Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting is an upgrade from shared hosting. With a shared hosting plan, your website lives on a server with many other websites. It is an effective solution for small and new websites that do not need a lot of resources for files or high traffic. On a VPS plan, you still share space with others, but you don’t share resources — you have your own RAM, storage, and CPU power.
When your site grows after years of content, higher ranking in search engines and more visitors, you may need to upgrade to a VPS. If shared hosting is like living in a commune where you share food and space, a VPS is like having your own house in a neighborhood (and you don’t have to share your food).
What is the difference between managed and unmanaged VPS hosting?
Managed VPS hosting is a great option for anyone who considers themselves non-technical. If you’re switching from shared hosting to VPS for the first time, it’s a good idea to start with a managed VPS plan because you don’t have to do much. The hosting company’s technology team will take care of maintaining your server, including security patches and updates.
Unmanaged VPS hosting is ideal for developers who know their way around a server. You have root access and therefore complete control over your operating system, configuration, control panel, security settings and app updates. Of course, this means that you need to pay close attention to the maintenance of your server. Due to the practical nature, most unmanaged VPS plans are cheaper.
Do you need a dedicated server?
If shared hosting is a parish, and VPS hosting is a house in a neighborhood, then a dedicated server is a house on an island—you have neighbors, but they don’t occupy the same land you are on. You get an entire server just for your website or websites, resulting in faster loading speeds, more resources to handle more files or content, and a stream of traffic. A dedicated server is an expensive option, but worth it when you’re ready.
How to choose the best VPS
The best VPS host for you will depend on your unique hosting needs and budget. For example, if you need to host a large amount of data, you’ll want to look at hosting plans that offer generous amounts of storage at a solid value. But if site performance is a top priority, you may want to invest in premium plans that offer dedicated CPU cores and RAM.
