Hetzner CCX13: ERC20 vs TRC20 — Which is Cheaper?

The Problem: Paying for Hetzner CCX13 Without a Credit Card

You need a Hetzner CCX13 VPS for your anonymous project, but you can't use a credit card. Maybe you don't have one, or you're avoiding KYC. You're considering paying with USDT, but which network: ERC20 or TRC20? The difference in fees is huge, and every cent matters.

ERC20 vs TRC20: The Cost Difference

Let's look at the Hetzner CCX13 itself: 2 vCores, 4 GB RAM, 40 GB SSD, 10 TB traffic. On Hetzner's website, it's €10.48/month (≈ $11.50 USDT). But if you pay via a third-party like RackNerd or Njalla that accepts crypto, the price may be higher due to fees.

ERC20 USDT fees: Gas fees on Ethereum can be $1-$5 per transaction in 2026, depending on network congestion. For a $11.50 payment, that's an extra 10-45%.

TRC20 USDT fees: Tron fees are typically under $0.01 per transaction. That's essentially free.

If you're buying one month, ERC20 costs you $12.50-$16.50 total, while TRC20 costs $11.51. Over a year, that's $138 vs $138.12 — wait, actually TRC20 saves you $12-$60 annually. The choice is obvious.

Real-World Example: Paying with USDT

Let's say you buy a Hetzner CCX13 from an alternative provider like BitLaunch or Njalla. They accept USDT. You have 11.50 USDT in your wallet. If you send via ERC20, you need to add $2 for gas, so you must have $13.50 USDT. If you send via TRC20, you only need $11.51. That's a 17% saving.

Why TRC20 is the Winner for Small Payments

For small recurring payments like a $11.50 VPS, TRC20 is overwhelmingly cheaper. ERC20 only makes sense for large amounts (e.g., $1,000+) where the fee percentage is negligible. For your CCX13, use TRC20.

How to Pay with USDT TRC20

1. Buy USDT on an exchange (Binance, Kraken, etc.).
2. Withdraw to your wallet using TRC20 network.
3. Send the exact amount to the provider's TRC20 address.
4. Done. You save money.

Final Verdict

For Hetzner CCX13, pay with USDT via TRC20. You'll save $12-$60/year compared to ERC20. No KYC, no card, just cheap anonymous hosting.