Best VPS for Claude Code and Claude-powered apps in 2026
Our in-house experts conduct independent, hands-on testing and transparent reviews of VPS hosting providers by using real server environments, and industry-recognized benchmarking methods to ensure impartial and evidence-based assessments
Using the same criteria for all VPS services, we share our detailed methodologies and testing practices to help customers compare performance, reliability, scalability, and overall value before choosing a virtual private server.
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Claude Code has become a very popular way for beginners and advanced developers to build their web apps. However, using the desktop version has its limitations – it requires your computer to be on, making noise, drawing a lot of power, and limiting your ability to multitask. Otherwise, you risk stopping your code refactors and breaking your apps.
A virtual private server (VPS) is a great solution to avoid dealing with an always-on home computer. In addition, a VPS lets you deploy and test your apps, making it an excellent choice for both Claude Code development and app publishing.
To help you find the best VPS for Claude Code, I found 7 providers that let you run Claude on a VPS, have pipelines for creating Claude-powered apps, and additional features like MCP servers, which can help you create automations with Claude Code.
7 best VPS providers for Claude projects
- Hostinger – best Claude Code VPS for beginners
- Bluehost – affordable and beginner-friendly Claude Code VPS
- Hetzner – best Claude Code VPS for power users
- DigitalOcean – best VPS for Claude Code MCP integrations
- Kamatera – most customizable Claude Code VPS
- Vultr – best Claude Code VPS for app deployment
- IONOS – best budget Claude Code VPS
How powerful should a VPS for a Claude app be?
The resources needed for your app will depend on the type of app you built using Claude Code. So, to help you decide which hosting plan to pick, I picked some possible scenarios and matched the resources you need to run each setup.
| App type | Processor (vCPU) | Memory (RAM) | Storage | Main limiting factor |
| Basic chatbot | 1 | 1GB | 10–20GB | Bandwidth |
| Background automation | 2 | 2–4GB | 30–50GB | Memory |
| Small SaaS web app | 2 | 4GB | 50–80GB | Processing power |
| Document-processing app | 4 | 8GB | 100GB+ | Processing power and memory |
What can you host for Claude on a VPS?
Hosting for Claude can be confusing. To help you understand what you can and can’t host on a VPS, I break down what a VPS is capable of and what won’t work.
Best VPS providers for Claude projects – detailed reviews
To help you decide between the various hosts, I created a detailed breakdown for each of my choices.
1. Hostinger – best for Claude Code beginners
| Rating: | |
| Best for: | Claude Code beginners |
| Claude use cases: | One-click Claude Code deployment; persistent remote coding workspace; hosting Claude-generated applications; long-running builds and tests; browser-based server access; offers public API and official MCP server that can expose infrastructure actions to Claude-compatible tools |
| Recommended plan: | KVM 2: 2 vCPU, 8GB RAM, 100GB NVMe storage, 8 TB bandwidth |
| Linux/Docker support: | ✅Yes |
| Snapshots/backups: | ✅ Yes, automatic weekly backups and manual snapshots are included |
| Locations: | France, Germany, Lithuania, United Kingdom, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, US |
| Starting price: | $5.84/month |
Hostinger is a strong overall pick for beginners looking to set up a Claude Code instance, thanks to its simple interface and user-friendly tools. Available for an affordable price, starting at $5.84/month, it’s a great choice for Claude Code beginners.
Using Hostinger for Claude Code and development
Setting up Claude Code on Hostinger was very easy. The provider offers templates for various tools, including Claude Code. To install Claude Code, I simply selected its template for my VPS and provided my Anthropic AI key to get it working.
After that, I was able to use Claude to build, troubleshoot, and deploy my projects on the VPS server without any issues. I recommend using the KVM 2 build, which includes 2 vCPU cores and 8GB RAM – more than enough for Claude Code to run efficiently.
Hosting Claude API apps, agents, and MCP services
I found Hostinger VPS to be an excellent choice for most Claude Code creations. Whether it’s a website, a web app, a database, or MCP servers. Most of these functionalities are easy to set up using Docker, for which Hostinger has a template.
