What is VPS hosting?
Virtual private server (VPS) hosting is high-powered hosting that dedicates a specified amount of RAM, storage, bandwidth, and other server resources to you and your project. In our guide to the best web hosting services, you will find various platforms offering excellent VPS hosting solutions.
What does VPS hosting do?
- Uses virtualization technology to split one physical server into numerous smaller VPS servers with their own dedicated RAM, storage, bandwidth, and CPU processing power
- Enables excellent configurability and flexible management options: most VPS hosting comes with root access, which means that they enable users to install and manage software in whatever ways you want
- Provides a much higher level of security than shared hosting: through the virtualization process, VPS web hosting effectively segments different people using the same physical server, which makes it much less likely that problems with one person’s hosting account will affect other users’ VPS
- Offers an excellent level of uptime and performance: because users have a specified amount of server resources allocated to them and their subscription, they can rest assured that they will experience a high level of performance at all times
- Enables users to scale rapidly and when required: most VPS hosts provide one-click scaling options, and some even use hourly billing to ensure that users are only ever paying for what they use
How businesses can use VPS hosting
In simple terms, VPS hosting is an attractive option for businesses that require something a little more powerful than shared hosting, but can’t justify the cost of their own dedicated server. VPS hosting offers excellent versatility, the ability to scale as required, and an allocated amount of server resources that are accessible to you and you alone.
Many businesses will use VPS hosting to run their website or online store. High-end shared hosting can be a viable option for this, but it comes with a set of security and performance risks that many businesses just don’t want to take. With VPS, you can rest assured that your site and any associated information will be fully secure at all times.
Some businesses also use VPS for secure file storage. Cheap VPS servers with a large amount of storage present great options for securely storing server backups, important documents, and other files that you can’t afford to have lost or compromised.
Another popular use case is to test new web applications and other programs before making them available to the public. The combination of power and affordability makes VPS a popular option for this, particularly among smaller businesses that can’t justify the higher price of a dedicated server.
Last, but not least, a very small number of businesses use VPS hosting to host game servers. Multiplayer games, such as Minecraft and Rust, enable you to create your own multiplayer games that are hosted on specialized servers and available to hundreds of people at a time.
Features and benefits of VPS hosting
Full root access
A large percentage of VPS hosting plans come with root access, which is excellent for those who want to configure their servers in a specific manner. With root access, you will have full control over your server. You can add and remove software as required, install custom scripts, select your own control panel, and much, much more.
Dedicated server resources
One of the biggest problems with shared hosting is that your website can be affected by other sites hosted on the same physical server. If one site experiences a spike in traffic, it can use more than its fair share of resources, affecting the performance of other sites. With VPS hosting, you don’t have to worry about this. You will have a dedicated amount of server resources that are only available to you and your website, enabling you to maintain a high level of performance across the board.
Excellent security
In a similar manner, the separation and distance VPS hosting gives you from others sharing your physical server is great for security. Since you will have your own virtualized server that’s only available to those with the correct access permissions, there’s very little chance of your security being compromised due to issues with another website.
Scalability and configurability
VPS hosting is known for its excellent scalability, which basically means that most VPS packages enable you to add and remove server resources as required. Cloud VPS is particularly good for this, as it’s often billed hourly. This means that you can boost the power of your server temporarily, say during a busy weekend when you anticipate higher traffic than normal, then go back to regular resource use as required.
Reliable performance
One of the main benefits of using VPS hosting over shared hosting is its usually excellent performance. Once again, this comes back to the virtualization process, which effectively distances your website from any other users sharing the same physical server.
How much does VPS hosting cost?
The price of a new VPS hosting subscription can vary from just a few dollars a month to hundreds or even thousands of dollars a month. The amount you pay will depend on a number of factors, including the server resources you require, whether or not you need technical server management, and how many extra tools are included with your subscription.
For example, Hostinger, one of our favorite all-around web hosting providers, offers eight different VPS plans. At the lower end of the spectrum sits the VPS 1 plan, which includes just 1GB RAM, 20GB SSD storage, and 1TB bandwidth, for $3.95 a month (renews at $8.16 a month). On the expensive side, a VPS 8 subscription starts at $77.99 a month (renews at $219 a month) for 16GB RAM, 250GB SSD, and 12TB bandwidth.
Another popular option is Hostwinds, which offers a selection of managed and unmanaged VPS in both Windows and Linux flavors. Its unmanaged Linux options range from $4.99 to $328.99 a month, and its managed Linux hosting costs between $8.24 and $395.24 a month. Windows VPS is a little more expensive, with unmanaged options costing between $10.99 and $376.99 a month and managed solutions ranging from $12.74 to $431.24 a month.
VPS hosting FAQ
What is a VPS server used for?
A VPS represents a step up from basic shared hosting. It’s generally used by those who need an advanced web hosting solution that offers more power and security than budget shared hosting.
However, VPS hosting can be used for so much more than just web hosting. If you’re a developer, you might use your VPS to test new web apps and programs. Many people use VPS hosting to create gaming servers for games like Minecraft, while others use VPS for things like file storage or to back up their main server.
How much RAM does my VPS need?
The amount of RAM your VPS needs will depend on the things that you’re planning to use it for. If you require a fast, high-performing server to complete difficult tasks, or deal with a large number of website visitors, you will need more RAM. Similarly, if you’re just using your VPS for something like file storage, you should be able to get away with a lower amount.
As an example, 1GB or 2GB should be enough if you’re running a single website or basic server. Larger ecommerce stores will benefit from a higher amount, such as 4GB. Small gaming servers can work with 1GB or 2GB, but we recommend going for an option with at least 4GB or 8GB.
Can you host a website on VPS?
Yes, you can host a website on VPS. In fact, website hosting is one of the most common uses for VPS servers. They offer more power and reliability than cheaper shared hosting options, making them a preferred choice among those creating large, high-traffic sites. In addition, you can rest assured that, when you use VPS hosting, your website and its performance won’t be affected by any other sites occupying the same physical server.
What is the difference between VPS and dedicated hosting?
Both VPS and dedicated server hosting will give you access to a specified amount of RAM, storage, bandwidth, and processing power. A dedicated server is, as the name suggests, a physical server that’s dedicated to you and your requirements. A VPS is a virtual server, and there can be multiple VPSs on the same physical server.
Can I use VPS for gaming?
Yes, VPSs are an excellent option for gamers wanting to create their own servers. Platforms such as Hostinger offer specialized game hosting, including Minecraft hosting. There are also numerous companies that specialize in game hosting, including Shockbyte, ScalaCube, and MCProHosting.
Main takeaways
- VPS hosting is more powerful than shared hosting, but much more affordable than high-end dedicated servers, making it a popular option among SMBs
- One of the standout features of VPS hosting is the server virtualization process, which effectively eliminates any possible interactions between your sites and those of other users sharing the same physical server
- With VPS hosting, you can do everything from creating a new website to testing web apps, and securely storing important files and data
- The price of VPS hosting can vary considerably, with factors like the amount of server resources, management level, and operating system you require all impacting cost
- The scalability and configurability offered by VPS servers is excellent, ensuring you always have access to the server resources you require
Further reading on VPS hosting
If you would like to find out more, consider checking out our guide to the best VPS hosting available today. You might like to find out how VPS hosting is related to your business, or what the difference is between dedicated servers and VPS.
Original source: https://www.itproportal.com/features/what-is-vps-hosting