Artfiles Review 2026. Is artfiles.de good web hosting in Germany?

📄 Editorial Review

(3*) 🔧 Services: Web HostingDomain Registration
Artfiles is a Hamburg-based hosting and infrastructure provider that has been building and operating its own data centers and network since 2000. They present a broad stack ranging from entry-level shared hosting for blogs and small sites to enterprise-grade setups on dedicated servers, colocation, and an OpenStack-based cloud platform. Leadership today sits with managing directors Tim Evers and Harald Oltmanns, and the company’s history page traces the brand back to its founding in 2000, with co-founder Carsten Bals mentioned among the early figures.

Their Webhosting line is split into three clear tiers:

• Private Web – an inexpensive starter option for small websites and blogs.
• Business Web – aimed at growing sites and small businesses that need more resources and tooling (cron jobs, SSL/TLS, databases).
• Professional Web – two variants: one running on Artfiles’ af.stack cloud for elastic resources, and one on a dedicated bladeserver for maximum, isolated performance.

Across shared hosting, Artfiles emphasizes stable performance, transfer included (no metered traffic on the shared tiers), daily backups managed by the provider, modern PHP stacks, and an in-house DCP (Domain Control Panel) to manage web and email services. Mail hosting is a notable strength: there’s a dedicated section explaining their own mail system, address/alias management, and straightforward administration.

For heavier workloads, Dedicated Hosting offers classic single-tenant machines (including blades) and tailor-made configurations, while Root Server pages collect pricing and hardware choices in one place for users who want full control over a physical server. On the cloud side, af.stack exposes an OpenStack environment for building flexible instances and networks, supported by documentation pages on technology, pricing, and even a cost calculator.

Beyond compute, Artfiles sells colocation in Hamburg with multiple sites connected in rings for redundancy, network services (DDoS protection, BGP, private lines/backup paths), and useful extras such as domain registration and SSL certificates. The website content is primarily in German, with some core product pages also available in English. Pricing is listed in EUR and, unless stated otherwise, includes VAT.

💰 Price & Cost

Shared hosting shows simple monthly pricing at three steps:

• Private Web: €4.90 / month
• Business Web: €9.90 / month
• Professional Web: €19.90 / month

Professional Web is also offered as af.stack (cloud) or Bladeserver (dedicated) variants; the selection is driven by whether elasticity or raw, isolated performance is more important. Dedicated servers and Root Server options are quoted with their own monthly fees depending on CPU generation and configuration, and Artfiles invites custom quotes for special builds.

A separate af.stack area explains cloud features and has sections for technology and cost breakdowns with a calculator. Prices on the site are shown in EUR and, where not otherwise indicated, include VAT. There is no marketing "money-back guarantee" stated; instead, consumer withdrawals are handled under a statutory right of withdrawal (Widerrufsrecht) in the Terms.

🏢 Data Center

Artfiles operates multiple data center locations in and around Hamburg:

• Their own facility at Wendenstraße 408 (W408) with two fire zones.
• A dedicated suite at Lumen, Süderstraße 198.
• An additional site at Wendenstraße 379 (W379).
  They also note a presence in Southern California (USA) via Artfiles LLC.

Sites are tied together via redundant rings and multiple carriers, with direct connections to DE-CIX and other peering points. Power is fully redundant with UPS and generator backup; cooling includes standby reserves, and physical security covers automated fire detection/suppression, controlled access, alarms, and CCTV. Sustainability is called out, with some colocations powered by certified 100% renewable energy.

Availability commitments differ by layer: the network SLA specifies 99.9% network availability, while the Terms describe a 99% service availability figure on a yearly average for general services. Together, these give a realistic picture of the expected uptime depending on what is being measured (network vs. overall service).

✍️ Customer Support

Support channels are ticket/email, phone, and live chat (plus the visible WebChat/WhatsApp entry points). Operating hours are clearly stated:

• Tickets/Email: Mon–Fri 08:00–22:00, Sat–Sun 09:00–22:00 (aim: responses within four hours, often faster).
• Phone support: Mon–Fri 08:00–22:00.
• Chat support: Mon–Fri 08:00–22:00.

There’s a separate Help Center describing DCP functions and common tasks, and a public status page is linked for service transparency.

🔨 Control Panel

Artfiles uses a proprietary control panel called DCP for all hosting tiers—from the smallest shared account up to the Professional Web Bladeserver. DCP centralizes website, DNS, and email configuration, provides pre-configured web apps and tools, and (from the Professional Web af.stack tier upward) can control specialized service instances (e.g., Subversion or Tomcat) alongside the web stack. This in-house panel is a key differentiator for users who prefer a consistent, provider-managed interface over third-party panels.

🎯 Conclusion

Artfiles comes across as an operator’s operator—they run their own data centers, maintain their own network, and build their own control panel. The lineup scales logically: simple shared hosting at fair prices, then a clean bridge into cloud-backed Professional Web or a dedicated bladeserver, and finally custom dedicated and colocation for complex deployments. Strengths include clear support hours, solid DC and network design, and the DCP that keeps daily admin approachable without dumbing it down.

Potential gaps for shoppers: the site doesn’t promote a universal money-back guarantee, and the service-level statements are split across network (99.9%) and general service (99%), which is honest but requires a careful read. For customers who value a German operator with own facilities in Hamburg, transparent support windows, and a tidy upgrade path from shared to dedicated/cloud, Artfiles is an easy provider to recommend.

🌏 Server locations:

Hamburg

📢 Special pages

• About us