Best VPS for VPN: Top Hosting Picks for Your Private VPN Server in 2026
Want to run your own VPN server? We compare the best VPS providers for hosting WireGuard, OpenVPN, and other private VPN solutions.
Best VPS for VPN: Top Hosting Picks for Your Private VPN Server
Commercial VPN services promise privacy, but you're trusting them with your traffic. A self-hosted VPN on your own VPS means true privacy — you control everything.
What is a Self-Hosted VPN?
A self-hosted VPN runs on your own server. You install VPN software (like WireGuard or OpenVPN), and only you have the keys. No logs, no third parties, no trust issues.
Why Host Your Own VPN?
- True privacy — No VPN company logging your traffic
- Dedicated IP — Your own IP, not shared with thousands
- Lower cost — $5/mo vs. $10-15/mo for premium VPN services
- No limits — Unlimited devices, bandwidth, and connections
- Custom configuration — Route specific traffic, split tunneling
VPN VPS Requirements
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 1 vCPU | 1 vCPU |
| RAM | 512MB | 1GB |
| Storage | 10GB SSD | 20GB SSD |
| Bandwidth | 1TB | Unmetered |
| OS | Ubuntu 22.04+ | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS |
VPN servers are lightweight. The cheapest VPS plans work perfectly fine. Bandwidth is the main concern — streaming and downloads add up.
Top VPS Picks for VPN
1. Hostinger VPS (Best Value)
$4.99/mo | 1 vCPU, 4GB RAM, 50GB NVMe
More than enough for a VPN:
- 4TB bandwidth handles heavy streaming
- Multiple data center locations
- 24/7 live chat support
- Simple control panel
Why it's great for VPN: Overkill specs mean headroom for additional services. The 4TB bandwidth is ample.
2. Vultr (Best Location Variety)
$3.50/mo | 1 vCPU, 512MB RAM, 10GB SSD
32 locations for optimal routing:
- Locations on every continent
- 0.5TB bandwidth minimum
- Deploy in under a minute
- IPv6 support
3. Hetzner Cloud (Best for Europe)
€3.29/mo | 1 vCPU, 2GB RAM, 20GB NVMe
European privacy laws and great speeds:
- 20TB included traffic
- German data protection (GDPR)
- Excellent peering in EU
- Snapshots for backup
4. BuyVM (Best Unmetered)
$2/mo | 1 vCPU, 512MB RAM, 10GB SSD
True unmetered bandwidth:
- No bandwidth caps or throttling
- Las Vegas, Miami, Luxembourg locations
- Excellent for heavy streaming
- Privacy-focused provider
5. RackNerd (Best Budget)
$10.98/year | 1 vCPU, 768MB RAM, 10GB SSD
Insanely cheap yearly deals:
- Often $1/mo or less on sales
- 1TB bandwidth
- Multiple US locations
- Great for backup VPN servers
Quick WireGuard VPN Setup
Step 1: Get Your VPS
Choose a location close to you (or where you want to appear).
Step 2: Install WireGuard (Easy Way)
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/angristan/wireguard-install/master/wireguard-install.sh
chmod +x wireguard-install.sh
./wireguard-install.sh
Answer the prompts. The script handles everything.
Step 3: Get Your Config
The script creates a config file:
cat /root/wg0-client-yourname.conf
Step 4: Connect
Import the config into the WireGuard app on your device:
Add More Devices
Run the script again:
./wireguard-install.sh
Select "Add a new client" to generate additional configs.
Provider Comparison
| Provider | RAM | Bandwidth | Price | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hostinger | 4GB | 4TB | $4.99 | 7 |
| Vultr | 512MB | 0.5TB | $3.50 | 32 |
| Hetzner | 2GB | 20TB | €3.29 | 5 |
| BuyVM | 512MB | Unmetered | $2 | 3 |
| RackNerd | 768MB | 1TB | ~$1/mo | 5 |
VPN Server Tips
1. WireGuard vs. OpenVPN
WireGuard is:
- Faster (less overhead)
- Simpler (4,000 lines vs. 100,000)
- Modern cryptography
- Easier to configure
Use WireGuard unless you specifically need OpenVPN features.
2. Enable IP Forwarding
Required for VPN to work:
echo "net.ipv4.ip_forward=1" >> /etc/sysctl.conf
sysctl -p
3. Configure Firewall
Allow VPN traffic:
ufw allow 51820/udp
ufw enable
4. DNS Leak Prevention
Configure your VPN to use privacy-respecting DNS:
# In WireGuard client config
DNS = 1.1.1.1, 9.9.9.9
5. Kill Switch (Optional)
Block traffic if VPN disconnects:
# On client, add to PostDown
iptables -A OUTPUT -o eth0 -j DROP
FAQ
Is a self-hosted VPN more private?
Yes. Commercial VPNs say "no logs," but you're trusting them. With your own VPN, no one can log what doesn't exist on their servers.
Which location should I choose?
- For privacy: Pick a location with strong privacy laws (Netherlands, Switzerland)
- For speed: Pick the closest location
- For streaming: Pick a location where content is available
Can I run multiple VPN servers?
Yes! Deploy cheap VPSs in different locations and switch between them. Great for accessing geo-restricted content.
How many devices can connect?
Unlimited — limited only by your VPS resources. A small VPS handles 10-20 concurrent devices easily.
VPS vs. Commercial VPN?
| Feature | Self-Hosted | Commercial VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $2-5/mo | $3-15/mo |
| Trust | Only yourself | The company |
| Locations | 1 per server | Many |
| Ease | Some setup | Plug and play |
| IP Reputation | Your own | Often blacklisted |
Conclusion
For a self-hosted VPN, almost any VPS works — VPNs are lightweight. Our recommendations:
✅ Hostinger at $4.99/mo — Best value with 4TB bandwidth
✅ Vultr at $3.50/mo — Most location options
✅ BuyVM at $2/mo — Truly unmetered bandwidth
WireGuard setup takes 5 minutes. Once running, you have a private, encrypted tunnel that you fully control. No more trusting "no-log" promises.
Ready to get started?
Get the best VPS hosting deal today. Hostinger offers 4GB RAM VPS starting at just $4.99/mo.
Get Hostinger VPS — $4.99/mo// up to 75% off + free domain included
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// last updated: February 6, 2026. Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links.