The only app I had to install manually was the MCP server. Luckily, Hostinger provides very clear instructions on how to install the server, and the Kodee AI Assistant is always there to help you with troubleshooting if you run into any issues. The MCP server itself is custom-built for Hostinger, making it very easy to use when installed.
2. Bluehost – affordable self-managed VPS for simple Claude Code set up
| Rating: | |
| Best for: | Easy Claude Code setup on a self-managed VPS |
| Claude use cases: | Running Claude Code from an always-on server; maintaining repositories, dependencies, and project context between sessions; remote coding over SSH; long-running builds, tests, and data pipelines; automated commits, code reviews, and test runs; shared team development environments; internal tools and scripts; self-hosted MCP servers, hooks, and subagent workflows |
| Recommended plan: | NVMe 4: 2 vCPU, 4GB DDR5 RAM, 100GB NVMe storage, unmetered bandwidth |
| Linux/Docker support: | ✅ Yes |
| Snapshots/backups: | ❌ No |
| Locations: | United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands |
| Starting price: | $2.09/month |
Bluehost is an affordable hosting provider that lets you set up a Claude Code instance with no hassle. With prices starting at $2.09/month, you don’t have to pay much to set up your app or an always-on version of Claude.
Using Bluehost for Claude Code and development
Bluehost features a pre-made Claude Code image deployable immediately from the interface. In case of any trouble, I could quickly refer to a very thorough installation guide on Bluehost’s website.
While the base NVMe 2 plan should be enough for hosting apps made by Claude Code, for Claude Code itself, I recommend the NVMe 4 plan, starting at $9.49/month. 2 vCPUs and 4GB RAM should be enough to handle both Claude Code and any apps it may generate.
Hosting Claude API apps, agents, and MCP services
Using Bluehost to host various Claude Code creations was quite easy. I was able to use pre-configured Docker templates to create an environment where installing various apps and dependencies was easy. The one big difference compared to Hostinger is that Bluehost doesn’t offer a custom MCP setup, which means I had to use the Context7 MCP server build. Bluehost also doesn’t have an AI assistant like Kodee, meaning I had to troubleshoot using Bluehost’s knowledge base, and – if needed – its 24/7 customer support.
3. Hetzner – best high-performance Claude Code VPS for experienced users
| Rating: | |
| Best for: | Best value for experienced users who are comfortable installing Claude Code, configuring SSH, and securing the VPS themselves |
| Claude use cases: | Low-cost persistent Claude Code workspace; remote development; Docker builds; CI tasks; tests and development databases |
| Recommended plan: | CPX32: 4 AMD vCPU, 8GB RAM, 160GB SSD storage |
| Linux/Docker support: | ✅ Yes |
| Snapshots/backups: | Backups and snapshots available for additional price |
| Locations: | United States, Singapore, Germany, Finland |
| Starting price: | €1.60/month |
Hetzner is my pick for experienced users who have no issue installing Claude Code themselves. While it doesn’t offer the ease-of-use improvements of Hostinger or Bluehost, it delivers excellent performance and customization, letting you build your perfect Claude Code VPS server.
Using Hetzner for Claude Code and development
Installing Claude Code on Hetzner was more complicated than Hostinger or Bluehost. Hetzner doesn’t have a prebuilt Claude Code template, so I had to install Node.js and Claude Code via SSH. This took a bit longer than a prebuilt template, and I had to do all the troubleshooting myself. Luckily, I was able to find some helpful tutorials online.
I recommend the CPX32 plan for high-use Claude Code setups. It is pretty pricy, but with 4 vCPU cores and 8GB RAM, it should handle multiple instances for both Claude Code and any apps it creates. If you’re on a budget, the CX33 plan should be enough – although note that it features older hardware, which may make your Claude Code installation slow down.
Hosting Claude API apps, agents, and MCP services
Hetzner’s customization options make it an excellent choice for hosting various Claude Code-related apps. Using a prebuilt Docker image, I was able to easily host a basic chatbot and a database on separate instances.
Hetzner also offers a custom MCP server compatible with its Cloud servers and includes a Claude Code integration out of the box. Installing it was pretty simple, and it allowed me to create a workflow where Claude Code would also be able to manage my server and create new volumes for its apps.
