◦ Setup in under 1 hour
◦ User-friendly API
Bare Metal → Cost
What does a bare metal server cost? A shopping guide
Bare metal servers represent a premium tier of web hosting solutions, delivering dedicated hardware resources that are exclusively reserved for a single client. But understanding how much they cost can be tricky.
Unlike cloud or shared hosting, bare metal pricing isn’t standardized. Costs vary based on hardware configuration, operating system, control panel, and whether you opt for managed support.
Let’s break down what goes into bare metal server pricing, so you can find the right option for your business needs and budget.
What is a bare metal server?
A bare metal server is a physical machine dedicated entirely to a single user or organization. Unlike virtual private servers (VPS) or shared hosting, bare metal servers don’t share resources. This gives you full control over CPU, RAM, storage, and bandwidth.
Because they deliver consistent performance, security, and control, bare metal servers are popular for:
- High-traffic ecommerce sites
- Large-scale databases or applications
- GPU-powered AI and ML workloads
- Virtualization and private cloud infrastructure
- Compliance-heavy industries (HIPAA, PCI, etc.)
Bare metal server cost breakdown
The total cost of a bare metal server depends on the components you choose. Here’s a breakdown of what impacts your pricing.
1. Processor (CPU)
Entry-level servers may use Intel Xeon E-series or AMD EPYC CPUs, while high-performance builds often include multi-core Xeon Scalable or AMD EPYC Milan processors. More cores and higher base frequencies mean more cost—expect:
- $100–$300/month for basic single-CPU setups
- $300–$600+/month for dual-CPU or high-core-count builds
Use case tip: Opt for a high-core server if you’re running virtual machines, container clusters, or multi-threaded applications like video rendering or scientific computing.
2. Memory (RAM)
RAM is essential for multitasking and data-intensive applications.
- 16 GB: included with many entry-level servers
- 32 GB–128 GB: $30–$150/month depending on speed and ECC support
- 256 GB+: $150–$300/month or more for high-memory configurations
Use case tip: Ecommerce platforms and database servers benefit from at least 64 GB RAM, while AI model training or in-memory databases may require 256 GB or more.
3. Storage (HDD vs SSD vs NVMe)
Storage affects both capacity and performance.
- HDD (1 TB+): included in base price, slower IOPS
- SATA SSDs (256 GB–1 TB): $10–$50/month
- NVMe SSDs (fastest): $30–$150/month depending on size
Use case tip: Choose NVMe if you’re hosting a high-transaction ecommerce site, running databases, or operating latency-sensitive workloads.
4. Bandwidth
Most bare metal servers come with unmetered or capped monthly bandwidth.
- 5 TB to 15 TB: often included
- 100 TB+: may add $50–$200/month
- 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps ports: additional fees apply for higher port speeds
Use case tip: If you’re hosting streaming services, large-scale SaaS platforms, or handling international traffic, upgrade to a higher bandwidth tier or 10 Gbps port.
5. Operating system and control panel
Most Linux OSes (like Ubuntu, CentOS, AlmaLinux) are free. Windows Server licensing adds cost, often $20–$40/month.
- cPanel, Plesk, and InterWorx: add $10–$50/month depending on license
- Webmin or no control panel: free
Use case tip: Developers managing their own stack may skip the control panel, but most businesses benefit from cPanel or Plesk for easier site and email management.
6. Managed vs unmanaged support
Managed support provides an additional layer of services, so your hosting provider can take care of security, updates, and server maintenance.
- Unmanaged: cheapest option, you handle everything
- Semi-managed: OS and control panel support included
- Fully managed: proactive monitoring, security patching, and support included
Expect to pay $50–$200/month for fully managed support, depending on your host.
Use case tip: Choose fully managed hosting if your team lacks in-house sysadmins or if uptime and security are mission-critical.
Real-world bare metal pricing examples
Here’s how common setups might look:
| Use Case | Specs (Example) | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small business hosting | Xeon E-2136, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB HDD, Linux, unmanaged | $99–$139 |
| Mid-sized ecommerce site | Xeon Silver, 64 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe, cPanel, managed | $299–$499 |
| AI/ML workload with GPU | Dual Xeon, 256 GB RAM, 2×2 TB NVMe, NVIDIA L40S, managed | $699–$1,299+ |
| HIPAA-compliant healthcare software | Xeon Gold, 128 GB RAM, RAID 10 SSD, Windows Server, managed | $599–$999 |
Other factors that impact cost
It’s not just about server specs, of course. You will also want to consider:
- Location: Hosting in North America or Europe is generally more affordable than in APAC.
- Backup and storage add-ons: Offsite backups and cloud storage typically add $20–$100/month.
- Security tools: Managed firewalls, vulnerability scans, and compliance features add $30–$100/month.
- SLAs and uptime guarantees: Premium SLAs can increase price but are crucial for enterprise uptime requirements.
How to choose the right bare metal server for your needs
Selecting the right bare metal server is essential for optimizing your workload and achieving peak performance.
- Start by assessing your specific workload and performance requirements, which includes evaluating the types of applications you plan to run, the anticipated number of users, and any data processing needs. Servers can be customized to meet these precise demands.
- Next, take the time to compare pricing and features among different providers. Look for competitive pricing and quality hardware/services. The servers you consider should come equipped with features designed to enhance performance, such as high-speed SSD storage and dedicated resources.
- Then, long-term scalability should be a key consideration. As your business continues to grow, so too will your server needs. It’s important to select a hosting platform that provides the flexibility and scalability you need.
- Finally, evaluate the level of customer support and uptime guarantees offered by potential providers. Expert, 24/7 support is invaluable in ensuring that any issues are resolved promptly and efficiently. A strong commitment to uptime guarantees means that you can depend on the servers to keep your applications running smoothly.
Why bare metal servers are worth the investment
While bare metal servers cost more than VPS or cloud hosting, they deliver:
- Predictable performance (no noisy neighbors)
- Full hardware control
- Higher levels of compliance and data isolation
- Long-term cost efficiency for steady workloads
They’re ideal for businesses that have outgrown shared or virtual environments and need consistent power, storage, and network throughput.
Next steps for understanding bare metal server cost
Bare metal server pricing depends on your configuration, use case, and whether you need managed support. The more you can define your workload and performance needs, the easier it is to build the right solution.
When you’re ready to upgrade to a dedicated server—or upgrade your server hosting—Liquid Web can help. Our dedicated bare metal server hosting options have been leading the industry for decades, because they’re fast, secure, and completely reliable. Choose your favorite OS and the management tier that works best for you.
Click below to explore bare metal options or start a chat with one of our experts to learn more.
Additional resources
What is bare metal? →
A complete beginner’s guide to help you understand what it is, how it works, basic terminology, and much more
The benefits of using bare metal for ecommerce →
The benefits of using bare metal for ecommerce to help you get the most out of your online store.
Bare metal vs VMs →
Which performs better? Get a side-by-side comparison on eight key features.