Cheapest VPS for Immich in 2026 (Under $6/mo)
As 2026 approaches, developers seeking a reliable and budget-friendly VPS for hosting Immich will find that options are plentiful. Immich is a self-hosted photo and video backup solution designed for easy media management. To ensure smooth operation without breaking the bank, we’ve selected several VPS providers with competitive pricing and performance characteristics.
VPS Comparison for Immich Hosting
To help you choose the best VPS for hosting Immich, we’ve compiled a comparison of the best options under $6/month.
| Provider | Price | Storage | RAM | Best For | Pros |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contabo VPS | 5.99 EUR/mo | 200 GB | 4 GB | Media Servers, Backups | Best price-per-GB, generous storage for media |
| Hetzner Cloud | 4.15 EUR/mo | 20 GB | 2 GB | Dify, n8n, Gitea | Excellent price-to-performance ratio |
| DigitalOcean | 6 USD/mo | 25 GB SSD | 1 GB | WordPress, Ghost, Mastodon | Best documentation, easy 1-Click marketplace |
| Vultr | 6 USD/mo | 25 GB SSD | 1 GB | General purpose | Flexible server configurations |
| Linode (Akamai) | 5 USD/mo | 25 GB SSD | 1 GB | General purpose | Reliable uptime with good performance |
1. Contabo VPS
Price: 5.99 EUR/mo
Contabo remains an excellent option for hosting Immich, especially for users focused on storage availability. With a generous 200 GB of storage and 4 GB of RAM, it offers the capacity needed for large media libraries. This makes it particularly appealing to homelabbers who require robust storage solutions for media servers. The competitive price, combined with high storage capacity, positions Contabo as a leading choice.
2. Hetzner Cloud
Price: 4.15 EUR/mo
For developers seeking solid performance at an unbeatable price, Hetzner Cloud is a top contender. It provides 20 GB of storage and 2 GB of RAM, which is sufficient for lightweight applications like Immich. The service is praised for its API and Terraform support, making it easy to automate deployments and manage resources efficiently. If you’re looking for the best balance between cost and performance, Hetzner is a strong candidate.
3. DigitalOcean
Price: 6 USD/mo
DigitalOcean is a well-known cloud provider that specializes in developer-friendly solutions. Their 1-Click marketplace allows quick deployment of applications like Immich, saving developers hours of setup time. While it might be slightly on the pricier side compared to other options, its extensive documentation and community forum support can significantly ease the learning curve for new users.
Understanding Your Needs
When choosing a VPS for hosting Immich, it’s essential to weigh your needs against the capabilities of each provider. Consider the following factors:
- Storage Requirements: Immich can handle large volumes of media. Providers like Contabo shine in this area with high storage limits at low costs.
- RAM Limitations: Depending on how extensive your usage of Immich will be, ensure that the VPS offers adequate RAM to handle simultaneous media uploads or transcoding tasks.
- Performance Needs: Factors like server location, network speed, and uptime records are significant for ensuring seamless media access.
FAQs
1. How much storage do I need for Immich?
The required storage for Immich largely depends on how many photos and videos you plan to back up. For personal use, 100 GB is often more than sufficient for a vast library. If you plan to store and manage high-resolution media or share content across multiple devices, consider options like Contabo VPS that offer 200 GB of storage at an attractive price point, ensuring you won’t have to worry about capacity in the near future.
2. How do I choose between different VPS providers?
To choose the right VPS provider for Immich, assess core factors including pricing, storage capacity, RAM, ease of setup, and performance features. For example, if you prioritize storage, Contabo would be an excellent selection. Conversely, if developer-friendly features are essential, such as quick deployment and comprehensive documentation, consider DigitalOcean. It’s crucial to match your use case with the specific strengths of each VPS provider.
3. Can I scale my VPS as my storage needs grow?
Yes, most VPS providers allow you to scale up your resources as your needs increase. For example, while starting with a basic plan, you can often upgrade storage, RAM, and CPU cores with just a few clicks in your provider’s management dashboard. This flexibility is key for projects like Immich, where you might start small but expect lots of growth as you upload more media.
For a full VPS comparison, check out our comprehensive guide here.
In conclusion, when searching for the cheapest VPS for hosting Immich in 2026, you have options in the budget category that won’t compromise on essential features. Evaluate your requirements carefully, and you’ll find the perfect match to support your self-hosted media management needs.