VPS and Shared Hosting solutions are two of the most popular ways to create a meaningful and impactful online presence. While these solutions are well regarded for hosting websites, their versatility extends to accommodating the diverse needs of start-ups and small businesses. Beyond website hosting, they are reliable options for hosting email services, running applications, and providing dedicated development environments.
This article will look into VPS Hosting vs Shared Hosting and answer some key differences and similarities between these two popular hosting services. We will conclude with what solution may work best for you.
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What Is VPS Hosting?
Virtual Private Hosting is when you purchase a virtual partition on a physical server in the cloud. VPS hosts are typically high-performance physical servers located within a worldwide data center.
When you sign up for VPS Hosting, you get to choose what system requirements you want, such as the CPU, RAM, and Storage needed, and the VPS hosting provider guarantees these resources are always available to your system.
VPS hosting ensures consistent, reliable uptime on a high-performance system whenever needed. The resources you pay for are always available to you. A VPS is often chosen by small businesses or technical users who want to manage the server configuration directly and are happy installing software on demand. To achieve this, VPS hosting providers usually offer root access privileges enabled by default.
VPS hosting can also be scaled as your demands change. Your business is growing, or your blog is gaining much online traction. A VPS allows you to scale up to the next level of performance with relative ease.
As the name suggests, Shared Hosting is when you lease a single server shared by multiple tenants. This means that the server resources are available to all; each tenant competes for the shared resources from the host server, such as CPU, Disk, and RAM.
The experience you get from Shared Hosting depends on how the provider allocates tenants to the servers. Providing the server is not overloaded, the experience is generally excellent. Many providers resell cPanel shared servers; the server owner bulk buys cPanel licenses and then sells the licenses to tenants. It’s up to the provider to ensure the server resources suit the demand.
The tenant gets control of their cPanel installation and can work within the constraints of cPanel, such as deploying to their site and configuring local domain, email, and SSL settings. This is great for less tech-savvy people who want a simple, out-of-the-box experience that works as expected.
Shared hosting is cheap and a great solution if you have predictable workloads and low-traffic websites.
A famous analogy explains the distinction between VPS Hosting and Shared Hosting, often likened to living in an Apartment and a Townhouse.
Shared Hosting can be compared to residing in a bustling Apartment complex, where numerous tenants share communal spaces such as the CPU, DISK, and RAM. Much like the cost-effective nature of apartments, Shared Hosting is budget-friendly, and maintenance concerns are taken care of for you. It’s a convenient package in a prime location, effortlessly catering to your basic needs.
However, when your neighbors throw a party, it causes disruptions for all tenants. Additionally, the limited space may become an issue if your requirements grow, posing questions about scalability – what happens if your needs change and you need a bigger room? There can also be questions asked about security; if your neighbor leaves their window open, there is a chance you could suffer a break-in, too.
On the other hand, VPS Hosting can be likened to a more independent Townhouse. While you still share the neighborhood (server) with other tenants (users), the property is yours to customize. Resources are fenced-in, offering you a more exclusive environment. In this setting, if neighbors throw a party (consume resources), it’s unlikely to affect you, ensuring a more stable performance. Security is bolstered as you take charge of your safety and the baseline security provided by the hosting infrastructure.
Of course, this enhanced autonomy comes with a price – living in a Townhouse (VPS Hosting) is generally more expensive than living in an Apartment (Shared Hosting). Additionally, you bear the responsibility for your maintenance. Yet, investment in a Townhouse might be prudent for those seeking greater control and performance.
Pros & Cons of VPS Hosting
VPS Hosting provides an excellent balance of resources for the user. The user gets access to a virtual private server specified precisely as needed; it runs whatever operating system you want, resulting in excellent control over what you need from a server. Combined with the improved performance available out of the box, with guaranteed access to the CPU, Disk, and Memory resources you pay for, you can understand why a VPS is a compelling offer.
A VPS server can also scale quickly; it involves a snapshot or backup of your system before an upgrade. You upgrade your VPS to the newer specifications you desire, then restore the snapshot state over the top of your new system, and you are back working in minutes. Plus, you have the added benefit of being responsible for your security. You already know that the hosting provider is responsible for the cloud platform’s security, so you can take the time needed to ensure your system is secured per your needs.
It is only fair to give a balanced argument; VPS hosting does have a few drawbacks, including all this added freedom, which comes at a higher price. While different from what you may consider expensive, the costs are certainly higher than shared hosting. You also need specific technical experience to get the most out of a VPS; you need to know what you are doing.
While VPC scalability offers advantages, it is essential to note that there is a hard limit on the vertical upgrade path. You will inevitably reach this limit. Scaling horizontally with a VPS is a more intricate process, so it’s crucial to remember this, especially if you anticipate exponential short-term growth.
The biggest draw towards shared hosting is its affordability. If you have basic needs from a service provider, Shared Hosting is an excellent option because it’s so affordable. It is about 20%-30% of the price of a VPS server, depending on who your provider is.
Shared Hosting is user-friendly to inexperienced users; you have a limited scope of configurability, resulting in a simple setup. Add low maintenance, and you can see why shared hosting is so popular.
As for the negatives, you are very limited with your resources and what you can do with them. This is fine if you just need an online presence, but it may become a headache when you look for more from your server.
You also have minimal control over the server; you are typically given a login with access to your shared area. You are bound by the configuration rules set out by the hosting provider. As a result, performance can be hit or miss, and you have to share resources (such as the same IP address).
Which Type of Hosting Should I Choose?
Ultimately, the best hosting option depends on your specific needs and budget. Shared hosting is an excellent option if you need a basic setup or a few pages on a WordPress site. However, if you need a server that can cope with an entire WordPress site, serve as an email relay, or host your application, a Virtual Private Server (VPS) is the best option.
Understanding your anticipated traffic volume, the technical expertise needed for day-to-day server management tasks, and your proficiency in configuring everything is essential. These considerations become even more crucial if you are comfortable with hands-on server work.
The most significant factor often comes down to understanding your budget. Can you afford the monthly commitment of a VPS? With prices ranging from $10 to $1000 per month, it’s essential to scope out what you need vs. what you want. Shared hosting can be had for as little as $3 to $200 per month; again, take the time to understand your requirements. Just because shared hosting is cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right decision for you.
Hey, I’m Jeremy Clifford. I hold a bachelor’s degree in information systems, and I’m a certified network specialist. I worked for several internet providers in LA, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Seattle over the past 21 years.
I worked as a customer service operator, field technician, network engineer, and network specialist. During my career in networking, I’ve come across numerous modems, gateways, routers, and other networking hardware. I’ve installed network equipment, fixed it, designed and administrated networks, etc.
Networking is my passion, and I’m eager to share everything I know with you. On this website, you can read my modem and router reviews, as well as various how-to guides designed to help you solve your network problems. I want to liberate you from the fear that most users feel when they have to deal with modem and router settings.
My favorite free-time activities are gaming, movie-watching, and cooking. I also enjoy fishing, although I’m not good at it. What I’m good at is annoying David when we are fishing together. Apparently, you’re not supposed to talk or laugh while fishing – it scares the fishes.