For many OpenSim enthusiasts, self-hosting is the natural next step after renting land on an existing grid. A Virtual Private Server (VPS) allows you to run your own standalone region or even a complete grid while retaining full control over software updates, backups, region management and server configuration. It is an excellent way to learn how OpenSim works behind the scenes while keeping monthly costs surprisingly low.
A typical standalone region with light to moderate usage does not require expensive hardware. A VPS with around 2 virtual CPUs, 4 GB of RAM and fast NVMe SSD storage is generally sufficient for running a single region with good performance. As your project grows, additional resources can usually be added without needing to migrate to a new server.
Several cloud providers have become popular within the OpenSim community because they offer excellent performance at competitive prices.
Hetzner Cloud is widely regarded as one of the best choices for OpenSim hosting. Their CX22 cloud server provides 2 vCPUs, 4 GB RAM and 40 GB NVMe SSD storage from approximately €5.49 per month, making it an excellent choice for a single region or a small test grid. Hetzner is well known for its fast infrastructure, simple management interface and reliable European data centres.
Contabo offers exceptional hardware specifications for the price. Their VPS range typically includes more CPU cores, memory and storage than many competitors at a similar monthly cost, with plans starting from around €5.50 per month. While many OpenSim users successfully run their grids on Contabo, some users have reported slower customer support, making it better suited to those who are comfortable managing Linux servers independently.
OVHcloud is another respected European hosting provider offering reliable VPS solutions with integrated DDoS protection and generous network capacity. Entry-level VPS plans generally start from around €7 to €8 per month, making them a good option for users who value network stability and enterprise-grade infrastructure.
One of the greatest advantages of self-hosting is complete control. You decide when to update OpenSim, create backups, restore OAR and IAR files, install additional services and configure Hypergrid access. Learning these skills also makes it much easier to expand from a single standalone region into a larger multi-region grid in the future.
For anyone wishing to learn OpenSim administration, experiment with new features or develop their own private virtual world, a small Linux VPS offers an inexpensive and flexible starting point without the ongoing cost of renting hosted regions.
Typical Monthly VPS Costs
Provider Example VPS Suitable For Approximate Monthly Price
Hetzner Cloud CX22 – 2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM 1–2 OpenSim regions From €5.49
Contabo VPS – 4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM 1–4 OpenSim regions From €5.50
OVHcloud Entry VPS 1–2 OpenSim regions From €7–8
Websites
Hetzner Cloud: https://www.hetzner.com/cloud
Contabo: https://contabo.com
OVHcloud: https://www.ovhcloud.com/vps/
