Frequently asked questions about Core Hosting
Answers to the questions people ask us before ordering: web hosting, domains, VPS, dedicated servers and colocation, payments, VAT and support.
Grouped by service, with the same answers as on each service page. Did not find yours? Write to help@core.hosting.
General FAQ
Which service is right for my project?
Start with shared web hosting for websites, online stores and email. Choose Managed VPS when a site needs resources of its own but you would rather not run a server, and a Scalable VPS when you want full root access and your own software. A dedicated server gives you a whole physical machine, and colocation is for hardware you already own. You can start small and move up without changing providers.
What is the difference between shared hosting and a VPS?
On shared hosting many sites share one server and its settings, and we look after the server for you. A VPS is a virtual server with its own reserved CPU, RAM and NVMe storage and full root access: the resources and the operating system are yours alone, isolated from other clients, and you install whatever you need.
Scalable VPS or Managed VPS?
Both run on the same AMD EPYC servers in Tallinn. The difference is who takes care of them. With a Scalable VPS you choose CPU, RAM and NVMe in the configurator and run the server yourself, with full root access and an optional control panel. Managed VPS comes as the plans LITE, PRO and HOST with the ispmanager panel included: our team handles setup, security, updates and system-level tasks, and you work in the panel.
VPS or dedicated server?
A VPS shares a physical host with other virtual servers, each with its own reserved resources, and suits most projects. Choose a dedicated server when you need all of the hardware: maximum performance, very large databases or custom hardware.
Colocation or a dedicated server?
Both stand in the same data center in Tallinn. The difference is whose hardware it is. With colocation you bring your own servers and network equipment: you replace failed parts yourself, or Remote hands does it by the hour. A dedicated server is our hardware, rented with the service, and we replace failed parts from spares kept on site.
Can you move my existing site and email over?
Yes, free on every shared hosting plan. Mark that you need the move when you order, and add a domain transfer if the domain is coming too. We contact you for the details, agree on a time and move the files, databases and mailboxes.
How do I transfer a domain to Core?
Make sure the domain is unlocked at your current registrar and request the authorisation (EPP) code if the zone uses one. Then start the transfer with the transfer form, enter the code, and confirm by clicking the link sent to the domain’s contact address.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. The price on each service page is the full price, and it renews at the same price. You pay extra only for what you choose to add, such as more resources, extra IP addresses or a licence, and every extra cost is shown on the service page and in the cart before you pay.
Can I get my money back?
Yes, within 30 days of your first order. You get back the unused part of the payment, to your account credit by default or to the payment method you used, on request. Renewals, add-ons, licences and payments in cryptocurrency are not refundable. The details are in our Refund Policy.
Where do the servers physically sit?
In a TIER III data center in Tallinn, Estonia, with 99.993% guaranteed uptime. That is inside the EU, which also settles the GDPR question about where the data lives.
Which payment methods do you accept?
SEPA bank transfer, Paysera, card payments through Stripe, PayPal and cryptocurrency.
Can I get a VAT invoice? Is EU reverse charge available?
Yes. We issue invoices to private individuals and companies. Companies registered for VAT in another EU country pay no VAT under the reverse charge: enter your VAT number in the client portal before you order. Clients outside the EU pay no VAT either. Private individuals in the EU pay the VAT rate of their own country. Estonian clients pay Estonian VAT at 24%.
How does support work?
Our own engineers are on support 24/7, in Estonian, English and Russian. Open a ticket in the client portal or write to help@core.hosting.
Shared Web Hosting FAQ
Shared Web Hosting page →Which plan should I choose — SIMPLE, BASIC or PRO?
SIMPLE is one website on 64 GB — right for a blog or a company site. BASIC is three websites on 128 GB and adds Composer, Node.js, Python and SSH, which is what WordPress and small stores usually want. PRO is five websites on 256 GB with priority support. If you are unsure, start smaller: upgrading later does not mean moving the site again.
Can you move my existing site and email over?
Yes, free on every plan. Mark that you need the move when you order, and add a domain transfer if the domain is coming too. We contact you for the details, agree on a time and move the files, databases and mailboxes.
What happens when I outgrow shared hosting?
You move up, not out. Managed VPS keeps us responsible for the server and its updates; Scalable VPS gives you root access and your own choice of software. Either way the data stays in the same Tallinn data center.
Do I have to pay extra for an SSL certificate?
No. Free SSL covers every domain you host with us, and it is issued and renewed for you, so HTTPS works from the first day. Paid certificates exist for the cases that need a named organisation in the certificate.
