UpCloud vs netcup: Kubernetes Cost Comparison (2026)
netcup is 22% cheaper than UpCloud for a 3-node Kubernetes cluster (€19 vs €24/mo)
The 3-node cost gap is 22% (€5/mo) in netcup's favour. On block storage, netcup is the cheaper option at roughly 1/18.3 the price per GB. UpCloud handles control plane operations; with netcup you self-host the control plane, trading simplicity for flexibility. Choose netcup for cost-efficient Kubernetes on a budget; choose UpCloud for UpCloud's specific capabilities.
Cheapest server with 2 vCPU / 4 GB
- UpCloud: Starter 2xCPU-4GB (2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM, 30 GB disk) for €12.00/mo
- netcup: VPS Lite 1 G12.5s (2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM, 80 GB disk) for €4.92/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
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 UpCloud |  netcup | |
|---|---|---|
| HQ / Country | Finland | Germany |
| Managed Kubernetes | Yes | No (DIY) |
| Control Plane Cost | Free | Self-managed |
| Cheapest Node | €8.00/mo 2 vCPU, 2 GB RAM | €3.10/mo 2 vCPU, 2 GB RAM |
| 3-Node Cluster* | ~€24.00/mo | ~€18.60/mo |
| 6-Node HA Cluster* | ~€48.00/mo | ~€27.90/mo |
| Egress | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| S3 Storage | €0.020/GB | Not available |
| Certifications | ISO27001 | ISO27001 |
| 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: UpCloud as of Jun 2026, netcup as of Sept 2026.
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