KVM VPS Hosting
Every ClientVPS server is a KVM virtual machine. It has its own kernel, memory and disk, and runs your operating system as a physical server would. That is why Docker, VPNs, custom firewalls and Windows all work on it.
KVM VPS Hosting at a glance
- Virtualization
- KVM, full hardware virtualization
- Kernel
- Your own, part of the system you install
- Operating systems
- Linux distributions and, on Windows-ready plans, Windows Server
- Console
- Web console in the client area
- Network port
- 1 Gbps on every plan
- Locations
- 13 countries in Europe, North America and Asia
What KVM virtualization means for your server
KVM is the virtualization built into the Linux kernel. Each virtual machine gets virtual hardware of its own (processor, memory, disk and network card) and boots its own operating system, like a physical computer.
A container VPS (OpenVZ or LXC) shares one kernel between all the customers on a host. That keeps it cheap but limits what you can run: no kernel of your own, often no Docker or WireGuard, and no Windows. A KVM VPS has none of these limits.
The memory and disk space in your plan belong to your server. Processor cores are shared fairly on standard plans and reserved for you on dedicated-vCPU plans.
KVM VPS plans, from small to large
One plan of each size, at live prices. Every plan on the order page is KVM.
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KVM VPS compared with a container VPS
What full virtualization changes in practice.
| KVM VPS | Container VPS (OpenVZ, LXC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Kernel | Your own, any version | Shared with the host |
| Docker and Kubernetes | Work normally | Often limited or unavailable |
| VPN (WireGuard, OpenVPN) | Fully supported | Only if the host allows it |
| Windows | On Windows-ready plans | Not possible |
| Isolation | A separate virtual machine | Processes on a shared system |
What you can do on a KVM VPS
Run Docker and containers
Docker, Podman and Kubernetes run as on any Linux server, with no special host settings.
Build your own network
WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec and routing software work out of the box.
Set your own firewall
Write nftables or iptables rules for your server's own network card.
Use the web console
See the server's screen in your browser, even when SSH or the network is down.
Choose the system
Install a Linux distribution, or Windows Server on Windows-ready plans, and reinstall whenever you like.
Who needs a KVM VPS
Container hosts
Docker Compose stacks, small Kubernetes clusters and CI runners.
VPN gateways
A private network for a team or for your other servers.
Windows servers
Remote Desktop and Windows software on Windows-ready plans.
Software that needs the kernel
Security tools, network software and anything that loads its own kernel modules.
When you need more than a KVM VPS
You need a whole physical machine
For all of a server's hardware, or very large disks and memory, choose a dedicated server.
See Enterprise Bare Metal Dedicated ServersConstant heavy processor load
If your server works at full CPU all day, reserved cores keep its speed steady.
See High-Load VPS with Dedicated vCPUKVM VPS FAQ
Is every ClientVPS plan a KVM VPS?
Yes. Every VPS we sell is a KVM virtual machine; there are no container plans.
Can I run Docker on it?
Yes. Docker, Docker Compose and Kubernetes run normally, because the VPS has its own kernel.
Can I run Windows?
Yes, on Windows-ready plans: choose Windows Server when you order. Other plans run Linux.
What is the web console?
A screen and keyboard for your server in the browser, opened from your client area. It works even when the network or SSH is not.
Is a KVM VPS slower than a physical server?
Hardware-assisted virtualization adds little overhead for most work. For constant heavy processor load, dedicated vCPUs make more difference than the type of virtualization.
Deploy your KVM VPS
Pick a plan, choose the system and the location, and pay with crypto or your account balance.