Which VPS Providers Allow Port 25? A 16-Provider Comparison
Port 25 is needed for direct email sending with SMTP, however VPS providers have various rules to stop spam. This comparison covers 16 VPS providers, explaining which allow outbound port 25 by default, require approval, or restrict direct email delivery. VPSCore offers VPS hosting with outbound port 25 open by default, which is suitable for users who require direct SMTP access. This article will discuss provider policies, verification and sending restrictions to assist you in selecting the right VPS for your email requirements.
Which VPS Providers Allow Port 25? The Short Answer
Not every VPS provider allows direct email delivery out of the box. Of the 16 providers compared, VPSCore, Contabo, Hostinger, and OVHcloud leave outbound port 25 open by default. However, Contabo and Hostinger limit sending rates, while OVHcloud applies additional anti-spam controls.
Scaleway provides a way to allow port 25 to be enabled once identity is verified. Other providers, such as Vultr, AWS, Linode, UpCloud, IONOS, STRATO and Oracle Cloud, need an application to lift the limitation. Hetzner’s review is done on a case-by-case basis, once you have had an account for at least a month. Outbound port 25 is only open on Enterprise subscriptions. There is no standard process for DigitalOcean or Google Cloud to remove the block.
Why Do Hosting Providers Deny Access to Port 25?
Port 25 is the port on which spam leaves. Providers block it in order to avoid being put on blocklists. That is fair. However, it is also detrimental to honest users. For people with their own mail servers, that port is necessary to send mail directly to other servers.
Ports 587 and 465 are NOT an alternative. They allow your email application to log on and send mail via a server. They will not allow your own server to send mail directly.
Therefore, if you are looking for a VPS that lets you use port 25, using a relay on port 587 will not fix the issue.
Which VPS companies support port 25 without any request?
Four out of 16 providers have port 25 open without request. They are VPSCore, Contabo, Hostinger and OVHcloud. Contabo and Hostinger limit the number of emails you can send. You could get your IP blocked by the anti-spam system if it detects spam from your IP on that port.
You can turn it on by yourself after identity check, using Scaleway. On request it is opened by Vultr, AWS, Linode, UpCloud, IONOS and STRATO as well as by Oracle Cloud. Hetzner makes a decision on a case-by-case basis. Azure does not open it on any plans except enterprise. I wasn’t able to find any way to unblock it from DigitalOcean or Google Cloud.
Looking for a VPS with open port 25 and no extra steps? Begin with the 4 open providers.
Can I use port 587 instead?
Not if you want to operate your own mail server. Port 587 and 465 allow your email application to log in and send using a server. Mail servers send mail to one another via port 25.
If port 25 is blocked, sending can only be done via a third-party relay. Direct mail is not allowed. If you’re going to use self-hosted mail, you have to use a VPS that has open port 25.
How do the 16 providers compare on port 25?
The table is sorted by how easy it is to send. Open providers come first. Use it to find a VPS with port 25 open quickly. Always check the provider’s own documentation before you buy, because policies change.
| Provider | Outbound port 25 | What it takes |
|---|---|---|
| VPSCore | Open at every location | Allowed on VPSCore plans in all locations. |
| Contabo | Open, rate-limited | No block documented. About 25 emails a minute. |
| Hostinger | Open, rate limited | Not blocked. Capped at 5 emails a minute. |
| OVHcloud | Open, under anti-spam watch | Not blocked by default. Can be blocked if spam is detected. Local Zones cannot reach SMTP servers. |
| Scaleway | Blocked, self-service | Pass identity verification, then tick “Enable SMTP”. |
| Vultr | Blocked, on request | Open a support ticket. |
| AWS EC2 | Blocked, on request | Send AWS’s removal request. Port 25 is allowed only to private addresses until then. |
| Linode (Akamai Cloud) | Restricted, on request | Support request with your name, domains and use case. |
| UpCloud | Blocked, on request | Proof of identity or a payment method, plus your use case. |
| IONOS | Blocked, by phone | Call support. You need a hostname, matching reverse DNS and an SPF record. |
| STRATO (Root Servers) | Blocked, on request | Contact support to have it opened. |
| Oracle Cloud | Blocked, on request | Service limits request for an exemption. Applies to tenancies created after 23 June 2021. |
| Hetzner Cloud | Blocked, case by case | One month as a customer and a paid first invoice. |
| Microsoft Azure | Enterprise plans only | Open on enterprise subscriptions. Blocked on pay-as-you-go. |
| DigitalOcean | Blocked | No published unblock process. |
| Google Cloud | Blocked | No self-service route. |
Which providers limit the emails you can send?
Two of the open providers do limit the number of emails you can send. Contabo’s limit is approximately 25 emails a minute, about 1,500 an hour. Hostinger’s is 5 emails a minute.
