IONOS VPS Review (2025): The $2/mo Cloud Server That SHOCKED Us... Is It Legit?
IONOS (formerly 1&1) is a European hosting giant famous for its incredibly low prices. But can a VPS that costs less than a cup of coffee actually deliver real performance? We put it to the test.
Overall Rating
IONOS VPS: The Unfiltered Pros & Cons
The Shocking Advantages
- Unbelievably Low Price: The cheapest entry point for a real cloud VPS with root access.
- Full NVMe Storage: All plans use ultra-fast NVMe SSDs for incredible speed.
- True Cloud Scalability: Easily scale CPU, RAM, and storage up or down instantly.
- Global Datacenters: Excellent server locations in the US, UK, Germany, and Spain.
- Full Root Access: Complete control for developers and system administrators.
The Hidden Catches
- Complex Control Panel: Their custom cloud panel is powerful but not beginner-friendly.
- Unmanaged is TRULY Unmanaged: You are responsible for all software, security, and updates.
- Support Costs Extra: Basic support is limited; advanced support requires a paid plan.
- No cPanel Included: You must purchase and install your own control panel if needed.
Performance Test: What Does $2 Actually Buy?
We tested their smallest VPS plan. The results were legitimately shocking. Thanks to the full NVMe storage and AMD EPYC CPUs, the raw performance is incredible for the price. It benchmarks alongside unmanaged cloud providers that cost 3-4 times as much. For a developer who can optimize their own server, this is a performance powerhouse on a tiny budget.
Dashboard & Control Panel
IONOS uses a powerful, custom-built Cloud Control Panel. It's designed for technical users and provides granular control over networking, firewalls, storage, and server snapshots. It is not a beginner-friendly interface like cPanel. This is an unmanaged service, so you will need to use the command line (SSH) for all software installation and management.
Cloud VPS Pricing
| Plan | vCores | RAM | NVMe Storage | Price/Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPS S (Unbeatable Deal) | 1 Core | 1 GB | 20 GB | $2.00 |
| VPS M | 2 Cores | 2 GB | 80 GB | $7.00 |
| VPS L | 2 Cores | 4 GB | 120 GB | $15.00 |
| VPS XL | 4 Cores | 8 GB | 160 GB | $30.00 |
IONOS vs. The Competition
| Feature | IONOS | Vultr | Hostinger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $2.00 | $2.50 | ~$4.49 |
| Management Level | Unmanaged | Unmanaged | Semi-Managed |
| Control Panel | Custom Cloud Panel | Custom Cloud Panel | hPanel |
| Storage Tech | NVMe | NVMe | NVMe |
| Target Audience | Developers / Budget | Developers | Beginners / Budget |
Final Verdict: Is The $2 IONOS VPS Legit?
Absolutely. Choose IONOS if...
You are a developer, student, or hobbyist with command-line skills who wants the absolute best performance for the lowest possible price. If you don't need hand-holding support and can manage your own server, IONOS offers a shockingly powerful and fast NVMe cloud platform that is, without a doubt, the best value in unmanaged hosting today.
