Introduction

Are you struggling to choose between Hetzner and Scaleway for your hosting needs? Both providers offer a range of services, but they have distinct differences that might make one more suitable for you than the other.

Comparison Table

Here’s a quick glance at some key differences between Hetzner and Scaleway:

Detailed Comparison

Ease of Use

• Hetzner: Known for its user-friendly web console and developer tooling, including Terraform SDKs and an official CLI. The dashboard is clear and provides monitoring graphs and other essential information.

  

• Scaleway: Offers an uncomplicated and easy-to-use dashboard. However, some users have noted that the initial setup can be a bit cumbersome, especially with password restrictions.

  

Stability

• Hetzner: Renowned for its stable and reliable infrastructure. Users have reported minimal downtime and quick hardware replacements when issues arise.

• Scaleway: Also offers stable services, but some users have experienced issues with account suspensions without warnings, which can impact stability for certain users.

Speed

• Hetzner: Performs exceptionally well in speed tests. For example, Hetzner’s download speeds can reach up to 4531.77 Mbit/s, and IO read/write speeds are significantly higher compared to Scaleway.

• Scaleway: While still fast, Scaleway’s performance metrics are generally lower than Hetzner’s. For instance, Scaleway’s download speeds were recorded at 523.93 Mbit/s in some tests.

Security

• Hetzner: Offers robust security features including DDoS protection and managed backup solutions. The company is also EU-based, which can simplify GDPR compliance for some users.

• Scaleway: Provides similar security features such as DDoS protection and managed databases. Scaleway also emphasizes isolation and security in their cloud infrastructure.

Pricing and Cost

• Hetzner: Generally more affordable, with prices that are 30-40% cheaper than Scaleway for similar configurations. Hetzner also offers a free egress allowance and clear pricing with no hidden fees.

• Scaleway: Offers flexible hourly billing, which can be cost-effective for variable workloads. However, the overall costs tend to be higher than Hetzner, especially for larger configurations.

Customer Support Service

• Hetzner: Known for its comprehensive 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone. Users have praised the quick and knowledgeable support team.

• Scaleway: Provides support through a community forum, ticketing system, and a dedicated knowledge base. While the resources are excellent, direct support options like live chat may not be as readily available.

Client Reviews

• Hetzner: Users have consistently praised Hetzner for its performance, pricing, and support. Many have switched from other providers like Scaleway due to these advantages.

• Scaleway: While users appreciate the scalability and managed services of Scaleway, some have expressed dissatisfaction with account suspensions and higher pricing.

Pros and Cons

Hetzner Pros

• High Performance: Exceptional speed and performance metrics.
• Affordable Pricing: 30-40% cheaper than Scaleway.
• Comprehensive Support: 24/7 support via multiple channels.
• Clear Pricing: No hidden fees and free egress allowance.
• Robust Security: DDoS protection and managed backups.

Hetzner Cons

• Limited Managed Services: Fewer managed services compared to Scaleway.
• Older Website Design: Although improved, some users still find the initial setup cumbersome.

Scaleway Pros

• Scalable Infrastructure: Quick scalability and flexibility with cloud instances.
• Managed Services: Offers a wide range of managed services like databases and serverless functions.
• Flexible Billing: Hourly billing suitable for variable workloads.
• Diverse Server Configurations: Includes bare-metal, ARM, GPUs, and Apple silicon options.

Scaleway Cons

• Higher Pricing: Generally more expensive than Hetzner.
• Account Suspension Issues: Some users have experienced account suspensions without warnings.
• Limited Support Options: Direct support options may not be as readily available.

FAQs

1. Which provider offers better performance?

Hetzner generally offers better performance metrics, including higher download speeds and faster IO read/write times.

2. What are the key differences in pricing between Hetzner and Scaleway?

Hetzner is typically 30-40% cheaper than Scaleway, with clear pricing and no hidden fees. Scaleway offers flexible hourly billing, which can be cost-effective for variable workloads.

3. Which provider has better customer support?

Hetzner is known for its comprehensive 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone. Scaleway’s support is mainly through a community forum, ticketing system, and knowledge base.

4. Do both providers offer GPU support?

Yes, both Hetzner and Scaleway offer GPU support, but Scaleway provides a wider range of GPU configurations.

5. Which provider is better for GDPR compliance?

Hetzner, being EU-based, may simplify GDPR compliance for some users due to its data center locations and regulatory alignment.