General Purpose VM plans are balanced cloud server configurations built for websites, apps, development environments, and everyday workloads.
For many developers and small teams, the first cloud server decision is not about building a complex infrastructure stack. It is about choosing a machine that is powerful enough to run the project, affordable enough to keep online, and flexible enough to grow later. Raff Technologies’ updated General Purpose VM lineup is designed around that exact decision.
The new visible General Purpose plans now start with a smaller 2 vCPU / 2 GB RAM / 40 GB NVMe option at $5.99 per month, then scale through higher-memory and higher-CPU configurations. Across the visible lineup, Raff includes resize support, 3 Gbps port speed, unmetered bandwidth, and 1 IPv4 with optional IPv6.
This guide explains what the new Raff General Purpose VM sizes are for, when to choose the entry plan, when to move into HiMem options, and how to match each configuration to real workloads.
The new Raff General Purpose lineup starts smaller
The most important change in Raff’s General Purpose lineup is the lower starting point.
Not every workload needs 4 GB, 8 GB, or 16 GB of RAM on day one. Many projects simply need a clean, affordable VM that can host a lightweight app, a development environment, a test server, or an early MVP. The 2 vCPU / 2 GB RAM / 40 GB NVMe plan gives those users a practical entry point without forcing them into a larger machine too early.
That matters for several types of users:
- Students learning Linux, Docker, or backend deployment
- Freelancers hosting small client projects
- Developers testing apps before production
- Startup teams validating MVPs
- Small businesses running lightweight internal tools
- Builders who want predictable monthly cost
A smaller starting VM does not mean a weaker platform. It means the machine is shaped for the right stage of the workload. A lightweight project should not have to begin on an oversized server just because the plan ladder starts too high.
This gives Raff a clearer message: start where your workload is today, then resize when the workload earns the upgrade.
The visible General Purpose plans cover six practical starting points
The visible Raff General Purpose lineup gives users several clear choices across CPU, memory, storage, and price.
| Plan type | vCPU | Memory | NVMe SSD | Monthly price | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry General Purpose | 2 vCPU | 2 GB | 40 GB | $5.99/mo | Small sites, dev servers, MVPs |
| 2 vCPU HiMem | 2 vCPU | 4 GB | 80 GB | $9.99/mo | Lightweight apps needing more RAM |
| 4 vCPU General Purpose | 4 vCPU | 4 GB | 80 GB | $11.99/mo | Balanced apps and APIs |
| 2 vCPU high-memory shape | 2 vCPU | 8 GB | 160 GB | $19.99/mo | RAM-heavy but low-CPU workloads |
| 4 vCPU HiMem Popular | 4 vCPU | 8 GB | 160 GB | $21.99/mo | Production apps, databases, self-hosted tools |
| 8 vCPU General Purpose | 8 vCPU | 8 GB | 160 GB | $26.99/mo | Higher-traffic apps and CPU-active services |
This plan ladder is useful because it does not only scale in one direction.
Some users need more CPU. Some need more RAM. Some need more storage. The new lineup gives each of those users a different path instead of treating every upgrade as simply “buy a bigger server.”
A developer running a small website may start at 2 vCPU / 2 GB RAM. A team running a database-backed app may prefer 2 vCPU HiMem / 4 GB RAM or the 4 vCPU HiMem / 8 GB RAM plan. A more active application may move toward 8 vCPU / 8 GB RAM when CPU demand becomes more important.
That flexibility is the point.
The 2 vCPU / 2 GB RAM plan is built for lightweight workloads
The 2 vCPU / 2 GB RAM / 40 GB NVMe plan is the new practical entry point for General Purpose VMs.
This plan is best when the workload is real but still lightweight. It gives users enough compute to run simple services while keeping the monthly price low. For early projects, that balance is often more valuable than starting with excess resources.
Choose the 2 vCPU / 2 GB RAM plan for:
- Small websites
- Static or low-traffic web apps
- Development servers
- Test environments
- Student projects
- MVPs before launch
- Lightweight APIs
- Basic internal tools
This plan is not meant for every production workload. A database-heavy app, a multi-service Docker environment, or a busy customer-facing backend may need more RAM, more storage, or more CPU headroom.
