netcup vs GCP (GKE): Kubernetes Cost Comparison (2026)
netcup is 89% cheaper than GCP (GKE) for a 3-node Kubernetes cluster (€19 vs €166/mo)
netcup costs 89% less — a saving of ~€147/mo on a standard 3-node cluster. netcup charges ~12.2× less for block storage per GB. Storage IOPS differ by ~4×, with GCP (GKE) ahead — relevant if your workload relies on persistent volumes. Choose netcup for cost-efficient Kubernetes on a budget; choose GCP (GKE) for GCP (GKE)'s specific capabilities.
IOPS figures from the providers' documentation: netcup, GCP (GKE).
Cheapest server with 2 vCPU / 4 GB
- netcup: VPS Lite 1 G12.5s (2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM, 80 GB disk) for €4.92/mo
- GCP (GKE): e2-standard-2 (2 vCPU, 8 GB RAM) for €47.13/mo
Monthly list prices excl. VAT. More sizes in the instance finder.
We tested it
- What HA Actually Costs: Kubernetes on netcup for €63/month with Talos and OpenTofu — hands-on review with benchmarks, Sep 2026
Based on last-fetched pricing, netcup runs roughly €100–150/mo less than GCP (GKE) for a 3-node cluster. Prices may have changed.
Get matched with a vetted EU migration agency →
 netcup |  GCP (GKE) | |
|---|---|---|
| HQ / Country | Germany | United States |
| Managed Kubernetes | No (DIY) | Yes |
| Control Plane Cost | Self-managed | €73/mo |
| Cheapest Node | €3.10/mo 2 vCPU, 2 GB RAM | €34.37/mo 2 vCPU, 2 GB RAM |
| 3-Node Cluster* | ~€18.60/mo | ~€165.95/mo |
| 6-Node HA Cluster* | ~€27.90/mo | ~€269.06/mo |
| Egress | Unlimited | €0.103/GB |
| S3 Storage | Not available | €0.017/GB |
| Certifications | ISO27001 | ISO27001, SOC2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS |
| CLOUD Act Exposure | No | Yes (US-owned) |
* Estimated using cheapest available node. DIY providers include 3 additional control plane nodes. Use the calculator for exact pricing with your specs.
Data freshness: netcup as of Sept 2026, GCP (GKE) as of May 2026.
Calculate Your Exact Cost
Configure your exact cluster specs and see real-time pricing across 34+ European providers.
Open Calculator