Has your site traffic gone up? It means your business is improving, and you will need more control, security, and response time. Shared hosting can no longer fulfill your needs and it might be time to upgrade to a VPS.
VPS stands for Virtual Private Server, where you get a partition on a physical server dedicated to your site with unique IP and storage area, unlike shared hosting, where the resources are shared.
The primary elements that play a significant role in choosing the best VPS for your site are storage, uptime, speed, and security. The secondary elements that also play a key role are pricing, customer service, and customization. Although VPS is a great option, not every provider suits your needs. This article will comprehensively guide you on how to choose a good VPS hosting provider.
Need advice on choosing a VPS Hosting plan and provider? Check out our list of the Best VPS Hosting Providers
Ultahost is one of our top recommended VPS providers
Key Highlights
- VPS (short for Virtual Private Server) is one of the four types of web hosting. The other three are shared, dedicated, and cloud hosting.
- Most website owners prefer VPS because it is more secure, reliable, cheaper, and customized.
- A VPS is like two-in-one web hosting. It incorporates features of both shared and dedicated hosting.
- There are three types of management options for VPS hosting, fully managed, semi-managed, and self-managed (unmanaged).
- The primary elements in choosing a VPS are storage, uptime, speed, and security. Secondary elements are pricing, customer services, and customization.
What Does a Web Hosting Provider Do for You?
Before jumping on to the details of VPS, let’s first discover what facilities web hosting provides.
The three most important things that a web host provides are the domain name, server, and storage. It also provides a fast and reliable internet connection to your website to keep it running smoothly. We recommend you have a brief look at them:
1. Domain:
In real life, everyone knows a person by their name. Wouldn’t it be challenging for one to communicate or call a person if they don’t know his name?
The same applies to the website. Your website should have a name so that people can approach it conveniently.
Most web hosts provide the services of helping you out with the domain name, registering it, and maintaining it. Although hosting a site with an IP address only without a domain name is possible, people won’t remember your site.
2. Server
A server is a computer or system that provides services, data, and resources to websites.
The server makes your site visible and available online to the whole world and helps the world to interact with your site efficiently and smoothly.
The name “server†makes sense as it serves your site to the outside world and allows users to communicate with it.
3. Storage Space:
Usually, most websites contain multimedia stuff like pictures and videos that take up much storage space. A web host provides space for storing a website’s valuable data and making it available online.
The web hosting service providers also provide data backups where you can keep a copy of your data. They keep it in a separate place. You can restore this data anytime when required.
The storage space depends on the data your site contains. The price of the hosting services increases as per your data size.
What is VPS Hosting?
“VPS, a Virtual Private Server, is a web hosting service that provides dedicated resources on a shared server.â€
VPS offers a website with a unique IP address, unique/unshared storage capacity, and dedicated resources. Additionally, it provides more security as your website gets dedicated storage without intervention.
The most significant advantage of the VPS is that no matter how much traffic is coming from the other sites of your shared server, your website will not be affected by that.
VPS is best for websites having trouble with shared hosting servers due to traffic as it provides more security and services like dedicated servers.
Learn more about What Is a VPS?
Why Should You Choose VPS?
The real question is why should you choose VPS over shared hosting?
The most straightforward answer to this is the dedication of services. Although in VPS you get a shared server like shared hosting, your site has a dedicated share which is not affected by anything going on with other sites on the same server.
VPS also gives your website a unique IP. It provides your site with more security, and there is no intervention from other sites.
Opting for VPS gives you the benefits of shared hosting with more security, speed, and financial economy.
The Biggest Reasons to Try VPS Hosting
Let’s dig deep into the reasons to choose VPS hosting.
- Complete Control
In shared hosting, you don’t have enough privileges to enjoy most of the administrative rights as you get restricted access to make changes. You also have less access to customization.
On the other hand, in VPS, you are given specific storage, and your work or intervention doesn’t affect the whole server. So, you have most of the administrative rights, which you can use to customize or do things your way.