But for small projects, this plan solves a real problem. It gives users a serious cloud VM at an accessible starting size. That makes it easier to launch, test, learn, and validate without committing to a larger monthly bill too early.
HiMem plans are for workloads that need more RAM
HiMem plans are designed for users who need more memory relative to CPU.
This is important because many workloads do not fail because they lack CPU. They fail because they run out of RAM. A server can have enough CPU capacity and still become unstable if the application, database, cache, or container stack consumes too much memory.
Raff’s visible General Purpose lineup includes memory-forward options such as:
- 2 vCPU HiMem / 4 GB RAM / 80 GB NVMe at $9.99/mo
- 4 vCPU HiMem / 8 GB RAM / 160 GB NVMe at $21.99/mo
- A 2 vCPU / 8 GB RAM / 160 GB NVMe configuration at $19.99/mo
These options are useful for:
- Database-backed applications
- Self-hosted tools
- Dashboards
- Caches
- Analytics tools
- Multi-container environments
- Apps with memory-heavy runtimes
The 4 vCPU HiMem / 8 GB RAM / 160 GB NVMe plan is marked Popular because it sits in a strong middle position. It gives users enough CPU for active applications, enough RAM for more serious workloads, and enough NVMe storage for growing apps, logs, packages, and data.
For many small teams, this is the difference between “the app runs” and “the app has enough breathing room.”
The main upgrade path is memory, CPU, then storage
Choosing a Raff General Purpose VM becomes simpler when you understand what each upgrade gives you.
The first upgrade path is memory. Moving from 2 GB RAM to 4 GB RAM gives lightweight apps more stability. Moving to 8 GB RAM gives databases, self-hosted tools, and multi-service environments more breathing room.
The second upgrade path is CPU. Moving from 2 vCPU to 4 vCPU or 8 vCPU helps when the application does more active processing, handles more requests, or runs more services at the same time.
The third upgrade path is storage. Moving from 40 GB NVMe to 80 GB or 160 GB helps when the workload stores more logs, uploads, packages, Docker images, database files, or application data.
Most users should not upgrade randomly. They should ask which resource is under pressure:
| If your workload needs... | Choose a plan with... |
|---|---|
| Lower monthly cost | 2 vCPU / 2 GB RAM |
| More app stability | 2 vCPU HiMem / 4 GB RAM |
| More balanced processing | 4 vCPU / 4 GB RAM |
| More RAM without much CPU increase | 2 vCPU / 8 GB RAM |
| Stronger production balance | 4 vCPU HiMem / 8 GB RAM |
| More CPU for active workloads | 8 vCPU / 8 GB RAM |
That is the cleanest way to understand the new lineup. Do not only compare prices. Compare what the next plan actually improves.
A decision framework for choosing the right Raff General Purpose plan
Use this framework before selecting a Raff General Purpose VM.
| Workload | Recommended starting plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small website | 2 vCPU / 2 GB RAM / 40 GB NVMe | Low-cost starting point for simple traffic |
| Development server | 2 vCPU / 2 GB RAM / 40 GB NVMe | Enough for testing, learning, and staging |
| Lightweight API | 2 vCPU HiMem / 4 GB RAM / 80 GB NVMe | More memory for runtime stability |
| Small production app | 4 vCPU / 4 GB RAM / 80 GB NVMe | Balanced CPU and RAM for active use |
| Database-backed app | 4 vCPU HiMem / 8 GB RAM / 160 GB NVMe | More memory and storage headroom |
| Self-hosted tool | 4 vCPU HiMem / 8 GB RAM / 160 GB NVMe | Better fit for multi-service workloads |
| RAM-heavy low-CPU app | 2 vCPU / 8 GB RAM / 160 GB NVMe | More memory without jumping heavily in CPU |
| Higher-traffic app | 8 vCPU / 8 GB RAM / 160 GB NVMe | More CPU capacity for active workloads |
A useful rule is this: start with the smallest plan that honestly fits the workload, then resize when the workload proves it needs more.
