Hosting
Web hosting or VPS: which one does your project need?
Both run websites, but they don't solve the same problems. Here is how to decide, and how to tell when it's time to move up.
Web hosting and virtual private servers (VPS) both keep your website online. The difference lies in who manages the server, how resources are shared and how much control you get.
Web hosting: the managed option
With web hosting, your site runs on a server maintained by your provider. Updates, security patches and server configuration are handled for you, and you manage your sites from a control panel. It is the right choice for showcase sites, blogs, WordPress and most small online stores.
VPS: guaranteed resources and full control
A VPS gives you a virtual machine with its own guaranteed CPU, memory and storage, and full root access. You choose the operating system, install the software you need and configure everything yourself. That freedom comes with responsibility: updates and security are now in your hands.
How to decide
- Choose web hosting if you want to publish a site without administering a server.
- Choose a VPS if you need custom software, background workers, specific versions of a language or database, or predictable performance under load.
- If you are unsure, start with web hosting: moving to a VPS later is a common, well-documented step.
Signs you have outgrown web hosting
- Your pages slow down during traffic peaks.
- You need software or extensions your hosting plan doesn't allow.
- Several applications compete for the same resources.