- Improved Scalability
One of the best things about the VPS is that you can increase and decrease the resources according to your site’s traffic flow, which is very flexible.
It allows you to add on resources when your site starts receiving more traffic, and you can reduce the resources in case of a decrease in traffic. Therefore, VPS provides greater scalability as compared to shared hosting.
- Better Security:
Indeed, security is one of VPS’s most prominent and reliable features. The separate dedicated section or portion on the server’s storage and unique IP makes VPS more secure and dependable than shared hosting.
Improved security is also one of the main reasons users shift to VPS.
Managed, Semi-Managed, and Self-Managed VPS Hosting Systems
We have described VPS and why you should choose it over shared networks. Now, it’s time to know the Types of VPS.
There are three types of VPS hosting:
- Fully managed hosting
- Semi-Managed hosting
- Self-Managed Hosting.
1. Fully Managed VPS Hosting
In fully Managed VPS Hosting, the host does everything from managing the server to working as a system administrator. You don’t have to worry about managing your site server-related issues.
The host’s IT staff takes care of all your issues and concerns and ensures your website runs smoothly and optimally.
A fully-managed VPS hosting suits you the best when you:
- don’t need root access
- don’t need to handle or manage servers’ daily operations and want someone else to take care of the server operations
- don’t want to take care of any updates related to the server and want someone else to do it automatically
- don’t want to handle the patches and still need to access the cPanel.
- don’t want yourself to manage and install a third-party application
If you have the above requirements, fully managed VPS hosting is the best for you. It takes care of all the server-related problems and lets you concentrate on your work only.
2. Semi-Managed or Managed VPS Hosting
As the name suggests, managed VPS hosting offers some features of fully managed hosting and some features of self-managed hosting.
This type of hosting suits you the best if you need someone to take care of server patches and backups and also require access to the cPanel.
Self-managed features in managed hosting allow you to:
- install the third-party apps
- access the cPanel
- do the server administration
In fully managed hosting, the features of a semi-managed system are that:
- hosts deal with server patches
- they also manage updates
3. Self-Managed VPS Hosting
You should go for a self-managed VPS hosting if:
- You don’t need to reach the control panel.
- You don’t need to use the control panel.
- Access to the root server is not your requirement.
- You have a team of professionals who are experts in dealing with server issues.
- Your team can deal with the server patches.
- The server updates can be carried out by your team or yourself.
Best VPS Hosting Features for WordPress
If you have less traffic on a WordPress site, then shared hosting is a satisfactory option. However, if traffic on your site is increased and you are also concerned about security, it’s time to move to VPS Hosting.
Consider the following features while shifting a WordPress site to VPS hosting:
Security: WordPress hosting has a lot of security issues. It is prone to malware, phishing, DDoS attacks, and cross-site scripting (XXS). Therefore, VPS hosts should have strong security such as firewalls, daily backups, and malware scanning.
Traffic: If your site is experiencing more traffic and WordPress hosting cannot fulfill site requirements, VPS is the best option. Make sure you have an exact idea of how much traffic you expect on your site. It will help you choose a perfect VPS plan as per your requirement.
Software Development: VPS hosting allows you to implement or set up a virtual environment. You can install any software as soon as it is compatible with the VPS operating system. This feature isn’t available or is restricted in WordPress hosting, so you cannot do many experiments.
Dedicated Resources: VPS gives you the feel of a dedicated server, allowing you to use the resources dedicatedly like CPU, RAM, Storage, etc. Additionally, there is no impact whatsoever going on the sites on the same server.
Automatic Backups & Fast Storage: Check if the VPS provider offers automatic backups, super-fast storage, and server uptime before choosing the one.
Best VPS Hosting Features for Forex Trading
Regarding forex trading, one should remember that there is no room for delay or downtime. VPS hosting for Forex trading should have the following areas covered.
- Performance: In forex trading, there is no room for downtime or delays, so one should be very concerned about uptime, speed, storage, and security provided by the VPS provider.