4. DigitalOcean – best for Claude Code APIs and MCP integrations
| Rating: | |
| Best for: | Developers, APIs, and MCP integrations |
| Claude use cases: | Remote Claude Code development through VS Code Remote SSH; persistent coding environments; infrastructure management through DigitalOcean’s MCP server; deploying Dockerized applications; running remote databases and MCP services |
| Recommended plan: | Droplets: 2 vCPU, 4GB RAM, 80GiB SSD storage |
| Linux/Docker support: | ✅ Yes |
| Snapshots/backups: | ✅ Yes, for an additional fee |
| Locations: | United States, Netherlands, Singapore, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, India, Australia |
| Starting price: | $4.00/month |
DigitalOcean is a highly customizable provider that offers excellent tools for hosting Claude Code APIs and MCP integrations. Starting at $4.00/month and giving you a wide range of plans, it’s an excellent choice for Claude Code-related VPS activities.
Using DigitalOcean for Claude Code and development
DigitalOcean doesn’t offer a Claude Code Droplet (DigitalOcean’s name for its VPS) template. Instead, it provides extensive documentation on installing Claude Code on a server. This made it noticeably harder to install than with Hostinger or Bluehost, as it required some technical knowledge to follow the instructions and troubleshoot if needed. Once I got through the installation process, Claude Code worked well, and I didn’t run into any issues.
For Claude Code, I recommend the 2 vCPU, 4GiB Droplet, coming in at $24.00/month. It is on the pricier side but provides plenty of resources for coding and deploying Claude apps.
Hosting Claude API apps, agents, and MCP services
Claude API apps and MCP servers are where DigitalOcean really shines. Its prebuilt Docker Droplet is perfect for deploying multiple apps, and I was able to build a few test instances that worked without any issues.
The DigitalOcean MCP server was also very impressive. It integrated not just with Claude Code but also with Cursor. Installation was simple thanks to a very in-depth guide on DigitalOcean’s website. Once installed, I was able to not just use Claude Code on my VPS but also manage my server settings through Claude prompts.
5. Kamatera – best customizable Claude Code VPS
| Rating: | |
| Best for: | Highly customizable infrastructure at affordable prices |
| Claude use cases: | Self-installed persistent Claude Code environment; resource-heavy builds and testing; remote development; Docker containers; hosting custom MCP servers and databases |
| Recommended plan: | Custom Cloud Server: 2 vCPU, 4GB RAM, at least 50GB NVMe storage |
| Linux/Docker support: | ✅ Yes |
| Snapshots/backups: | ✅ Yes, for an extra fee |
| Locations: | United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Romania, Israel, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia |
| Starting price: | $4.00/month |
Kamatera’s biggest feature is its customizability. You can adjust every single aspect of your server – vCPU cores, RAM, storage, and add-ons to fit your exact needs. This makes it perfect for developers who need a scalable and dynamic Claude Code server, starting at $4.00/month.
Using Kamatera for Claude Code and development
Kamatera doesn’t have any prebuilt Claude Code templates, which meant I had to install it manually via SSH. Kamatera doesn’t have any easily findable guides for installing Claude Code, so I had to rely on third-party instructions. This made the setup slightly longer, but since Kamatera’s VPS doesn’t have any unique features that would impact it, it wasn’t any different from Hetzner or DigitalOcean.
Claude Code worked well for me on a 2 vCPU, 4GB RAM, and 50GB NVMe SSD server. The server costs $20.00/month, but if you’re looking to run apps generated by Claude Code, you should be able to do so on the basic $4.00/month 1 vCPU, 1GB RAM server.
Hosting Claude API apps, agents, and MCP services
Kamatera offers Linux templates with Docker pre-installed, making it easy to build containers for various Claude Code apps. This made installing apps and agents quite easy, especially when combined with Kamatera’s customization options whenever I didn’t have enough resources.
Kamatera doesn’t offer a custom MCP server, so I had to rely on third-party software. Once again, I installed the Context7 MCP server. While configuring, it took 10–--20 minutes longer than on providers with custom MCPs, but I was able to get it working, and I must say it integrated into the VPS relatively well.
