Bare Metal Server vs Dedicated Server: Key Differences and Which One to Choose

Modern IT infrastructures require high performance, reliability and flexibility. When it comes to physical servers, questions often arise: what is the difference between a Bare metal server and a Dedicated server? Both options provide exclusive access to hardware resources, but differ in the level of management, configuration and usage scenarios.

In this article, we will analyze which is better: bare metal server vs dedicated server. We’ll also go through the key differences in their management and functionality, learn when to choose bare metal and when - a dedicated server.

What is a Bare Metal Server?

Bare metal hosting is a physical server provided to the user in its "clean" form, without a pre-installed operating system, hypervisor or any software. This is "hardware" in its basic state, which can be configured for any task.

Key features of Bare Metal:

• Full access to hardware resources (CPU, RAM, SSD/HDD, network interfaces) without virtualization.
• No pre-installed OS — the user chooses and installs the system (Linux, Windows, ESXi, Proxmox, etc.).
• High performance — no virtualization overhead (like in VPS/cloud).
• Flexibility — you can deploy an y infrastructure: virtualization, Kubernetes, DBMS, data storage, etc.
• Suitable for complex tasks — rendering, machine learning, high-load databases, game servers.

What is a Dedicated Server?

What is a dedicated server? It is a physical server that is fully used by a single client. Unlike virtual servers (VPS/VDS), it does not share resources with other users, providing maximum security and control.

Key features of a Dedicated server:

• Exclusive resources — all CPU, RAM, disks, and network interfaces are yours alone.
• Ready-made infrastructure — usually comes with a pre-installed OS (Windows/Linux) and basic software.
• Flexible configuration — you can choose a server for specific tasks (games, databases, hosting, etc.).
• Two management options: Managed — the provider helps with administration, updates, and security. Unmanaged — the client configures and maintains the server themselves.

Key Differences Between Bare Metal Servers and Dedicated Servers

Bare metal servers and dedicated servers are very similar — they both give you full access to a physical machine with no resource sharing. Though they are quite similar, there are few differences on how they are managed and used. Let's go into the details about how they are different.

Virtualization

A Dedicated server usually has a pre-installed OS (Windows Server, Linux), but without a hypervisor. You can install virtualization, but with limitations: the provider may prohibit nested virtualization, and access to hardware functions (VT-x/AMD-V, PCIe passthrough) may be limited.

Pros:

• Ready to work (no need to configure hardware).
• Often supported by the provider (if the managed option is selected).

In the case of a Bare server, you get a completely clean server without an OS — you can install any hypervisor directly on the hardware. You get full access to hardware functions and support for VT-x/AMD-V, SR-IOV, GPU Passthrough. You have the ability to deploy virtualization clusters (Proxmox VE, VMware ESXi, Xen).

Pros:

• Maximum performance (no overhead for "extra" OS layers).
• Complete flexibility — you can choose any hypervisor and configure it to your needs.
• Best support for hardware accelerators (GPU, NVMe, FPGA).

Winner: Bare Metal Server — it offers full control and virtualization support with 0 restrictions.

Customization and Control

In terms of access and control, Bare metal has:

• Full root access to hardware components (BIOS/IPMI, RAID controllers, network interfaces).
• The ability to fine-tune hardware (CPU overclocking, power consumption mode management).
• Direct access to hardware slots (PCIe, M.2) for custom configurations.

If we talk about a Dedicated server, it has:

• Limited access to low-level settings (often blocked by BIOS/IPMI)
• Standardized hardware configurations without the ability to modify
• Dependence on provider policies in terms of access to hardware functions

Bare metal requires manual installation of the basic input-output system (BIOS/UEFI), storage system (RAID configurations), operating system or hypervisor. There is also a need to independently configure network interfaces and monitoring systems

A Dedicated server has an automated pre-installation of standard OS images, basic drivers, remote management systems, and the ability to choose from predefined configurations

Winner: Bare Metal Server — it provides great flexibility and access for in-depth customization.

