We compare Hetzner Cloud, dedicated servers, and storage against workload profile, availability, data volume, and budget.
Cloud or dedicated
Capacity and growth
Location and redundancy
Hetzner consulting, architecture, and migration
WZ-IT designs and delivers Hetzner infrastructure for applications, platforms, and private clouds. From selection and sizing to networking, security, and migration, the result is a documented and operable target state.
- Cloud & Dedicated
- Proxmox & Kubernetes
- Migration & integration
Services
From server selection to a production-ready target architecture
We do not resell Hetzner products. You keep your own account and receive independent technical support for selection, build, and migration. The intro call is free; the consulting itself is delivered as a defined starting package or as part of the migration project.
Networks, access, firewalls, backup, and recovery are designed as one coherent architecture.
Private networks and routing
Identity and administrative access
Backup, RPO, and RTO
We handle build, test migration, cutover, and rollback planning for existing applications and data.
Current-state assessment
Testing and cutover
Documented handover
Terraform, APIs, deployment processes, and existing corporate networks can be integrated into the target platform.
Infrastructure as code
CI/CD and provisioning
Network and identity integration
Platform choice
Hetzner Cloud or dedicated servers: design around the workload
The cheapest individual server is not the deciding factor. Workload profile, data placement, availability, scaling, and ongoing operations need to fit together.
| Model | Typical fit | Strengths | Planning focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hetzner Cloud | Variable workloads, separate development and production environments, and horizontally scalable applications | Fast provisioning, API automation, private networks, firewalls, and load balancers | Persistent data, quotas, failure scenarios, and separation of stateful services need deliberate planning. |
| Dedicated servers | Sustained compute load, virtualisation, large local data volumes, and predictable platform capacity | Dedicated resources, your own hypervisor, and flexible storage or network architectures | Redundancy, hardware replacement, recovery, and capacity reserves depend more heavily on the target architecture. |
| Cloud and dedicated combined | Platforms with elastic front ends, sustained compute demand, or phased migration | Cloud and bare-metal resources can be assigned according to each workload | Routing, private address space, vSwitch coupling, security zones, and troubleshooting become more complex. |
Project types
Typical Hetzner projects
Cloud and dedicated infrastructure
Individual systems, multi-stage environments, or hybrid architectures combining Cloud and dedicated resources.Proxmox on Hetzner
Planning nodes, networking, storage, backup, and high availability around provider-specific constraints.Kubernetes on Hetzner
Cluster architecture on Cloud or bare metal, including networking, storage, observability, and operating model.Cloud exit and provider migration
Migration from AWS, Azure, GCP, or other providers to an appropriately sized Hetzner target architecture.
Networking & security
The target architecture does not end at the server
We connect Hetzner resources with secure administrative access, existing identities, deployment processes, and a viable recovery model.
Networking and segmentation
Private Cloud Networks, vSwitch, routing, load balancers, and public endpoints are arranged to keep management, database, and application paths separate.
VPN and secure access
Administrative access can use WireGuard, NetBird, Tailscale, Headscale, or another suitable access model instead of unnecessarily exposed services.
Identity and permissions
Technical accounts, SSH keys, MFA, SSO, and roles are separated according to teams, service providers, and automation.
Backup and recovery
Storage targets, encryption, retention, restore tests, and recovery are derived from data volume and agreed RPO and RTO targets.
Automation and deployment
Terraform, cloud APIs, configuration management, and CI/CD reduce manual exceptions and make changes traceable.
Monitoring and operational handover
Metrics, logs, alert paths, runbooks, and responsibilities are defined before go-live, regardless of who operates the platform later.
Technical foundations at Hetzner: Cloud Networks, vSwitch, and Cloud Firewalls.
Approach
A controlled path from requirements to handover
Architecture, migration, and ongoing operations are decided separately and documented before implementation.
- 01
Clarify requirements
Record workloads, dependencies, availability, and cost constraints
- 02
Design target state
Combine compute, networking, storage, backup, and access
- 03
Build and test
Provision infrastructure and validate migration or commissioning
- 04
Handover or operate
Documented handover to your team or transition into Managed Operations
What the project delivers
- Evaluated selection of Cloud, dedicated, or a combined architecture
- Sizing and cost assumptions with documented growth reserves
- Architecture diagram covering compute, networking, storage, and external dependencies
- Access, security, backup, and recovery design according to the agreed scope
- Automation, configuration, and technical documentation for handover
- Migration, cutover, and rollback plan where an existing system is moved
Migration
Migrate existing systems to Hetzner with control
A migration is more than copying virtual machines. Data consistency, external dependencies, cutover windows, and rollback paths are planned together.
