Instalobby vs Hostinger

On-demand game server hosting vs. traditional fixed monthly hosting. See which is right for you.

Instalobby
Instalobby
vs
Hostinger
Hostinger

At a Glance

Quick comparison of the key differences between Instalobby and Hostinger

IL

Instalobby

Pricing ModelPay-as-you-play
Starting Price$0.05/hour
Server Sizes3 sizes (S, M, L)
Total Regions19 regions
Change Region✅ Yes
Change Size✅ Yes
HG

Hostinger

Pricing ModelFixed Monthly
Starting Price$26.99/month
Server Sizes2 sizes (L, XL)
Total Regions9 regions
Change Region❌ No
Change Size❌ No

Pricing

See how costs compare based on playtime

On-demand
IL

Instalobby

$0.05/hour

Small VM (2 vCPU, 4GB RAM)

  • Pay only while server is running
  • Per-second billing precision
  • No monthly minimum or commitment
HG

Hostinger

$26.99/month

VPS Valheim hosting

  • Must pay even when not playing
  • Fixed predictable cost
  • 24/7 server availability

Cost Comparison Based on Playtime

Monthly PlaytimeInstalobbyHostingerYou Save
1 hours$0.05$26.99$26.94 (100%)
5 hours$0.25$26.99$26.74 (99%)
10 hours$0.50$26.99$26.49 (98%)
20 hours$1.00$26.99$25.99 (96%)
40 hours$2.00$26.99$24.99 (93%)
80 hours$4.00$26.99$22.99 (85%)

Feature Comparison

Detailed comparison across all key features

Server Types & Sizes

Server Size Options
3 sizes (Small, Medium, Large)
2 sizes (Large, Very Large)
Small Instance
2 vCPUs, 4GB RAM
❌ Not available
Medium Instance
2 vCPUs, 8GB RAM
❌ Not available
Large Instance
4 vCPUs, 16GB RAM
✅ 4 vCPUs, 16GB RAM
Very Large Instance
❌ Not available
✅ 8 vCPUs, 32GB RAM
CPU Allocation
Dedicated vCPUs
Shared resources

Flexibility & Control

Change Server Region
✅ Yes, between runs
❌ No
Change Server Size
✅ Yes, between runs
❌ No
Instant Region Switch
✅ Launch in any region
❌ Locked to one region
World Persistence
✅ Saved between sessions
✅ Saved

Global Coverage

Total Regions
19 regions
9 regions
North America
5 regions
1 region
Europe
6 regions
4 regions
Asia
5 regions
3 regions
Africa
✅ Johannesburg
❌ Not available
Middle East
✅ Doha
❌ Not available
South America
✅ São Paulo
❌ Not available
Oceania
✅ Sydney
❌ Not available

Pricing & Value

Pricing Model
Pay-as-you-play
Fixed Monthly
Hourly Rate (Small)
$0.05/hour
~$0.37/hour (calculated from $26.99/720hrs)
Pay Only When Playing
✅ Yes
❌ No - pay even when idle
No Monthly Minimum
✅ True pay-as-you-go
❌ Must pay full month ($26.99)
Cost for Weekend Play (8hrs)
$0.40
$26.99

What Each Excels At

Every service has its strengths

IL
Instalobby

True Pay-as-you-Play

Only pay for the minutes your server is running. A 3-hour gaming session costs exactly 3 hours. No hidden fees, no monthly commitments.

Global Low-Latency Access

19 regions worldwide means you and your friends can always find a server close to home. 14 regions Hostinger doesn't offer.

Right-Size Your Server

Choose from 3 different server sizes (Small, Medium, Large) to match your group size and performance needs. Start small, scale up when you need more power. Hostinger only offers Large (4 vCPU, 16GB) and Very Large (8 vCPU, 32GB).

Complete Flexibility

Change your server's region or size between gaming sessions. Try different configurations to find what works best for your crew.

HG
Hostinger

Established Web Hosting Provider

Hostinger is a well-known web hosting company with a global presence and extensive infrastructure.

All-in-One Hosting

Offers VPS hosting that can be configured for various game servers.

24/7 Support

Provides round-the-clock customer support for hosting-related issues.

Who Is It For?

Different hosting solutions for different needs

IL

Instalobby is ideal for

Casual Gamers

Play a few hours a week? Pay just for those hours instead of a full month.

Global Groups

Friends across different countries? Launch servers in the best region for everyone.

Budget-Conscious Players

Why pay for 24/7 hosting when you only play on weekends? Save up to 99%.

Experimenters

Try different server sizes and regions to find the perfect setup.

HG

Hostinger is ideal for

24/7 Server Hosts

If you need your server running constantly, fixed pricing can be predictable.

Long-term Projects

Running a long-term gaming project? Their monthly subscription may work for consistent usage.

Existing Hostinger Customers

If you already use Hostinger for other services, adding VPS hosting may be convenient.

The Verdict

Choose Instalobby if...

  • You want to pay only for actual playtime
  • You play part-time (weekends, occasional sessions)
  • You want to try different regions for the best ping
  • You need flexibility to change server size or location
  • You're budget-conscious and want to save money

Choose Hostinger if...

  • You need your server running 24/7
  • You want a well-established hosting provider
  • You need 24/7 customer support
  • You already use other Hostinger services
  • You prefer predictable monthly billing

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Instalobby's pay-as-you-play work?

Billing starts the moment your server comes online and stops when you shut it down. You're charged per-second for the exact time your server is running. No rounding up, no minimum charges.

Can I really save that much compared to Hostinger?

Yes. If you play 10 hours in a month, Instalobby costs $0.50 vs Hostinger's $26.99. Even at 40 hours, you're paying $2 vs $26.99. The savings are massive for part-time players.

What happens to my world when I shut down the server?

Your world is automatically saved to cloud storage. When you start your server again (even in a different region or size), your world is right where you left it.

How long does it take to start a server?

Typically under 5 minutes. We're continuously optimizing this, with most regions launching in 2-3 minutes.

Can I switch regions mid-game?

Region changes happen between server sessions. Shut down your server in one region, then start it in another. Your world data follows you.

Are there any limitations on server restarts?

No. Start, stop, restart as often as you like. You only pay for the time the server is actually running.

Does Hostinger offer pay-as-you-play?

No. Hostinger only offers fixed monthly subscriptions at $26.99/month for their VPS Valheim hosting.

What games does Instalobby support?

We currently support Valheim and Project Zomboid with more games coming soon. Check our roadmap for updates on supported games.

Ready to launch your server?

Start for free and get $1 in credits. No commitment, no hassle.