Windows VPS: when you need it and how to choose one

When a Windows VPS makes sense

Most servers on the internet run Linux, and for websites, databases, Docker or automation tools like n8n, Linux is cheaper and lighter. A Windows VPS earns its place when the software itself only exists for Windows or is much easier to run there.

You connect to it with Remote Desktop (RDP) and get a normal Windows desktop in a window, which is why many people use it as an always-on remote PC.

• Trading terminals such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 that must stay online while your computer is off
• Older .NET Framework applications, IIS sites and MSSQL setups
• Desktop programs, bots and scrapers that have no Linux version
• A remote workstation you can reach from any device over RDP

How much RAM a Windows VPS needs

Windows Server uses far more memory than a minimal Linux install before you open a single app. Our rule of thumb is 4 GB RAM as the minimum for a usable Windows VPS; 2 GB technically boots, but the desktop and updates alone will leave you swapping.

Add memory for what you run on top: each trading terminal, browser or .NET app needs its own share. For a database or several busy apps, start at 8 GB. Disk matters too, since Windows updates and the page file take space quickly, so avoid the smallest disks.

The Windows licence: included or extra?

Windows Server is licensed software, and providers handle it differently. Some build the licence into the plan price, others add a monthly fee when you pick a Windows image, and some let you bring your own licence. Always check whether the Windows licence is included before comparing prices, because two plans with the same specs can end up costing very different amounts.

Not every provider offers Windows on every plan either. The table below shows plans from providers whose pages list Windows as an option; confirm the edition (for example Datacenter or Standard) at checkout.

Securing RDP from day one

An RDP port open to the internet is scanned by bots within minutes of the server going live. Password-guessing attacks against remote desktop are constant, so treat security as part of the setup, not a later task.

• Use a long, unique password for the Administrator account, or rename it and create a separate user
• Change the default RDP port, or better, allow RDP only through a VPN or from your own IP address in the firewall
• Turn on Windows Update and let it install security patches; reboot on a schedule you control
• Enable Network Level Authentication and an account lockout policy
• Keep a snapshot or backup so you can roll back a bad update

How to pick a provider

Look at three things beyond the monthly price: whether Windows is available on the plan you want, the data-centre location (close to you for desktop work, close to your broker for trading), and the renewal price after any promo. According to the providers’ own pages, Kamatera lets you build a custom configuration and offers a free 30-day trial, Vultr bills by the hour with a monthly cap, and IONOS has very cheap first months followed by a much higher regular price.

The table below shows current plans with Windows support, sorted so you can compare RAM for the money. If you are not sure what size you need, our server finder suggests a spec for your project.