When it comes to choosing between VPS and shared hosting, it is important to consider factors such as security and stability. VPS (Virtual Private Server) is typically considered the more secure and stable option as compared to shared hosting, where you do not have a dedicated server space. However, it is also a smaller-scale and more affordable option than renting an entire server.
VPS hosting is often the preferred choice for website owners with medium-level traffic that exceeds the limits of shared hosting plans but does not require the resources of a dedicated server. With VPS hosting, you get the benefit of having your own virtual server, which ensures that your website is not affected by the performance of other websites hosted on the same server.
At Hostinger, we offer a range of VPS plans to suit different business needs. This means that you can scale your website seamlessly when you need more resources. Our VPS hosting solutions also come with various features such as root access, dedicated IP, and SSD storage, which can further enhance the performance of your website.
What Is VPS?
VPS or Virtual Private Server is a type of hosting service that utilizes virtualization technology to allocate dedicated resources on a server that is shared with multiple users. In other words, VPS provides you with your own private space on a shared server, allowing you to access and manage your resources without interference from other users.
Video Tutorial
Discover what VPS is in our tutorial and get started with your WordPress website using Hostinger web hosting.
How Does VPS Hosting Work?
A server is essentially a computer where your web host stores all the files and databases needed for your website. When someone wants to visit your website, their browser sends a request to the server, and the server transfers the required files through the internet. VPS hosting, on the other hand, provides you with a virtual server that mimics a physical server, but in reality, it is shared among multiple users.
To achieve this, your hosting provider uses virtualization technology to install a virtual layer on top of the operating system (OS) of the server. This layer divides the server into partitions, allowing each user to install their own OS and software.
In essence, a VPS (Virtual Private Server) is virtual and private because it gives you complete control. It is separated from other server users at the OS level. VPS technology is similar to creating partitions on your own computer when you want to run more than one OS, such as Windows and Linux, without having to reboot.
With VPS hosting, you can set up your website within a secure container that offers guaranteed resources, such as memory, disk space, CPU cores, etc., which you don’t have to share with other users. You also get the same root-level access as if you had a dedicated server, but at a much lower cost.
Comparing VPS to Other Web Hosting Types
There are different types of web hosting available, and each offers varying levels of customization for your server. They also vary in price, performance (such as page load time), and service availability (such as uptime). Below, you can learn about how VPS hosting compares to other hosting solutions.
Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is the ideal solution for website owners with lower traffic sites and is often the starting point for most small businesses and bloggers. However, even with the best shared web hosting plan, you share the same physical server with a number of other clients of the hosting company. This means that you don’t get dedicated resources allocated to you and your site runs on the same operating system as everyone else’s.
As a result, the memory and computing power that your site can use may be affected by the needs of other service users. If there’s a sudden traffic spike on another website hosted on the same server, your page load time may increase. Additionally, you can’t choose your operating system and other server software, as all users must use the same configuration. Ultimately, your hosting provider takes care of every aspect of your shared hosting environment.
Shared hosting can be compared to renting a shared apartment with roommates. In contrast, VPS hosting is like a flatshare where everyone has their own room that they can customize according to their needs. For example, they get to choose the painting, furniture, and decoration.
If you plan to migrate your website from shared hosting to VPS, be sure to read our article for guidance.
Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting is a type of hosting service where your website is not hosted on a single server, but on a cluster of servers that operate in the cloud. Each server in the cluster holds a current copy of your website. Whenever one of the servers becomes overloaded, the cluster automatically redirects the traffic to a less busy server. This means that there is no downtime with cloud hosting, as there is always a server available in the cluster to handle the requests from your website visitors.
WordPress Hosting
WordPress hosting is a specialized service designed for WordPress website owners. It includes WordPress-specific features such as one-click installation, pre-installed plugins, and a WP command-line interface. The servers are optimized for WordPress, so hosting providers offer WordPress hosting as part of their shared hosting service.
While it’s possible to set up a WordPress site on a virtual private server, you won’t have access to the custom-built servers that have been specifically configured for WordPress. However, if you choose VPS for your WordPress site, you’ll have the flexibility to set up and configure your hosting environment to meet your business needs.
Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated hosting is a service where you rent an entire physical server for your business. This hosting solution is ideal for high-traffic websites that require fast, flexible, and fully customizable servers. However, dedicated hosting can be expensive and may not be worth the investment for small or medium websites.
Compared to VPS hosting, which allows you to choose and configure your operating system and server applications, dedicated hosting goes a step further. With dedicated hosting, you have complete control over the hardware and software setup of the server. You can even choose to run a dedicated server on-site, but this option means you won’t have access to the support of a professional hosting team.
Virtual Private Server Pros and Cons
VPS hosting has its advantages and disadvantages depending on your business needs. Here are some pros and cons to consider before choosing a VPS:
Pros
One of the main advantages of VPS hosting is that it offers faster and more reliable performance compared to shared hosting. This is because VPS hosting provides guaranteed server resources such as memory and processing power, resulting in minimal fluctuations in available resources. Additionally, your website is not affected by any issues or traffic surges caused by other users on the server.
