I was looking at VPS providers for batch video encoding runs. These numbers are in no way a comprehensive test, I was just surprised by some of them so I thought I’d share.
My source file is a 04:17 1080p mp4 and I ran it through HandbrakeCLI to create an optimised 720p version – I used the exact same commands on all the servers I span up. This is how long it took to encode:
LINODE
$80 6 cores 2:21
$160 8 cores 1:53
$120 8 dedicated cores 2:53 (slower than 6 non-dedicated cores which is half the price)
DIGITAL OCEAN
$160 8 cores 2:35
$160 8 optimised cores 1:30
VULTR
$160 8 cores 1:47
I was looking to compare the $160/8 core price point, the Linode $80 test is only included to show that it is faster that the 8 dedicated cores option.