How are backups handled?
Files and databases are backed up daily and kept for 14 days on every plan.
Which PHP versions and developer tools do you support?
PHP 5.6–8.5 on every plan, so an older project does not have to be rewritten before it can move. From BASIC upwards you also get Composer, Node.js 12.13.0–25.1.0, Python 3.8–3.12 and SSH access.
Is WordPress supported?
WordPress runs on all three plans; BASIC is the usual starting point for it, because three websites and 128 GB leave room for a staging copy. If you would rather not deal with updates and security yourself, add Managed Hosting and WordPress to any plan.
Do I need to buy the domain from you as well?
No. Leave the domain where it is and point it at us, or transfer it and keep hosting, DNS and certificate in one account. DNS service is included either way: 5 domains on SIMPLE, 10 on BASIC, 15 on PRO.
Where do the servers physically sit?
In a Tier III data center in Tallinn, Estonia, on AMD EPYC processors and NVMe SSD storage, with 99.993% guaranteed uptime. That is inside the EU, which also settles the GDPR question about where the data lives.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. The plan price covers everything on this page: daily backups, SSL, malware protection, the control panel, the website builder, moving your site and 24/7 support, and it renews at the same price. You pay extra only for what you choose to add from the additional services: more storage, extra websites or databases, larger mailboxes, a dedicated IP, managed services, or restoring files from a backup by our team (35.00 € one-time; databases you restore yourself in the panel at no cost).
What if it turns out not to suit me?
Within 30 days of your first order you can cancel and get back the unused part of the payment, to your account credit or, on request, to the payment method you used. The details are in our Refund Policy. Support is staffed by our own engineers 24/7, so the answer to a problem does not wait for office hours in another time zone.
Website Builder FAQ
Website Builder page →Do I need to know how to code?
No. You pick a template and change the texts and pictures in a visual editor. If you want to, you can still add your own HTML or scripts.
Does the website builder cost extra?
No. Site.pro comes with every Shared Web Hosting plan at no extra cost. Higher plans unlock more of the builder and larger uploads: pictures up to 2 MB on SIMPLE, 4 MB on BASIC and 6 MB on PRO.
How many websites can I build?
As many as your plan allows: one on SIMPLE, three on BASIC and five on PRO. Need more? Move to a higher plan, your websites stay as they are.
Is there an AI assistant?
Yes. The Site.pro AI assistant builds a first version of the website from a description and edits it on request, by text or voice: new sections and pages, texts, colours, page titles for search engines. Connect it with your own AI account.
Can I sell online?
Yes, on BASIC and PRO: a catalogue, a cart, one-click buying, product variants and stock, and 40+ payment methods, including Stripe, PayPal, Paysera and Klarna.
Will my website work on phones?
Yes. Every template has a mobile version built automatically, and you can hide or show any element per device.
Can I use my own domain?
Yes. The website is published on your hosting plan under your domain, with a free SSL certificate. Register a new domain with us or keep the one you already have.
Can I move my existing website into the builder?
Yes. Site.pro can import a website from another platform, and you carry on editing it in the builder.
What if I make a mistake?
Undo works inside the editor, and version history restores an earlier copy of the website. Your hosting account is also backed up daily and kept for 14 days.
Domains FAQ
Domains page →Does a transfer cost extra?
The transfer price usually includes a one-year renewal, so you pay for the year you would pay anyway, and the domain stays paid up. For some zones the transfer itself is free; .ee is one of them. Every zone is listed in the price table.
Do I need hosting to register a domain?
No. A domain can live on its own: point it at our name servers and it is parked for free, or at any other name servers and it works with them. Hosting, email and certificates can be added later, in the same account.
My site is hosted elsewhere. Do I have to move it?
No. Register or transfer the domain with us and point it at your current host’s name servers; the site keeps running where it is. Moving hosting is a separate decision, and if you make it, we move the site for free.
Can I edit the DNS records myself?
Yes, with the Domain Parking package, which gives you records and redirects for up to 50 domains, or with any hosting plan, which includes DNS service for 5, 10 or 15 domains. A domain that is simply parked on our name servers has its records looked after by us.
What is transfer lock?
A lock at the registry that stops anyone from moving the domain to another registrar without you. You lift it only when you decide to move the domain away.
What happens if I forget to renew?
You get reminders by email before the domain expires. What follows depends on the zone. A .com, for example, can still be renewed at the normal price for 30 days after expiry, then it goes into a 30-day redemption period where restoring it costs 77.49 €. Renewing on time is always the simplest option.
