middle of the pack speed-wise. I saw 100-700ms for other hosts.

540ms still provides a good experience. But I’d like to see Bluehost improve here.

Note - my test sites are basic WordPress installs. Performance could change when you optimize your server.

Rare Downtime But Overall Reliable

For uptime, Bluehost gets mixed marks.

My site saw only 11 minutes of downtime over 3 months. That’s 99.99% uptime during the test period. Decent but not flawless.

Any downtime on dedicated hosting isn’t ideal. But a single short incident may not indicate an ongoing issue.

Overall, Bluehost provides mostly stable and consistent dedicated hosting. But short outages are possible based on my experience.

Bluehost Resources - Low Entry Point

Bluehost's included resources are on the lower end for dedicated hosting.

Storage, bandwidth, RAM, and CPUs are less than our recommended minimums for entry-level dedicated.

But still far greater than any shared or VPS plan. And plenty for many professional sites.

Key specs...

• 1 TB HDD Storage
• Unmetered bandwidth
• 8GB RAM
• 4 Cores, 8 Threads

Bluehost seems to regularly upgrade customers’ hardware as technology improves. My test site got double the storage, 8 x the threads, and quadruple the cores.

But because upgrades aren’t guaranteed, I can only review based on published specs for new users.

The entry-level resources work for many use cases. But power users may find them limiting.

Support Can Be Slow

Getting quick support is inconsistent with Bluehost. Expect delays and hold times.

Positively, 24/7 chat and phone support are available. And the reps are knowledgeable once you connect.

But some significant support weaknesses:

• Long chat queues - 20+ minute waits before reps engaged.
• No direct dedicated server support - Must go through general support then transfer. An unnecessary hassle.
• Reps are slow to respond - We experienced long lags between messages and delayed answers.
• Upsells and ads - Reps promote Bluehost's other services when you just need help.

While chat and phone allow 24/7 real person access, email support takes over 24 hours for replies. Not viable for urgent issues.

Phone is quickest for immediate help. But the number routes through general sales, so you still must explain and transfer.

Expect support delays overall. But great reps once connected. Wait times and process need improvement.

Bluehost's Cost - Hundreds Less than Competitors

Bluehost wins if low cost is top priority. Pricing far below competitors.

Entry-level plan costs:

• $109.97/month for a 12 month plan
• $1319.64 prepaid annually
• Renews at $149.99/month after first term

And published prices don't include promotions for even more savings.

However, prepaying for 3 years drops the price to $89.99/month initially, saving $240 in year one and renews at $125.99 after the initial term.

Considering the low prices, Bluehost is great if budget-friendly matters over max power. Savings can be invested into your business growth.

Get started with Bluehost's inexpensive dedicated hosting and maximize savings.

Learn more - Read my full Bluehost review

5. A2 Hosting

Best Dedicated Host for Support

A2 Hosting ✭✭✭✭✩

A2 Hosting's stellar support team is available 24/7 to provide expert guidance tailored to your needs. Their patience and technical prowess offer immense value.

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Delays and lag times are the bane of every website owner's existence. Nothing is more frustrating than having to wait on hold for ages only to receive lackluster customer support. But with A2 Hosting, you never have to worry about slow response times again.

Their dedicated support staff are always ready and willing to help - with lightning fast speed. In fact, during our extensive testing, we never had to wait more than a few minutes to connect with a representative. Now that's what we call impressive response time!

Instant Support When You Need It Most

Let's face it - website issues have a nasty habit of cropping up at the most inconvenient times. With A2 Hosting, you never have to worry about slow response times again. Their dedicated support staff are always ready and willing to help - with lightning fast speed. In fact, we never had to wait more than a few minutes to connect with a representative during extensive testing. Now that's impressive response time!

Whenever I reached out for assistance, an agent was ready to help within 15 minutes or less. For busy entrepreneurs and small business owners, having reliable support on call 24/7 is truly priceless. With A2 Hosting, you can trust that any mission-critical issues will be resolved in one chat, allowing you to get back to business right away.

Total Peace of Mind for Beginners

If you're new to dedicated hosting, choosing the right provider can feel overwhelming. But with A2 Hosting, you're in good hands. Their world-class customer support offers total peace of mind for hosting beginners.