Performance

A Bare metal server and a Dedicated server fundamentally differ in performance levels due to the degree of access to hardware resources and their optimization capabilities.

A Bare metal server provides the highest possible performance due to direct access to all hardware components without any intermediate virtualization layers. The user gets full control over fine-tuning BIOS/UEFI settings, including managing processor operating modes (Turbo Boost, C-states), memory timings and frequencies, and PCIe device bandwidth distribution. This allows for specialized optimizations for specific workloads, be it high-performance computing, rendering, or machine learning. This is especially critical for tasks that use GPU acceleration via PCIe Passthrough or work with NVMe drives, where native access to hardware without any overhead is important.

A Dedicated server, on the other hand, offers standardized performance. Although it also provides exclusive access to physical resources, the ability to fine-tune them is limited by provider policies. As a rule, access to advanced BIOS settings, XMP/AMP memory profile management, and fine-tuning of the network stack is blocked. This leads to minor (1-3%), but noticeable for highly loaded tasks, performance losses due to the use of common drivers, provider monitoring systems, and standard energy-saving processor settings.

The key difference manifests itself in scenarios with extreme performance requirements. A Bare server is irreplaceable for tasks that require maximum hardware responsiveness — high-frequency transactions, low-latency data processing, working with RDMA. A Dedicated server is better suited for more predictable workloads, where stability and ease of deployment are more important than absolute performance.

Winner: Bare Metal Server — is best for performance-critical tasks.

Management

Bare metal server vs Dedicated server differ significantly in the level and complexity of management. A Bare metal server provides the administrator with full control over the entire hardware infrastructure, while requiring deep technical knowledge for configuration. The user independently installs the operating system, configures BIOS/UEFI, configures RAID arrays and network interfaces, and is also responsible for all aspects of maintenance. This approach provides maximum flexibility, but places full responsibility for the system's operability on the administrator.

A Dedicated server offers a more simplified management model, where the main low-level settings have already been completed by the provider. The client receives a server with a pre-installed operating system and a basic set of software, which significantly reduces deployment time. Management is carried out through standard interfaces and administration panels, and many routine tasks (hardware monitoring, basic maintenance) are taken on by the provider's specialists, especially in the case of managed solutions.

Winner: Dedicated Server — it has a lower entry barrier and is simpler to manage.

Cost

When comparing the cost of a Bare metal server and a Dedicated solution, it is important to consider several fundamental differences in the cost structure. The initial rental price of a Dedicated server is usually lower, as providers offer standardized configurations with pre-installed software, which allows them to optimize their maintenance costs. However, a Bare metal server, despite its higher base cost, is often more cost-effective for specific tasks due to the absence of hidden payments for additional services and the ability to fine-tune for specific workloads.

The key difference in cost between different server hosting types manifests itself in the long term. Dedicated servers usually include the cost of licensed software, technical support, and other service components in the monthly payment, which can significantly increase the final costs. In the case of Bare metal servers, the client pays only for the hardware, receiving the freedom to choose the operating system and software, which is especially beneficial for companies using open-source solutions. It should be taken into account that saving on a Bare server requires the appropriate technical competencies of the staff, since all work on setup and maintenance falls on the shoulders of the client.

For large projects with non-standard equipment requirements, Bare metal hosting often turns out to be optimal in terms of price/performance, while a Dedicated solution is preferable for standard tasks, where predictability of costs and ease of management are more important.

Winner: It’s a Tie:

Bare Metal Server: better for custom, long-term workloads.
Dedicated Server: better for budget and simple setups.

Use Cases

The areas of application of Bare metal server vs Dedicated server vary significantly depending on the requirements for flexibility, performance and level of control. Bare metal servers find their main application in specialized high-load scenarios where maximum hardware performance is critical. In scientific computing and machine learning, Bare metal servers allow you to use the full potential of GPU clusters via PCIe Passthrough technology, providing direct interaction with the hardware. They are also indispensable for high-performance databases, where fine-tuning of the storage subsystem and full access to the processor hardware resources are required.

