Exoscale vs Contabo: Kubernetes Cost Comparison (2026)
Contabo is 64% cheaper than Exoscale for a 3-node Kubernetes cluster (€33 vs €91/mo)
The 3-node cost gap is 64% (€58/mo) in Contabo's favour. Block storage costs ~10.2× less on Contabo. Exoscale offers a managed control plane; Contabo requires self-managing the control plane, adding operational overhead but giving full configuration control. Choose Contabo for cost-efficient Kubernetes on a budget; choose Exoscale for Exoscale's specific capabilities.
Cheapest server with 2 vCPU / 4 GB
- Exoscale: Medium (2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM, 10 GB disk) for €34.06/mo
- Contabo: Cloud VPS 4 (4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM, 100 GB disk) for €5.50/mo
Monthly list prices excl. VAT. More sizes in the instance finder.
We tested it
- Exoscale SKS Review: Fast, Flexible, and Waiting for VPC — hands-on review with benchmarks, Mar 2026
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 Exoscale |  Contabo | |
|---|---|---|
| HQ / Country | Switzerland | Germany |
| Managed Kubernetes | Yes | No (DIY) |
| Control Plane Cost | Free | Self-managed |
| Cheapest Node | €17.03/mo 2 vCPU, 2 GB RAM | €5.50/mo 4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM |
| 3-Node Cluster* | ~€91.24/mo | ~€33.00/mo |
| 6-Node HA Cluster* | ~€142.33/mo | ~€49.50/mo |
| Egress | €0.020/GB | 32 TB free |
| S3 Storage | €0.020/GB | €0.010/GB |
| Certifications | ISO27001, FINMA | None listed |
| CLOUD Act Exposure | No | No |
* Estimated using cheapest available node. DIY providers include 3 additional control plane nodes. Use the calculator for exact pricing with your specs.
Data freshness: Exoscale as of May 2026, Contabo as of Sept 2026.
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