6. Vultr – best Claude Code VPS for deploying generated apps
| Rating: | |
| Best for: | Deploying Claude-generated applications through Coolify or Docker |
| Claude use cases: | Vultr publishes an official workflow for creating applications with Claude Code and deploying them through Coolify, Docker, and GitHub CI/CD; its documentation also covers hosting remote MCP servers that connect to Claude |
| Recommended plan: | Cloud Compute Regular Performance: 2 vCPU, 4GB RAM, 80GB SSD, 3TB bandwidth |
| Linux/Docker support: | ✅ Yes |
| Snapshots/backups: | ✅ Yes, for an extra fee |
| Locations: | Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United States, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, India, Australia, Chile, Israel, South Africa, Italy, Poland |
| Starting price: | $2.50/month |
Vultr has put a lot of work into making it easier for Claude Code developers to use their services, with in-depth guides and robust documentation on how to deploy apps built by Claude and a custom MCP server. Starting at $2.50/month, it’s a great choice for beginners looking to build their first apps.
Using Vultr for Claude Code and development
Vultr doesn’t offer a pre-built Claude Code template, so you'll need to manually install it to create an always-on instance. It doesn’t offer a setup guide either, but third-party manuals should be more than enough for this.
I recommend the 2 vCPU and 4GB of RAM Cloud Compute Regular Performance plan for Claude Code. Vultr also lets you easily scale your resources if you feel they're not enough, so you don’t have to worry about committing to a given plan right away.
Hosting Claude API apps, agents, and MCP services
Where Vultr really shines is hosting Claude apps. It offers a complete guide to installing Claude apps on its VPS using its prebuilt Coolify template. By combining Coolify with GitHub, I could iterate and deploy my projects quickly. Docker templates are also available for those who prefer that approach.
Vultr also offers a custom MCP server, which can be used in combination with Claude Code to control every aspect of your server and build automations to deploy your Claude projects with ease. I was impressed with how many functionalities this added to my Claude Code, particularly when it came to server management – limiting the time I had to spend looking through Vultr menus.
7. IONOS – very affordable Claude Code VPS
| Rating: | |
| Best for: | Affordable infrastructure scaling and automation |
| Claude use cases: | Persistent self-installed Claude Code workspace; remote SSH development; long-running builds; Docker applications; multiple VMs for separating development, deployment, and databases |
| Recommended plan: | VPS L+: 6 vCores, 8GB RAM, 240GB NVMe storage |
| Linux/Docker support: | ✅ Yes |
| Snapshots/backups: | ✅ Yes, for an extra fee |
| Locations: | United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain |
| Starting price: | $2.00/month |
IONOS is the cheapest Claude Code VPS on my list, providing powerful VPS servers at attractive prices, starting at just $2.00/month. It offers a reliable custom MCP server for Claude Code and tools for building apps.
Using IONOS for Claude Code and development
IONOS doesn’t offer any pre-built Claude Code templates or images, so I had to install it manually through SSH. This was simple, although, once again, less convenient than Hostinger and Bluehost’s pre-built approach. Once installed, I had no trouble running Claude Code from the command line.
IONOS offers a range of plans suitable for Claude Code. I would recommend the $4.00/month VPS M+ plan for smaller projects, and the $8.00/month VPS L+ for larger ones. These plans are affordable and bring the resources needed for Claude Code to work well. The big issue here is the renewal pricing, which makes you pay over double the price after the initial 1-year term.
Hosting Claude API apps, agents, and MCP services
IONOS offers a pre-built Docker template, which came in handy when building multiple apps. I had no trouble launching a few web apps, including a mini-chatbot and a small database with search options.
Like many of the providers on this list, IONOS offers a custom MCP server. Its knowledge base described the installation process in detail, and after a few minutes, I was able to connect my desktop instance of Claude Code to IONOS. The server itself gives multiple customization options, including virtual machine management, helpful for creating new sandboxed instances.
How to choose a VPS for Claude Code or Claude API apps
If you want to run Claude Code or host custom Claude API applications remotely, finding the right virtual private server (VPS) is essential. While the Claude Code CLI tool is relatively lightweight, running it alongside a complex codebase requires a server that can keep up. Together with the research team, I analyzed the core system requirements to help you choose the best hosting solution.
