How to Rent a Dedicated Server: Step-by-Step [2026]

The dedicated server global market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18.9% from 2025 to 2032, according to the Market Research report.

If your team has outgrown shared or virtual servers, consider renting a dedicated bare metal server. In this guide, we’ll explore how to rent a dedicated bare metal cloud machine without overpaying or misconfiguring it.

#What is a dedicated bare metal cloud server?

A dedicated bare-metal cloud server is a physical, single-tenant server provided by a server infrastructure provider, without virtualization. It combines the raw, dedicated performance of physical hardware with the flexibility and automation of the cloud.

Unlike shared or virtual servers, bare-metal server gives you full access to the underlying hardware. You have CPU, RAM, storage, and network without a hypervisor layer in between. This gives you predictable performance and complete control over configurations.

The primary benefits of a bare metal server include:

• High performance: There’s no resource sharing, making it ideal for heavy workloads, databases, and latency-sensitive applications.

• Complete control and customization: You can install any Operating System (OS), software, or security stack of your choice.

• Improved security: Its single-tenant design reduces exposure to noisy neighbors or hypervisor vulnerabilities.

• Scalability on demand: You get the power of dedicated hardware with cloud-style provisioning and billing.

#Before you rent: Define requirements

Before choosing a dedicated server provider, you need a clear picture of what your project actually needs, so you don’t overspend or pick the wrong setup.

1: Identify your workload and resource needs

Start by defining what you’ll run on the server. Different projects need different levels of power. Therefore, consider the following:

• CPU (processor): This is the “engine” of your server. If your project handles many users at once, such as an online store or a busy app, you’ll want more CPU cores. If it performs heavy calculations, such as analytics or rendering, you’ll want a faster CPU type.

• RAM (memory): Think of RAM as your server’s short-term workspace. More RAM helps your applications run smoothly, especially if you expect high traffic or run databases that hold information in memory.

• Storage: Choose NVMe for much faster performance, or traditional SSD/HDD if speed isn’t critical. NVMe simply refers to “high-speed storage chips” that help your apps load and respond quickly.

• Network needs: If your app delivers large files, streams content, or serves users globally, pay attention to bandwidth (how much data you can send and receive per month) and connection speed.

• Special hardware: If you’re doing AI, 3D rendering, or advanced graphics, you may need a GPU (a graphics processor). If not, a regular CPU will work just perfectly.

2: Pick the right location, uptime, and compliance

Where your server lives affects how fast it feels to your users. For example, if most customers are in Europe, choose a European data center to reduce delays.

Additionally, you should check:

• Uptime guarantees: A higher “SLA uptime” percentage means your server should stay online almost all the time.

• Compliance needs: Some businesses require specific certifications. However, if you don’t have strict rules to follow, a standard data center with strong security is enough.

3: Set a budget and understand billing

Dedicated server pricing varies according to hardware power, storage type, and network usage. To avoid surprises:

• Hourly billing is best for testing or short-term projects.

• Monthly or long-term plans are more cost-efficient for steady workloads.

Some extras, such as backup space, additional IPs, or managed support, may increase the total cost.

Choosing the right balance between performance and price ensures you rent a server that fits your goals without unnecessary overhead.

Further reading: Check our detailed guide on bare metal server cost here.

#How to rent a dedicated server: Step-by-step

After defining your requirements for a dedicated server, it’s time to proceed to the next step. Below is a simple sequence most providers use to rent a live and ready-to-use bare metal cloud server:

Step 1: Shortlist providers and server plans

Start by choosing a reliable hosting provider (see a list of providers here) or some recommended ones later in this article, then browse their dedicated (bare-metal) servers section. Look for the plan that matches your needs in terms of CPU power and types, RAM, storage, bandwidth, and location. This ensures you get enough resources for your workload without paying for more than you need.

Step 2: Compare configurations

Once you have a few candidate plans, compare them carefully. Think about what your project does and what you aim to achieve: Will it serve many users at once? Will you host large files or databases? More CPU cores and RAM improve multitasking and performance; fast SSD/NVMe storage speeds up database- or file-intensive tasks. Adequate bandwidth ensures smooth traffic.

