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IONOS vs Railway

IONOS

IONOS

VS
Railway

Railway

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and performance to help you choose the right hosting provider.

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IONOS
IONOS No reviews yet
31 plans
from
$1.00/mo
Railway
Railway No reviews yet
3 plans
from
$0.00/mo
Hosting Type
Billing Period

Feature Comparison

Feature
IONOS
Railway
RatingN/A N/A
Price$1.00/mo N/A
Renewal Price$32.00/mo N/A
StorageN/A0.5 GB
BandwidthN/AUsage-based ($0.05/GB egress)
WebsitesN/AUnlimited
CPUN/AUp to 1 vCPU (2 during trial)
RAMN/AUp to 0.5 GB (1 GB during trial)
Free Domain
Free SSL
Server Locations
Regions4 4
Locations
US East, Newark, Lenexa Western Europe, London, Madrid Central Europe, Frankfurt, Karlsruhe, Berlin US West, Las Vegas, Nevada
US West, Portland, Oregon US East, Virginia Western Europe Southeast Asia
Plan Details
Limited plan details availableLimited plan details available
SupportCommunity
Features
CMS & Platforms (7)
Languages & Frameworks (9)
Databases (4)
Developer Tools (8)
Performance & CDN (4)
Caching
CDN
LiteSpeed
SSD Storage
Security (6)
2FA
Backups
DDoS Protection
Malware Scan
SSL
WAF
Support (4)
Extras & Guarantees (5)
Slight discrepancies are possible. We recommend verifying details on the provider's website.
Visit IONOSVisit Railway

Pricing & Plans

IONOS Plans

eCommerce Plus website_builder
$1.00/mo
Renews at $32.00/mo
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: No
Plus shared
$1.00/mo
Renews at $14.00/mo
Websites: Unlimited
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
Grow wordpress
$1.00/mo
Renews at $12.00/mo
Storage: 50 GB SSD
Websites: 1
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
Plus website_builder
$1.00/mo
Renews at $20.00/mo
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
VPS S+ vps
Storage: 90 GB NVMe
Bandwidth: Unlimited
CPU: 2 vCores
RAM: 2 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
Essential shared
$4.00/mo
Renews at $8.00/mo
Websites: 1
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
VPS M+ vps
Storage: 120 GB NVMe
Bandwidth: Unlimited
CPU: 4 vCores
RAM: 4 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
Start wordpress
$5.00/mo
Renews at $8.00/mo
Storage: 25 GB SSD
Websites: 1
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
eCommerce Starter website_builder
$6.00/mo
Renews at $26.00/mo
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: No
VPS L+ vps
Storage: 240 GB NVMe
Bandwidth: Unlimited
CPU: 6 vCores
RAM: 8 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
Starter website_builder
$6.00/mo
Renews at $14.00/mo
Storage: 10 GB SSD
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
Starter shared
$6.00/mo
Renews at $10.00/mo
Websites: 10
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
Ultimate shared
$10.00/mo
Renews at $18.00/mo
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Websites: Unlimited
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
VPS XL+ vps
Storage: 480 GB NVMe
Bandwidth: Unlimited
CPU: 8 vCores
RAM: 16 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
Boost wordpress
$12.00/mo
Renews at $17.00/mo
Storage: 75 GB SSD
Websites: 1
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: Yes
Pro website_builder
$17.00/mo
Storage: Unlimited
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
VPS XXL+ vps
Storage: 720 GB NVMe
Bandwidth: Unlimited
CPU: 12 vCores
RAM: 24 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
eCommerce Pro website_builder
$34.00/mo
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: No
L-16 HDD dedicated
Storage: 1 TB HDD
Bandwidth: Unlimited
CPU: 4 cores
RAM: 16 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
L-16 SSD dedicated
Storage: 480 GB SSD
Bandwidth: Unlimited
CPU: 4 cores
RAM: 16 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
L-32 HDD dedicated
Storage: 1 TB HDD
Bandwidth: Unlimited
CPU: 4 cores
RAM: 32 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
eCommerce Expert website_builder
$44.00/mo
Free Domain: Yes
Free SSL: No
L-32 SSD dedicated
Storage: 480 GB SSD
Bandwidth: Unlimited
CPU: 4 cores
RAM: 32 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
XL-32 HDD dedicated
Storage: 2 TB HDD
Bandwidth: Unlimited
CPU: 4 cores
RAM: 32 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
XL-32 SSD dedicated
Storage: 800 GB SSD
Bandwidth: Unlimited
CPU: 4 cores
RAM: 32 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
XL-32 NVMe dedicated
Storage: 1 TB NVMe
Bandwidth: Unlimited
CPU: 4 cores
RAM: 32 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
XL-64 HDD dedicated
Storage: 2 TB HDD
Bandwidth: Unlimited
CPU: 4 cores
RAM: 64 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
XL-64 SSD dedicated
Storage: 800 GB SSD
Bandwidth: Unlimited
CPU: 4 cores
RAM: 64 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
XL-64 NVMe dedicated
Storage: 1 TB NVMe
Bandwidth: Unlimited
CPU: 4 cores
RAM: 64 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
XXL-96 HDD dedicated
Storage: 4 TB HDD
Bandwidth: Unlimited
CPU: 8 cores
RAM: 96 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No
XXL-96 NVMe dedicated
Storage: 1 TB NVMe
Bandwidth: Unlimited
CPU: 8 cores
RAM: 96 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: No

