Head-to-head · Home Assistant Hosting
VPSIoT vs Cloud Forge
VPSIoT leads on 1 check, Cloud Forge on 2, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreVPSIoT · 7.3/10
- Free planonly Cloud Forge
VPSIoT scores higher on our rubric for home assistant hosting: 7.3 against 6.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.
Cloud Forge offers free plan; VPSIoT doesn't. VPSIoT offers automated backups; Cloud Forge doesn't publish it. Cloud Forge offers custom domain + ssl; VPSIoT doesn't publish it.
VPSIoT is the better fit for DIY users who want a Home Assistant-ready VPS. Cloud Forge is the better fit for cloud users comfortable completing deployment in provider.
- VPSIoT fits best
DIY users who want a Home Assistant-ready VPS
- Cloud Forge fits best
Cloud users comfortable completing deployment in provider
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Side by side
| Feature | VPSIoT 7.3/10 Visit ↗ | Cloud Forge 6.6/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.3 | 6.6 |
| Ranking | #5 in Home Assistant Hosting | #8 in Home Assistant Hosting |
| Best for | DIY users who want a Home Assistant-ready VPS | Cloud users comfortable completing deployment in provider |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free |
| Starting price | $9.99/mo | Not published |
| Free plan | — | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business |
| Features VPSIoT 2/4 · Cloud Forge 2/4 | ||
| One-click deploy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Managed updates | — | — |
| Automated backups | ✓ (best) | Not published |
| Custom domain + SSL | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Specs | ||
| Free trial | Not published | Not published |
| Server locations | 3 | Not published |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | VPSIoT sells unmanaged cloud VPS servers, including servers with a ready-made Home Assistant deployment image. It is aimed at solo users and small teams who want a Home Assistant-ready server but are comfortable administering the system… Read the review → |
Cloud Forge is a browser-based launcher that prepares deployments of curated applications in a user's AWS or Alibaba Cloud account. For Home Assistant hosting, it may suit cloud users who are comfortable completing deployment in their… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
VPSIoT — where it wins
- Ready-made Home Assistant image speeds initial deployment
- Root access, snapshots and dedicated IPv4 and IPv6
- Three listed locations in Germany and Finland
Where it doesn't
- Customers manage Home Assistant and server software themselves
- Automated daily backups cost extra
- No free plan; monthly pricing starts at $9.99
Cloud Forge — where it wins
- Free browser-based catalog of curated application deployment templates
- Prepares deployments for AWS CloudFormation and Alibaba Cloud ROS
- Lets users select a cloud provider, region, and application version
Where it doesn't
- Home Assistant template presence is not established
- Resources run in the user's cloud account, not on Cloud Forge
- Final review and deployment confirmation happen in the provider console
- VPSIoT7.3/10 · From $9.99/mo
A self-managed VPS with a Home Assistant image, root access and monthly plans from $9.99.
Visit VPSIoTFull verdict → - Cloud Forge6.6/10 · Free plan
A free launcher for cloud deployments, not a managed Home Assistant host.
Visit Cloud ForgeFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Last updated · How we research and update