VPS Hosting vs Shared Hosting, 8 key differences you should know in 2023
VPS Hosting vs Shared Hosting, 8 key differences you should know in 2023
Start your hosting tour now, as we reveal the major differences between sharing and VPS hosting.
Hosting can be a daunting subject. If you're not too tech-savvy, it's hard to even fully understand what hosting is, let alone know what the different types are!
Our job is to make it right. At site Builder Experts, we've circled the block several times and know all the tricks of the trade when web hosting.
Not only that, but we also conducted our real-world research to help you choose the hosting provider that fits your needs. But let's start with the basics.
There are many different types of hosting, but we will focus on two of them: shared hosting and Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting:
Conclusion: Shared Hosting vs VPS Hosting
| Key Differences | Shared Hosting | VPS Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Resource Allocation Winner: VPS Hosting | Share resources with other websites on your server. If one reaches its limit, others will run out. | Resources are still shared, but you have a greater say in the site's limitations. |
| Performance Winner: VPS Hosting | Good uptime and enough bandwidth to support hundreds of visitors per week (assuming other sites don't use too much!) | Good page loading speed and sufficient bandwidth to support thousands of visitors per week. |
| Security Winner: VPS Hosting | Usually quite secure, but if a site on the server is hacked, you are at risk. | Personal security software can be installed to ensure that you are protected, even if others on your server are not. |
| Scalability Winner: VPS Hosting | Except for static sites, scalability is not very strong. | Be able to grow with your site, up to large enterprise sites. |
| Configuration and Customization Winner: VPS Hosting | Set a limit on the number of resources you have; Rarely customized. | Better control of your resource limits; This can be customized using additional software. |
| Price Winner: Shared Hosting | Cheapest type of hosting on the market. | \More expensive than shared hosting |
1. Introduction to shared hosting and VPS hosting
Sharing a host means sharing the server and its resources with other sites. This is bandwidth, storage... A lot of. VPS hosting creates a virtual environment that mimics a dedicated server (where you can get the server and all its resources), but in a shared hosting environment.
Another way to see the differences is to think of them as rental properties:
With shared hosting, you can "share" space on your server with other websites. It's like renting a room in a shared house - you have your little area, but you're part of a larger communal space.
Shared hosting is the cheapest type. It has its benefits, but naturally, things can get a little cramped sometimes.
VPS hosting is where you have multiple server slices. This can be thought of as renting an apartment in a complex - more rooms, more space, more flexibility, and a bit more expensive. You have a higher level of control, but you're still running on a server that you share with others.
In general, shared hosting works for static sites - in other words, a site with fixed content doesn't change no matter who visits it. Shared hosting works best for basic personal websites, such as blogs and startups. You don't get rich features, ironclad security, and super-fast loading, but then again, you don't need all that.
VPS hosting is an advance, perfect for small businesses, online stores, and large personal websites. You'll see increases in functionality, security, and performance, all for a very reasonable cost increase.
VPS hosting is also great if you want to grow your website. Think of it as an investment - you want to choose a plan that fits your ambitions, not just a plan for the here and now.
In this article, we address the major pros and cons and show you the top providers for each hosting type. We'll also discuss the main areas to be aware of, assess key differences, and determine which hosting type is right for you: shared hosting or VPS hosting.
2. Shared Hosting versus VPS Hosting: Pros and Cons
While shared hosting is the cheapest option, VPS can also provide great value for money - the trick is to know what type of hosting you need. Most beginner and personal websites will be more ready for shared hosting. However, if you are building an online store or a website that may exceed these basic furniture items, then you will need to upgrade to a more scalable and personalized product hosted by VPS.
