Contabo launches dedicated-GPU VPS for AI inference

Contabo has released a new GPU VPS product designed to address a persistent gap in the market: providing dedicated GPU resources without the unpredictability of metered cloud billing or the upfront commitment of a full dedicated server. The offering targets professionals running single-node workloads such as AI inference, rendering, and simulation, where flexibility and cost stability are critical.

The instance includes a single Nvidia RTX PRO 6000 GPU, which features 96 GB of GDDR7 memory—enough to handle a 70-billion-parameter model on one card. This capacity is paired with 18 vCPUs, 96 GB of RAM, and 900 GB of NVMe storage, all preconfigured with Ubuntu 24.04 and CUDA drivers. The hardware is certified for professional tools like Maya, Houdini, and Cinema 4D, making it suitable for VFX studios managing deadline-driven projects. Contabo has positioned the product as unsuitable for large-scale, multi-node model training, where H100 or A100 clusters with NVLink remain the preferred solution.

How the offering fits into the market

The GPU rental landscape has long been divided between hyperscalers, spot and marketplace providers, and dedicated GPU servers. Hyperscalers offer managed access but often introduce unpredictable costs due to metered billing. Spot and marketplace GPU providers, while cheaper, suffer from fluctuating availability and pricing, complicating long-term planning. Dedicated GPU servers provide stable capacity but require customers to commit to an entire machine, even for workloads that only need a single GPU. Contabo’s GPU VPS aims to bridge these options by offering a flat-rate, no-commitment alternative that retains the stability of dedicated hardware.

Pricing is set at €999 per month, with discounts of 15% for 12-month commitments and 20% for 24-month terms. The product is currently available in Europe and US Central regions. Contabo has emphasized that the offering is not intended for large-scale training workloads but rather for inference, rendering, and simulation tasks where a single high-memory GPU can replace the need for multiple instances.

Practical implications for operators

For professionals managing AI inference pipelines, RAG workflows, or rendering projects, the product’s 96 GB memory ceiling reduces the need to fragment workloads across multiple GPUs. The inclusion of ISV-certified hardware also ensures compatibility with industry-standard tools, which is particularly valuable for studios with tight deadlines. The flat-rate pricing model eliminates the risk of unexpected costs, a common pain point with metered cloud services. However, the product’s regional availability and lack of support for multi-node training may limit its appeal to larger enterprises or those with geographically distributed teams.

What to watch

Contabo’s entry into the dedicated-GPU VPS market could prompt similar offerings from other providers, particularly those targeting mid-market customers. If demand proves strong, competitors may introduce comparable flat-rate products with varying hardware configurations. Additionally, the success of this product could influence how providers structure pricing for GPU resources, potentially shifting away from metered billing for certain workloads. Observers should monitor whether Contabo expands regional availability or introduces additional GPU models to cater to broader use cases.