Can I change a domain name after registering it?
No, a registered name cannot be edited. Register the new one and forward the old domain to it, so links and bookmarks keep working.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. You see the price for one year, and the renewal price is listed next to it in the price table. Parking on our name servers and transfer lock cost nothing. To manage DNS records yourself, you need the Domain Parking package or a hosting plan.
Can I get a refund for a domain?
No. Domain registrations, renewals and transfers are not refundable, whatever the zone and however soon you cancel. Check the spelling before you order: a name with a typo is a new registration. The details are in our Refund Policy.
For which zones are you an accredited registrar?
For .ee, .fi, .is and .lv. We are also a RIPE NCC member.
How do I choose a good domain name?
Keep it short and easy to say aloud, use your brand name, and avoid hyphens and digits that people mishear. For a local audience a national zone such as .ee or .fi works best; for Europe as a whole, .eu. Register the obvious variants too, so nobody else takes them.
Scalable VPS FAQ
Scalable VPS page →What is a VPS, and how is it different from shared hosting?
A VPS is a virtual server with its own reserved CPU, RAM and NVMe storage and full root access. On shared hosting many sites share one server and its settings; on a VPS the resources and the operating system are yours alone, isolated from other clients, and you install whatever you need.
Do I need to know how to run a server?
Yes, a Scalable VPS needs basic server administration: you install and look after the operating system and software yourself. If you would rather have help, choose Managed VPS, where the ispmanager panel is included and our team takes care of the server.
Can I change CPU, RAM and storage later?
Yes, both up and down, from the client portal at any time. Resources change without reinstalling the server, without losing data and without service interruption.
How quickly is my VPS ready?
Typically within 1 to 5 minutes after payment confirmation. In most cases your server is online before you finish reading the welcome email.
Which operating systems can I install?
Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, CloudLinux, Windows Server, Fedora, FreeBSD, Arch Linux, Artix and NixOS, plus ready images such as MikroTik CHR, pfSense, Zabbix and FreePBX. You choose the system when you order, and you can also upload your own .ISO file.
Can I install Windows Server?
Yes. Windows Server 2022 and 2019 are available with a licence at 35.00 € a month, or as a free Evaluation version. Windows needs at least 2 CPU and 4 GB RAM.
Is a control panel included?
A Scalable VPS comes clean, without a panel. You can add ispmanager (Lite, Pro or Host) or Plesk (Web Admin, Pro or Host) when you order; every panel is installed on AlmaLinux 10 or CloudLinux. ispmanager comes with the first month free on monthly billing and two months free on annual billing. Managed VPS comes with ispmanager included.
Do you offer CloudLinux?
Yes. Core Hosting is a CloudLinux reseller, and CloudLinux OS is available as an operating system when you order, at 19.90 € a month with the licence included. It suits servers that host many websites under a control panel.
Do I get full root access?
Yes: full root access, or Administrator on Windows, with no restrictions on what you install and configure.
Can the server send email?
Yes. To keep the network clean of spam, SMTP ports 25, 465 and 587 are opened once your account is verified. For bulk mailing, use a dedicated email delivery service.
Can I run Docker, CI/CD pipelines or a VPN?
Yes. KVM virtualisation gives you full OS-level control, so Docker, Docker Compose, K3s, Jenkins, GitLab CI runners and GitHub Actions self-hosted agents run without restrictions, and so do WireGuard, OpenVPN or any other VPN. AMD EPYC CPUs with multiple cores handle parallel build jobs efficiently; scale CPU as your pipeline grows.
Can I host a WordPress website on your VPS?
Absolutely. WordPress runs well on any of our VPS configurations. We recommend at least 1 CPU, 2 GB RAM, and 50 GB NVMe for a single site. For high-traffic or multi-site setups, simply adjust the sliders in the configurator. You can install a LAMP or LEMP stack via root access, or choose a control panel during setup.
Is traffic unlimited?
Yes. Traffic is unmetered under a fair-use policy, with no monthly data allowance to count. Every server gets a port of up to 200 Mbps, and a 500 Mbps port is available as an option.
How many IP addresses do I get?
One IPv4 address is included, and you can add more, up to 8 per server.
Is DDoS protection included?
Yes. Basic protection against network-level (L3/L4) DDoS attacks covers every server.
How are backups handled?