Shared Hosting Pros
The cheapest type of hosting
Designed for beginners and technical novices
Does well on static and low-traffic sites
Shared Hosting Cons
None Dedicated resources
Higher security risks
The website with which you share your server will affect your performance
VPS Hosting Pros
Excellent quality and reasonable price
More customizable controls
Scalable plan that grows with your site
VPS Hosting Cons
It- Slightly more expensive than shared hosting
Basic technical knowledge is required
You need to have a vague idea of the storage and bandwidth required
3. Resource Allocation
Everyone needs a certain amount of resources. For example, your mobile plan sets limits on calls, texts, and data. The hosting is the same, except the resources are things like storage space and memory.
As the name implies, on a shared host scheme, you can share resources with other sites on your server. If one site takes up too much bandwidth, all other sites will suffer. It's a bit like trying to cook in a shared kitchen when all the stoves have been taken away.
VPS hosting has fewer restrictions. Because you own a larger portion of the server hardware, you have more resources. You'll also get root access to the server environment, which means you can install additional software and edit any files on the server.
4. Security
Let's start by saying that, for the most part, shared hosting is very secure. Providers do a lot of work around their security, but there are no guarantees. Again, this depends on the other sites with which you share your server.
If one site goes wrong and has a security hole, every site on that server is vulnerable. You can lock your bedroom, but you're still at risk if one of your roommates opens the front door!
VPS hosting is more secure. For starters, you are on the server with other VPS users, which means that everyone has a higher level of security. You will also have more say over your protection, just as you are free to install CCTV and alarms in your flat. There's no need to panic, even if someone opens the entrance to your block.
5. Performance
You can have all the resources and security in the world, but what your visitors care about is how well your site runs. For example, the amount of bandwidth you get will vary from plan to plan, and uptime will vary from provider to provider.
Research shows that nearly half of Internet users expect web pages to load in two seconds or less. With this in mind, you will need to develop a plan that can handle the higher volume of traffic without affecting loading speed.
6. Configuration and Customization
Your host configuration (or, in other words, Settings) is usually handled for you. On a shared host scenario, the configuration is all sorted by your provider, which means you can move on to more important things.
VPS is a bit complicated. There are two different types of VPS hosting: managed and unmanaged. The hosting plan is the same as shared hosting because the setup process is handled for you. Use unhosted, it's up to you - although this tends to be used only by developers and experts.
In terms of customization, there are significant differences between the two managed types. To illustrate, let's use your mobility plan as another example. While shared hosting sets limits that you can't exceed, such as the number of talk minutes and amount of data, VPS hosting lets you customize your schedule so you can change the limits monthly.
7. Scalability
The way to look at shared hosting versus VPS hosting is to determine what your ambitions are. Shared hosting is perfect if you have a small site with a few hundred visitors a week and you don't plan to scale.
As your site grows, problems start to spread. If your number of visitors goes from hundreds to thousands, your beautiful home page may turn into an error message.
VPS hosting can grow with you; If you're a small business, paying a few extra dollars a month at this stage gives you some leeway. Sure, living in a shared house is fine if it's just you, but when you have a partner, things can get a little cramped!
8. Price
Shared hosting beats VPS hosting on price - seriously! If you want to host your site cheaply, there's no real argument, because shared hosting is undoubtedly cheaper than VPS hosting. Still, it's important to note that shared hosting is somewhat limited for ambitious sites.
FAQ
When should you switch from shared hosting to VPS hosting?
If you are already on a shared hosting plan but have ambitions to expand your site, the sooner you upgrade to VPS hosting, the easier it will be. Often, if your site starts getting thousands of weekly visitors instead of hundreds, it's time to switch.
What is dedicated hosting?
Dedicated hosting is where your website is hosted on your server. It is considered the most comprehensive type of hosting and has a great deal of functionality. If shared hosting is like owning your room, and VPS hosting is like owning your apartment, then dedicated hosting is like owning your own house.
What's the difference between VPS and VPN?
Similar acronyms with very different meanings. VPS stands for Virtual Private Server and is where you host your Web site on a shared server with separate hardware and software. VPN stands for virtual private network, which is a way to browse the Internet anonymously from all locations.