Both limits work well with a small, personal mail server. They’re too low for bulk sending. If you intend to send more than that, be sure to verify the cap before you sign up.
Which VPS has Port 25 Open in Every Location?
VPSCore has it open in every location. Port 25 is open on VPSCore plans in all locations. The currently listed ones are: Amsterdam, Canada, Germany, London, Singapore, New York, and San Francisco.
You do not need to review separate policies for each region. Choose the location nearest to your audience, deploy, and begin configuring your mail. If you are seeking a port 25 VPS without complications, this is the most straightforward option listed. It is also a convenient way to obtain a VPS with open port 25 in your required region.
Is an Open Port 25 Enough to Get Email Delivered?
No. An open port only lets you send. Delivery needs more.
You need a dedicated IP address. You need reverse DNS that matches your hostname. You also need SPF, DKIM and DMARC records on your domain. Start with small volumes and let your IP build a reputation. Even a VPS with port 25 open needs this groundwork.
Does open port 25 mean I can send bulk email?
No. Every provider here acts on abuse reports. Open port 25 lets you run a mail server and deliver directly. It does not cover unwanted bulk mail to lists you never built.
Send only to people who asked for your emails. Honour unsubscribe requests. A port 25 VPS works best when you treat it as a real mail server.
Can I pay for VPSCore with crypto?
Yes. VPSCore accepts all coins. That includes Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT) and Monero (XMR). You do not need a bank card to get started.
Each coin suits a different buyer. BTC is the most widely held, so many people already have some. ETH works well if your funds are already on that network. USDT is a stablecoin, so its value stays close to a fixed price. That means the amount you plan to pay does not change much between deciding and paying. XMR suits buyers who want more privacy in how they pay.
Crypto also helps if card payments are a hassle where you live. Some banks decline hosting payments. Some regions have limited card options. Paying in crypto avoids both problems.
The steps are simple. Choose your plan and your location. Pick the coin you want to pay with. Send the payment, then deploy your server. One tip: network fees vary by coin and by network. Check them before you send so you pay the exact amount.
Payment is only part of the picture. The real value is the open port. But it is nice to have a host that lets you pay your way.
How To Choose the Right Provider?
Start with how you plan to send. Your answer decides which provider fits. A personal mail server has very different needs from a large mailing platform.
Providers That Are Ready Today
If you need a VPS with port 25 open today, pick one of the four open providers. They are VPSCore, Contabo, Hostinger and OVHcloud.
You can deploy and start setting up right away. No ticket, no identity check, and no waiting period stand in your way.
Small Print to Check First
Even so, check the small print first. Contabo allows about 25 emails a minute. Hostinger allows 5. Those limits are fine for a small business or a personal server. They are too low for larger sending.
OVHcloud has no fixed cap, but its anti-spam system can block port 25 if it detects spam from your IP. VPSCore keeps port 25 open at every location, so you do not have to check each region.
Providers That Unblock on Request
If you can wait, the request-based providers will work. Vultr, AWS, Linode and UpCloud all lift the block after you ask. Expect a support ticket and a short wait. Some will want proof of identity. Some will ask you to describe your use case.
IONOS unblocks by phone. STRATO opens the port through support. Oracle Cloud needs a service limits request.
Self-Service and Slower Routes
Scaleway is a little easier. Once you pass its identity check, you switch the port on yourself.
Hetzner is slower. You need to be a customer for a month and pay your first invoice. Then it reviews your request case by case.
Poor Fits for Self-Hosted Mail
Some providers are a poor fit for self-hosted mail. Azure opens port 25 only on enterprise plans. DigitalOcean and Google Cloud publish no way to unblock it.
On those, you will rely on a third-party relay. That works for sending, but you cannot run your own server on it.
Read the Documentation Before You Pay
One rule applies to all of them. Read the provider’s own documentation before you pay. Policies change, and a short check now saves you a long delay later.
Final Analysis
The policy for port 25 is quite different on each host. The majority of providers shut it down. A few leave it open. Many make you ask, and a couple never open it at all. If you are running your own mail server, then that gap is important.
An open port isn’t the only solution either. You still require your own IP address and a reverse DNS that correlates with your hostname. You need SPF, DKIM and DMARC records on your domain. It is also advisable to begin with small quantities and establish your IP’s reputation. That way, you have a much better chance of having your mail delivered to the inbox.
VPSCore is designed for those who desire a VPS that will give them port 25 access without the hassle. From Amsterdam to London, New York to Singapore, port 25 is open at all locations. You select the area that is nearest to your target audience and deploy. Payment is also allowed in BTC, ETH, USDT, XMR or any other coin.
Once your VPS port 25 open setup is live, the next steps are simple. Add your DNS records. Warm up your IP. Only send to individuals who have requested you do so. A port 25 VPS from VPSCore provides you with the base. You build the rest.
All set to begin? Choose your location and plan at VPSCore, and have your server running today.