IONOS vs Elastx: Kubernetes Cost Comparison (2026)
IONOS is 83% cheaper than Elastx for a 3-node Kubernetes cluster (€96 vs €574/mo)
IONOS costs 83% less — a saving of ~€478/mo on a standard 3-node cluster. IONOS provides a free control plane; Elastx charges €446.35/mo for the managed control plane. Storage IOPS differ by ~3×, with Elastx ahead — relevant if your workload relies on persistent volumes. Choose IONOS for cost-efficient Kubernetes on a budget; choose Elastx for Elastx's specific capabilities.
IOPS figures from the providers' documentation: IONOS, Elastx.
Cheapest server with 2 vCPU / 4 GB
- IONOS: vCPU 2C-4G (2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM) for €32.12/mo
- Elastx: v2-c2-m4-d60 (2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM, 60 GB disk) for €57.75/mo
Monthly list prices excl. VAT. More sizes in the instance finder.
 IONOS |  Elastx | |
|---|---|---|
| HQ / Country | Germany | Sweden |
| Managed Kubernetes | Yes | Yes |
| Control Plane Cost | Free | €446.35/mo |
| Cheapest Node | €32.12/mo 2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM | €42.60/mo 2 vCPU, 2 GB RAM |
| 3-Node Cluster* | ~€96.36/mo | ~€574.15/mo |
| 6-Node HA Cluster* | ~€192.72/mo | ~€701.95/mo |
| Egress | 2 TB free | €0.045/GB |
| S3 Storage | €0.007/GB | €0.050/GB |
| Certifications | ISO27001 | ISO27001, ISO27017, ISO27018, ISO14001 |
| 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: IONOS as of Oct 2026, Elastx as of Nov 2026.
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