Finding reliable and affordable hosting is a top priority for businesses and individuals alike.
PQ Hosting is one of the players in this field offering range of hosting solutions with focus on value.
This review will examine PQ Hosting’s services, features, pricing and performance to help you decide if they are right for you.
Introduction to PQ Hosting
PQ Hosting, officially known as PQ.Hosting, is a hosting provider that specializes in VPS/VDS hosting, dedicated servers, VPN services, proxy services and SSL certificates.
Founded with a goal to deliver high quality services at competitive prices PQ Hosting has expanded its infrastructure to cover more than 45 locations globally. The company is based in Moldova with business entities registered in UK and Russia.
What sets PQ Hosting apart in the crowded hosting market is their focus on balancing affordability with performance. Their services are targeted at small to medium sized businesses, startups and individuals looking for reliable hosting without breaking the bank.
Key Features and Infrastructure
Global Server Network
One of the impressive features of PQ Hosting is their global network. As of early 2025 they have servers in:
- United States
- Canada
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- Netherlands
- Hong Kong
- Israel
- Latvia
- Moldova
- Brazil
- Portugal
- India
- Armenia
- Luxembourg
- Liechtenstein (announced as their 45th location)
This global network allows customers to choose server locations based on their target audience and minimize latency and improve website performance for specific geographic regions.
Network Connectivity and Speed
PQ Hosting emphasizes high speed connectivity across all their server locations:
- Up to 10 Gbps port speeds
- Unlimited traffic in all tariff plans
- Fast server response times
- 1 Gbps standard connectivity with options for 10 Gbps
Their focus on speed makes them suitable for applications that require quick response times and high bandwidth.- Various operating system templates including popular Linux distributions and Windows options
- Support for multiple control panels including cPanel, hPanel and VestaCP
Reliability and Uptime
They advertise 99.99% uptime guarantee for their data center in Izmir, Turkey. Server availability after ordering is within 15 minutes which is one of the fastest in the industry.
Security Features
PQ Hosting has:
- DDoS protection mechanisms
- Antivirus scanning capabilities
- SSL certificate options
- Firewall protection
- Secure payment processing for cryptocurrency transactions
Hosting Plans and Pricing
PQ Hosting offers range of hosting solutions to fit different needs and budgets. Let’s take a look at their main offerings:
VPS/VDS Hosting
PQ Hosting’s Virtual Private Server (VPS) is their main product with options starting from super affordable $1 per month. They are one of the cheapest VPS providers in the market. Their VPS hosting includes:
- Full root access and administrator privileges
- Choice of Linux or Windows operating systems
- NVMe SSD storage options for better performance
- Customizable resource allocation
- Flexible payment options including cryptocurrency
- Hourly payment options for temporary or experimental projects
According to their website PQ Hosting’s VPS plans range from basic configurations for personal websites to more robust setups for business critical applications.
Standard VPS Plans
While pricing varies based on server location and current promotions their standard VPS plans are structured as follows:
| Plan | CPU | RAM | Storage | Bandwidth | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 1 vCPU | 1 GB | 10 GB SSD | Unlimited | $1/month |
| Standard | 2 vCPU | 2 GB | 20 GB SSD | Unlimited | $5/month |
| Business | 4 vCPU | 4 GB | 40 GB SSD | Unlimited | $10/month |
| Premium | 6 vCPU | 8 GB | 80 GB SSD | Unlimited | $20/month |
Windows VPS Hosting
For users who need Windows environment PQ Hosting offers Windows VPS solutions with similar configurations but slightly higher price due to licensing costs. These plans come with Windows Server pre-installed and support for Windows applications.