Their agents don't just provide quick answers - they take the time to listen and ensure you thoroughly understand each solution. For anyone unfamiliar with the ins and outs of dedicated hosting, this thoughtful guidance is invaluable. Of all the hosts tested, A2's support staff stand out for their unmatched patience and dedication to each customer's unique needs.

Consistent Uptime Beats the Competition

Compared to other popular dedicated hosting providers, A2's uptime track record stands out. Throughout my tests, some competitors experienced total downtime exceeding 15 minutes per month - completely unacceptable by today's standards.

A2's near-perfect uptime demonstrates their commitment to premium infrastructure for high-performance hosting services. Their dedicated servers stood strong with no detectable failures. When you choose A2 for your dedicated hosting needs, you can trust that your site will enjoy continuous uptime.

Disaster-Proof Infrastructure You Can Trust

A2's miniscule amount of downtime isn’t merely good luck. It reflects the provider's investment in robust, resilient server infrastructure designed for true reliability. With their optimized hardware and network architecture, your site is virtually disaster-proof. Whether it's DDoS attacks or traffic surges, A2's servers have the redundancy and safeguards to withstand it all.

Balanced Resources to Grow With Your Site Right off the bat,

A2 hosting provides 16GB of RAM - an ample amount that can smoothly handle multiple processes and tasks. They also supply 6TB of monthly bandwidth, meeting our recommended minimum. This gives you plenty of headroom to serve a rapidly growing number of visitors without fear of overages.

The quad-core processor may feel slightly underpowered to some users. But it's still robust enough for general dedicated hosting, especially with the generous RAM. If your site needs a performance boost, upgrading to more CPU cores is available for an added fee. You can also double your RAM up to 32GB with just a few clicks. For more bandwidth and storage, add-ons start at just $10/month.

Virtually Instant Response Times

Reaching A2's support team is almost eerily easy. Their prominent chat widget ensures help is always a single click away, no matter where you are on their site. Once you submit your request, a friendly agent joins the chat in literally seconds - with no hold times or hassle. Throughout my tests, I never had to wait more than 60 seconds for help. For busy users juggling multiple priorities, A2's near-instant support is a lifesaver.

Deep Expertise You Can Trust

A2's agents impress us each time with their deep technical expertise and dedication to fully resolving issues. No matter what questions I threw their way, they had the right answers. The agents even double checked details on our account to ensure the accuracy of their advice - a testament to their diligence.

Better yet, they take time to explain solutions in an easy-to-understand manner. Their tone and patience are exemplary, underscoring their commitment to each customer's total satisfaction. With A2's team in your corner, you can have confidence they have the skills to tackle any hosting challenge. Their expertise is truly second to none.

Costs Worth It For Premium Support

A2 Hosting's rates are on the higher end, but can be well worth it for premium service. Their managed entry-level plan costs $119.99/month initially, increasing to $249.99 upon renewal.

However, prepaying for two years locks in a lower rate of $79.99/month. There's no doubt you can find cheaper dedicated hosting providers. But few match A2's top performing servers and world-class support.

For dedicated hosting newcomers especially, A2's expertise and guidance is invaluable. Their agents can walk you through configuration, troubleshooting, optimization and more.

With competitive prices, A2's hosting experience is virtually unrivaled. For users willing to pay a little more for premium service, A2 is easily worth the investment.

Get started with one A2's Hosting dedicated plans today!

Learn more - Read my full A2 Hosting review

How to Choose a Dedicated Hosting Service

Choosing a dedicated hosting provider is one of the most important decisions you'll make when launching or scaling your online business. The right dedicated hosting plan will provide the power, speed, and reliability you need to keep your site running smoothly. Let me walk you through the key factors to consider when evaluating dedicated hosting providers so you can find the best service for your needs.

Determine Your Site's Needs

Before starting your search, take time to assess your site’s current and future needs. Ask yourself:

• What kind of traffic does my site receive now? Do I anticipate significant growth? Understanding your site’s traffic helps determine how robust your server needs to be.
• What applications and software do I use? Do they require specific server configurations, operating systems, or computing power? Factor in any tech stack requirements.
• What level of support and management do I need? Some providers offer full-service management while others are self-managed.
• What is my budget? Dedicated hosting scales in resources and price. Be realistic about what you can afford long-term.