Estate and dependencies
Record applications, databases, DNS, certificates, access, integrations, and current operating procedures.Target environment and testing
Build infrastructure reproducibly, perform a test data transfer, and validate function, performance, and recovery.Synchronisation and cutover
Transfer remaining data, switch over in an agreed window, and keep a viable rollback path available.Acceptance and handover
Document the result, verify monitoring and backups, and hand the platform to your team or Managed Operations.Managed Operations
Already running Hetzner servers and looking for ongoing operations?
For existing root and cloud servers, we offer a separate operations service covering patching, hardening, backup management, monitoring, and agreed incident response.
Frequently asked questions about Hetzner projects
Platform selection, networking, migration, and ongoing operations
Architecture and platform selection
- Cloud servers are often suitable for automated, distributed, or variable workloads. Dedicated servers can be a strong fit for sustained compute demand, local data, or a dedicated hypervisor. Redundancy, recovery, networking, and the operating model also affect the decision.
- Yes. Hetzner Cloud Networks and Robot vSwitches can form part of a combined architecture. The connection still requires deliberate routing, address-space, and security design and is not automatically the best option for every workload.
- Yes. Depending on the environment, we integrate technologies such as WireGuard, NetBird, Tailscale, or Headscale and existing identity providers. The appropriate components depend on user groups, administrative paths, applications, and compliance requirements.
- Yes. Your Hetzner account, contracts, and billing remain yours. WZ-IT receives only the access required for consulting and delivery and documents the architecture for a controlled handover.
Migration and engagement
- Yes. We record workloads and dependencies, design the Hetzner target architecture, and plan test migration, data synchronisation, cutover, and rollback. We decide in advance which components can be moved as-is and which should be rebuilt.
- The exact scope is defined in the proposal. Typical deliverables include a reasoned platform decision, sizing, architecture and network diagrams, security and backup design, documented configuration, and a handover or operating plan.
- Yes. Consulting and implementation can end with a documented handover to your team or transition into a separate Managed Operations agreement. Ongoing operations use their own scope, service level, and pricing.
- The intro call is free. For leaving a PaaS platform there is the PaaS Exit Review for from €1,490 excl. VAT. Architecture and migration projects are priced according to the current state and target scope. Relevant factors include the number and type of workloads, data volume, networking, availability requirements, automation, and required migration windows.
More questions? We are happy to help!
Knowledge
More about Hetzner
Related tutorials & guides
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Matching solutions for your project
- NetBirdModern open-source VPN solution with centralized management
- AuthentikOpen-source identity and access management system
- ProxmoxOpen-source platform for server virtualization and containers
- PostgreSQLAdvanced open-source object-relational database system
- CoolifySelf-hosted PaaS for deploying applications
- AwsComprehensive cloud platform by Amazon offering a wide range of services
Reviews & projects
Client feedback and projects worldwide
WZ-IT moved our studio infrastructure from decentralised individual devices to a central platform: every site is securely connected via VPN, new devices are onboarded automatically and an entire site is provisioned from a template, without manual steps on location. What impressed me most is the breadth and depth of their knowledge: Timo and Robin are not a typical IT provider who sets up a server and leaves. The two of them think their way into highly complex infrastructure and software topics, work through every requirement we put in front of them, and build networking, provisioning and operations so that everything fits together in the end. WZ-IT is an excellent partner for complex software, network and architecture projects.
Steve KirchnerManaging Director, nextGYM GmbH
International
Built in Germany's Ruhr Valley. Running worldwide.
WZ-IT designs, develops and operates infrastructure and software for clients in Germany and internationally. We deliver projects remotely and continue supporting them in ongoing operations after go-live.
Selected projects
- LiveRemote access platform for distributed water treatment plantsABCO Water Systems · Australia · Secure Access & OT
- 81%AWS migration with substantially lower operating costsEVA Real Estate · UAE · Cloud exit & infrastructure
- 98%Provision new sites in minutes instead of hoursnextGYM GmbH · Germany · Automation & IoT
Read client reviews
- Secure your Proxmox & backup setup
- Modernize your infrastructure - sovereign
- Plan a sovereign open-source stack
- Integrate a local AI solution
- Modernize your legacy software
- Cut cloud cost - up to −81%
- Build a high-availability Proxmox cluster
- Virtualize with Managed Proxmox
- Design an open-source AI architecture
- Get collaboration fully managed
- Ship your prototype to production
- Connect sites and clusters securely
Hetzner consulting and delivery
Request a technical assessment of your Hetzner project
Name the workloads, data, and required operating model. We assess cloud, dedicated servers, networking, migration, and subsequent operations.
- Straight with Timo and Robin - no sales team, no pitch
- An honest take, including when we are not the right fit
- Concrete next steps for infrastructure, software or AI
No risk: worst case, you leave with a clearer understanding of your project than before.
WZ-IT's advice on our Azure migration was technically sound and completely non-binding right from the intro call - we took away a great deal.
Jakob ÖschlbergerInno7 GmbH
WZ-IT's advice on our Azure migration was technically sound and completely non-binding right from the intro call - we took away a great deal.