High-CPU VPS OptionsFor compute intensive applications PQ Hosting offers Hi-CPU VPS configurations with more processing power. These are suitable for:
- Development environments
- Gaming servers
- Data processing applications
- Machine learning projects
Storage VPS
PQ Hosting also offers Storage VPS with larger disk space for applications that require more data storage. These are optimized for:
- Backup solutions
- Media storage
- Content delivery
- Database servers
Managed Hosting Options
For those who don’t want to handle server administration PQ Hosting offers managed hosting solutions with control panel options:
- Managed VPS with cPanel
- Managed VPS with hPanel
Technical support hours included based on plan level:
- Aluminium: 3 hours/month
- Argentum: 3 hours/month
- Ruthenium: 3 hours/month
- Iridium: 4 hours/month
Comparison with Competitors
To give you an idea of where PQ Hosting stands in the market let’s compare their offerings with some of the leading competitors:
PQ Hosting vs. Hostinger
| Feature | PQ Hosting | Hostinger |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (VPS) | $1/month | $3.99/month |
| Server Locations | 45+ countries | 7 countries |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.99% | 99.9% |
| Control Panel | Multiple options | hPanel |
| Root Access | Yes | Yes |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited | Limited based on plan |
| Customer Support | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Money-Back Guarantee | Limited | 30 days |
PQ Hosting vs. Contabo
| Feature | PQ Hosting | Contabo |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (VPS) | $1/month | $5.99/month |
| RAM (Entry Plan) | 1 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage (Entry Plan) | 10 GB SSD | 50 GB SSD |
| Server Locations | 45+ countries | 6 countries |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Support Response Time | Quick | Can be delayed |
| Payment Options | Multiple, including crypto | Limited |
PQ Hosting vs. DigitalOcean
| Feature | PQ Hosting | DigitalOcean |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $1/month | $5/month |
| Server Types | Various | Droplets |
| Developer Tools | Limited | Extensive |
| Scaling Options | Manual | Automated |
| Management Interface | Basic | Advanced |
| Server Locations | 45+ countries | 14 regions |
| Focus | Affordability | Developer experience |
Performance and Reliability
According to multiple reviews and reports PQ Hosting’s performance can be described as:
Strengths:
- Fast server provisioning (typically within 15 minutes)
- Good network connectivity with 10 Gbps options
- NVMe SSD storage provides great read/write speeds
- Multiple global locations help to reduce latency for target audience
Weaknesses:
- Some users reported variable network speeds on the lowest tier plans
- Uptime may not match the 99.99% guarantee in all locations
- Performance can vary greatly between different server locations
According to VPSBenchmarks, which did independent testing, PQ Hosting’s servers perform well for the price but not as good as premium VPS providers that charge much more.
User Experience and Control Panel
PQ Hosting offers several control panels:
- DirectAdmin
- cPanel (extra cost)
- hPanel (extra cost)
- VestaCP
- Basic server management interface
The admin console allows to upgrade VPS without contacting support, so you can scale resources as needed. However, according to VPSBenchmarks, their interface is not mobile friendly, so you can’t manage your VPS on the go.
Customer Support
PQ Hosting provides support through:
- Email support at [email protected]
- 24/7 customer service
- Knowledge base with tutorials and guides
- Free technical support hours with managed hosting plans
Customer reviews about support are mixed. Some users praise the support team for being responsive and knowledgeable, others report language barriers or delayed responses during peak hours. The company seems to be strongest in supporting Russian and English speaking customers.
Security and Compliance
Security features offered by PQ Hosting:
- DDoS protection
- Firewall configurations
- SSL certificates (available for purchase)
- Regular security updates
- Secure payment processing
Please note that security level varies depending on the plan and may require additional configuration by the user, especially on unmanaged VPS plans.