Having a clear sense of your site’s needs and limitations helps narrow which providers will work best.

Decide Between Managed or Unmanaged Hosting

Choosing between managed and unmanaged dedicated hosting often comes down to how much control you want over your server environment versus paying for expert administration. Both options have their merits.

With managed dedicated hosting, the hosting provider takes care of server administration and maintenance. They monitor the server 24/7, handle security patching and upgrades, optimize configurations, and troubleshoot any issues. This frees you up to focus on your core business.

The level of support varies by provider, but most offer a hands-on approach for optimal uptime and performance. This appeals to businesses that don't have in-house technical expertise for server management. The convenience comes at a higher monthly cost than unmanaged hosting.

Unmanaged dedicated hosting gives you full control over the server. You take care of all configurations, security, updates, and troubleshooting. This allows for more customization and flexibility for technical users. However, you need the expertise to handle server administration duties.

For resource-strapped businesses or those lacking server skills, managed hosting is the smarter choice. The benefits of expert support and maximized uptime outweigh the higher costs. But companies with in-house technical staff may prefer unmanaged hosting for greater control and lower fees.

Compare Reliability and Uptime Histories

A hosting company's reliability and uptime track record should be a top priority. Even small amounts of downtime can equal major revenue losses for businesses.

Research each company's historical uptime statistics over the past year. Look for providers with a track record of 99.9% uptime or better across their servers.

Also check third-party monitoring sites to verify uptime claims. Be wary of hosts that don't publicly provide uptime monitoring reports.

For added redundancy, determine if the provider offers any failover or load balancing options to minimize downtime risks.

Review Hardware and Data Center Facilities

The server hardware and data center facilities form the foundation of any quality dedicated hosting service.

Some key factors to examine:

• Server specs - More RAM, powerful CPU cores, and fast disk I/O speeds equal better performance for high-traffic sites.
• Data center tier level - Look for SSAE 18 or SOC2 certified data centers with redundant power, cooling, and security protocols.
• Global network - If catering to international visitors, choose a host with data centers spread globally to optimize connectivity speeds.
• DDoS protection - Ensure the provider has DDoS mitigation in place to guard against attacks taking down your site..

Don't hesitate to ask hosts for specifics around their hardware and infrastructure. It's not just about speed and reliability—it also ensures your site's security.

Compare Support Options

Even with dedicated servers, issues can arise that require technical support to resolve promptly.

Evaluate each provider's support channels to determine if they align with your needs:

• Phone, chat, and email - Having multiple around-the-clock support options ensures fast responses when you need help.
• Self-help options - Knowledge bases, documentation, and FAQs allow solving simpler issues yourself.
• Ticket support system - Look for easy ways to open support tickets for tracking and following-up on issues.
• Managed services - Some hosts offer add-on solutions like server monitoring, security, and backups for added peace of mind.

Ultimately, you want responsive, easy-to-access support via your preferred contact methods. This ensures minimal downtime when technical problems occur.

Review Costs and Contract Terms

Lastly, compare each host's plan costs and contract terms to find one aligning with your budget and needs:

• Hardware costs - Balance server specs with monthly fees. Don't overpay for resources you won't utilize.
• Data transfer - Hosts charge varying fees for bandwidth usage over certain thresholds. Monitor your levels.
• Contract lengths - Monthly terms offer more flexibility while 1-3 year contracts often offer cheaper rates.
• Set-up fees - Some hosts charge initial set-up fees for installing and configuring your server.
• Discounts - Look for hosts running promotions or offering discounts for longer contract lengths.

Be sure to factor in add-ons like dedicated IPs or SSL certificates as well. Read all terms to avoid hidden fees.

Choosing dedicated hosting ultimately comes down to finding the right balance of performance, support, and value for your specific needs.

The key is taking the time upfront to fully understand your site’s hosting needs before committing. With the right dedicated hosting partner, your business can scale online with confidence.

