What is Dedicated Hosting?
With most hosting plans, you have to share a server with other customers. With dedicated hosting, you have full access to an entire server. What you are basically doing is renting a whole computer remotely.
Benefits of Dedicated Hosting
Having a dedicated server offers a number of benefits over shared hosting, for example:
- More System Resources – when you use shared hosting, you are sharing the system resources with other users; but with dedicated hosting, you will be able to use the entire system’s memory, processing power and storage.
- More Reliable – when using shared hosting, problems may happen as a result of the other users; but with dedicated hosting, since you are the only user, the system is far less likely to crash or have problems.
- More Secure – with you as the only user of the server, there is far less risk of your data being leaked.
- More Control – by having sole use of a server, you will be able to have full control over all aspects of it, for example the operating system.
Do You Need Dedicated Hosting?
In order to decide whether dedicated hosting is right for you, ask yourself these questions:
- Are you likely to need a lot of system resources? Is there going to be a lot of resource-heavy activity going on?
- Do you need it to be as reliable as possible?
- Do you require a very high level of security?
- Do you have the required knowledge and experience to manage a dedicated server? If not, you could choose a managed package with additional technical support from the provider.
What is a VPS?
VPS stands for Virtual Private Server, and is a virtual machine that you use remotely as if it were an actually computer. Although it gives the appearance and functionality of being an individual computer, it does actually run on the same physical system as other customers’ VPS’s.
Benefits of a VPS
- Cheaper – since you are not using an entire machine, a VPS will typically be about a third of the cost of a dedicated server.
- Scalability – if your needs are small to begin with, you can start with a low-end VPS package and then scale it up as your requirements increase over time.
Do You Need a VPS?
To help you decide whether a VPS is the best option for you, ask yourself these questions:
- Are your hosting needs small at the moment?
- Do you have a small budget?
- Do you want the flexibility for your hosting to grow with your business?
Which is Right for You?
Ultimately, in order to decide whether to get dedicated hosting or a VPS, you need to think about what your requirements are. If you are already an established business and you need a lot of system resources and control over your hosting, then a dedicated hosting plan is best for you, especially if you have the budget for it. However, if your business needs are only small at the moment, and you think you will be able to get by with a shared VPS and scale up, then a VPS is the right choice for you.
