Managed dedicated server hosting services are ideal for websites that require the highest levels of performance and flexibility, but lack the time or expertise to manage the technical tasks of server maintenance.
This article shortlists the 7 best managed dedicated hosting providers on the market to help you make a better purchase decision. We then define managed dedicated server hosting itself and discuss its advantages and disadvantages. We explain costs and explore whether cheap managed dedicated options are viable. We then compare the differences between managed and unmanaged dedicated hosting services. Finally, we explain how to find the best host for your needs. Our top recommended managed dedicated host for most users is Liquid Web.
Top Managed Dedicated Server Hosting
- Liquid Web – Best for premium managed dedicated hosting
- DreamHost – Best managed dedicated hosting for US servers
- Atlantic.Net – Best US-based managed dedicated hosting
- InMotion Hosting – Best managed dedicated hosting for enterprises
- Hostwinds – Best for customizable managed dedicated hosting
- HostGator – Best managed dedicated hosting for beginners
- Hosting.com – Best for speedy managed dedicated hosting
- What is managed dedicated server hosting?
- What are the advantages of managed dedicated server hosting?
- What are the drawbacks of managed dedicated server hosting?
- What is the cost of managed dedicated server hosting?
- What makes a cheap managed dedicated server host?
- Managed vs unmanaged dedicated server hosting: What is the difference?
- Which is the best managed dedicated server host?
1. Liquid Web
- 100% Network and Power Uptime SLAs
- Advanced security and reliability
- Feature-rich and scalable dedicated server hosting plans
- Cloudflare CDN for faster website access
- Excellent customer support
- Limited data center locations (none in Asia)
- Plans are comparatively pricey
Liquid Web is a leading provider of managed dedicated server hosting, known for its exceptional performance and customer support. They offer a range of fully managed dedicated server options tailored to businesses of all sizes.
A standout feature of Liquid Web is their Most Helpful Humans in Hosting Support, providing 24/7/365 access to a team of experts. Plus, they offer state-of-the-art data centers, multiple locations for low latency and high availability, redundant power systems, advanced security measures, and proactive monitoring. They guarantee 100% uptime, making them dependable for businesses.
With enterprise-grade hardware and optimized server configurations, Liquid Web delivers the performance and stability needed for demanding applications and high-traffic websites. A great option for small businesses and large enterprises alike.
2. DreamHost
- 100% network uptime guarantee
- Knowledgeable customer support
- Dedicated server hosting plans are scalable and flexible
- Custom-built easy-to-use panel to manage your hosting
- Data centers are in the US only
- Dedicated server hosting plans are relatively more expensive
DreamHost is known for their reliable infrastructure, WordPress expertise, excellent performance, and commitment to customer satisfaction. One thing we love about DreamHost is the user-friendly, custom control panel, letting you easily navigate and configure your hosting environment without requiring advanced technical knowledge.
DreamHost also prioritizes performance and reliability – with an impressive 100% uptime guarantee! Their managed dedicated servers are built on enterprise-grade hardware, ensuring high-speed performance and stability. DreamHost’s data centers are also equipped with redundant power supplies, multiple network connections, and advanced security measures. Get more information through our DreamHost review.
3. Atlantic.net
- 100% uptime SLA
- Choice of 5 USA data centers
- High performance servers
- Unlimited inbound bandwidth
- USA-based support
- Managed services cost extra
- No European data center
Atlantic.Net’s managed dedicated hosting delivers powerful performance for projects that require dedicated hardware and active operational support. Atlantic.Net’s USA-based technicians are available 24/7 and provide phone and email support in English and Spanish. Their fully managed dedicated plans offload server management tasks such as monitoring network resources, managing load balancers, and optimizing security. Atlantic.Net’s exceptional 100% uptime SLA is backed by a money-back guarantee.
Atlantic.Net also offers custom-built dedicated servers that utilize powerful Intel Xeon or AMD EPYC processors. Their managed dedicated hosting supports PCI and HIPAA compliant workloads and operates in SOC 2 and SOC 3 certified US data centers. Optional managed security services include firewalls, intrusion detection, backups, and advanced DDoS protection. Atlantic.Net also offers managed private cloud infrastructure for organizations requiring fully managed, dedicated cloud environments.
4. InMotion Hosting
- Performance-oriented dedicated server hosting plans
- Multiple support channels through phone, chat, and ticket support
- Competitive pricing for their feature-rich plans
- High-grade commercial security
- Data centers are in the US only
- No Windows-based dedicated hosting
InMotion Hosting focuses on performance optimization, utilizing high-performance hardware and advanced caching techniques for fast and responsive websites or applications. Their managed dedicated servers ensure optimal speed and reliability for an excellent user experience.
They provide customer support 24/7/365 through phone, chat, and ticket support, with a knowledgeable team ready to assist with server-related issues.
In terms of security, InMotion Hosting offers a Security Suite with free SSL certificates, hack and malware protection, DDoS protection, and automatic backups. They employ multi-layer defense and a custom firewall to safeguard websites and applications from potential threats. Access our comprehensive InMotion Hosting review to make an informed decision.
5. Hostwinds
- Dedicated server hosting plans are flexible and scalable
- Many customization options
- Most dedicated servers have IPMI access for server management on the go
- Multiple support channels
- Support 24/7/365 via live chat, ticket system, and email
- Pricing tends to be on the high side
- The learning curve can be steep for newbies
Hostwinds is a reputable provider of managed dedicated server hosting, offering a combination of reliability, flexibility, and commendable customer support. One of the standout features of Hostwinds is their emphasis on customization options. They offer a wide range of server configurations, allowing customers to tailor their dedicated server to meet their specific requirements. Hostwinds provides the flexibility to create a hosting environment that aligns perfectly with your business needs.
