Table of contents
ReliabilitySecurity and complianceSupportScalability and flexibilityPricingUse cases and customer fitFinal verdictNext stepsAdditional resources
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Dedicated Server → vs Rackspace

Rackspace vs Liquid Web for Dedicated Server Hosting (2025)

Both Rackspace and Liquid Web are serious players in the dedicated hosting space. But they serve very different types of customers, so your best choice depends on your size, goals, and budget.

Here’s a quick head-to-head:

FeatureRackspaceLiquid Web
Best forLarge enterprises, global-scale ITSMBs, devs, growing ecommerce or SaaS brands, large enterprises
Uptime Guarantee100% SLA + credits100% SLA (power + network), real-world 99.99%+
Security CertificationsPCI Level 1, HITRUST, ISO 27001, SOC 1/2/3SOC 1/2/3, EU-US and Swiss-US Privacy Shield Frameworks, HIPAA-audited, PCI, GDPR
Support ModelFully managed only, tiered pricingUnmanaged and fully managed models available
Global Reach6+ regions incl. HK, AU, EU, USUS, London, Amsterdam, Sydney
ScalabilityHybrid cloud, private cloud, public cloudDedicated, VPS, private cloud, clusters
Typical CostCustom-quoted, starts ~$500/moStarts ~$169/mo, custom quotes available, transparent pricing
Portal UXAdvanced, good for sysadminsClean, dev-friendly dashboard + 3 control panel options

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Reliability: both are excellent, but one has a scar

Both providers offer enterprise-grade uptime. Rackspace markets a 100% network SLA and resilient global infrastructure. Liquid Web also backs a 100% power/network SLA and posted 99.99% uptime in 2021.

Bottom line: Either can power mission-critical apps.

Security and compliance: Rackspace is deeper, Liquid Web is friendlier

Rackspace leans enterprise with certifications like PCI DSS Level 1, HITRUST, and ISO 27001—ideal for highly regulated sectors. They sign BAAs and offer deep compliance consulting.

Liquid Web also checks HIPAA, PCI, and SOC 2/3 boxes, but in a more turnkey way. Pre-packaged HIPAA hosting, clear pricing, and SMB-focused features make compliance more accessible.

Bottom line: Rackspace is the heavyweight for complex compliance. Liquid Web is more budget-conscious and easier to navigate if you don’t need custom governance architecture.

Support: both are strong, but Rackspace is enterprise-only

Rackspace is famous for “Fanatical Support,” and it’s warranted—deep expertise, proactive help, and 24/7 availability. But every Rackspace server must be fully managed, and support tiers (like Managed Ops) can add $500+ per month.

Liquid Web includes 24/7/365 support in the base price and lets you choose between fully managed, core-managed, or unmanaged. Their agents are fast, friendly, and often go beyond scope: many customers report migrations or custom help with no extra fees.

Bottom line: Rackspace is ideal if you need white-glove, enterprise-grade managed services. Liquid Web offers excellent support for less, and gives devs the freedom to go unmanaged if needed.

Scalability and flexibility: Rackspace goes bigger, Liquid Web grows smarter

Rackspace can architect complex, multi-cloud solutions—mixing bare-metal, AWS, Azure, and more. Global data centers across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia support multinational needs.

Liquid Web covers most scaling needs for SMBs and SaaS—including dedicated servers, cloud VPS, clusters, and private clouds. Their footprint has grown to include London, Amsterdam, and Sydney, and they can spin up new servers fast.

Bottom line: If you’re building a massive, hybrid environment with strict SLAs in multiple regions, Rackspace has the edge. For high-growth businesses that need dependable scale without the enterprise bloat, Liquid Web hits the sweet spot.

Pricing: Liquid Web is far more transparent (and affordable)

Rackspace pricing is custom and premium—often more than double the cost of similar resources at Liquid Web once support tiers are factored in. You’ll pay extra for backups, firewalls, and even basic managed services.

Liquid Web publishes pricing, bundles in managed support, and doesn’t charge for access to support. Plans start at ~$169/month with promotions often available.

Bottom line: Liquid Web offers better value for most SMBs and developers. Rackspace may make sense if you’re replacing internal IT teams and need deep architectural help, but expect to pay for it.

Use cases and customer fit

Rackspace is built for:

  • Global enterprises with complex needs
  • Companies requiring hybrid or multi-cloud
  • Highly regulated industries with formal security mandates
  • Clients that want a provider to handle everything

Liquid Web is built for:

  • SaaS startups, dev teams, and fast-growing brands
  • Ecommerce stores (especially WordPress/WooCommerce)
  • Agencies managing multiple clients
  • Businesses outgrowing shared or VPS hosting

Global consideration:

Rackspace has a wider footprint and more multilingual/global support. But Liquid Web now supports Europe and Oceania and remains a strong option unless you need niche regional availability (e.g., South America or China).

Final verdict: which one should you choose?

If you’re a global enterprise with mission-critical complexity, strict compliance, and a preference for high-touch support, Rackspace offers deep capabilities, but at a high cost.

If you’re a small-to-mid-sized business, developer, or brand looking for enterprise-grade reliability, great support, and transparent pricing, Liquid Web is the smart choice. It’s flexible, fast, and more budget-friendly—without skimping on performance or security.

Additional resources

What is a dedicated server? →

Benefits, use cases, and how to get started

How much RAM should I have for a dedicated server?→

Find out how much RAM your dedicated server needs based on workload, performance goals, and application requirements

Fully managed dedicated hosting →

What it means and what fully managed services cover on dedicated hosting

Chris LaNasa is Sr. Director of Product Marketing at Liquid Web. He has worked in hosting since 2020, applying his award-winning storytelling skills to helping people find the server solutions they need. When he’s not digging a narrative out of a dataset, Chris enjoys photography and hiking the beauty of Utah, where he lives with his wife.

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