The $5.99/mo entry plan is excellent for lightweight workloads. The $9.99/mo HiMem plan is a strong step up when 2 GB RAM feels too tight. The $21.99/mo Popular HiMem plan is a better fit when the project becomes more serious and needs more production headroom.
The right plan is not always the cheapest one. It is the plan that avoids both waste and instability.
Raff’s General Purpose plans are designed for everyday cloud workloads
General Purpose VMs are not specialized machines for one narrow use case. They are meant for everyday infrastructure.
That includes websites, APIs, development environments, dashboards, small production apps, business tools, and early-stage services. These workloads usually need a balanced mix of CPU, memory, storage, and network capacity.
Raff’s visible General Purpose plans include several practical infrastructure defaults:
- Resize support included
- 3 Gbps standard port speed
- Unmetered bandwidth
- 1 IPv4
- Optional IPv6 dual-stack
- NVMe SSD storage
These details matter because they keep the user focused on the real decision: choosing the right CPU, memory, and storage shape. Bandwidth and port speed are not hidden upgrade traps in the visible General Purpose comparison. They are part of the base plan structure.
The design rationale is simple. Developers and small teams need cloud servers that are easy to understand. They should be able to look at the plan table and quickly decide whether they need a small starter VM, a memory-heavy option, or a larger balanced machine.
Common mistakes when choosing between the new plans
The first mistake is choosing only by price.
The $5.99/mo plan is a strong entry point, but it is not the right answer for every workload. A production app with a database, multiple services, or active users may need more RAM or more storage from the beginning.
The second mistake is choosing only by vCPU count.
A 2 vCPU / 2 GB RAM plan and a 2 vCPU / 8 GB RAM plan are very different machines. They may have the same CPU count, but the memory profile changes what each one is suitable for.
The third mistake is ignoring storage.
A project may begin small but grow through logs, uploads, database files, Docker images, and package caches. Moving from 40 GB to 80 GB or 160 GB NVMe can be just as important as upgrading CPU or RAM.
The fourth mistake is treating the first choice as permanent.
The new Raff plan ladder is useful because users can start at the right stage and resize later. A small project can begin on 2 GB RAM. A growing app can move to 4 GB or 8 GB. A production workload can move into the Popular HiMem plan when the workload becomes more serious.
Best practices for using Raff’s new General Purpose sizes
Start small when the workload is small
A lightweight project does not need an oversized VM. The 2 vCPU / 2 GB RAM plan is a practical starting point for small apps, testing, learning, and MVPs.
Choose HiMem when memory matters
Databases, dashboards, self-hosted platforms, and multi-service environments often need more RAM before they need more CPU. HiMem plans are designed for that situation.
Use the Popular plan for stronger production balance
The 4 vCPU HiMem plan gives 8 GB RAM and 160 GB NVMe, making it a strong middle option for users who need more serious headroom without jumping too far up the ladder.
Watch storage growth early
Logs, uploads, Docker images, and databases can fill storage faster than expected. Choose a larger NVMe plan when the workload stores data over time.
Resize when the project proves it needs more
The first plan should fit the current workload. The next plan should be based on real growth, not guesswork.
Raff’s new VM sizes make the starting decision clearer
Raff’s updated General Purpose VM lineup gives developers and small teams a cleaner way to choose cloud servers.
The 2 vCPU / 2 GB RAM / 40 GB NVMe plan gives small projects a practical starting point at $5.99 per month. The 2 vCPU HiMem / 4 GB RAM option gives lightweight apps more memory. The 4 vCPU HiMem / 8 GB RAM / 160 GB NVMe Popular plan gives growing workloads a stronger production-ready balance. The 8 vCPU / 8 GB RAM plan gives active applications more CPU capacity.
That structure helps users avoid two classic mistakes: buying too much server before the project needs it, or choosing a machine that is too small for the workload.
For a broader explanation of machine classes, read Cloud VM Machine Classes Explained. For storage-specific planning, continue with Cloud VM Storage Planning.
If you are launching a website, app, development server, or everyday workload, Raff’s new General Purpose VM plans give you a clear place to start and a simple path to resize as the project grows.