A VPS solution is different from the typical shared hosting in several important aspects:
- Dedicated resources. Each user has their own server resource (vCPU, RAM, storage, operating system, and bandwidth) allocation.
- Isolated environment. Virtual environments in a VPS run independently and fully isolated from each other, eliminating resource contention.
- Complete control. Users have full root access over their VPS (for unmanaged VPS), allowing them to freely use and customize their hosting environment as superuser.
- Self-managed. Since the user has the flexibility to install any software and configure their virtual environment, they also have to manage the server themselves.
There are two types of virtual private server accounts:
Self-managed VPS hosting – You are in complete control of your VPS server. You get root access, and it’s up to you to install all the tools and custom software you need to create the hosting environment you’re after. You also need to configure the server and take care of software updates and other sysadmin tasks.
Managed VPS hosting – This is the more suitable solution if you just want to start work on your project as soon as possible. With a managed VPS hosting solution, your host will take care of the technical tasks like setting up and configuring the firewall, the web server, and the rest of the tools you need to run your website.
VPS vs shared hosting
Small businesses and bloggers commonly use shared hosting as a starting point for their low-traffic websites. In this type of hosting, you share the same physical server with several other hosting company clients. You don’t get dedicated resources, as your site runs on the same operating system as everyone else’s.
The needs of other users will affect the memory and computing power your site can use. For instance, if there’s a sudden traffic spike on a website hosted on the same server, your page load time may increase. You can’t choose your operating system and other server software either, as all users use the same configuration.
Given the limitations, the price of this web hosting type is commonly the cheapest compared to other services. It’s also beginner-friendly since your hosting provider handles every aspect of your shared hosting environment.
When comparing shared hosting and VPS, a virtual private server is like renting your own apartment in a building: you have your private space, dedicated utilities, and complete control over how you set it up. Shared hosting, by comparison, is like sharing a single apartment with multiple roommates, where you’re limited by shared resources and house rules.
