What Is VPS Hosting? Everything You Need to Know About Virtual Private Servers

HolyHosting
Oct 30
5 min read

When comparing VPS hosting to shared hosting, VPS is the more secure and stable option since you don’t share space on a dedicated server. However, it’s smaller in scale and more affordable than renting an entire server.

VPS hosting is typically chosen by website owners with medium-level traffic who have outgrown the limits of shared hosting plans but don’t yet need the resources of a dedicated server.

Virtual private server solutions usually offer multiple hosting plans. For example, at HolyHosting, we have VPS plans designed to meet various business needs and allow you to scale your site smoothly when you need more resources.

What Is a VPS?

A VPS (Virtual Private Server) is a hosting service that uses virtualization technology to provide you with dedicated (private) resources on a server shared with multiple users.

How Does VPS Hosting Work?

A server is a computer your web hosting provider uses to store the files and databases necessary for your website. When an online visitor wants to access your website, their browser sends a request to your server, which transfers the required files over the internet. VPS hosting provides you with a virtual server that mimics a physical one, even though the machine itself is shared among several users.

Using virtualization technology like a hypervisor, your hosting provider installs a virtual layer on top of the server’s operating system (OS). This layer divides the server into partitions, allowing each user to install their own OS and software.

As a result, a Virtual Private Server (VPS) is both virtual and private because you have full control. It’s separated from other users on the server at the OS level. In fact, VPS technology is similar to partitioning your own computer to run more than one OS (for example, Windows and Linux) without rebooting.

Running a VPS allows you to set up your website within a secure container with guaranteed resources (memory, disk space, CPU cores, etc.) that aren’t shared with others. With VPS hosting, you get the same root-level access as with a dedicated server, but at a much lower cost.

VPS vs. Other Types of Web Hosting

Different types of web hosting offer varying levels of customization, price, performance (like page load speed), and uptime. Below is a comparison of VPS hosting with other hosting options:

Shared Hosting

Shared hosting is designed for website owners with lower traffic. It’s the starting point for most small businesses and bloggers. Even with the best shared hosting plan, you share the same physical server with multiple clients of the hosting company. You don’t get dedicated resources since your site runs on the same OS as everyone else’s.

This means that the memory and processing power your site can use are affected by other users’ needs. For instance, if another website on the same server experiences a traffic spike, your site’s loading time may increase. You also can’t choose your OS or server software since everyone uses the same setup. In general, your hosting provider manages all aspects of your shared hosting environment.

You can think of shared hosting as renting an apartment where you share space with multiple roommates. VPS hosting, on the other hand, is like having your own private room—you can customize it however you like, such as choosing the paint, furniture, and decorations.

Cloud Hosting

With cloud hosting, you don’t rely on a single server but on a cluster running in the cloud. Each server in the cluster stores an updated copy of your website. When one server is overloaded, the cluster automatically redirects traffic to a less busy one. As a result, cloud hosting has no downtime since there’s always another server ready to handle visitor requests.

WordPress Hosting

WordPress hosting is a service specifically designed for WordPress site owners. It includes various WordPress-related features, such as one-click installation, pre-installed plugins, and WP command-line interfaces. The servers are optimized for WordPress performance, and hosting providers usually offer this service as part of shared hosting.

While it’s possible to set up a WordPress site on a VPS, you won’t get the pre-optimized WordPress environment. However, by choosing VPS hosting, you can configure and fine-tune your setup according to your business needs.

Dedicated Hosting

With dedicated hosting, you rent an entire physical server for your business. If your website receives heavy traffic, dedicated hosting can be the best option, as dedicated servers are fast, flexible, and fully customizable. However, this service comes at a higher cost and may not be worthwhile for small or medium-sized sites.

While VPS hosting allows you to configure your OS and server applications, dedicated hosting takes it further—you can configure not only the software but also the hardware, as the entire server belongs to you. You can even run a dedicated server on-premises (e.g., in your office), though doing so means losing professional hosting support.

Pros and Cons of a Virtual Private Server

VPS hosting can be an ideal solution if you truly need the resources it offers. Below are its main advantages and disadvantages:

Pros:

Faster and more reliable than shared hosting.
Guaranteed resources (RAM, CPU, etc.) with minimal fluctuation.
Other users’ issues or traffic spikes won’t affect your site.
Full root access to your server.
Better privacy since your files and databases are isolated.
Easy to scale — upgrade RAM, CPU, storage, or bandwidth as your site grows.

Cons:

More expensive than shared hosting.
Requires technical knowledge to set up, though many tutorials are available.
Server management is more demanding than shared or cloud plans.
Poorly configured servers can lead to security vulnerabilities.

When to Use VPS Hosting and When to Upgrade

VPS hosting is typically the next step after outgrowing shared hosting limits. If even the most advanced shared hosting plan isn’t enough for your website’s performance, upgrading to a VPS plan is worthwhile. VPS hosting offers the best of both worlds — the balance between shared and dedicated hosting.

However, in some cases, it’s smart to start with a VPS from the beginning. For example, eCommerce websites that handle secure transactions can greatly benefit from a VPS’s speed and stability. If you store sensitive data or process online payments, VPS hosting helps reduce security risks and identity theft.

If you expect traffic spikes, such as for an event planning or ticketing site, VPS hosting can be a lifesaver. Game servers (like Counter-Strike 2 or Minecraft) and other resource-heavy applications also perform significantly better on a virtual private server.

Are There Alternatives to VPS? What Is Managed VPS Hosting?

One of the main drawbacks of unmanaged VPS hosting is that you’re responsible for managing your entire server environment. If your virtual server isn’t configured or maintained properly, you could face serious security risks or performance loss.

Managed VPS hosting services have emerged as a solution to this problem. Think of it as an upgraded version of VPS hosting that includes full technical support and maintenance from the hosting provider.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has been helpful! 🚀 Remember, don’t hesitate to ask questions on the HolyHosting Discord or contact our support team.