- Hyper-V Technology: Hyper-V is a must for VPS hosting for a forex trading site. Hyper-V is Microsoft’s product for hardware virtualization. With Hyper-V, you can create, run, and manage a computer’s software version called a virtual machine. Every virtual system acts like an individual computer performing the assigned tasks.
- Flexibility in Hosting Plans: When choosing a VPS hosting plan for forex trading, look for flexibility, as your needs may evolve over time, requiring occasional plan adjustments.
- Location of VPS/Broker’s Server: Make sure you are next to your broker’s server in the same data center. It really helps a site to be quicker and more responsive.
- Uptime: Your VPS server should have 100% uptime, and there should be no compromise.
- Accept a Range of Applications: The VPS you choose should be adaptable and flexible regarding synchronization with applications. Make sure the host has a good interface with the related application you will use.
- Payment Systems: VPS should support the payment systems running on your trading site and have a good interface with them.
- No or Low Latency: High latency will cost you too much, so trade as fast as 1 millisecond. Assure that the VPS host is providing you lightning speed.
- Bandwidth: The bandwidth should be as good as 1 GB/s for the network interface. It will bring low latency.
- Autostartup Platforms: Look for the option of AutoStartup platforms that auto-relaunch your trading systems or terminals when the VPS restarts.
Find the Best Forex VPS Hosting Providers from our expertly curated list
What Should You Look for When Choosing your VPS Hosting Plan?
Below is a comprehensive guide on the factors you should look for while choosing a VPS hosting plan.
Server Speed:
Check the speed of the VPS that you will opt for. Without a good speed, the VPS is useless.
The main feature of the VPS is lightning-fast speed. Let’s take an example of a gaming site where you need an instant response. What if your server isn’t capable of providing you that speed; the whole thing is a flop.
So do check the comments, reviews, and speed offered by the VPS host before deciding.
Data Backup:
Another vital feature that VPS hosts shall offer is data backup. You need it so that in case of any mishap or critical problem with the server’s data, you cannot lose it and can retrieve it easily.
Do check if your VPS host is offering data backup.
Pricing:
We recommend comparing different service providers and their packages before choosing one. The services provided should be worth the money.
Make sure you check their prices for at least two years. Providers offer lower prices initially, but after 6 months or a year, their rates are likely to increase.
For our Cheap VPS page click here.
Security Measures:
The following services should be part of the security provided by the VPS host,
- Network monitoring
- Backups
- Firewalls
- Disaster recovery
- HTTPS
- DDoS protection
- Cyber-attack prevention
VPS hosts usually cannot provide all of these features, so pick the one providing the most out of these.
Special Features:
While deciding to choose the VPS provider, always look for that extra piece of cake. Most service providers offer the same plans. Search for an extra benefit without the cost effect on the plan.
Find a VPS provider with unique features to help your site be faster, more responsive, and hassle-free.
Max RAM:
The size of a VPS host’s RAM depends on what kind of website you are dealing with.
- For gaming websites, the RAM should be 8GB.
- While for regular sites having simultaneous traffic, the 2 GB RAM is more than enough.
Max CPUs:
The price of the VPS plans varies as per the no. of cores. The maximum number of CPUs or CPU cores available is 8 to 12 cores.
Keep in mind that the size of the RAM also increases with an increase in the core size of the CPUs.
The CPU specs play an essential role in selecting the type of VPS. The better the CPU, the better the performance of the server, and, in turn, the better your site’s performance.
Max Bandwidth:
Bandwidth purely depends upon the traffic you are expecting on your site. Take some time while choosing the plan considering the max bandwidth. The bandwidth the service providers usually offer starts from 1TB to 12TB max.
Max Storage Space:
Storage space totally depends upon your site’s requirements. You should know exactly how much data is available at your site and how much you expect it to increase in a year or so.
It will give you an insight into the amount of storage you need for your website on the server.
Server Uptime and Performance:
If the server’s uptime is poor, then everything you do is just a waste. Choose the VPS host that provides the best uptime and performance.