Pros and Cons
Pros:1. Cheap starting at $1/month for basic VPS
- Global network with over 45 locations
- Fast provisioning typically within 15 minutes
- Unlimited bandwidth on all plans
- Multiple payment options including crypto
- NVMe SSD storage
- Many operating systems and control panels
- Hourly billing for temporary or experimental projects
- Free server migration from other hosting providers
Cons:
- Variable performance between different locations
- Limited mobile support for the management interface
- Mixed customer reviews with some reports of language barriers
- Few advanced features compared to premium hosting
- Limited hardware specs for some plans
- Inconsistent uptime reported by some users
- Basic security requires additional configuration
Ideal Use Cases for PQ Hosting
Based on the features, pricing and performance PQ Hosting is good for:
- Startups and small businesses with limited budget
- Developers who need affordable testing environments
- Personal websites and blogs that need more control than shared hosting
- Small to medium e-commerce sites that don’t handle sensitive payment data directly
- Businesses targeting specific regional markets using the global server network
- Temporary projects using the hourly billing option
- Users comfortable with server management looking for unmanaged VPS
Less Ideal Scenarios:
- Enterprise-level applications that require guaranteed uptime and performance
- Websites handling sensitive personal or financial data that require advanced security
- High-traffic websites that need top-tier performance
- Users that require extensive technical support or hand-holding
- Applications that require specialized configurations not supported by PQ Hosting
Getting Started with PQ Hosting
To set up a server with PQ Hosting:
- Choose a plan based on your resources
- Select a location from 45+ global options
- Choose your OS
- Add any optional services like control panels or managed support
- Pay (multiple options including crypto)
- Get server credentials within 15 minutes7. Log in to your server and start configuring
Conclusion: Is PQ Hosting Worth It?
PQ Hosting is an affordable hosting provider with global presence, so it’s a good option for budget users who need decent performance and features. Their $1/month VPS hosting is one of the cheapest in the market, great value for basic hosting needs.
The global network of servers gives you flexibility to target specific geographic markets, NVMe SSD storage and 10 Gbps connectivity can deliver good performance for the price and they accept cryptocurrency payments and hourly billing which is modern and flexible approach to hosting.
However, be aware of the limitations. Performance can vary between locations, support quality may not be consistent and some advanced features found in premium hosting providers are missing. This service is best for users with some technical knowledge who prioritize affordability and not handling mission-critical or highly sensitive applications.
Overall PQ Hosting offers good value in budget VPS hosting. With plans starting from $1/month and going up to more robust configurations, they have options for a wide range of users from hobbyists to growing businesses. If cost is your top priority and you’re comfortable managing your own server environment, PQ Hosting is worth considering.
Final Verdict
Value for Money: ★★★★☆
Performance: ★★★☆☆
Ease of Use: ★★★☆☆
Features: ★★★☆☆
Customer Support: ★★★☆☆
Global Network: ★★★★★
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
PQ Hosting delivers great value for money with their global server network and affordable pricing. They may not match the performance or features of premium hosting providers but they have a solid solution for budget users who need more control than shared hosting provides.
FAQs About PQ Hosting
Is PQ Hosting good for complete beginners?
Users with some basic technical knowledge will have a better experience. Complete beginners might find the unmanaged VPS options challenging and should consider the managed hosting plans with cPanel or hPanel.
Does PQ Hosting offer shared hosting?
PQ Hosting mainly focuses on VPS/VDS hosting rather than shared hosting. Their cheapest VPS plans start from $1/month which is competitive with many shared hosting providers.
Can I upgrade my plan as my website grows?
Yes, you can upgrade VPS resources directly from their control panel without needing to contact support.
What payment methods does PQ Hosting accept?
PQ Hosting accepts credit cards, cryptocurrency, Google Pay and Apple Pay, so you have multiple options to pay worldwide.
Does PQ Hosting offer money-back guarantee?
PQ Hosting offers test period for certain plans not a traditional money-back guarantee. Check their current policies before buying.
Is PQ Hosting good for mission-critical business applications?
For mission-critical applications, businesses might consider PQ Hosting’s higher tier plans but should test the performance and reliability first, possibly through their test period offering.
How is PQ Hosting’s support compared to other providers?
Support quality seems to vary, 24/7 availability but mixed reviews on responsiveness and technical expertise. If you need extensive support, consider managed hosting plans with included support hours.