HELPER VPS

Crypto node VPS: blockchain node hosting

The HELPER VPS crypto node VPS is a Linux cloud server for running blockchain nodes such as Bitcoin and Ethereum and RPC services in your choice of 40 cities, starting at $25.00 per month. Root access and public IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are included, and as block data grows you can attach extra disks for plenty of room.

Which plans fit blockchain node hosting?

The disk size and speed nodes need vary greatly by chain. The five combinations below are starting points for common node types, and you can grow disks with the extra disk option at creation.

    Every plan has the same specs and price in all 40 cities, and extra disks of 50 to 1000 GB and automatic backups are chosen at creation and included in the monthly price.

    Which blockchain nodes can I run on a VPS?

    A VPS is a good fit for light to mid-sized nodes, development and test nodes, and the services around nodes. For hardware-heavy nodes, a dedicated server fits better, and we point you that way too.

    What are the benefits of running a node VPS at HELPER VPS?

    Tools used alongside node servers

    Most chain clients and operations tools run officially on Linux and Docker. Create the server with the Docker app image and you can run containers right away.

    Place your server close to your users

    Choose the location closest to your users among 40 cities in 31 countries.

    How do I put a Bitcoin full node on a VPS?

    For a Bitcoin full node, the initial sync, which downloads blocks and validates every transaction, takes the longest. More memory speeds this up, so raise the dbcache value in the Bitcoin Core config file to match your memory size. Once synced, it uses little CPU day to day and just keeps receiving new blocks.

    If your disk is small, set a prune value in bitcoin.conf to run in prune mode. The minimum is 550 MB, and even in this mode every block is validated yourself, which is enough for connecting your own wallet to your own node. However, block explorers and some indexers that need to reread old blocks require a full archival node, so choose a setup with an extra disk attached.

    After creating the server, download the official Bitcoin Core release on Ubuntu 24.04 or Debian 12, verify the signatures and install it. Open port 8333 for connecting with other nodes, and keep RPC port 8332, used by wallets and apps, accepting connections only from within the server or allowed IPs for safe operation.

    What specs do Ethereum and Solana nodes need?

    Ethereum runs two clients together, execution and consensus, and mainnet full node data well exceeds 1 TB on fast NVMe and keeps growing. Official guidance recommends 16 GB of memory or more and about 2 TB of fast disk, so for running a mainnet node long term, a dedicated server is the better fit. On a VPS, build testnet nodes such as Sepolia, development nodes and light clients with a memory optimized plan and an extra disk.

    Solana validators are heavy nodes demanding many CPU cores, hundreds of GB of memory, several fast NVMe disks and a large uplink. So Solana mainnet validators and RPC nodes run on dedicated servers, while VPS are used for testing programs with solana-test-validator, or running bots calling external RPCs, wallet alerts and data collectors.

    Whatever the chain, check the minimum specs in the client's official docs first and choose one plan up, making syncs and upgrades smoother. If specs fall short, create a new server on a bigger plan in the same account and move over, and for hardware-heavy nodes, ask us on the dedicated servers page.

    What should I take care of to run node servers securely?

    First, add an SSH key and choose it when creating the server, for much safer access than password login. Open only SSH and the node's P2P port in the firewall, and keep RPC and admin interfaces reachable only from your IP or VPN. Running WireGuard on the same or another server as a management channel is a common approach too.

    It is safer to keep staking signing keys and wallet private keys separate from the node server. If you run a validator, take care never to use the same key on two servers at once, and consider a setup with a remote signer or a hardware wallet. With the automatic backup option on, your config files and data are kept as well, and when you need a restore, request it on the support page after your first payment.

    Standard and high-performance plans are shared vCPU servers suited to node operation, development and testing. For work that runs the CPU fully all day, use a dedicated CPU plan with vCPUs reserved for you or a dedicated server, for even performance that also fits the acceptable use policy well.

    More VPS by use case

    Crypto node VPS: blockchain node hosting FAQ

    Can I run a Bitcoin full node on a VPS?

    Yes, you can. Prune mode is fine even on a standard 12 GB plan, and to keep every block, attach an extra disk to a larger plan for plenty of space. The initial sync can take a few days.

    How do pruned nodes and full archival nodes differ?

    Both are full nodes that validate every block themselves. A pruned node deletes old blocks after validating them to use a small disk, while a full archival node keeps every block and can serve services that reread past data, such as explorers and indexers.

    Can I run an Ethereum mainnet full node too?

    A mainnet full node needs close to 2 TB of fast disk, so for long-term operation we recommend a dedicated server. On a VPS, you can comfortably build testnet or development nodes with a memory optimized plan and an extra disk.

    Can I run a Solana validator on a VPS?

    Solana validators need dedicated server-class hardware, so please ask on the dedicated servers page. A VPS is a great fit for spinning up a local test network with solana-test-validator or running bots and apps that use external RPCs.

    What if I run out of disk?

    Choose and attach an extra disk of 50 to 1000 GB when creating the server. If you need more space, create a new server on a plan with a larger disk and move your data, or pick a suitable setup on the VPS with plenty of disk page.

    Can I leave the RPC port open?

    It is safer to accept RPC only from your app server IPs or VPN. Open it publicly and others will use your node's resources, so set allowed IPs with the firewall and put an Nginx proxy with authentication in front if needed.

    Do I pay for node servers with USDT?

    Yes, your server is created for the billing period you choose (1, 3, 6 or 12 months). Pay the renewal invoice before the period ends to keep your server running.

    Which plan fits work that uses lots of CPU for a long time?

    Standard and high-performance plans are enough for node operation, development and testing. For heavy work that runs the CPU fully all day, choose a dedicated CPU plan with vCPUs reserved for you or a dedicated server for even performance, which also keeps you in line with the shared server acceptable use policy.

    Can I spread nodes across several regions?

    Yes, you can create them in any of 40 cities with the same plans and prices. You can have up to 10 servers per account, so it is a good idea to spread your main node, backup node and monitoring server across different countries.