As businesses increasingly demand high-performance computing, security, and scalability, bare-metal cloud providers have emerged as a leading solution. Unlike traditional virtualized cloud services, bare-metal clouds offer dedicated hardware, reducing latency, improving performance, and enhancing security.
In 2026, enterprises and developers are looking for providers that can support data-intensive workloads, AI applications, and mission-critical services. Here’s our list of the top 10 bare-metal cloud providers to watch in 2026.
1. IBM Cloud Bare Metal Servers
IBM Cloud continues to lead with its customizable bare-metal servers, offering high-performance compute, advanced security, and seamless hybrid cloud integration. Ideal for AI, analytics, and enterprise workloads.
2. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)
Oracle’s bare-metal solutions provide low-latency, high-IO performance with complete control over infrastructure. OCI is perfect for enterprises looking for scalable, secure, and cost-efficient bare-metal cloud services.
3. OVHcloud Bare Metal Servers
OVHcloud delivers affordable, high-performance bare-metal solutions globally. Known for flexible configurations and strong DDoS protection, it’s popular among developers and SMEs.
4. Equinix Metal
Equinix Metal focuses on edge computing and global deployment, offering bare-metal servers with low-latency access across multiple regions. Excellent for network-intensive applications and hybrid cloud setups.
5. Amazon EC2 Bare Metal Instances
AWS EC2 bare-metal instances provide full hardware access with the flexibility of AWS services. Ideal for high-performance workloads, virtualization, and containerized environments.
6. Microsoft Azure Bare-Metal Infrastructure
Azure offers dedicated bare-metal servers optimized for enterprise-grade security and compliance. Their integration with Azure’s cloud ecosystem supports AI, ML, and database workloads efficiently.
7. Packet (now part of Equinix)
Packet is known for programmable, fully automated bare-metal infrastructure. It supports developers building scalable applications and multi-cloud orchestration.
8. Liquid Web Bare Metal Cloud
Liquid Web delivers high-performance servers with managed support, making it ideal for businesses seeking reliable, secure, and hands-on bare-metal solutions.
9. PhoenixNAP Bare Metal Cloud
PhoenixNAP focuses on hybrid cloud and global bare-metal deployment, offering customizable servers and high-performance storage, perfect for enterprise workloads and disaster recovery.
10. Hetzner Bare-Metal Servers
Hetzner provides affordable and flexible bare-metal servers with a strong reputation in Europe and global markets. Suitable for developers, startups, and medium-sized enterprises.
Why Bare-Metal Cloud Providers Are Key in 2026
Bare-metal cloud services provide unique advantages:
- High performance: Dedicated hardware reduces latency and maximizes throughput.
- Enhanced security: Isolation from other tenants ensures sensitive data protection.
- Scalability: Easily scale infrastructure for growing business needs.
- Control & customization: Full control over hardware and network configurations.
For enterprises running AI, analytics, gaming, or financial applications, choosing the right bare-metal provider can be game-changing.
Conclusion
The top 10 bare-metal cloud providers in 2026 offer enterprises and developers powerful, secure, and scalable solutions. Whether for high-performance computing, AI workloads, or global deployment, investing in the right provider ensures reliability, speed, and competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving cloud landscape.