When you set up a Virtual Private Server (VPS) at Hostinger, you can choose an operating system (OS) template to define your server environment. An OS template is a pre-configured disk image that allows you to install a Linux distribution and specific software stacks instantly. Hostinger offers clean OS installations, templates with pre-installed control panels, and specialized environments for Docker containers, which allow you to run applications in isolated units for better efficiency.
Depending on your project, you may choose between a plain OS, a control panel, or a containerized environment. Understanding these differences helps you select the right foundation:
- Operating System (OS): The core software that manages server hardware (e.g., Ubuntu, AlmaLinux).
- Control Panel: A graphical interface (GUI) installed on top of an OS to simplify server management, like CyberPanel or Plesk.
- Application: Specific software pre-installed on the OS to perform a task, such as WordPress or OpenVPN.
- Container: A lightweight, isolated environment (like Docker) that packages an application and its dependencies to run consistently across different systems. Containers allow you to deploy multiple applications in your server.
Before you start
- All available Hostinger VPS operating systems are 64bit.
- Some templates include third-party software or control panels that require a separate license to function.
- These licensed features may offer a free trial period or require an upgrade to a paid version for full access.
- You can purchase certain licenses directly through Hostinger; otherwise, refer to the official software vendor.
Changing or reinstalling your current template permanently deletes all data on your VPS; ensure you download backups before proceeding.
Available operating systems
Hostinger offers various Linux-based distributions for KVM VPS and Game Panel hosting.
AlmaLinux
- Plain OS: Versions 8, 9, and 10.
- OS with control panel: Available for AlmaLinux 9
* The required license can be purchased separately at Hostinger.
Ubuntu plain
- Plain OS: Versions 22.04, 24.04, 25.04, and 25.10.
Other
- Alpine Linux: Standard installation.
- CentOS: 9 Stream and 10 Stream.
- CloudLinux: Versions 8, 8 Solo, and 9. The required licenses for all versions of CloudLinux can be purchased directly from the vendor.
- Debian: Versions 11, 12 (including FreePBX or MediaWiki), and 13.
- Fedora Cloud: Fedora Cloud 42.
- Kali Linux: Standard installation.
- openSUSE: Leap 15.6 and 16.0.
- Rocky Linux: Versions 8, 9, and 10.
Pre-installed applications
Ubuntu 22.04 applications
- Control panels: TinyCP.
- Stacks: LAMP, LEMP, MEAN, MERN, and MEVN.
- VPN and security: OpenVPN, Zabbix.
- Media and communication: Bluesky, Jitsi, Plex Media Server.
- Collaboration: GitLab, Nextcloud, Odoo.
- Cloud Orchestration: KubeSphere.
Ubuntu 24.04 applications
- Control Panels: CloudPanel, Cloudron, Easypanel, FASTPANEL, HestiaCP, ServerAvatar Lite.
- Development tools: Anaconda, ASP.NET, Claude Code, Django, Laravel, Node.js, PocketBase, Rails, Strapi, Supabase, VS Code, Windmill.
- CMS and eCommerce: Ghost, Joomla, Magento 2, OpenCart, PrestaShop, TYPO3, WooCommerce, WordPress.
- AI and data: Flowise, n8n, Ollama.
- Containers and deployment: Appwrite, ClusterControl, Coolify, Dokku, Dokploy, Portainer.
- Media and Monitoring: Grafana, Jellyfin, Owncast, Uptime Kuma.
- Communication and Utilities: Akaunting, Chatwoot, Discourse, Home Assistant, Moodle, Peppermint.sh, Redmine, Rocket.Chat, WireGuard.
- System: Desktop.
Docker containers on Hostinger VPS
For containerization setup, you can select the Ubuntu 24.04 with Docker template. This allows you to manage applications using Docker. Once installed, you can deploy a vast range of pre-configured applications from the Hostinger Docker catalog.
By choosing the right Hostinger VPS template, you can significantly reduce the time spent on manual configuration and software installation. Whether you need a clean OS for custom development or a pre-configured environment, these templates provide a robust foundation for your projects.