Find a VPS With Root Access If You Need It:
While deciding on the VPS hosting, you should know if you will require root access because that can change the selection of the VPS hosting plan.
If you know about root access, you can decide whether you want a fully managed, semi-managed, or self-managed plan.
Look Carefully for Customer Support:
Consider customer support ratings while deciding on the VPS host. Make sure that the customer services are highly rated, as it becomes a big issue once you have trouble with your site and there is no one to respond.
Customer support is crucial for dealing with any relevant problems in the future.
Match Your Needs with a Managed or Unmanaged Plan:
While choosing the VPS host, you should know precisely which type of hosting plan suits you. Decide whether it should be fully managed, semi-managed, or self-managed.
You must figure out the requirements and then choose the VPS accordingly.
Cost – Compare the Costs and Benefits of Each Plan:
You should not spend money on the services you don’t need or those that are not worth paying for.
If you won’t make decisions wisely, you will later realize you’ve spent money in the wrong place. Therefore, be crystal clear about what you need and are paying for.
Compare Costs in our VPS Pricing Comparison
Check Out Reviews of the Providers You’re Considering:
Checking the rating might seem like a small thing, but it actually has a significant impact. You can save your money by spending a few minutes reading the reviews it already received.
The comments and reviews can give you an overview of the things a VPS host lacks and the services it is good at. Hence checking out reviews can save you from wasting money, time, and unnecessary stress, allowing you to make the right decision.
Explore our expert and user reviews of the top VPS providers:
How Much Does VPS Hosting Cost?
The hosting cost varies from 3 to 90 dollars per month, depending on the services provided.
The prices increase with the storage space, CPU cores, RAM size, root access, and bandwidth.
has plans starting from $2.99 per month to &77.99 per month. The lowest package includes a single-core CPU, and the highest includes 8 core CPU. Similarly, the lowest package has a RAM size of 1 GB; however, the highest package has a RAM size of 16GB.
SSD storage of the lowest package is 20 GB; however, the premium package has 250 GB SSD. The bandwidth in the lowest and highest packages are 1TB and 12TB, respectively.
offers packages starting from $19.99 per month to $59.99 per month.
InMotion Cloud VPS starts from $5 to $160 per month.
starts from $18.99 per month to $59.99 per month.
Scala Hosting lets you customize the servers as per your will. You get the complete flexibility to choose the specs as per your choice, and you are charged according to your selection.
Understanding the Differences Between Shared Hosting and VPS Hosting
Understanding the distinctions between shared hosting and VPS hosting can help you choose a hosting option with confidence. The main variations between the two are as follows:
- Resources: While VPS hosting offers dedicated resources to each customer, shared hosting includes sharing server resources with several users.
- Scalability: As your website expands, you can easily update your resources with VPS hosting because it is more scalable than shared hosting.
- Control: VPSs hosting allows you more freedom to customize settings and install your own software, giving you more power over your server.
- Security: Both shared and VPS hosting can be secure, but VPS hosting offers a more secure alternative because you have dedicated resources and can put your own security measures in place.
- Price: Since shared hosting entails sharing resources with other users, it is typically less expensive than VPS hosting.
The decision between shared hosting and VPS hosting ultimately comes down to your needs, financial situation, and level of technical knowledge. Shared hosting can be the best choice if you’re just getting started and have a tight budget. But, VPS hosting can be a better option if you require greater power, control, and security.
For a complete comparison between the two hosting types, check our page VPS vs. Shared Hosting: Head to Head Comparison
Red Flags to Watch Out for When Choosing a VPS Provider
Red flags that may point to poor service or an unreliable company should be watched out for when selecting a VPS provider. Here are some typical warning signs to look out for:
- Lack of pricing and fee transparency: If a supplier isn’t honest about their pricing structure, it could mean that they have extra fees or are trying to upsell you on things that are unnecessary.
- Bad customer service: If a provider has a track record of delayed response times or useless support employees, you may find it difficult to contact support if problems with your VPS emerge.
