There are various reasons you might want a Windows RDP VPS server –from web hosting to game servers, application development, computation, or general work. Like many services, this is commonly paid for monthly, with a set sum no matter how much you use the server.  Some hosts, however, have bucked this trend in favor of hourly billing. Today, we’ll discuss each model and its advantages and disadvantages across various categories.

Flexibility

The main advantage of an hourly system is, of course, the flexibility it provides. Because consumers aren’t locked into a monthly contract, they’re able to use their Windows RDP server on their terms. While monthly billing is fine if you’re say, hosting, and your server is running all the time, it makes a lot less sense for intermittent tasks such as office work, development, etc. With an hourly payment system, consumers can shut down their VPS when they’re done and not have to worry about paying for what they don’t use.

Payment consistency

Many people opt for monthly billing because it is easy to budget for. This is especially true when plans are based on data usage – nobody wants to face a massive bill when they accidentally overuse one month. When it comes to Windows RDP, however, the picture is a little different.

If you use your server for an inconsistent number of hours, then yes, your billing will also be inconsistent. However, there’s a set number of hours in a month (730). With it comes to Windows RDP servers, hourly billing will never result in unexpectedly large bills. If your server is up 24/7, 365, then you’ll see the same charge each month. Anything under that is savings.

Cost

Cost is a difficult thing to compare when it comes to VPS providers. It can vary greatly depending on the specifications, service quality, and other factors. It is not uncommon for providers with hourly payment systems to charge a little more (due to the lack of guaranteed income), but at the same time, some of the cheapest VPSs on the market are from hourly providers. Additionally, many people save more by the ability to shut their server down when they’re finished and only pay for what they’ve used.

Often you’ll find it’s best not to go for the cheapest provider you can find, however, with cost often directly proportional to things like uptime and support quality. Hourly payment systems are generally more consumer-friendly because they let you try the service for a bit without being locked into a monthly bill.

Some providers additionally let you pay for a Windows VPS with bitcoin, increasing payment privacy.

Conclusion

Paying for a Windows RDP server hourly offers the consumer many benefits without significant downsides. The ability to pay for only what they use provides significantly more flexibility at little to no additional cost. Most importantly, it offers a more friendly environment for consumers by allowing them to try a service before they are locked into a month’s payment.