Step 3: Decide on management level (managed vs unmanaged)

Some servers come “managed.” This means the provider does the setup, maintenance, updates, and basic security. This management level is helpful if you don’t want to spend time on those services. Other servers are “unmanaged,” meaning you get complete control but also full responsibility. If you or your team are comfortable with server administration, the unmanaged level gives flexibility. If not, the managed option will help avoid headaches.

Step 4: Place an order and configure the server

Through the provider’s portal, you’ll select your chosen configuration, including location, hardware, OS, IP settings, and more. Then, you can choose your operating system, such as a Linux distribution or Windows, and add your access credentials, like an SSH key. Once done, you can review the configuration and pay. After payment, the provider begins provisioning the machine, often delivering it within 15 minutes if the hardware is already in place.

Step 5: Initial access and post-provisioning setup

After provisioning, you receive your server’s IP address and credentials, including an SSH key for access. At this point, you can log in for the first time. It’s best practice to secure the server by disabling the default root login if possible, setting strong credentials or using SSH key-based authentication, and enabling a firewall.

Step 6: Install necessary software and configure services

With OS and security in place, you can now install the required software, such as web servers, databases, control panels (if you prefer a UI over the command line), backup tools, or any other special applications you need.

Next, configure networking (static IPs, DNS if you’re hosting domains), storage (partitioning, RAID if required), and final server settings. This final step makes your server ready for production, and your website or application can go live.

This 6-step path reflects how most hosting providers structure the process—from selecting a plan to launching a fully configured machine.

#Pricing and billing: How to avoid surprises

Renting a dedicated server doesn’t just mean paying a “base monthly fee.” Several additional factors can impact how much you actually pay. Understanding these factors can help you avoid hidden costs and pick a plan that fits your budget and your needs.

#What drives the base price?

First, the server's core hardware and configuration determine the base cost. A more powerful processor (CPU), more RAM, and faster storage (like SSD or NVMe) — all increase the price. If you’re running only small websites or light workloads, a modest configuration may just cbe enough. For heavy workloads, such as large databases, high traffic, or media streaming, you’ll want higher specs.

The second factor is the network connection. If your server plan offers higher port speed or increased bandwidth, that can cost more than a basic 1 Gbps plan.

Finally, the data center's physical location can influence pricing. Some regions are more expensive due to energy costs, infrastructure, or demand.

Your base rent may not include everything you need. Many providers charge more for add-ons, such as:

• Managed services or support.
• Software licenses.
• Backups, security, and optional protection.
• Bandwidth overages.

#How to avoid unpleasant surprises

The following measures can help you avoid unpleasant surprises regarding your overall server cost:

• Match server specs to actual needs: Don’t over-specify. If you know your traffic, storage, and workload requirements, choose the smallest configuration that handles them. This avoids paying premium prices for unused resources.
• Always read the fine print on add-ons: Not all plans include backups, support, or licensing. If your project needs, for example, a public website, a database, or compliance, factor in their costs early.
• Choose managed vs unmanaged wisely: Managed servers cost more. But if you lack sysadmin skills, they often pay off in saved time and fewer mistakes. If you have internal expertise, unmanaged can be more cost-effective.
• Watch for bandwidth and extra fees: Especially if you plan to stream live, host large files, or experience unpredictable traffic, know what’s included and what triggers additional charges.
• Consider location and data center differences: Hosting in certain regions may be more expensive. But if your users are near that region, performance may justify the cost. If not, pick a more cost-efficient location with reasonable latency trade-offs.

#Where to rent a dedicated servers: Providers to consider

After sampling providers based on the process outlined in this guide, we developed a list of the five best bare-metal cloud server providers. Each provider’s profile includes deployment, billing, standout features, and “best for” sections.

