STRATO
5.3/10Berlin-based web host selling shared hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS and dedicated servers from German data centers, mainly to small businesses and individuals.
Data last updated November 2026 · Our methodology
Overview
STRATO is a German hosting provider. It was founded in Berlin in 1997 and now belongs to IONOS Group, which is part of United Internet. Its catalogue covers shared web hosting, WordPress hosting with automatic updates, KVM-based Linux and Windows VPS on NVMe storage, and Intel dedicated servers with a free Plesk key. It also sells refurbished Limited Hardware servers and prebuilt images such as n8n. STRATO mainly serves German-speaking small businesses, freelancers and hobbyists who want cheap hosting in German data centers. Many plans include a domain, SSL certificates and email. Prices on strato.de include VAT and are shown per month. Monthly terms cancel monthly and add a one-time setup fee of 9 or 10 euros. Twelve-month terms waive the setup fee and discount the first months, then renew at the standard rate. Web hosting runs from 6 to 24 euros a month on monthly billing. Linux VPS runs from 4 euros a month for 1 vCore and 2 GB RAM up to 56 euros for 12 vCores and 24 GB RAM. Shared plans include Git, WP-CLI, database backups, two-factor login, DDoS protection and SiteLock scanning. VPS plans include an upstream firewall, a rescue system and root access, but STRATO does not back them up for you. The main limitations are the shallow product range and the experience outside Germany. STRATO has no managed Kubernetes, object storage, serverless functions or public infrastructure API. Its control panel is proprietary and looks dated. Features and phone support vary by country, and reviews describe uneven support and renewal price jumps.
Our Rating
Who STRATO is best for
Good fit
Low-cost hosting bundles that include domains, email and SSL are aimed squarely at small businesses.
Cheap entry plans and simple website setup suit individual site owners.
Less suited
Root-access VPS and Git are available, but there is no public infrastructure API or modern cloud services.
There is no standard uptime SLA, the product range is limited, and SLAs on dedicated servers are paid options.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Entry prices are very low: Linux VPS starts at 4 euros a month on monthly billing, and the first months of a 12-month term are discounted.
- Data centers are in Germany, which suits EU customers with data residency concerns.
- Shared plans include Git, WP-CLI, two-factor login, DDoS protection and SiteLock scanning.
- Monthly terms can be cancelled each month.
Cons
- There is no general uptime guarantee. WebsitePlanet notes the 99 percent figure is only a claim.
- VPS plans exclude backups, so customers must set up their own.
- Prices rise after the promotional period, and monthly terms add setup fees.
- Features and phone support vary by country, and German users get the best service.
Key Features
STRATO Pricing
Linux VPS S
or €42/year (save 13%)
- Unlimited traffic
- 1 vCore, 2 GB RAM, 60 GB NVMe
- 9 euro setup fee on monthly term
- 12-month term: 2 euros a month for 3 months, then 4 euros
Hosting Starter
or €60/year (save 17%)
- 1 mailbox
- 2 databases
- 50 GB webspace
- 1 domain and 1 SSL certificate
- 10 euro setup fee on monthly term
- 12-month term: 5 euros a month after a free first month
WordPress Basic
or €55/year (save 24%)
- 1 mailbox
- 25 GB webspace
- AI website generator
- Automatic WordPress updates
Hosting Basic
or €12/year (save 90%)
- 25 databases
- 100 GB webspace
- Python and Ruby
- 3 domains and 3 SSL certificates
- 12-month term: 1 euro a month for the first 12 months, then 9 euros
Hosting Plus
or €132/year (save 21%)
- 50 databases
- 150 GB webspace
- 5 domains and 5 SSL certificates
- 12-month term: 12 euros a month after a free first month
Linux VPS L
or €195/year (save 19%)
- Marked as best seller
- 4 vCores, 8 GB RAM, 240 GB NVMe
- 12-month term: 5 euros a month for 3 months, then 20 euros
WordPress E-Commerce
or €220/year (save 17%)
- 10 mailboxes
- 100 GB webspace
- WooCommerce package
Hosting Pro
or €242/year (save 16%)
- 75 databases
- 200 GB webspace
- SiteLock Repair
- 10 domains and 10 SSL certificates
- 12-month term: 22 euros a month after a free first month
Dedicated Server
- Free Plesk license key
- Optional SLA, backup and monitoring
- Intel Raptor Lake CPUs, ECC RAM, NVMe
Frequently Asked Questions
No. STRATO's VPS page says backups are not included and suggests customers set up their own, for example with a cronjob to external storage.
Monthly terms can be cancelled monthly but carry a setup fee of 9 to 10 euros. Twelve-month terms waive the fee and discount the first months.
Yes. Hosting plans include 1 to 10 SSL certificates depending on the tier, and each VPS includes one.
Shared hosting and VPS have no guaranteed SLA. Dedicated servers offer optional SLA tiers.
United Internet bought STRATO from Deutsche Telekom in 2016, and it now sits within IONOS Group.
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