onionvps

Operating system

Custom ISO hosting from 256 MB RAM, no approval

Anything you can bootMin 256 MBRecommended 1 GBYou
Short answer

Every OnionVPS instance can boot an ISO you upload, over the out-of-band VNC console. That covers hardened images, obscure distributions, appliance operating systems and anything you have built yourself. There is no approval step and no additional charge.

Strengths

  • Boot literally anything
  • No approval process
  • VNC console for installation
  • No extra cost

Trade-offs

  • You own the installation and driver support

Best suited to

Hardened imagesAppliance operating systemsAnything not on our template list

Custom ISO on a KVM virtual server

Custom ISO is a mistake for most buyers because you inherit every driver issue and every boot problem. But on a KVM virtual server it is the only honest way to run a non-standard operating system. Containers share the host kernel, so OpenBSD, a hardened kernel, or an appliance ISO simply will not boot. KVM gives you your own kernel and full control. Know that you own the installation and driver support before you start.

People run hardened images, appliance operating systems, and anything not on our template list. The VNC console lets you install interactively and recover from a broken network config without opening a ticket. The weakness is that you handle drivers and updates yourself.

How much machine Custom ISO actually needs

Start at 256 MB if your OS boots there, but the OS itself eats most of it before your application starts. A minimal Linux or BSD with a service can fit, but 1 GB is comfortable for anything real. Buy 1 GB RAM and 20 GB disk for headroom.

Plans that suit Custom ISO

Skiff

Skiff 1

$ 4 /month
vCPU
1 × shared
RAM
1 GB
Storage
20 GB NVMe SSD
Transfer
2 TB
IPv4 / IPv6
1 / /64 routed
Configure
Skiff

Skiff 2

$ 7 /month
vCPU
1 × shared
RAM
2 GB
Storage
40 GB NVMe SSD
Transfer
3 TB
IPv4 / IPv6
1 / /64 routed
Configure
Skiff

Skiff 4

$ 12 /month
vCPU
2 × shared
RAM
4 GB
Storage
60 GB NVMe SSD
Transfer
4 TB
IPv4 / IPv6
1 / /64 routed
Configure

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM does Custom ISO need?

Custom ISO boots in 256 MB and is comfortable with 1 GB. Add whatever your application needs on top of that — the operating system baseline is a floor, not a budget.

Can I run Custom ISO on a VPS?

Yes, on true KVM virtualisation, which is what every OnionVPS instance runs. It is available as a ready template and can also be installed from your own ISO.

How long is Custom ISO supported?

n/a

Can I boot an ISO I uploaded myself?

Yes. You upload any bootable ISO to your instance and boot it over the out-of-band VNC console. There is no approval process and no extra cost. You own the installation and driver support from that point on.

What if I break networking during install?

Use the out-of-band VNC console to recover a broken network config without opening a ticket. You can see the console output and fix the configuration directly, even if the instance cannot reach the network.