Review of SmartApe Hosting Provider

Brief Overview of the Provider

SmartApe is a Russian hosting provider operating since 2012. The company offers shared hosting, VPS/VDS, and dedicated server rental. It is suitable for customers who want to start with a regular website while keeping the option to move to a virtual or physical server later.

The provider focuses on website hosting, virtual servers, and dedicated infrastructure. Part of the servers are located in Moscow, while the rest are hosted in Czechia and Israel. This can be useful for projects where the hosting location matters.

What SmartApe Is Suitable For

SmartApe can be considered for company websites, blogs, CMS projects, small online stores, VPS tasks, and projects that need a dedicated server. The provider covers several levels: from shared hosting with ISPmanager to VPS on KVM or Hyper-V and dedicated servers based on Intel and AMD processors.

• Shared hosting for websites, CMS projects, blogs, forums, and small internet projects.
• CMS plan with 1C-Bitrix support.
• VPS/VDS for applications, test environments, work environments, and projects on Linux, FreeBSD, or Windows.
• Dedicated servers for tasks that require physical resources without virtualization neighbors.
• Projects where unlimited traffic and free DDoS protection for VPS or dedicated servers are important.

Shared Hosting

SmartApe offers one classic shared hosting plan and one specialized CMS plan with 1C-Bitrix support. The classic plan is designed for an unlimited number of websites, 100 GB of NVMe storage, an unlimited number of databases, and starts from 295 ₽ per month. The CMS plan also includes 100 GB of NVMe storage and starts from 495 ₽ per month.

A free 14-day trial period is available for shared hosting. After payment, money-back is available as a refund of the remaining account balance on request. This is convenient for customers who want to test the panel, support, and website performance on real hosting first.

When Shared Hosting Is Enough

Shared hosting is suitable if you need to host a website without managing the server yourself. Account management is handled through ISPmanager, so the main tasks — files, domains, databases, website settings, and email — can be managed through the control panel.

Technical Hosting Features

SmartApe shared hosting runs on Linux. The source mentions support for IonCube Loader, Nginx, and XCache. This matters for CMS platforms, scripts, and projects that need standard server capabilities without moving to VPS.

• One classic shared hosting plan.
• One specialized CMS plan with 1C-Bitrix support.
• 100 GB of NVMe storage in current plans.
• Unlimited websites and databases in the classic plan.
• 14 days of free trial.
• Website migration can be arranged through support.

VPS/VDS

SmartApe offers 13 VPS plans, including a constructor where virtual server parameters can be configured for specific tasks. In addition to Linux-based servers, it is possible to order VDS with FreeBSD and Windows. KVM and Hyper-V are used for virtualization, and traffic is listed as unlimited.

New virtual server users get a free 10-day trial period. This is useful if you need to check performance, the control panel, network parameters, and ease of management before full payment.

When VPS/VDS Is a Better Choice

VPS/VDS is worth choosing when regular hosting is no longer enough. It is an option for projects that need separate resources, more control over the environment, a choice of operating system, and the ability to configure the server for a specific task.

• 13 VPS plans are available.
• A virtual server constructor is available.
• Linux, FreeBSD, and Windows are available.
• KVM and Hyper-V are used.
• Traffic is listed as unlimited.
• The VPS trial period is 10 days.

Dedicated Servers

SmartApe offers more than 70 dedicated server configurations based on Intel and AMD processors. This format is suitable for projects that need physical resources: a dedicated CPU, memory, disks, and network channel without virtualization neighbors.

For dedicated servers, a 100 Mbps connection, unlimited traffic, and free DDoS protection are listed. Basic administration is also provided for free, which can be an important advantage for customers who need help with the server without separate hourly payment.

• More than 70 dedicated server configurations.
• Intel and AMD processors.
• Connection — 100 Mbps.
• Traffic is listed as unlimited.
• DDoS protection for dedicated servers is provided for free.
• Basic dedicated server administration is provided for free.

Management and Ease of Use

ISPmanager is used for shared hosting. It is a clear panel for website owners who need to manage an account without constantly working through the console. For VPS, users can choose Hestia or ISPmanager, while ISPmanager Light is available from 330 ₽ per month.

Technical support works around the clock via email, tickets in the control panel, and online chat. SmartApe specialists can also help migrate a website from another hosting provider and configure it after agreement with support.

• ISPmanager for shared hosting.
• Hestia or ISPmanager for VPS.
• ISPmanager Light is available from 330 ₽ per month.
• Plans include a free control panel.
• Support works 24/7 via email, tickets, and online chat.
• Website migration can be arranged with SmartApe specialists.

Security, Backups, and Additional Services

For virtual dedicated servers, SmartApe provides free protection against DDoS attacks. For dedicated servers, DDoS protection is also listed as free. This is an important advantage for projects that may face unwanted network traffic or attacks.

At the same time, backup for VDS is not provided. This is an important limitation: if the project stores data, orders, documents, or user information, the backup strategy should be planned independently or clarified with support.

• DDoS protection for VPS is provided for free.
• DDoS protection for dedicated servers is provided for free.
• Backup for VDS is not provided.
• IPv4 is listed as a paid option from 195 ₽ per month.
• ISPmanager Light for VPS is available from 330 ₽ per month.

Limitations and Important Conditions

Before ordering, it is important to consider that backup for VDS is not provided. If the project is sensitive to data loss, backups should be planned in advance. It is also worth considering the cost of additional options, such as IPv4 and ISPmanager Light for VPS.

In case of early termination of a paid dedicated server, SmartApe returns the unused account balance. This is a useful condition, but before ordering it is still worth carefully checking the configuration, port, control panel, operating system, and backup requirements.

• The shared hosting trial period is 14 days.
• The VPS trial period is 10 days.
• Backup for VDS is not provided.
• IPv4 is paid separately — from 195 ₽ per month.
• ISPmanager Light for VPS is available from 330 ₽ per month.
• In case of early termination of a dedicated server, the unused balance is returned.

Who Should Choose SmartApe

SmartApe is suitable for users who want to start with shared hosting while keeping the option to move to VPS/VDS or a dedicated server. The provider can be convenient for websites, CMS projects, applications, test environments, and tasks where unlimited traffic, ISPmanager, and free DDoS protection matter.

If you need a simple website without server administration, shared hosting can be a good starting point. If the project needs separate resources, Windows, FreeBSD, KVM, Hyper-V, or flexible parameter configuration, VPS/VDS is the better direction. For heavier tasks, dedicated servers are available, but backups and additional options should be planned in advance.