# Comparing hosting providers

**URL:** <https://meta.discourse.org/t/comparing-hosting-providers/100034>\
**Category:** Self-hosting\
**Tags:** hosting\
**Created:** [October 20, 2018, 1:18am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/comparing-hosting-providers/100034 "2018-10-20T01:18:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 5

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**Author:** ![merefield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/merefield/32/176214_2.png) [@merefield](https://meta.discourse.org/u/merefield)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2018, 10:06am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/comparing-hosting-providers/100034/5 "2018-10-20T10:06:36Z")

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> [@Scoobie](#):
>
> What is still confusing me , is which of these options.lets me install the plug in I want.

That may vary by hosting provider and by service band. (You have to pay more for customisation capability iirc)

If you decide to DIY, this is totally at your discretion and free.

> [@Scoobie](#):
>
> Digital Ocean
> 
> - $5 per month
> - I’m not sure at all what that actually gets me though in terms of traffic and services ( e.g. mail server)

Bear in mind there are other options, like [Vultr](https://www.vultr.com), [Scaleway](http://www.scaleway.com), [Hetzner](https://www.hetzner.com), [Linode](https://www.linode.com), AWS …

> [@Scoobie](#):
>
> Also the mail server aspects really confuse me. Is it always an additional cost and set up.

I found a provider that offered a free service up to a certain capacity ([Sparkpost](https://www.sparkpost.com)). Shop around ([Mailgun](https://www.mailgun.com) etc.).

It’s very important you use a good brand for mail provider as that will help the trusted delivery of your email.

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