CloudCone Review: Hourly Billing and CN2 Routes Optimized for China

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• Starting Price: $4.20 / Month

• Payment Methods: Alipay, PayPal, Credit Card

• Rating: 9.1 / 10

Company Background

Founded in 2014, CloudCone is a U.S.-based hosting provider primarily operating out of Los Angeles data centers. They offer a diverse range of hosting products, including Linux/Windows VPS and Dedicated Servers. Known for their budget-friendly pricing and hourly billing model, they are particularly popular among users in Mainland China.

Official Website: Managed Cloud Hosting, Dedicated Servers, Cloud Services – CloudCone

Detailed Overview

CloudCone focuses on its Los Angeles-based infrastructure, providing Linux VPS, Windows VPS, and Dedicated Servers. Their standout feature is hourly billing (similar to Vultr), though this is currently limited to their Linux VPS line. By offering both CN2 GT and CN2 GIA routes alongside Alipay support, CloudCone has built a substantial user base in the Chinese market.

• Data Centers: All services are hosted in Los Angeles. While they utilize a single facility, they offer multiple network routes. Initially launching with CN2 GT, they added the premium CN2 GIA route in 2020 specifically to cater to the demands of Chinese users.

• Technical Support: Support is available via email (hello@cloudcone.com), a ticketing system, and a comprehensive Knowledge Base. Currently, there is no live chat support.

• Usability: The custom control panel is straightforward, supporting core functions like OS reinstallation and server reboots. The hourly billing allows users to deploy multiple instances after funding their account and stop billing immediately upon service deletion. While efficient, the interface is slightly less polished than Vultr’s.

• Speed and Reliability: As a well-established and large-scale provider, CloudCone’s reliability is high. The CN2 GT route performs similarly to standard 163 (AS4134) routes, while the CN2 GIA route offers significantly better speeds (though it does not quite reach the performance levels of BandwagonHost’s CN2 GIA). However, CloudCone is notably more affordable.

Product Lineup

1. VPS Hosting

• Linux VPS: Supports hourly billing. Standard CN2 routes start at $4.20/month, while CN2 GIA annual plans start as low as $40/year.

• Windows VPS: Entry-level configuration starts with 4GB RAM at $17.49/month.

• Big Storage VPS: Tailored for data storage; 250GB storage plans start at $20/year.

2. Dedicated Servers

• CN2 GIA Servers: Starting at $73/month for 16GB RAM, 512GB Storage, 1TB Traffic, and a 1000Mbps port.

Pricing Tables

VPS Hosting Plans

Dedicated Servers

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Hourly Billing: High flexibility for short-term projects.

• Budget Friendly: Extremely competitive pricing for the features offered.

• CN2 Routes: Optimized connectivity for Asian regions.

Cons:

• Windows Pricing: Significantly higher costs for Windows-based plans.

• Speed Caps: Some plans may have bandwidth limitations compared to premium providers.

FAQ

• Q: What payment methods are accepted?

  • A: CloudCone supports Alipay, PayPal, and Credit Cards.

• Q: What are the main features of their VPS plans?

  • A: Linux VPS features hourly billing and starts at $4.20/mo (CN2) or $40/yr (CN2 GIA). Windows VPS is billed monthly.

• Q: Where is the data center located?

  • A: All servers are located in Los Angeles, USA.

• Q: How do I contact technical support?

  • A: Via email, the ticket system, or their Knowledge Base.

Summary

CloudCone offers an excellent balance of price and performance, particularly for users requiring CN2 connectivity. The hourly billing model provides great flexibility, allowing users to easily swap IPs by destroying and recreating instances. It is a highly recommended choice for those seeking a flexible, low-cost US-based host.