Railway Plans

Free cloud
Storage: 0.5 GB
Bandwidth: Usage-based ($0.05/GB egress)
Websites: Unlimited
CPU: Up to 1 vCPU (2 during trial)
RAM: Up to 0.5 GB (1 GB during trial)
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: Yes
Hobby cloud
Storage: 5 GB
Bandwidth: Usage-based ($0.05/GB egress)
Websites: Unlimited
CPU: Up to 48 vCPU
RAM: Up to 48 GB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: Yes
Pro cloud
Storage: 1 TB
Bandwidth: Usage-based ($0.05/GB egress)
Websites: Unlimited
CPU: Up to 1000 vCPU
RAM: Up to 1 TB
Free Domain: No
Free SSL: Yes

Pros & Cons

IONOS

Pros

  • Very competitive introductory pricing (from $1.00/mo)
  • Wide range of products: shared, WordPress, VPS, dedicated, website builder
  • Free domain and Wildcard SSL on all plans
  • 99.99% uptime guarantee
  • 24/7 phone and chat support
  • Strong European data center infrastructure
  • Unlimited storage and bandwidth on select plans
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Price increase on renewal (Plus plan: $1 → $14/mo)
  • Control panel can be confusing for beginners
  • Upselling during checkout process
  • Limited resources on basic plans
  • Feature documentation is sparse compared to competitors

Railway

Pros

  • Instant deployments from GitHub with zero configuration
  • Usage-based pricing — pay only for what you use
  • Supports any language/framework via Nixpacks auto-detection
  • Built-in databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis, MongoDB)
  • Automatic SSL certificates on all services
  • Private networking between services
  • Generous $5/month included credits on Hobby plan
  • Simple and transparent per-second billing
  • Easy horizontal scaling with replicas

Cons

  • No traditional shared hosting features (no cPanel, FTP, email hosting)
  • Usage-based pricing can be unpredictable for high-traffic apps
  • Free tier is very limited (1 project, no custom domains after trial)
  • No phone support — community and ticket-based only
  • No managed WordPress hosting
  • No money-back guarantee — usage-based billing
  • Limited to 2 custom domains on Hobby plan
  • Enterprise features require high monthly minimums ($200-$10,000)

Frequently Asked Questions

IONOS

What exactly is web hosting?

Whether a large or small business, an institution or as individual user, anyone planning on creating an online presence will require the appropriate storage space for their future website. This is where web hosting services come into play, i.e. for the provision of storage space for a website by a hosting provider (also known as a provider).This storage space is referred to as disk space. The provision of disk space on a server (a computer designed for this purpose), as well as providing the nec

Which web hosting plan is the right one for me?

This depends on your requirements. If you are planning a simple website, consisting mostly of static HTML pages and minimal multimedia content with manageable data traffic, then our starter package is the ideal option for you. We also offer more advanced packages that are suitable for dynamic web projects and high traffic.With our most powerful web hosting packages, you can comfortably manage resource-intensive, multimedia-based websites as well as extensive online stores and shops. Compare the

What is the difference between web hosting and a domain?

A domain is an internet address that leads to a web server. This server stores the respective content, services and offers that you publish on your domain, i.e., the content that makes up your entire website. If you enter an internet address in the search bar of your web browser, you can retrieve the data that has been provided on the respective server. Providing adequate storage space on a web server is called hosting. Your domain is your business card on the web. It should be as simple and as

Is shared hosting the only type of web hosting?

