Working on UpCloud: Cloud Servers, Team Access, Prepaid Billing and Port 25
UpCloud’s cloud servers and MaxIOPS storage, the two-factor and sub-account features for teams, how the prepaid hourly billing model works, and how port 25 access is requested.
UpCloud is a Finnish provider with a reputation for fast storage, transparent pricing and European data residency. This guide covers the services, the account security and team access features, how the prepaid billing model works, and the port 25 policy. For a closer look at server plans and MaxIOPS, see our UpCloud servers and storage overview.
What you can build on UpCloud #
| Service | What it does |
|---|---|
| Cloud Servers | Virtual machines with full root access; Starter plans begin at a few dollars per month for 1 GB RAM and 1 CPU core and scale up, with Premium and Cloud Native lines above |
| MaxIOPS storage | UpCloud’s proprietary block storage with substantially faster reads and writes than standard SSD tiers, suited to databases and busy sites |
| Managed Databases | MySQL, PostgreSQL and Valkey with backups and maintenance handled for you |
| Managed Kubernetes and Load Balancers | Container orchestration and traffic distribution |
| Managed Object Storage | S3-compatible storage |
| Networking | IPv4, IPv6, private networks and a configurable firewall |
| Data centers | Locations across Europe, the United States and Asia |
Servers can be upgraded without downtime, which suits growing applications. Developers value the simplicity; businesses value EU-based infrastructure for compliance.
Securing an UpCloud account #
- Use a strong password. UpCloud requires at least 12 characters with lowercase, uppercase and a number.
- Enable two-factor authentication in the account details by pairing an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator, Duo Mobile or Microsoft Authenticator.
- Know the backup authentication path. If you lose the authenticator, UpCloud can send a one-time code by SMS or automated call; the option appears on the login screen after one incorrect code.
- Configure the firewall for each server and allow only required inbound and outbound traffic.
- Review account activity and API credentials regularly.
Team access and management #
- Sub-accounts: create additional accounts for team members, each with their own username and password and access only to the services you assign.
- Granular permissions by category: Control Panel, API, Cloud Servers, Storage, Managed Databases, Object Storage, Load Balancers, Private networks, Routers and Tags.
- Tags: categorize and filter servers, and combine tags with access control so each person can modify only the servers assigned to them, a zero-trust style of administration.
- Backups: scheduled backups of server storage, plus manual snapshots before changes.
- API: a full API and CLI for automation.
How UpCloud billing works #
- Prepaid balance. You add funds to the account, and usage is deducted from the balance hourly.
- Hourly, capped at 28 days. Cloud Servers are billed hourly and capped at 28 days per month, so monthly cost is the same regardless of month length.
- Billing states: Starter and Premium servers are billed whether powered on or off; Cloud Native servers are billed only while powered on.
- Zero-cost egress: outbound traffic is included at no charge under UpCloud’s Fair Transfer Policy.
- Payment methods: major cards, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay at the time of writing, with optional automated recurring payments so the balance never runs dry.
- Free trial: a 14-day trial with credit lets new users test the platform under UpCloud’s current terms.
Cost habits: set automated payments, right-size servers, delete unused servers, and take advantage of free egress for bandwidth-heavy workloads.
Port 25 and email #
Outbound SMTP port 25 is closed on all new accounts to prevent misuse and accidental open relays. During the trial, the firewall is locked to common web ports and port 25 is blocked in both directions. If you have a genuine need to send mail on port 25, contact UpCloud support: they ask for identity verification, a payment method and an explanation of the use case, which protects the network’s delivery reputation. For most applications, an authenticated relay or email API is the simpler answer; see SMTP port 25 on cloud servers.
Resizing without downtime #
Because Cloud Servers can be upgraded in place, the sensible pattern is to start with the smallest plan that runs the application comfortably and resize when monitoring shows sustained pressure on CPU, memory or disk throughput. MaxIOPS storage means disk is rarely the bottleneck for databases; CPU and memory are the usual reasons to move up a plan. Take a backup before any resize, as with any storage operation.
How teams use UpCloud #
Developers use Starter plans for development and testing and appreciate the resize-without-downtime path when a project grows. Businesses run production on Premium servers with MaxIOPS storage and Managed Databases, often choosing European locations for data residency. Server hosting customers run web stacks, game servers and control panels; web hosting customers value the zero-cost egress for media-heavy sites. Agencies ask each client to hold the main account and create a sub-account for the agency with access only to that client’s servers, which is exactly what the permission system was designed for.
A first-week checklist #
- Enable two-factor authentication and note the backup authentication path.
- Set up automated payments so the prepaid balance never runs dry.
- Create sub-accounts for teammates with permissions scoped by category and tag.
- Configure the firewall for each server and add SSH keys.
- Schedule backups for stateful servers and test a restore.
- Decide the email path: authenticated relay or API provider, or a support request if you truly need port 25.
Official references #
The UpCloud documentation covers servers, billing, sub-accounts and the port 25 policy. Our UpCloud platform overview summarizes the platform and how to sign up officially.
Frequently asked questions #
Can I send email from my UpCloud server?
Port 25 is closed by default. Request access from support with verification and a use case, or send through an authenticated relay or email API on another port.
How do I manage my UpCloud account?
Through the Control Panel, or the API and CLI for automation. Sub-accounts let team members work without sharing the main login.
Are powered-off servers billed?
Starter and Premium servers are; Cloud Native servers are billed only while running.