Here are the main factors you should consider when selecting your VPS:
- Memory capacity. While the bare minimum to run the Claude Code CLI is 4GB of RAM, you will want at least 8GB to 16GB of memory for comfortable, persistent development. Complex agentic workflows and large codebases eat up RAM quickly, so prioritizing memory ensures you avoid swap performance issues and keep your SSH sessions responsive.
- Fast SSD storage. You only need about 500 MB for the CLI itself and 2GB for cache and artifacts. However, hosting your repository, Node.js, and dependencies demands fast read and write speeds. Opting for NVMe SSD storage makes file indexing and codebase searches feel significantly snappier and reduces latency during heavy file edits.
- Modern CPU architecture. Claude Code runs efficiently on any 64-bit x86_64 or ARM64 processor. Look for a VPS provider that offers at least 2 dedicated vCPUs. A stronger processor allows you to run parallel sub-agent workflows smoothly without hanging your remote server.
- Stable network connection. Since the CLI and API apps constantly communicate with Anthropic's servers, a highly reliable internet connection is mandatory. Choosing a VPS data center located close to your physical location will minimize input lag during interactive terminal sessions and ensure your API requests are processed without interruption.
- Supported Linux distributions. Make sure your host provides modern, updated OS templates. Claude Code officially supports distributions with glibc 2.31+, such as Ubuntu 20.04+, Debian 10+, or Alpine Linux 3.19+. Having a clean, up-to-date Linux environment makes installing Node.js 18+ and the CLI tool completely frictionless.
Final thoughts
Finding the right VPS for Claude Code may seem daunting. Luckily, the providers on this list give a wide range of options suited to various needs. Here’s a breakdown of the best use cases for each provider:
- Use Hostinger or Bluehost if you’re a beginner looking for an easy way to install Claude
- Use Hetzner, DigitalOcean, or Kamatera if you’re experienced with Claude Code and need a powerful and highly scalable VPS
- Use Vultr if you want to deploy Claude-generated apps with Coolify
- Use IONOS if you’re looking for a budget Claude Code host
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FAQ
Can I host Claude on my own VPS?
No, you cannot host the Claude AI model directly on a VPS. Claude is a proprietary model running exclusively on Anthropic's cloud infrastructure. However, you can host your own custom applications, bots, or the Claude Code CLI tool that interacts with the Claude API.
Can Claude Code run on a VPS?
Yes, Claude Code can run efficiently on a remote VPS. You can install it via a native script or npm on most modern Linux distributions and access the interactive coding environment directly through an SSH or tmux session.
How much RAM does Claude Code need?
Claude Code requires a minimum of 4GB of RAM. However, if you are working with large monorepos, Next.js projects, or complex agentic workflows, it is highly recommended to allocate at least 8GB to 16GB of memory to prevent performance bottlenecks.
Do I need a GPU for Claude API applications?
No, you do not need a GPU to run Claude API applications. Because the actual AI inference and heavy processing occur remotely on Anthropic's servers, your VPS only needs a standard CPU and adequate RAM to handle the application logic and network requests.
Can I host a Claude chatbot on a VPS?
Yes, you can easily host a custom Claude chatbot on a VPS. Your server acts as the host for your application's backend and frontend while routing the actual conversational data to Anthropic's servers via an API key connection.
Can a VPS host an MCP server for Claude?
Yes, a VPS is perfect for hosting a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. This allows you to create a remote, always-on connection between Claude and your private databases, files, or external APIs without exposing them directly on your local workstation.
Is Claude API access included with a VPS?
No, Claude API access is not included with your VPS hosting plan. A VPS strictly provides the server hardware and network infrastructure. To use Claude's features, you must purchase a separate API key or Pro subscription directly from Anthropic's console.
What operating system is best for Claude Code?
Ubuntu 20.04+ or Debian 10+ are the best operating systems for Claude Code. The CLI tool officially supports any modern Linux distribution running glibc 2.31 or higher, making these widely used, stable distributions the ideal choice for a frictionless setup.