Dedicated servers are more often used in more standardized scenarios where speed of deployment and stability of operation are important. They have proven themselves as a platform for corporate web applications, high-load online stores and content management systems, where guaranteed performance is required, but there is no need for deep hardware customization.

In the gaming industry, Dedicated servers are widely used for hosting multiplayer games due to the balance between power and ease of management. For media companies, they serve as a reliable platform for streaming video and audio content, ensuring stable operation without the need for complex settings. Dedicated servers are also often chosen by companies that value predictability of infrastructure operation and the ability to delegate some of the administration tasks to the provider.

Winner: It’s a Tie (depends on the case):

Bare Metal Server: for performance and flexibility.
Dedicated Server: for ease of deployment and standard needs.

Which One Should You Choose: Bare Metal or Dedicated Server?

The choice between server hosting types depends on specific business tasks, technical requirements and company resources.

The key factor in choosing is the balance between the need for specialized configuration and the willingness to bear additional costs for administration. If the project requires unique hardware configurations or works with exotic software, a Bare server will provide the necessary flexibility.

For typical tasks with a predictable load, a Dedicated server will offer the best combination of price and functionality without unnecessary management complications. Ultimately, the decision should be based on a clear understanding of technical requirements, budget and available human resources to support the infrastructure.

When to Choose a Bare Metal Server

A Bare server should be chosen in the following cases:

1. High-performance computing (HPC, GPU, AI/ML)

   • Neural network training and machine learning (TensorFlow, PyTorch)
   • 3D graphics and video rendering (Blender, Unreal Engine)
   • Scientific computing and simulations (bioinformatics, CFD analysis)

2. Virtualization and private clouds

   • Deploying your own cloud (OpenStack, VMware ESXi)
   • High-performance Kubernetes clusters
   • Virtual machines with PCIe Passthrough (GPU, FPGA)

3. Low-latency and high-load applications

   • High-frequency trading (HFT)
   • Databases with strict IOPS requirements (Oracle, SAP HANA)
   • Real-time data processing (DSP, video transcoding)

4. Specialized tasks with custom settings

   • Optimization for a specific hardware (setting up BIOS, RAID, network stacks)
   • Using non-standard OS or kernels (FreeBSD, modified Linux)
   • Working with hardware accelerators (ASIC, TPU, InfiniBand)

When to Choose a Dedicated Server

A Dedicated server is worth choosing for the following cases:

1. Corporate and web projects

   • Large online stores and high-load sites
   • CRM and ERP systems (1C, Bitrix24)
   • Mail and file servers for business

2. Gaming industry and streaming

   • Hosting of game servers (Minecraft, CS:GO, WoW)
   • Video broadcasting and streaming platforms
   • Media storage and CDN nodes

3. Security and compliance

   • Projects with increased security requirements
   • Systems requiring physical isolation of data
   • Servers for compliance with industry standards (PCI DSS, GDPR)

4. When ease of management is important

   • For companies without their own IT department
   • When rapid deployment is required
   • For projects with predictable load

Conclusion

The choice between Bare metal server vs Dedicated server depends on the specific technical and business requirements of the project. A Bare metal server provides maximum performance and full control over the hardware, making it an ideal solution for specialized tasks: high-performance computing, complex virtualization systems and working with unique configurations.

Dedicated servers, in turn, offer a balanced solution for standard business tasks, combining the high performance of a physical server with ease of management and technical support.

The best option depends on how much control you need, what is the performance level of your apps and if you or your team have time and expertise in system administration. The choice, it’s simple: if you want a complex and custom setup — go with bare metals. No-fuss and simple infrastructure is needed — go with dedicated servers.

And trust us, dedicated servers are often a smarter choice ;)