Virtual Private Server Frequently Asked Questions - VPS FAQ
What Is VPS?
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’s an effective solution for small and new websites that don’t require a lot of resources for files or high traffic. You still share space with others on a VPS plan, but you aren’t sharing resources—you have your RAM, storage, and CPU power.
When your site grows after years of content, ranking higher in search engines and more visitors, you may need to move up 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 home in a neighborhood (and you don’t have to share your food).
What’s the Difference Between Managed and Unmanaged VPS Hosting?
Managed VPS hosting is an excellent option for anyone who considers themselves non-techy. If you’re moving from shared hosting to VPS for the first time, it’s good to start with a managed VPS plan because you won’t have to do much. The hosting company’s tech team will take care of the maintenance of your server, including security patches and updates.
Unmanaged VPS hosting is ideal for developers who know their way around a server. Therefore, you have root access and complete control over your operating system, setup, control panel, security patches, and updates to apps. Of course, this means you need to pay close attention to your server’s maintenance. Because of the hands-on nature, most unmanaged VPS plans are less expensive.
Do You Need a Dedicated Server?
If shared hosting is a commune, and VPS hosting is a house in a neighborhood, then a dedicated server is a house on an island—you have neighbors, but they’re not occupying the same land you’re on. You get a whole server just for your website or websites, which results in faster loading speeds, more resources to handle more files or content, and a flood 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 will 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 might want to invest in premium plans that offer dedicated CPU cores and RAM.
Why is VPS so expensive?
A VPS plan has a portion of resources dedicated to your sites alone, so you pay for that exclusivity. A managed VPS plan often costs more because tech support is also devoted to your virtual space, whereas an unmanaged plan is more affordable. After all, the technical details are your responsibility.
Which is better: VPS or dedicated server?
A virtual server is more affordable than a dedicated server, but you’re still sharing server space with other websites, even if you have dedicated resources. A dedicated server provides more help than a VPS and offers plenty of room for growth, but it comes at a high monthly cost. Neither is better. Instead, each option works well for appropriate situations.
Is VPS better than VPN?
You might hear VPS and VPN used incorrectly sometimes, and they’re easy to confuse one for the other. A VPS is a virtual private server where you host a website or multiple websites, and a VPN is a virtual private network, which is a tool that lets you access the internet anonymously. The best VPNs provide a secure connection to protect your data when you’re online.