#Cherry Servers

Deployment: Cherry Servers offers highly custom dedicated bare metal servers. Prebuilt configurations and are often available and deployable within 15-30 minutes. Custom builds are typically ready in 2 hours, with some configurations taking 24-72 hours.

Billing: Cherry Servers offers both hourly billing (for testing or short-term use) and fixed-term monthly/annual plans, with crypto payments. They provide a 15-day refund window (money-back guarantee) and also offer test servers.

Standout features: One of the few providers they offer the latest, gen-5 AMD EPYC and Ryzen CPUs. The provider has a wide selection of CPU, RAM, and storage options. They have global data locations and API support for automation. Cherry Servers also offers cryptocurrency payments and flexible hourly billing. Free 100TB of egress and unlimited ingress traffic that is pooled across servers, any extra data is from just €0.50 per TB.

Best for: This provider is best for teams and individuals who want quick bare-metal provisioning, flexible billing, and the ability to scale or test without a long-term commitment.

#OVHcloud

Deployment: OVHcloud typically deploys dedicated servers quickly, with many SKUs available for immediate provisioning across its global data centers.

Billing: They offer subscription-based plans with monthly or longer terms. Their pricing varies by server type, hardware specs, and data center location.

Standout features: OVHcloud’s prominent features include global data center presence, built-in network protections, and high bandwidth. These features make it suitable for high traffic or security-sensitive workloads. It also offers a wide range of configurations, from entry-level to high-end.

Best for: OVHcloud is excellent for users who need better global reach, strong network resources, and reliable infrastructure for web hosting, game servers, and data-intensive applications.

#Servers.com

Deployment: Servers.com offers fast provisioning, with many dedicated server orders completed within 30-60 minutes, depending on hardware and data center availability.

Billing: The provider offers flexible monthly plans with different server sizes. Optional extras such as backups, additional IPs, or managed services are added based on the user’s needs.

Standout features: This provider offers robust hardware (often enterprise-grade), a wide range of server configurations, and customer support.

Best for: Businesses and teams that need stable, bare-metal servers with customizable configurations and optional add-ons. It’s a reliable choice for database and application servers, or for medium-to-large traffic workloads that require reliability and flexible configuration.

#Heztner

Deployment: Heztner provides dedicated servers that are provisioned within a short time of ordering. It’s often under an hour for standard SKUs.

Billing: The provider offers monthly subscriptions with transparent pricing and optional add-on services, including backups, additional IPs, and storage upgrades. This allows you to pay only for what you need.

Standout features: They offer competitive pricing for European data centers, a straightforward server management portal, and scalable storage options. This makes it a budget-friendly bare-metal choice.

Best for: Hetzner is ideal for individuals or small businesses seeking cost-effective bare-metal hosting with reliable service and transparent billing. It suits users in or serving Europe, Asia, and North America.

#Liquid Web

Deployment: Liquid Web offers fast dedicated server provisioning within 40 minutes after ordering. They offer different deployment options.

Billing: The provider offers monthly pricing plans, with higher-end servers and managed hosting options that can raise costs. However, the plan includes support, monitoring, and maintenance.

Standout features: The provider offers strong managed hosting, ideal for users who prefer their hosting provider to handle maintenance, security updates, backups, and managed services. Liquid Web is good in terms of documentation and support, too.

Best for: This provider serves small to medium-sized businesses, agencies, or teams that want bare-metal performance but don’t have in-house sysadmin expertise. It works best for those who want “dedicated server power + managed hosting convenience.”

Even though these providers differ in scale, pricing, and support levels, they reflect the current state of the dedicated server market. They offer a mix of speed, transparency, and increasingly flexible billing. By comparing deployment options, contract terms, and feature sets, you can more easily decide which provider aligns with your workload and comfort level.

#Closing remarks

As you move from searching for a dedicated server to actually renting one, remember the process isn’t just about raw hardware. It also involves choosing an environment where your project can actually grow without friction. With the right provider and a clear understanding of requirements, you gain a stable, private foundation for whatever you’re building. This guide is your map, so you can simply choose which road to follow.