Plus, Hostwinds places a strong emphasis on reliability and performance. They use robust hardware, including SSD storage, to ensure fast and responsive hosting environments. Backed by redundant network connections and proactive monitoring, Hostwinds ensures maximum availability for hosted websites and applications. See our Hostwinds review to find out more.
6. HostGator
- Network uptime guarantee
- Multiple support channels via phone/live chat/Twitter
- Pricing plans are easily scalable and affordable
- Comprehensive security measures
- Data centers are in the US only
- Mixed reviews on customer support
HostGator is a well-established host that provides managed dedicated server hosting that prioritizes delivering a user-friendly experience and excellent customer support.
For one – they offer user-friendly control panels for easy management of dedicated server resources, domains, email accounts, and hosting settings. Secondly, they provide 24/7/365 customer support through live chat, phone, and Twitter, with a dedicated team available to assist with hosting-related queries or technical issues. HostGator’s experts and comprehensive knowledge base are also reliable resources to help you resolve any issues quick.
Additionally, HostGator ensures reliable performance with robust hardware and network infrastructure. Their managed dedicated server hosting plans include powerful servers, a choice of operating systems, and HDD and SSD storage options. Find out more in our in-depth HostGator review!
7. Hosting.com
- Blazing speeds and high performance
- Excellent customer support
- Scalable dedicated server hosting plans
- Free Imunify360 Security Suite
- Dedicated server hosting plans tend to be pricey
- More technical expertise required
Hosting.com (formerly A2) is a reputable provider known for its high-performance managed dedicated server hosting. They offer dedicated server hosting plans designed for businesses with demanding hosting requirements.
A standout feature of Hosting.com is Turbo Boost, which utilizes advanced caching techniques and optimized server configurations for exceptional website speeds, ensuring fast loading times and a seamless user experience, even during peak traffic. A2 Hosting provides 24/7/365 Guru Crew Support, staffed by experts, to address server-related queries and technical issues.
They also offer flexibility and scalability with dedicated server plans, allowing customers to choose configurations and easily upgrade server resources as their business grows. Head over to our complete Hosting.com review to learn more!
What is managed dedicated server hosting?
Managed dedicated server hosting, also known as fully managed dedicated server hosting, combines the convenience of managed hosting services with dedicated server hosting. Dedicated web hosting is a type of web hosting wherein a single server is allocated to one client to store their files and make their website accessible online. This gives them exclusive use of resources like CPU and RAM and also gives them more control over server configurations. Dedicated servers are thus a popular hosting choice for enterprises where high uptime and server power are critical.
A challenge of regular dedicated server hosting is its technical complexity. However, managed dedicated server hosting solves this problem by making the web host provider responsible for handling routine server management and maintenance tasks. Managed dedicated server hosting is therefore the most accessible form of dedicated server hosting since it gives businesses power via dedicated resources but removes the need for them to have in-house technical expertise. Four common managed hosting services include dedicated server setup, maintenance, security updates, premium technical support and monitoring.
What are the advantages of managed dedicated server hosting?
There are 4 advantages of managed dedicated server hosting. The first is overall enhanced security since the host provider now handles critical security tasks like protocol updates and server configurations. The second is higher uptime since you get 24/7 access to reliable tech support. This means experts constantly monitor your site and resolve issues before they turn into downtime. The third advantage is convenience since managed hosting removes the need for you to do these tasks yourself or to train in-house technical staff. The fourth is optimal performance because your site has access to dedicated resources that are configured to perform at their best. This helps deliver high speed performance to your visitors and improves the user experience to anyone accessing your website.
What are the drawbacks of managed dedicated server hosting?
There are 2 drawbacks of managed dedicated server hosting. The first drawback is higher costs. Managed services are more expensive due to the added layer of support and expertise provided by the hosting company. The second drawback is less control over specific configurations and customizations since the provider is in charge of managing most aspects of the server. Unmanaged hosting may be a better option for companies that require total server control and who already have in-house expertise.
What is the cost of managed dedicated server hosting?
The cost of managed dedicated server hosting typically ranges from $80 to $700 per month. Exact prices vary depending on dedicated server specifications, the level of server management needed, and the hosting brand itself. Basic plans with minimal management cost around $80 per month, while costs of fully managed solutions with high-end hardware and comprehensive support reach $700 and higher
It’s important to weigh your hosting plan’s monthly cost and provisions against the level of support and server performance required by your business, which is in turn determined by the size of your website files and your expected traffic. All this allows you to evaluate if you are getting true value for money.
What makes a cheap managed dedicated server host?
A cheap managed dedicated server host costs below $100 per month. Such hosts typically offer basic management services and set up the standard server configurations for you to launch and manage your website effectively. Cheap managed dedicated server hosts provide the essentials, such as security updates and basic monitoring, but lack advanced features like proactive performance optimization or in-depth support.
A cheap managed dedicated server host is thus suitable for small businesses or startups that need to be able to access reliable service, but do not need premium management and don’t want the extra expense.
Managed vs unmanaged dedicated server hosting: What is the difference?
The difference between managed and unmanaged dedicated server hosting is that managed services prioritize providing high-level technical support, and unmanaged services prioritize giving customers total control over their server environment.
Managed hosting involves the web host handling server maintenance and management tasks. In contrast, unmanaged hosting leaves server management and maintenance entirely in the hands of the customer. The website owner thus needs knowledge about things like firewall configuration, databases, SSH access, command-line tools and server logs. Managed hosting dedicated server hosting therefore suits website owners that prefer a hands-off approach, while unmanaged hosting suits website owners who want more control and have technical expertise.