Softwr

Software · head to head

IBM Cloud vs Hetzner Cloud

IBM Cloud logo

IBM Cloud

Software

Enterprise cloud solutions from a trusted partner

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Hetzner Cloud logo

Hetzner Cloud

Software

Affordable cloud servers in Europe

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: IBM Cloud the USD 200 starter cloud credit is valid for 30 days only; Hetzner Cloud cost-Optimized plans are shown as currently unavailable
  • They diverge on capability: IBM Cloud covers Virtual Servers, Hetzner Cloud covers Cloud servers.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which IBM Cloud and Hetzner Cloud actually diverge.

Attributes where IBM Cloud and Hetzner Cloud differ
AttributeIBM CloudHetzner Cloud
PlatformsLinux, Windows, Api, CliWeb, Api, Cli
Founded20131997

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (usage-based), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in IBM Cloud

  • Virtual Servers
  • Bare Metal
  • Cloud Foundry
  • Watson AI
  • Blockchain
  • Databases
  • API Gateway
  • Jenkins

Only in Hetzner Cloud

  • Cloud servers
  • Block storage
  • Object storage
  • Load balancers
  • Networks
  • Firewalls
  • Floating IPs
  • Backups

Both cover

  • Kubernetes
  • Terraform
  • Ansible
  • Docker
  • Kubernetes
  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

IBM Cloud

  • Running containerized and VM workloads on IBM's public cloudnot Hetzner Cloud
  • Building on Watson APIs and IBM middleware as managed servicesnot Hetzner Cloud

Hetzner Cloud

  • Low-cost virtual servers for development and testingnot IBM Cloud
  • European hosting with data held in Germany or Finlandnot IBM Cloud
  • Workloads with heavy egress, where included traffic mattersnot IBM Cloud
  • Self-hosting applications away from the hyperscalersnot IBM Cloud

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

IBM Cloud

  • The USD 200 starter cloud credit is valid for 30 days only
  • The larger promotional credits are time boxed: USD 1,000 for Bare Metal Servers for VPC over 120 days, USD 2,500 for Power Virtual Server over 90 days, and USD 5,000 for Backup and Recovery over 90 days
  • The USD 5,000 Backup and Recovery promotion is valid for new clients only and requires a checkout promo code
  • The listed promotions carry an expiry date of 31 December 2026
  • Beyond the free tier the account is pay as you go, so cost tracks usage with no published cap

Hetzner Cloud

  • Cost-Optimized plans are shown as currently unavailable
  • The shared-resource tiers are positioned for variable usage and development rather than sustained production workloads
  • Regions are limited to Germany, Finland, the United States and Singapore, so latency to other markets is a real constraint
  • The uptime guarantee is 99.9 percent, below what the large hyperscalers offer on comparable services
  • Support is 24/7 by email, without a phone channel

Pricing, plan by plan

IBM Cloud

Free
  • Lite PlanFree
    • Free services
    • Limited resources
    • 30-day trial
  • Standard PlanFree
    • Pay-as-you-go
    • Enterprise support
    • Advanced services

Hetzner Cloud

Free
  • CX11$3.29/month
    • 1 vCPU
    • 1GB RAM
    • 25GB SSD
  • CX21$6.59/month
    • 2 vCPU
    • 4GB RAM
    • 40GB SSD

Which should you pick?

Choose IBM Cloud if

  • You need virtual servers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Api, Cli.
  • You also want bare metal.
IBM Cloud review

Choose Hetzner Cloud if

  • You need cloud servers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api, Cli.
  • You also want block storage.
Hetzner Cloud review

Questions people ask

Is IBM Cloud or Hetzner Cloud better?
Neither clearly leads. IBM Cloud starts at Free and Hetzner Cloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, IBM Cloud or Hetzner Cloud?
IBM Cloud starts at Free and Hetzner Cloud at Free.
Does IBM Cloud or Hetzner Cloud run on more platforms?
IBM Cloud runs on Linux, Windows, Api, Cli. Hetzner Cloud runs on Web, Api, Cli.
Can I use IBM Cloud for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is IBM Cloud best used for?
IBM Cloud is most often used for running containerized and vm workloads on ibm's public cloud, building on watson apis and ibm middleware as managed services. Of those, running containerized and vm workloads on ibm's public cloud and building on watson apis and ibm middleware as managed services are not what Hetzner Cloud is typically brought in for.
What can IBM Cloud do that Hetzner Cloud cannot?
IBM Cloud covers Virtual Servers, Bare Metal, Cloud Foundry, Watson AI. Hetzner Cloud covers Cloud servers, Block storage, Object storage, Load balancers. Both handle Kubernetes, Terraform, Ansible, Docker.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on IBM Cloud

More on Hetzner Cloud

Keep looking

Other head to heads