Why do people pay for server hosting?

Am I missing something? Wouldn’t it be cheaper just to run it on your own machine?

  • Server hosts typically have better performance.
  • Server hosts don’t require you to own a server.
  • Server hosts pay their own electricity bill.
  • Server hosts don’t require port forwarding (which is sometimes literally impossible on home networks).
  • Server hosts have 1Gbps uplink connections, compared to home internet sometimes being as low as 5-20 Mbps.
  • Server hosts usually offer a backup solution that “just works”.
  • Server hosts have support that can help with issues.

The reasons are MANY. It is rarely worthwhile to self host, even from a financial perspective, as a 24/7 online dedicated server uses electricity which costs money.

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  • Server hosts will handle repairs, maintenance, and upgrades.
  • Server hosts will probably be on better peered networks.