A daily backup kept for 3 days is included, and you restore it yourself in the client portal. For a longer history, choose 7 or 14 days when you order.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. The price in the configurator is the full price of the server, and it renews at the same price. Daily backups (3 days), an IPv4 address, DDoS protection, unmetered traffic and 24/7 support are included. You pay extra only for what you add: more resources, extra IP addresses, a longer backup history, a control panel licence or a Windows licence.
Managed VPS FAQ
Managed VPS page →What is a Managed VPS?
A virtual server that our team runs for you. We set it up, keep it secure and updated, monitor it and take care of every system-level task. You work in the ispmanager panel: websites, mail and databases.
What do you take care of, and what is left to me?
We install and configure the server, apply security updates, monitor it and handle system-level work. You manage what the ispmanager panel gives you: sites, mailboxes, databases and DNS records.
How is it different from a Scalable VPS?
On a Scalable VPS you get a clean server with full root access and look after it yourself; you choose CPU, RAM and NVMe freely. A Managed VPS comes as a ready plan with ispmanager, and our team looks after the server.
Do I need technical knowledge?
No. If you can work in a control panel, you can run your sites on a Managed VPS. The server side is ours.
Which plan should I choose?
LITE suits one or several projects, up to 10 websites. PRO is for commercial sites with growing load, up to 50 websites, with Docker and CloudLinux limits. HOST has no website limit and unlocks every ispmanager feature, including reselling, for agencies and studios.
Can I add resources or change the plan later?
Yes. You can add CPU, RAM and storage to your plan, or move to another ispmanager licence when your projects grow.
Which operating system does the server run?
AlmaLinux 10, prepared and kept up to date by our team.
How are backups handled?
A daily backup kept for 3 days is included in every plan. You can see, download and restore backups yourself in the client portal; for a longer history choose 7 or 14 days.
Do you move my existing websites and mail?
Yes, for free: websites, mailboxes, databases, all your hosting data. Mark that you need the move when you order, and we agree on a time and move everything over. Moving the domain itself is a domain transfer, added to the same order at the transfer price.
How quickly is the server ready?
Ready for production in minutes. Choose a package, we configure the rest.
Is traffic unlimited?
Yes. Traffic is unmetered under a fair-use policy, with no monthly data allowance to count.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. The plan price covers server administration by our team, the ispmanager licence, daily backups (3 days), an IPv4 address, DDoS protection, unmetered traffic and 24/7 support, and it renews at the same price. You pay extra only for what you add: extra IP addresses, a longer backup history (7 or 14 days), or more CPU, memory and storage when your sites need them.
Dedicated Servers FAQ
Dedicated Servers page →What is a dedicated server and how is it different from a VPS?
A dedicated server gives you an entire physical machine — CPU, RAM, storage, and network — reserved exclusively for you, with no resources shared with other clients. A VPS is a virtual slice of a shared physical server. Dedicated servers suit workloads that need maximum, consistent performance, full hardware access, and strict compliance or isolation requirements; a VPS is enough for most websites and applications.
Where are your dedicated servers located?
All dedicated servers run in a TIER III data center in Tallinn, Estonia, within the European Union. This keeps your data under EU jurisdiction and gives European businesses low-latency connectivity across the region, backed by GDPR compliant infrastructure.
How fast is a dedicated server activated after ordering?
Dedicated servers are provisioned within 2–5 business days after payment, since each server is configured to order (CPU, RAM, storage, RAID, OS). This is longer than instant VPS activation, but it is needed for physical hardware setup.
Do I get root/administrator access with full hardware control?
Yes. Every dedicated server comes with full root (Linux) or Administrator (Windows) access, giving you complete control over the operating system, software, and configuration — no shared-hosting restrictions.
Do you provide remote KVM/IPMI access for server management?
Yes, every dedicated server includes 24/7 IPMI/KVM access over VPN, so you can reach the server console, reinstall the OS, or troubleshoot remotely — even if the server doesn't boot. The VPN access is included in the price, with no monthly fee.
Which operating systems and control panels are available?
We install Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, CloudLinux, CentOS, Fedora Server, FreeBSD, Windows Server, Proxmox VE, Hyper-V or VMware ESXi before handover, or you install your own ISO through IPMI/KVM. The ispmanager and Plesk control panels are available as an option on AlmaLinux 10 or CloudLinux.
Is the Windows Server licence included?
The Windows Server licence is added to the monthly price of the server; the configurator shows it before you order. The evaluation edition has no licence fee.
Can I choose my own RAID configuration and storage setup?
Yes. You can select the RAID level and combine SSD/NVMe drives to match your workload — from a single fast NVMe drive to a redundant multi-drive array for maximum uptime. A hardware RAID controller is an option in the configurator.
