Hetzner vs Scaleway: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Hetzner and Scaleway comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Hetzner wins this matchup. WordPress.com is our overall Hosting & Deployment pick. WordPress.com is our free Hosting & Deployment pick. Pick Scaleway if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Hetzner
Affordable cloud and dedicated servers
Best for you if:
- • You want extremely affordable pricing
- • You want good performance
Scaleway
European cloud infrastructure provider
Best for you if:
- • You want european cloud
- • You want good pricing
| At a Glance | Hetzner | Scaleway |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $0.044/moBlock Storage | $1.83/monthSTARDUST1 |
Best For | Cloud & Infrastructure | Cloud & Infrastructure |
Rating | 3.7/5 | 4.3/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Hetzner or Scaleway?
Choose Hetzner if
Affordable cloud and dedicated servers
- You want extremely affordable pricing
- You want good performance
Choose Scaleway if
European cloud infrastructure provider
- You want european cloud
- You want good pricing
| Feature | Hetzner | Scaleway |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★3.7/5 380 reviews | ★4.3/5 132 reviews |
| Categories | Cloud & InfrastructureHosting & Deployment | Cloud & InfrastructureHosting & Deployment |
In-Depth Analysis
Hetzner
Affordable cloud and dedicated servers
Hetzner's pricing is exceptionally fair and generous, particularly for their 'Cost-Optimized' tier at $3.49/month for 2 vCPU and 4GB RAM, and the 'Regular Performance' at $4.99/month.
Watch out
Data transfer over 20TB
Strengths
- +Extremely affordable pricing
- +Good performance
- +European data centers
- +Dedicated servers available
- +Good for cost-conscious
Weaknesses
- -Limited regions (Europe focused)
- -Support can be slow
- -Less managed services
- -Some interface quirks
- -Not for enterprise compliance
Key features
Scaleway
European cloud infrastructure provider
Scaleway's pricing, particularly with the STARDUST1 at $1.83/month and DEV1-S at $7.99/month, appears very competitive and generous for basic cloud infrastructure.
Watch out
Managed service add-ons
Strengths
- +European cloud
- +Good pricing
- +Good bare metal
- +GDPR compliant
- +Active development
Weaknesses
- -Less features than AWS
- -Smaller ecosystem
- -Documentation gaps
- -Support varies
- -Learning curve
Key features
Pricing: Hetzner vs Scaleway
| Plan | Hetzner | Scaleway |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $3.49 Cost-Optimized | $1.83 month STARDUST1 |
| Tier 2 | $4.99 Regular Performance | $7.99 month DEV1-S |
| Tier 3 | $12.49 Dedicated | $21 month GP1-XS |
| Tier 4 | $0.044/GB Block Storage | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Hetzner pricing and Scaleway pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Hetzner
Want the highest-rated option?
Hetzner: 3.7/5 (380 reviews). Scaleway: 4.3/5 (132 reviews).
Go with: Scaleway
Value user reviews?
Hetzner: 380 reviews (3.7/5). Scaleway: 132 reviews (4.3/5).
Go with: Hetzner
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are cloud & infrastructure tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Scaleway is rated higher: 4.3/5 vs 3.7/5.
Key Takeaways
Hetzner
- Larger review base (380 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Scaleway
- Higher user rating: 4.3/5 vs 3.7/5
The Bottom Line
Hetzner wins this matchup. WordPress.com is our overall Hosting & Deployment pick. WordPress.com is our free Hosting & Deployment pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hetzner or Scaleway better?
Hetzner is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Hetzner and Scaleway used for?
Hetzner: Affordable cloud and dedicated servers. Scaleway: European cloud infrastructure provider.
What does Hetzner cost vs Scaleway?
Hetzner is a paid tool. Scaleway is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.