Not everyone needs the most cutting-edge robust servers. A lot of websites start small and stay small, which makes them ideally suited for a virtual private server (VPS). However, you cannot truly compare dedicated servers and VPS without knowing what they are and how they stack up with each other, so let’s get to know them a little more in depth.
What Is VPS Hosting, Anyway?
A virtual private server uses virtualization technology to divide a physical dedicated server into several “private” servers, each with its own dedicated resources such as RAM and CPU. You are not truly “alone” on your own server when using a VPS — it is more like having neighbors in an apartment building — but how you use your space is completely up to you. Even though you are sharing space on a physical server with others, the independent provisioning allows for separate operating systems and you have your own dedicated memory. Noisy neighbors are kept to a minimum.
What About Dedicated Hosting?
A dedicated server is yours. You have the entire physical server and all its resources all to yourself. No neighbors, no wild parties next door. Beyond your selection of software, you also have full control over the physical hardware and components inside your server, which provides the ultimate level of control.
The example we sometimes use to compare VPS and dedicated hosting is to think of a VPS as a restaurant with private rooms, like the chef’s table at your favorite steakhouse. Instead of everyone sitting in the main dining area, each dining party has their own private space reserved. You can arrange that private room and decorate it how you like, but you still share the staff and kitchen with everyone else.
On the other hand, a dedicated server is like renting out the entire venue for your own exclusive event. The only people there are your guests, and the restaurant staff is entirely dedicated to your needs. Reserving a private dining room usually incurs a small fee and works fine for small groups, but booking an entire restaurant for your wedding is much more expensive, because you need it for a bigger event.
Shared Hosting Is Not a VPS
It is easy to confuse “shared hosting” with VPS, but they are very different. The biggest difference between the two is that VPS features dedicated resource allocation and shared hosting does not. With a VPS, a virtual machine is created with dedicated resources that are not shared with other websites. The server is built once for everyone, so it isn’t scalable and no root access is available. A security breach on one of the other customer websites may also impact your website.
With multiple websites using the same CPU, RAM and storage, a shared hosting environment means that when there’s a wild, crazy party next door, your neighbors could possibly come right through your wall and burn down your apartment. There is no respect for your space or your resources, so bad neighbors make bad hosting situations and websites go down. Some companies are notorious for squeezing more and more customers onto a single server to make more money.
Virtual private servers exist as a next-generation solution, because of all the problems that occur with shared hosting. Shared hosting is cheaper than VPS because it’s a horrible nightmare, not just for the client but also for your web host, so avoid it like COVID.
Why Choose a VPS Over a Dedicated Server?
The most obvious difference is cost. While most hosts would always love to sell every customer their very own fully dedicated server, your actual needs should determine your choice. VPS is more affordable, easier to scale and very flexible. You can easily create a new instance to replace an old one by adding or removing resources like CPU cores, system memory and storage. They can be set up immediately, and are much quicker than provisioning dedicated servers, which are custom-built for each customer.
For most low- to mid-traffic websites, a VPS hosting solution will meet or exceed all needs and keep the costs low; the world visiting your website will never be able to tell whether you are on a VPS or a dedicated server. For the majority of small to midsize websites, a VPS solution is the best hosting option between shared hosting and dedicated servers. Best of all, as your business grows, it’s a very simple process to upgrade hosting packages.
Brad Mitchell is the founder of MojoHost, which has earned many loyal clients over nearly two decades and has been named XBIZ Web Host of the Year multiple times. A regular fixture at trade shows, Mitchell frequently shares hard-won wisdom while striking profitable deals. Contact brad@mojohost.com to learn more about MojoHost’s suite of services.