Another advantage of VPS hosting is that you get superuser (root) access to your server, giving you complete control over the configuration and customization of your hosting environment. This also means that your files and databases are locked from other users, providing better privacy and security for your website.
VPS hosting is also an easy-to-scale service, allowing you to upgrade your server resources such as RAM, CPU, disk space, and bandwidth as your website grows. This flexibility makes it a popular choice for businesses and websites that have fluctuating traffic or require more resources over time. However, it is important to note that VPS hosting can be more expensive than shared hosting and may require more technical knowledge to set up and maintain.
Cons
Here are some pros and cons of VPS hosting:
Pros:
- Faster and more reliable than shared hosting
- Guaranteed server resources with minimal fluctuations
- Issues and traffic surges of other server users don’t affect your site
- Superuser (root) access to your server
- Better privacy as your files and databases are locked from other server users
- Easy to scale service as your website grows
Cons:
- More expensive than shared hosting
- Requires more technical knowledge to set up than shared or cloud hosting
- Server management is more technically demanding
- Improperly configured servers may lead to security vulnerabilities
I hope that helps!
When to Use and How to Decide It Is Time to Upgrade?
VPS hosting is often considered the next logical step after your website outgrows the resource limits of shared hosting. When even the most advanced shared hosting plan can no longer support your website’s needs, upgrading to a VPS plan can provide you with the best of both worlds: shared and dedicated hosting.
However, there are other scenarios where it can be beneficial to start with a VPS plan from the beginning. For example, eCommerce websites that require a fast and stable environment to ensure secure payments can greatly benefit from a virtual private server. If you store any sensitive data or need to process online payments, using a VPS can help reduce the risk of security breaches and identity theft.
If you anticipate traffic spikes at certain times on your website, such as with event planning or ticket-selling websites, a VPS hosting plan can also be highly advantageous. Resource-heavy sites like game servers (such as CS:GO or Minecraft) can also perform much better on a virtual private server.
Are There Any VPS Alternatives? What Is a Managed VPS?
VPS hosting requires you to manage your entire server environment, which can be a challenge. Poor configuration or maintenance can result in significant security risks and performance loss. Managed VPS hosting services have emerged as a viable solution to this problem. Managed VPS hosting is an enhanced alternative to VPS hosting that includes full technical support.
Conclusion
VPS hosting provides a stable and scalable solution with guaranteed resources and full control for medium to high traffic, resource-intensive, and eCommerce websites. It can also benefit businesses expecting rapid growth.
If you’re looking for a reliable hosting environment at an affordable price, consider Cyberpanel VPS hosting powered by LiteSpeed. It comes with a pre-installed control panel and fast LiteSpeed web server for easy setup.
We hope this article has provided you with a clear understanding of VPS hosting and its workings. If you have any further questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below.
FAQ
What is VPS hosting?
VPS or Virtual Private Server is a type of hosting service that utilizes virtualization technology to allocate dedicated resources on a server that is shared with multiple users. It provides users with a private space on a shared server, allowing them to access and manage their resources without interference from other users
How does VPS hosting work?
A VPS is a virtual server that mimics a physical server, but in reality, it is shared among multiple users. To achieve this, the hosting provider uses virtualization technology to install a virtual layer on top of the operating system (OS) of the server. This layer divides the server into partitions, allowing each user to install their own OS and software. With VPS hosting, you can set up your website within a secure container that offers guaranteed resources, which you don’t have to share with other users.
How does VPS hosting compare to shared hosting?
Shared hosting is a lower-priced solution for website owners with lower traffic sites. With shared hosting, you share the same physical server with a number of other clients of the hosting company, which means that you don’t get dedicated resources allocated to you. The memory and computing power that your site can use may be affected by the needs of other service users. If there’s a sudden traffic spike on another website hosted on the same server, your page load time may increase. In contrast, with VPS hosting, you get the benefit of having your own virtual server, which ensures that your website is not affected by the performance of other websites hosted on the same server.
What are the benefits of using VPS hosting?
VPS hosting is often the preferred choice for website owners with medium-level traffic that exceeds the limits of shared hosting plans but does not require the resources of a dedicated server. With VPS hosting, you get the benefit of having your own virtual server, which ensures that your website is not affected by the performance of other websites hosted on the same server. It provides users with a private space on a shared server, allowing them to access and manage their resources without interference from other users. VPS technology is similar to creating partitions on your own computer when you want to run more than one OS, such as Windows and Linux, without having to reboot.
What VPS plans does Hostinger offer?
At Hostinger, we offer a range of VPS plans to suit different business needs. Our VPS hosting solutions also come with various features such as root access, dedicated IP, and SSD storage, which can further enhance the performance of your website.