No, other very popular types of web hosting include:VPSVPS stands for virtual private server, where a server is divided into individual virtual servers. The advantage of VPS is that each website can technically be hosted on its own server, and even though hardware is still shared with other websites, the computing resources are your own.DedicatedWith a dedicated server, you are 100% in control of your resources. This makes the website particularly stable and reliable, and you avoid issues that a

How do I know which web hosting provider is right for me?

Choosing the right web hosting provider comes down to your goals, your budget, and how much flexibility you need.Start with experience and reliability. Look for a provider with a proven track record and infrastructure you can count on. You want a solution that fits your specific web project, not a one-size-fits-all package. Flexible plans are also important, so you can scale resources up or down as your needs change.Security should be a top priority. Your data should be hosted in secure data cen

Why do professional web hosting services come at a cost?

Powerful IT resources and advanced security measures come at a cost. To keep your website secure and performing at its best, infrastructure, hardware, and software must stay up to date. Continuous investment is essential to reliably protect your data and technical environment.If you’re considering “free” web hosting, it’s important to look closely. Check for hidden fees and limitations. Many free providers display ads on customer websites or restrict important features. While the basic offer may

Which special features are inlcuded with an IONOS Web Hosting plan?

If you wish, we can provide you with web hosting without a minimum term, i.e. with monthly billing and a cancellation period in the corresponding packages of only one month.IONOS web hosting is ideal for running WordPress; there is a complete plan available especially for this.If you have any questions: Our support is available 24/7. In addition, your personal consultant will also be at your side – completely free of charge.All our web hosting plans include an SSL certificate.Discover these spec

Does IONOS web hosting include 1-click app installs?

Yes, our shared hosting plan includes over 70 applications that can be installed with just a few clicks. Thanks to the quick and easy installation process, you can enjoy this wide variety of apps instantly and without any hassle. The IONOS web hosting plan provides 100% compatibility with apps such as the following, plus a whole lot more.MediaWikiThe Wiki hosting app MediaWiki is one of the many applications included in the hosting plan. The software is open source, written in PHP, and allows us

Any other basic tips or information I need to keep in mind?

Here are the essentials you'll need for your siteTraffic: Traffic means how much data is used on a website. If you have lots of visitors, you are getting a lot of traffic.Web space: Web space is the storage available on the web server. It is also called storage or disk space.Domain: The domain is the name of your website. If you need to run more than one website under different names, then you may need more than one.Subdomains: Some websites will have lots of different parts and sections. A subd

What is the difference between web hosting and a server?

A server, or web server, is part of the web hosting infrastructure. They are powerful computers on which both configuration files and the data of the hosted websites are stored, i.e., websites and all website content. A root-access server is a server with root access to the configuration data of a server.The IONOS web hosting service does not offer root access as we take care of all the necessary configurations for you. If you choose a dedicated server, a virtual private server or a cloud server

Which security aspects do I have to consider?

One of the most obvious risks to site security is lack of encryption. If you have SSL for your site, your website is more secure against hacking and other threats.The different types of DDoS attacks target the different aspects of web hosting through volumetric attacks, application layer attacks and TCP state exhaustion attacks. Having DDoS protection is an important security precaution.Backups are not only helpful in the cases of hacked sites, it could happen that you delete important files, or

What exactly is a blog created with WordPress?

WordPress is the world’s most popular content management system. Around 30% of all websites are built with WordPress, giving it more than 60% market share in the CMS space. These numbers highlight just how widely trusted and used the platform is.A key reason for its success is ease of use. WordPress makes it simple to create, manage, and publish content, even without technical experience. At the same time, it offers extensive customization options. Because WordPress is Open Source, a global comm

Why choose hosting optimized for WordPress?

WordPress makes it easy to design, manage, and publish blog posts or website content. When you choose professional hosting for WordPress from an experienced provider like IONOS, you combine that ease of use with reliable technical performance.Instead of investing in your own server infrastructure, you rent an environment optimized for WordPress. That means you can focus on creating content while we handle maintenance, updates, and security. We keep the technical infrastructure up to date so your

Who is WordPress best suited for?

WordPress is flexible, easy to customize, and suitable for a wide range of users, including:BloggersBusinessesAgenciesOnline stores (e-commerce)Bloggers are the classic target group for WordPress, as the content management system was originally developed with them in mind. It is one of the most popular platforms in the blogging world. Small and large businesses, as well as agencies, also benefit from its flexibility. It allows you to create everything from professional portfolios and business we

What are the benefits of hosting optimized for WordPress?

