Offload WordPress Media to Hetzner Object Storage
Stop paying premium hosting prices for media storage. Move your WordPress files to Hetzner Object Storage and cut costs by up to 80% while improving site speed.
Why This Matters
If you're running a WordPress site on managed hosting like Kinsta, you know how quickly media files add up. A photography portfolio with 500 images. An e-commerce site with product photos. A blog with years of embedded media.
Each file eats into your hosting plan's storage quota. When you hit the limit, you're forced to upgrade to a more expensive tier. A site that needs 50GB of storage might push you from a €30/month plan to €100/month, just for media you rarely touch after uploading.
The performance impact is real too. Large media libraries slow down backups, increase database size, and make your site feel sluggish. Your visitors wait longer for pages to load, and your hosting costs keep climbing.
Why Hetzner Object Storage
Hetzner Object Storage is S3-compatible, which means it works with any tool built for Amazon S3. But it's simpler, cheaper, and designed for European users who want predictable pricing without the complexity.
Storage costs start at €0.02 per GB per month. For a 50GB media library, that's €1 per month. Compare that to upgrading your hosting plan, and the savings are obvious. There are no data transfer fees within the same region, no surprise charges, and no complex pricing tiers to navigate.
If you're in Europe, Hetzner's data centers are closer to your audience than US-based alternatives. That means faster load times for your visitors. GDPR compliance is built in, and you're not dealing with a massive corporation's support system when you need help.
The setup is straightforward. Create a bucket, get your credentials, and connect. No need to understand IAM policies, bucket configurations, or regional nuances. It just works.
How CloudStrap Offload Media Solves This
Our plugin connects your WordPress site to Hetzner Object Storage automatically. You don't need an Amazon account, you don't need to understand S3 architecture, and you don't need custom development work.
After a simple setup process, every media file you upload goes directly to Hetzner. The plugin rewrites URLs automatically, so your existing content continues to work. Visitors load images from Hetzner's CDN, not your server. Your site gets faster, your hosting costs drop, and your backups become manageable again.
The plugin works with your existing WordPress workflow. Upload media through the media library, use the block editor, or add files through your theme. Everything happens in the background. You don't change how you work, but your site runs better.
With the Pro version, you can migrate your entire existing media library with one click. No manual file transfers, no broken links, no downtime. Your old media moves to Hetzner, and your site keeps working exactly as before.
How It Works
The setup takes about five minutes, and you only do it once.
1. Install the Plugin
Download and install CloudStrap Offload Media like any WordPress plugin. Activate it, and you'll see a new menu item under Media.
2. Connect Your Bucket
In WordPress, go to Media → Hetzner Offload. Enter your bucket name, access key, and secret key from Hetzner Cloud Console. Click "Test Connection" to verify everything works.
3. Upload Media
Upload media files through WordPress as you normally would. The plugin automatically copies each file to Hetzner Object Storage and updates the URL. Your media library looks the same, but files are served from Hetzner.
4. URLs Rewritten Automatically
The plugin handles URL rewriting transparently. Old posts with embedded images continue to work. New uploads get Hetzner URLs automatically. You don't need to change anything in your content or theme.
Lite vs Pro
Lite (Free)
- Automatic offloading for new uploads
- URL rewriting
- Basic connection testing
Pro
- Everything in Lite
- One-click migration of existing media
- Remove files from server after offload
- Priority support
Who This Is For
This plugin is built for WordPress site owners who are tired of paying premium hosting prices for media storage. If you're on Kinsta, WP Engine, or any managed hosting that charges based on storage, offloading media to Hetzner can save you significant money.
It's ideal for agencies managing multiple client sites, freelancers who want to optimize hosting costs, and business owners running content-heavy sites. If you have a large media library or expect to grow one, this plugin pays for itself quickly.
This isn't for everyone. If your site has minimal media and you're happy with your current hosting costs, you might not need it. If you require advanced S3 features like versioning or lifecycle policies, you might need a more complex solution.
But for most WordPress users who want simple, affordable media offloading without the complexity of major cloud providers, this plugin is the right choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this break my existing images?
No. The plugin rewrites URLs automatically, so your existing content continues to work. Images that are already embedded in posts will load from Hetzner after you migrate them with Pro, or they'll continue loading from your server if you're using Lite.
Do I need a Hetzner Cloud account?
Yes, you'll need a Hetzner Cloud account to create an Object Storage bucket. New accounts get €20 in free credits, which is enough for months of storage for most sites.
Can I use this with other hosting providers?
Yes. The plugin works with any WordPress hosting that supports standard WordPress plugins. It's particularly useful for managed hosting providers that charge based on storage, but it works anywhere.
What happens if I deactivate the plugin?
If you deactivate the plugin, your media URLs will revert to local server URLs. Your files remain in Hetzner Object Storage, but WordPress will try to serve them from your server. To avoid broken images, either keep the plugin active or download your media back to the server first.
How much does Hetzner Object Storage cost?
Storage costs €0.02 per GB per month. For a typical site with 20GB of media, that's €0.40 per month. There are no data transfer fees within the same region, and no minimum charges. You only pay for what you use.
Ready to reduce your hosting costs?
Start with the free Lite version. No credit card required, no commitment.