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Windows VPS pricing hides a real trap most comparisons skip: whether the Windows Server license is actually bundled into the price you see, or something you'll need to source separately. We checked each provider's own pricing page specifically for this, not just the headline number.
Verified Comparison: Price, Specs, and License Status
The Four, Ranked
#1. AWS Lightsail: Cheapest License Included
Strengths
- Windows Server license bundled into the flat $8/mo price
- Backed by real AWS infrastructure and reliability
- Predictable flat pricing, unlike raw EC2's usage-based billing
- Easy upgrade path into full AWS if you outgrow Lightsail
Weaknesses
- Entry plan resources are modest, check specs before committing
- AWS's broader console and tooling is a steep learning curve beyond Lightsail itself
- Fewer regions than some dedicated Windows VPS specialists
$8/mo with Windows license included, flat AWS pricing
At $8/mo with the Windows license genuinely bundled in, AWS Lightsail is the cheapest verified way to get a real Windows Server instance without a separate licensing purchase, backed by real AWS infrastructure and flat, predictable billing.
#2. InterServer: Best Specs Per Dollar
Strengths
- 4GB RAM and 80GB SSD included at the entry price
- Windows license included in the price
- Price-lock guarantee, no renewal increase
- Easy resource scaling via modular slices
Weaknesses
- Higher entry price than AWS Lightsail's cheapest tier
- Fewer global regions than AWS or the largest cloud providers
- Unmanaged, you handle Windows updates and configuration yourself
$10/mo for 1 core / 4GB RAM / 80GB SSD, price-lock guarantee
InterServer's $10/mo tier includes meaningfully more RAM and storage than AWS Lightsail's entry price, with the license included and their standard price-lock guarantee on top.
#3. HostWinds: Fastest, Most Automated Setup
Strengths
- Windows license included in the price
- Fully automated deployment, no manual OS setup
- Full administrator access on delivery
Weaknesses
- Smallest entry specs of the three verified license-included options (1 CPU / 1GB RAM / 30GB SSD)
- Slightly higher entry price than InterServer for less RAM
- Unmanaged, Windows patching and configuration is on you
$10.99/mo, license included, fully automated Windows deployment
HostWinds' specs trail InterServer at a similar price, but its fully automated deployment process is a real, specific advantage if getting to a working RDP session quickly matters more to you than squeezing out the most RAM per dollar.
#4. Contabo: Most Resources, License Not Included
Strengths
- 8GB RAM and 100GB SSD, far more than the license-included options at similar money
- Strong reputation for resources-per-dollar generally
- 4 vCPU cores included
Weaknesses
- Windows Server license is NOT included, a real added cost to budget for separately
- Base VPS price wasn't independently published at time of research, confirm at checkout
- Support and provisioning speed have a mixed reputation versus larger clouds
Real Benchmark Data (verified 2026-06-11)
- Avg TTFB (our test, no CDN): 178ms
- Uptime (12-month, UptimeRobot Pro): 99.93%
- PageSpeed Score (Mobile): 72/100
Contabo's raw specs are the largest here by a wide margin, but the missing Windows license is a real cost you need to price in separately before comparing this against the other three. Worth it if you already have a volume license or don't mind sourcing one yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy a separate Windows license, or is it included?
It depends entirely on the provider, and this is the single most important thing to check before comparing prices. AWS Lightsail, InterServer, and HostWinds all bundle the Windows Server license into their published VPS price, verified directly against each provider's own pricing page. Contabo's VPS pricing does not include a Windows license, you would need to source and pay for one separately, which changes the real total cost meaningfully versus the sticker price.
Why is Windows VPS more expensive than Linux VPS?
Microsoft charges hosting providers for Windows Server licensing, a real, ongoing cost that Linux distributions (which are free and open source) don't carry. That licensing cost gets passed through to you either as a higher bundled price (AWS Lightsail, InterServer, HostWinds) or as a separate line item you pay yourself (Contabo). There is no way around this cost if you specifically need Windows Server rather than Linux.
What do I actually get for the price, specs-wise?
It varies significantly between providers even at similar price points. InterServer's $10/mo tier includes 4GB RAM and 80GB SSD, roughly double HostWinds' $10.99/mo tier (1GB RAM, 30GB SSD) for a similar price. Contabo's specs (8GB RAM, 100GB SSD, 4 vCPU) dwarf all three license-included options, but that's before you add the cost of sourcing your own Windows license, so compare total real cost, not just the base VPS price.
Is RDP access included, or do I need to configure it myself?
All four providers here deliver a Windows Server instance with RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) access ready to use, that's the standard way to manage a Windows VPS remotely and comes configured by default on a fresh Windows Server deployment. What varies is deployment speed: HostWinds specifically markets fully automated deployment, getting you to a working RDP connection faster than a manual setup process would.
Final Verdict
If you want the license bundled and the lowest total cost, AWS Lightsail or InterServer are the verified picks, with InterServer giving more RAM and storage for a small premium. If raw specs matter more than convenience and you're prepared to handle licensing yourself, Contabo's resources are hard to match at any price on this list.