Hosting plans from IONOS optimized for WordPress offer several key advantages:IONOS handles all technical and server-related tasksStep-by-step instructions guide you through the setup processEssential plugins come pre-installedThe Assistant from IONOS for WordPress helps you choose from a wide range of free themesOur 24/7 support team is available to help with technical questionsAn SSL certificate is includedProfessional email is includedUsing WordPress, you can create websites, online stores, a

Is the IONOS version different from others?

No. The version of WordPress offered by IONOS does not differ from the version that can be found on the official WordPress site.By choosing IONOS as your provider, you will automatically start with the newest version of the software, and your WordPress site will receive automatic updates to ensure it is up to date at all times. There are no differences between the two when it comes to functionality. IONOS customers benefit from a comprehensive service including round-the-clock support for any qu

Can I use the Gutenberg editor? Are the themes provided by IONOS compatible?

The answer to both questions is: yes! The Gutenberg editor is available as a plugin and can be installed at any time with just a few clicks. All of the themes for WordPress offered by IONOS are compatible with the Gutenberg editor.Try it out and enjoy managing your WordPress site even more easily and comfortably than before. Create posts and pages or build a whole new website, shaping your online presence to your needs and requirements. Should the Gutenberg editor not satisfy you, you can switch

How do I get started and where do I get support?

Once your server is up and running, you can jump into your cloud panel and take charge:https://login.ionos.com/. Quick-start guide: Discover easy-to-follow guides and practicaltips to streamline your setup and maximize your server’s potential:https://www.ionos.com/help/server-cloud-infrastructure/.  Comprehensive support every step of the way: Your server’s performance and yourpeace of mind are our top priorities. From hardware reliability to software essentials, we’rehere for you. Explore our S

What are typical use cases for servers?

If you decide on one of our VPS+ hosting plans, you will have access to an operating environment that is tailored to support your application or software needs. You'll be able to install any apps yourself in no time, via root access. Typical use cases might be as:Web serversEmail serversShop serversDevelopment serversCustomers can use the product for both non-commercial and commercial purposes.

Is a Linux or Windows operating system better?

When it comes to choosing an operating system for your web server, personal preference plays a key role. For those who value an intuitive user interface, Windows server operating system may be the ideal choice, thanks to its familiar design that makes setting up a server easy for beginners.Alternatively, if cost is a concern, a virtual server plan with Linux could be a great option. This open-source operating system doesn't have licensing fees and is known for its security and small attack surfa

Railway

Which plan is right for me?

Hobby is for indie hackers and developers to build and deploy personal projects. Pro is for professional developers and their teams shipping to production. Enterprise is for dev teams building and deploying production applications with large replica size, SLA, and/or compliance needs.

How do I get started with the free Trial?

If you do not already have a Railway account, you can sign up for a free Trial by clicking Login on railway.com.

How does the Trial work?

When you sign up for the free Trial, you will receive a one-time grant of $5 in credits that you can use to try out Railway. The credits will be applied towards any usage on the platform and expire in 30 days. If you upgrade to a plan while you still have a credit balance from the trial, the remaining balance will carry over to your new plan.

How does the Hobby plan included usage work?

Your Hobby plan subscription includes $5 of usage per month. If your total usage at the end of your billing period is $5 or less, you will not be charged extra for usage. If your total usage exceeds $5 in any given billing period, you will be charged total usage.

Does included usage on Hobby accumulate?

Included usage is reset at the end of every billing cycle and does not accumulate over time.

How can I get a receipt?

When you make a payment, you will receive an email with your invoice and receipt attached. You can also find your billing history in Account > Billing.

How to add company details on my invoice?

Head to Account > Billing and click 'Manage Subscription'. From there, you can update your billing information, including billing address and Tax ID.

What payment methods are accepted?

Railway accepts credit cards for plan subscriptions and usage. We support invoice payments for customers on the Enterprise plan.

Can I try Railway without a credit card?

Yes. As a new Railway user, you can sign up for a free Trial. You will receive a one-time grant of $5 to use on resources.

Can I upgrade or downgrade at any time?

You can upgrade any time, and when you do, you will get to the features of your new plan, as well as access to more powerful resources, immediately. When you downgrade, the changes will take effect at the beginning of your next billing cycle.

What happens when I cancel my subscription?

When you cancel your subscription, if you're on Hobby or Pro, your plan will remain active through the end of your current billing period, and any usage will be charged at the end of the period. If you are on the Hobby plan and using prepaid credits as your payment method, your subscription will be canceled immediately and any credit balance you may have will be forfeited.

Ready to Choose?

Both providers offer great features. Visit their websites to see the latest deals and pricing.

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