Is your website traffic increasing steadily that your existing web host plan cannot handle? So, you are looking to upgrade your web hosting, but you are confused? VPS vs.Dedicated hosting: which one is suitable for your current web hosting needs? Moreover, the confusion stems from the fact that with all the two hosting types, you are assigned your own server. So, you cannot get the difference?
Don’t worry. In this article, we are going to weigh the two web hosting options so you can know which one is suitable for your specific needs.
What is VPS Hosting?
VPS, also known as Virtual Private Server hosting is where several websites share resources from the main server, via their own assigned virtual server. With VPS hosting, the main server is split into multiple virtual servers that are allocated to individual websites. So, you have control over your virtual server but not the main server.
Computers on VPS hosting use specialist software known as a hypervisor to request server resources from other websites that aren’t using the resources then to assign them to those that have maxed out their resources. VPS hosting is cost-effective and is suitable for small business websites or large personal sites that require decent server resources without limitations.
What is Dedicated Hosting?
Dedicated hosting is where websites are allocated to their own servers. With dedicated hosting, you get full control over your server. Imagine dedicated hosting as buying your own apartment where you are free to decide what to put inside and what not to.
Typically, dedicated hosting is suitable for medium to large business websites that have a ton of visitors. If you are getting more than 100,000 website visitors a month then this would make the best option for you.
VPS vs. Dedicated Hosting: What is the Difference?
VPS and dedicated hosting share some similarities but the two are different overall. For instance, with both options, you have control over your allocated server. In fact, the reviewers at Host Calc and other web hosting review sites consider VPS hosting to be a light version of dedicated hosting. Here is a comparison of the two web hosting options to help you know what sets them apart.
Resource Allocation
With VPS hosting, several websites share the same resources from the same main server. If a website depletes its resources, chances are that it can borrow resources from other websites, but if all websites are using the resources hugely then downtime’s are inevitable.
With dedicated hosting, each website is allocated its server. There is no sharing of resources in that case, although the price is high with this hosting option. Overall, when it comes to resource allocation dedicated hosting wins. There is no sharing of resources, unlike VPS hosting.
Security
In a layman language, you can think of VPS hosting as renting a house on a large block of flats, and perhaps with one main gate.
When someone forgets to close the door or makes a mistake (leakage in the security of the virtual server of one user), all the people in that apartment are at a security risk. Your house might not be invaded, but you are at high risk nevertheless.
Dedicated hosting, on the other hand, is like buying your own house. Sure, thieves can break into your house, but a mistake by your neighbour cannot put you at a security risk.
Overall, even though VPS hosting offers great security, dedicated hosting has unmatched security. Sure, both options let you install your own security software but dedicated hosting services offer complete control to security features.
Cost
VPS hosting is cost-effective than dedicated servers. Perhaps that’s because the former lets multiple users share resources. So, when it comes to cost-effectiveness, a VPS plan is cheaper than dedicated servers.
Scalability
Scalability is when a web hosting plan can grow together with your website. That means that even if your website traffic increases, your existing web hosting plan can still meet your hosting needs. VPS hosting isn’t as scalable as dedicated hosting. You will need to upgrade to a more advanced hosting plan if your website grows or if you want to add more things to it.
With dedicated hosting, you have full access to security, resources, and unmatched performance, so your website needs are catered for, no matter how big it grows. Overall, VPS hosting is scalable to certain levels where you will want to upgrade to a higher plan. With dedicated, you have everything, so you do not need to upgrade but if your website needs more resources than allocated, then you are disadvantaged.
Performance
How fast your website loads when people are using it matters a lot when it comes to the success of your online business. Think about VPS hosting like travelling on a bus route. The less the passengers the faster you will reach your destination as the driver will not stop frequently. However, if the bus is full then the driver will have to stop at every stage which keeps you longer on the journey.
Even though VPS hosting will give you a second bus when the allocated one becomes full, there is no guarantee as that will depend on whether there is an idle bus. With dedicated hosting, you have your own bus you can ferry your passengers without having to stop frequently.
Overall, dedicated hosting wins. The more the resources allocated to a website, the less likely it will suffer slow loading times. Sure, VPS hosting has fast loading speeds, but if many websites on the server have maxed out their allocated resources, slow loading times are inevitable.
VPS Hosting vs. Dedicated Hosting: The Verdict
Overall, VPS hosting is suitable for a small business website with not-so huge traffic. On the other hand, dedicated hosting is great for medium or large business websites with huge monthly traffic.
VPS hosting is the least expensive but has some limitations. Dedicated hosting is costly but with no limitations whatsoever
