There are many options in hosting services available to site owners. These include shared hosting, VPS hosting, cloud hosting, dedicated hosting, etc. Each website is unique and has a specific hosting requirement. Similarly, every hosting type is different and can cater to specific websites. In recent years, VPS hosting has evolved as a preferred hosting service across websites. While some users prefer Windows, Linux VPS hosting is more popular among site owners due to the range of options. Usually, new websites start with a shared hosting plan and start looking at VPS hosting plans when the site grows and attracts high traffic. This article will compare shared and VPS hosting to offer a clear understanding of the differences between the two.
What are Shared and VPS Hosting services?
In shared hosting, your website is stored on a server that is shared between several users. All resources and computing power of the server are shared on a need basis between all users.
When you buy VPS hosting, your site resides on a virtual server. The host uses server virtualization techniques to create many virtual servers on a physical web server. Each virtual server has full access to the root directory, account isolation, and dedicated resources.
Comparing Shared Hosting and VPS Hosting
| Feature | Shared Hosting | VPS Hosting |
| Value for Money | Shared hosting plans are the cheapest plans since you share a server’s resources and processing power with other users. It makes them ideal for sites with low budgets and low resource requirements. | If we compare the price, then VPS hosting plans are costlier than shared hosting plans. The host creates virtual servers, with each having dedicated resources, account isolation, and full root access. However, a virtual server offers a hosting environment similar to a dedicated server at a much lower cost. That makes VPS plans offer more value for money as compared to shared plans. |
| Security | Because of the shared hosting environment, the security of one website directly impacts that of the other sites on the server. Therefore, one site getting hacked or infected can increase the risk of other sites on the server getting hacked/infected. The server’s security can be compromised, despite the host ensuring the server’s security if each site owner is not responsible. | In VPS hosting, multiple websites are hosted on one physical server too. However, it is done by creating virtual servers. Since each virtual server has account isolation, a security breach of one site does not put others at risk. Also, complete access to the root directory allows site owners to install any third-party security tool and boost the site’s security. |
| Server Management | In shared hosting, the server is managed by the hosting company. Hence, you don’t have to concern yourself with server administration tasks. While this can be good for new site owners, it also means lesser control over the hosting environment and high dependency on the hosting company. | VPS in India is available in managed and unmanaged plans. With managed plans, the host takes care of most of the server management tasks. However, with unmanaged plans, the onus of managing the VPS lies on the site owner. Hence, it requires a certain level of technical expertise and time. |
| Traffic Management | If we compare the two, VPS hosting can handle much higher volumes of traffic compared to a shared hosting plan. It is because a virtual server has dedicated resources and the architecture of a VPS makes it easier for the host to add resources as needed. | |
Summing Up
Despite being offered on a shared web server, shared and VPS hosting plans offer different benefits to site owners. Hence, before buying a VPS plan, it is important to assess your site’s requirements and compare features. Good Luck!