What bandwidth is included?
Every server comes with 1 Gbps shared unmetered: unlimited traffic, no overage charges. A dedicated channel of 1, 2, 5 or 10 Gbps can be added on the plans that offer it. DDoS protection is included with every server.
Can I add more IPv4 addresses?
Yes. Each server includes 1 IPv4 address, and you can have up to 8 — choose them in the configurator or add them later in the client portal.
Are backups included with a dedicated server?
No, dedicated servers don't include backups by default — full control of the storage means backup strategy is up to you. If you'd like managed backups, our Linux Server Backup service can be added separately.
What happens if hardware fails — how fast is it replaced?
Faulty hardware is typically replaced immediately from spare parts on site. In rare cases requiring a special component, replacement takes up to 2–5 business days.
Can I upgrade RAM, storage, or bandwidth later?
Yes, RAM, storage, and network bandwidth can be upgraded as your project grows — contact support to reconfigure your server without switching to a new plan.
Is there a minimum contract period?
The minimum period is one month, and every server comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. On plans marked "2 months free", annual billing costs ten months instead of twelve.
Is remote hands assistance available?
Yes. Remote hands — physical assistance at the data center (cable connections, hardware replacement, visual inspection) — is available by ticket in the client portal. It is billed by the actual time spent, in steps of 30 minutes: 85 € an hour Monday to Friday 09:00–19:00, 125 € an hour Monday to Friday 19:00–00:00, and 150 € an hour 00:00–09:00, at weekends and on public holidays (EET/EEST, VAT not included).
Colocation FAQ
Colocation page →What is colocation?
Colocation means your own servers and network equipment stand in a professional data center: you own the hardware, and we provide rack space, power, cooling and connectivity. Your equipment is placed in a TIER III data center in Tallinn run by Telia, with two independent power feeds, N+1 cooling and 24/7 security.
What is included in the price?
Rack space, the power you choose, two independent power feeds, 2 IPv4 addresses, a 1 Gbps RJ45 port on a shared uplink, one IPMI / iLO / iDRAC port, and installation and rack mounting of your equipment. The setup fee is 0.00 €.
How is the price calculated?
The price is the plan plus what you choose. Rack Space is 10.00 € a month plus 20.00 € for each rack unit and 35.00 € for each ampere of power, so a single unit with 1 A is 65.00 € a month. Half Rack and Full Rack include their space and start with 4 A. Extra IP addresses, a committed or 10 Gbps port and cross-connects are added on top. All prices exclude VAT.
How do I deliver my equipment?
After you order, we give you the delivery address. Send the equipment there or bring it in person; we install it, mount it in the rack and connect power and network within 1–3 business days after it arrives.
Can I visit the data center?
Clients with a Half Rack or a Full Rack can access the data center and work on their equipment in person. With Rack Space, our Remote hands service does the physical work for you.
What is Remote hands and how much does it cost?
Remote hands is physical work at your equipment by our engineers: cabling, swapping a part, a reboot or a visual check. Open a ticket in the client portal. Work is billed by the actual time spent, in steps of 30 minutes, after the task is done: 85 € an hour Monday to Friday 09:00–19:00, 125 € an hour Monday to Friday 19:00–00:00, and 150 € an hour 00:00–09:00, at weekends and on public holidays (EET/EEST, VAT not included). Half Rack includes 1 hour a month, Full Rack 2 hours.
How much power do I need?
Power is sold in amperes at about 230 V: 1 A is roughly 230 W. Rack Space comes with 1–10 A, Half Rack and Full Rack with 4–32 A. Check what your equipment draws under typical load and leave some headroom; servers with dual power supplies can use both power feeds.
What network connection do I get?
Every order comes with a 1 Gbps RJ45 port on a shared uplink. If you need a guaranteed rate, choose a committed channel of 500 Mbps or 1 Gbps, or a 10 Gbps SFP+ port, shared or with 1 or 3 Gbps committed. Cross-connects in fiber or UTP to other operators in the data center are available as well.
How many IP addresses are included?
2 IPv4 addresses are included. You can take 8 or 16 instead when you order.
Can I test the network before I order?
Yes. The looking glass on this page lets you run ping, traceroute and MTR and download test files from a server in the same data center in Tallinn.
Can I get a refund for colocation?
No. Under our Refund Policy, colocation services are not refundable. If you are unsure which setup you need, ask our team before you order and we will help you choose.
Did not find your answer? Write to help@core.hosting or see all the ways to contact us.