Best VPS for Immich (2026): Tested & Ranked

Immich is a modern self-hosted photo and video storage solution that has gained popularity among homelab enthusiasts and developers alike. Choosing the best VPS for running Immich requires evaluating key features such as performance, pricing, and ease of use. In this article, we’ll compare some of the top VPS providers to help you make an informed decision on your Immich self-hosting venture.

VPS Comparison Table

1. Contabo VPS: Affordable High-Storage Solution

Contabo VPS is an excellent choice for homelabbers who require high storage at an affordable price. Priced at 5.99 EUR/month, it offers generous disk space, which is ideal for media servers hosting services such as Immich.

Pros:

• Best price-per-GB available on the market.
• Generous storage capacity, making it perfect for storing large photo and video libraries.
• Allows multiple installations and apps without concerns about running out of space.

Contabo is particularly well-suited for users looking to create a personal cloud or media server. The immense storage capabilities mean you can keep all your photos and videos organized without compromising quality.

2. Hetzner Cloud: EU Option With Strong Automation

Hetzner Cloud has a loyal developer following in Europe thanks to its API and Terraform provider, which make deployments easy to script. Factor in its June 2026 price increase, though — the entry CX22 now costs 5.49 EUR/month excl. VAT, up 37.6% — so it no longer wins on price alone.

Pros:

• Excellent price-to-performance ratio for developers.
• The reliable infrastructure ensures minimum downtime and optimal performance.
• Great for teams needing collaborative features and media handling.

Hetzner’s infrastructure performs well for the quick data retrieval and file management Immich requires, and the API appeals to advanced users. For most Immich setups, though, DigitalOcean or Contabo now offer the better overall package — DigitalOcean for its guided setup and documentation, Contabo for raw storage per euro.

3. DigitalOcean: Developer-Friendly Environment

DigitalOcean offers a user-friendly cloud environment at 6 USD/month, featuring a 1-click app marketplace that can save developers a lot of setup time.

Pros:

• Best documentation in the industry, making it beginner-friendly.
• 1-Click installations simplify deploying Immich.
• Great community support and numerous tutorials available.

For those who prioritize ease of use and learning resources, DigitalOcean is a top contender. Its extensive documentation helps users navigate technical challenges while self-hosting Immich with confidence.

How Much VPS Does Immich Actually Need?

Immich’s own documentation recommends a minimum of 2 vCPU cores and 4 GB RAM, and that minimum is real: the standard Docker Compose stack runs four containers (server, machine-learning, PostgreSQL with vector extension, and Redis/Valkey), and the machine-learning container alone can consume 2–3 GB RAM while running smart search and face recognition models. On a 4 GB VPS the stack fits, but expect swapping during the initial library import; 6 GB is where it stops feeling tight.

Practical sizing as of July 2026:

• 2 GB RAM: Only workable if you disable the ML container (IMMICH_MACHINE_LEARNING_ENABLED=false). You lose smart search and face recognition but keep uploads, albums, and sharing.
• 4 GB RAM (e.g. Contabo’s entry VPS or DigitalOcean’s 4 GB droplet): Full stack runs; schedule your first big import overnight since thumbnail generation will peg both CPU cores for hours on a 50,000-photo library.
• 8 GB RAM: Comfortable for multi-user libraries and concurrent ML jobs.

Two more things VPS shoppers miss: budget roughly 10–15% storage overhead on top of your originals for generated thumbnails and previews, and don’t count on hardware video transcoding — typical VPS instances expose no GPU or Intel Quick Sync, so HEVC-to-web transcodes run on CPU.

FAQs

How much storage do I need for Immich on a VPS?

The storage needs for Immich depend on the number of photos and videos you intend to store, as well as their sizes. Generally, a VPS with at least 100 GB of storage is recommended for basic use. For extensive libraries, consider a high-storage option like Contabo VPS, which offers generous capacity at an affordable price. Always calculate based on your content volume and potential growth when selecting a VPS.

What is the best VPS for beginners to host Immich?

For beginners, DigitalOcean is a highly recommended option due to its user-friendly interface and extensive documentation. The 1-click app marketplace can significantly streamline the setup process, ensuring even those without a tech background can get their Immich instance up and running quickly. The supportive community and numerous tutorials further enhance the experience for new users.

Can I use more than one VPS provider for Immich?

Yes, you can utilize multiple VPS providers for different functionalities within your Immich setup. For instance, you can use one provider for file storage and another for running services like databases or APIs. However, managing multiple providers can increase complexity, so it’s essential to consider your technical expertise and the administrative overhead involved in managing them. Tools like Terraform can simplify deployments across multiple platforms.

Ready to deploy? We have step-by-step setup guides for self-hosting Immich on Hetzner and self-hosting Immich on Contabo. For a complete VPS comparison and more insights into hosting solutions, visit our full VPS comparison.

Selecting the best VPS for your Immich setup hinges on your unique needs, budget, and ability to manage the infrastructure. Evaluate your options based on the factors outlined to ensure optimal performance and user experience while self-hosting Immich.