- Restricted server locations: A provider’s infrastructure and resources may be constrained if they only offer VPS hosting in one or two places.
- Old equipment and software: If a provider employs old equipment or software, your website’s performance could degrade and security problems could arise.
- Absence of uptime guarantee: A provider may not be confident in their capacity to provide a dependable service if they don’t offer an uptime guarantee.
You may prevent selecting a VPS provider who might not satisfy your needs or offer a high-quality service by being aware of these warning signs.
Understanding VPS Security: What Measures Should a Provider Have in Place?
To make sure that your website and data are protected, it is crucial to take their security measures into account when choosing a VPS provider. A trustworthy VPS supplier should have the following security precautions in place:
- Regular Updates: The supplier should make sure that all systems and software are updated on a regular basis with the most recent security patches and updates.
- Firewall: Protection from unauthorized access to your server by setting up a strong firewall.
- DDoS Protection: The provider should have defenses in place to stop and lessen Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.
- SSL encryption: To protect data transit between the server and client, the provider should provide SSL encryption.
- Backup and disaster recovery: To guard against data loss, a trustworthy VPS provider should provide routine backups and disaster recovery alternatives.
Together with these precautions, it’s crucial to pick a VPS provider with a solid reputation for security and who is open and honest about their security policies and procedures. You can feel secure knowing that your website and data are safeguarded from potential security risks by selecting a supplier that places a high priority on security.
Learn How to Keep your Data Secure with our Comprehensive VPS Security Guide
Choosing a VPS Provider Based on Your Business Type and Goals
Your business kind and goals should be taken into account when selecting a VPS provider so that your needs are met. These are some things to think about:
- Website traffic: If your website receives a lot of traffic, you’ll need a VPS provider who can handle the load and offer enough resources.
- E-commerce: A VPS provider that can provide e-commerce features like SSL encryption, payment gateways, and shopping carts is necessary if you operate an online store.
- Technical knowledge: If you lack technical knowledge, you could choose to select a VPS provider that offers managed hosting, in which case the provider will take care of server upkeep and management.
- Location: For better performance and a better user experience, if your target audience is in a particular area, you might want to select a VPS provider with servers there.
- Budget: The cost of VPS hosting can range from cheap to expensive. Therefore it’s crucial to pick a provider that matches your financial constraints.
Pick a VPS provider that complements the nature and objectives of your business, giving you access to the tools, services, and features you need to flourish online.
How to Assess a VPS Provider’s Scalability and Upgrade Options
In order to be sure that your hosting solution can expand with your company, it’s critical to consider the scalability and upgrade options of the VPS provider you choose. These are some things to think about:
- Resource allocation: The VPS provider ought to give flexible choices for resource allocation that make it simple to scale up or down as necessary.
- Plans that can be upgraded: The provider should offer a variety of VPS hosting packages with various resource levels to help you scale as your website gets bigger.
- Additional services: To facilitate scalability and offer high availability, the supplier should provide other services like backup, disaster recovery, and load balancing.
- Server management: To assist you in maximizing server performance and ensuring seamless growth, the supplier should provide server administration services.
- Customer service: To help you scale up or down your hosting solution, the supplier should provide dependable and timely customer service.
A VPS provider should be able to grow with your company and offer the tools and support your website needs to develop and flourish.
Summary
To choose a VPS server, you have to look into many things, but the most important elements in deciding the VPS for you are:
- Storage
- Uptime
- Speed (CPU, RAM, Internet)
- Security
Knowing the type of VPS you need makes it easier to make a financially smart decision. You should know what type of VPS hosting you are looking for, whether fully managed, managed, or self-managed. The other factors are customer services, web rating, special features, and added benefits.
Hopefully, we’ve answered all your questions and cleared every confusion regarding VPS and web hosting. At Hostadvice, you will find all the information about different hosting types.
Next Steps
If you have all the info you need, then check out VPS providers, brand reviews and compare hosting plans
Further reading
If you still need a bit more information, take a look at these useful related articles
