Virtual Private Server Hosting

Virtual private servers and shared server hosting arrangements have a few things in common, and several marked differences. Though both hosting arrangements require users to share a single piece of hardware (and, in fact, may even end up sharing the same software), there are a few major differences between the two that can make choosing between a VPS and a shared hosting plan easier.
 
To begin with, a virtual private server is essentially a server that doesn't technically exist as hardware. It functions as though the user has a whole server to themselves, so they can choose which operating system is used, gain root access, install custom software and make all of the decisions about how to run their virtual server. Many virtual private servers may exist on one actual, real world server. With shared hosting arrangements, the user only gets a portion of a server and portion of server's resources. They can not make any decisions about the server itself, can not install custom software, and do not have root access to make any changes. Many users share a single server.
 
The biggest advantage that virtual private servers offer is that they get more control over how their server is run, and more resources dedicated to their sites or web applications. The biggest disadvantages to a VPS are pricing, and that having a VPS means that users need to know something about managing a server. The biggest advantages that shared hosting offers is that users don't need to know anything about managing a server, and plans are just about always cheaper than for VPS hosting. The biggest disadvantages to shared hosting is that users don't get much control over the server itself, and things like their disk space, CPU, and bandwidth usage are generally much more limited.
 
So, which one is really better? The answer varies depending on what you need. If your business has a large site to host and a lot of visitors, then a VPS arrangement will probably work out better for you. If you only have a small personal site that doesn't going to be a CPU cycle hog (a lot of visitors) and does not need custom software (e.g ffmpeg), then shared hosting will probably be just fine. It also varies depending on your level of experience. Do you know something about how to manage your own server? If so, you can probably manage a VPS just fine, especially if you go to a host that offers 'fully managed' servers. If not, you may be better off with a high-end shared hosting plan.
 
It is often very tempting to pay for resources that you don't need just yet on the off chance that you're going to need them in the future, but hosting arrangements are generally paid for month to month. No host will ever discourage you from contacting them and saying you want to upgrade your plan when the time comes, so it's best to start out with the kind of hosting that best fits your immediate needs, and then just upgrade your plan when you have a need to. Paying for bandwidth and disk space you aren't using is simply a waste.
 
Shared hosting and VPS hosting plans both require users to share a single piece of hardware with other users, but the similarities end there. While all of the options, disk space, processing power, and bandwidth offered by a VPS may look enticing, it is important to have a realistic idea of your needs before you choose a hosting arrangement. This will help you save money, and help you choose the most reliable hosting for your site.
 

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