Checklist for Choosing a Dedicated Web Host

After extensive research and testing, I've come up with this essential checklist for picking a top-notch dedicated host:

• Managed vs. Unmanaged Support: With unmanaged plans, you handle everything technical. Managed plans mean the host takes care of the tech so you can focus on your business. For most, managed plans are the way to go.
• Processing Power & Memory: Look for robust CPUs and at least 16GB of RAM to scale as your traffic grows. More horsepower = happy site performance.
• Operating System: Linux offers maximum flexibility for most sites. But if you need Windows, ensure your host provides this.
• Server Location: Pick a host with data centers near your key markets for lightning-fast speeds.
• Uptime: Accept nothing less than 99.9% uptime. Even small downtime hits your bottom line hard.
• Price: Bigger budgets allow beefier plans, but shop around for deals at any level. Maximum value for money is the goal.

Follow this checklist, and you'll be well on the way to finding a dedicated hosting service ready to take your success to the next level. 

Research Methodology

Choosing dedicated hosting can be overwhelming with so many options to evaluate. That's why I took the time to thoroughly research and test the top dedicated hosting providers.

My goal was to identify the best dedicated hosting for most websites based on key criteria like reliability, speed, resources, support, and pricing. I weighed each category based on importance to create a scoring system.

Reliability and speed accounted for 50% of the total score. I used a third-party monitoring tool to track uptime and response times for 3 months. Downtime was a dealbreaker, while fast servers under 350 ms earned full points.

The technical specs like storage, bandwidth, RAM and IPs made up 20% of the score. I compared the entry-level plan for each host against the recommended minimums for most websites. More resources earned more points.

Quality support accounted for 20% of the total score. I tested each provider three times on different days, asking common questions a new customer might have. Fast, knowledgeable, 24/7 support scored highest.

Finally, pricing made up 10% of the score. I calculated the 2 year cost and compared plans. The most value for the money scored best, not necessarily the cheapest.

After extensive testing, I found a clear winner that excelled across all criteria. They had 100% uptime, 146 ms response time, ample resources for most sites, stellar 24/7 support, and competitive pricing.

While results will vary, I'm confident this process identifies the best dedicated hosting for most websites. Rather than guess, I put in the hard work to research so you can make the right choice.

Editorial and Research Process

Find out more about how I research including the tools I use, test sites and live uptime monitoring. Click on this link to learn more about my testing and review process

FAQs – Best Dedicated Server Hosting

Best Dedicated Hosting in Summary

After reviewing the various factors involved in choosing a dedicated hosting provider, Liquid Web emerges as the clear recommendation for most websites.

Their optimized infrastructure delivers unmatched uptime and speed, while their easy customizability and expert managed support provide immense value that justifies the premium pricing.

Liquid Web has 100% uptime track record proves their commitment to reliable hosting. With servers consistently averaging sub-350ms response times as well, they have the speed to satisfy even high-traffic sites.

Their customizable resources like storage, bandwidth, and RAM give you the flexibility to scale your dedicated environment in any direction required.

While their managed support does come at a steeper price, Liquid Web's team of experts help optimize performance and provide guidance tailored to your needs. Their in-depth knowledge and 24/7 availability offer peace of mind that any issues will be swiftly resolved.

For those seeking ultimate control, their unmanaged plans provide a more affordable self-managed option.

Overall, Liquid Web's premium approach to dedicated hosting delivers excellence across the board. For business-critical sites where uptime, speed, and expert support are non-negotiable, Liquid Web is worth the investment.

Their customized solutions and dedicated support teams take the stress out of scaling your online presence.

Other providers like InMotion and A2 Hosting also offer robust managed hosting, albeit at slightly higher renewal costs. And budget-friendly options from Bluehost and HostGator make dedicated servers affordable to most.

But for the best balance of power, reliability, and support, Liquid Web is the recommended winner for dedicated hosting. Their proven track record and renowned service give you confidence as your traffic and goals continue growing.

Neil Beckett

Neil is an accomplished web, designer and developer with over 15 years of experience in creating and optimizing websites for small businesses and online entrepreneurs. Read full bio

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