Shared Hosting vs. VPS Hosting: Which Solution is Right for Your Business?
Tags: webdev, beginners, vps, php
Published: 2023-03-28 09:12:22

Are you looking for a hosting solution for your website or application? One of the first things you'll need to decide is which hosting option you need: Shared hosting or VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting. Let's discuss the differences between these two options so you can determine which solution is the perfect fit for your project.


## What is Shared Hosting?

Shared hosting is the simplest form of hosting. Multiple websites share the resources of a single web server. Your website resides on a server alongside other websites, and all the server resources, such as CPU, memory, and storage, are shared equally among all the users on that server.

Shared hosting is an affordable option for hosting your website because the costs of maintaining the server are split between multiple users. Small businesses that need a simple web presence, personal websites, and blogs that only require a few resources are good candidates for shared hosting.


## Advantages of Shared Hosting

Shared hosting is a cost-effective alternative for hosting your website. You can split the expenses among multiple users by sharing server space with other sites. The savings stem from a statistical pooling effect that can handle potential traffic surges. Because not all users will experience traffic spikes simultaneously,  users can obtain more resources than the total hardware divided by the number of users would suggest.

Shared hosting is also easy to use. You don't need special technical skills to use shared hosting because your hosting provider handles everything. You don't need to worry about maintaining the server and updating software. Most hosts provide an up-to-date PHP version on an Apache or NGINX web server on a Linux OS. Many also offer 1-click installs for popular software like WordPress, Joomla, or TYPO3.

If there are any technical issues, your hosting provider is responsible for troubleshooting the problem and providing a solution.


## Disadvantages of Shared Hosting

When you use shared hosting, your hosting provider configures the server to handle a specific number of users and resources. If your website experiences a sudden surge in traffic or requires additional resources, the server may not be able to handle the increased demand, leading to poor website performance. Your website may even crash and go offline.

Shared hosting sites lack flexibility. The resources available to your site are fixed, so if your traffic fluctuates seasonally, you can't add resources when visits to your site are high and scale back resources when your site traffic is lower.

Shared hosting sites can also be vulnerable to security concerns. When multiple websites are hosted on the same server and share the same resources, there is a risk that if one website is hacked or infected with malware, the other websites on the same server could also be affected.


## What is Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting?

With Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting, you still share a server with other users. However, the physical server is divided into multiple virtual servers, so it appears as if you have a single server devoted to hosting your site.

Each virtual private server uses its own resources, its own database, and manages how resources are allocated. You can benefit from the decreased costs of sharing a server, but you maintain control over the resources your website uses.

![Shared vs. VPS hosting comparison chart](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KdAMZEre9zBevx0UVliXAbP9BIAqgC8yz67k4Q3DcqLxwPYsBbozttp1oDt-89cP66ylMOGFVEjtSpPpnhIYC6cMve7MG9vSpn8iaXfXXo6qwavMUQnLTToPRnbEjGxJr3puYoVBlD4VDuCRoDqci4Y)


Some hosting providers offer VPS Cloud Hosting, which combines the features of virtual private servers (VPS) and cloud computing. With VPS cloud hosting, the hosting provider uses multiple servers to create a virtual server network that works together to host websites and applications.


## Managed and Unmanaged VPS Hosting

You can choose a managed or unmanaged VPS hosting plan depending on how much technical support you need.

**With a managed VPS**, the hosting provider takes care of all the technical aspects of the server, including server maintenance, security, and software updates. Typically, the hosting provider handles server configurations, software installation, and troubleshooting tasks.

**With an unmanaged VPS**, you can fully control and customize the server according to your specific needs. However, you are also responsible for handling all technical issues and managing the server's security and maintenance.

An unmanaged VPS is usually less expensive than a managed VPS because the hosting provider doesn't need to offer additional support and management services. However, effectively managing the server requires more technical knowledge and expertise.

For example, if you choose an unmanaged VPS plan, your host will create your virtual machine for you. Some hosts may also offer setup support, such as installing the operating system or a server management platform, such as CPanel or Plesk. These additional services may cost an extra fee.

Usually, however, the rest of the setup is up to you, including installing the operating system,  creating user accounts, setting up a firewall for your server, and installing any necessary software. You’ll also need to back up your server regularly to ensure you can restore your data if there is a system failure or some other issue.

Setting up and managing an unmanaged VPS hosting account can be challenging and requires technical expertise. If you are not confident in your ability to manage your server, it may be better to consider a managed VPS hosting account, where the hosting provider takes care of server management tasks for you.


## Advantages of VPS Hosting

Whether you select a managed VPS or an unmanaged VPS, VPS hosting offers several advantages over shared hosting. One of the primary benefits of VPS hosting is that you don't need to share resources with other users on the same server. This means that your website or application will not be affected by the activities of other websites on the server, which can help improve performance and reliability.

You have greater control over your server with VPS Hosting because you have root server access. Root server access refers to having full administrative access and control over a server. It is called "root" access because the highest level of administrative privileges on a Unix server is called the "root" user.

With root access, you can access and modify any file on the server, change system settings, install new software packages, create and manage user accounts, and adjust resources.

You also have greater control over your server's security settings and can implement custom security measures to protect your website or application. This can help protect your data and sensitive information from potential security breaches or attacks.

Typically, sites hosted on VPS hosting have better performance than shared hosting sites since you aren't sharing resources with other users. VPS hosting also offers scalability, allowing you to quickly scale up or down your resources as needed to accommodate changes in traffic or demand. 


## Disadvantages of VPS Hosting

While VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting offers many benefits, there are also some potential disadvantages.

VPS hosting is generally more expensive than shared hosting because it provides dedicated resources and greater control over the server environment. The higher cost can make VPS hosting a less attractive option for smaller websites or businesses with limited budgets.

If you choose an unmanaged VPS hosting plan, you'll need technical knowledge to manage the server environment. You'll also be responsible for software maintenance and troubleshooting any issues.


## What Hosting Solution is Right for Your Project?

Shared hosting is an excellent option for small businesses, personal websites, and blogs that require few resources. Shared hosting is cost-effective and easy to use, making it a good choice for users with little or no technical knowledge.

On the other hand, VPS hosting is an excellent option for businesses or individuals who require more control over the server settings and configurations. If you need dedicated resources, more control over the server, and the ability to scale up or down resources based on your requirements, VPS hosting is the best option.

These questions can help you determine which hosting solution is right for you.



1. **How much traffic do you expect your website to receive?** Shared hosting is generally a good solution for sites receiving less than 10,000 visitors monthly. If you expect more than 10,000 visitors each month, VPS is a better solution.
2. **How much control do you need over your server environment?** If you require greater control over your server settings and configurations, VPS hosting may be a better option because it offers more flexibility and customizability than shared hosting.
3. **How much technical knowledge do you have?** If you understand server configurations, security settings, and software management, VPS hosting may be a good fit for you. Shared or managed VPS hosting may be more user-friendly if you need more technical assistance.
4. **What is your budget?** VPS hosting is generally more expensive than shared hosting, so you should consider your budget when deciding which option is best.
5. **What level of security do you require?** If you need a higher level of security, VPS hosting may be a better option. VPS hosting offers more control over security settings and allows you to implement custom security measures. However, if security is less of a concern, shared hosting may be more cost-effective.

If you’re a small business with plans to grow, choosing a shared hosting plan is a cost-effective way to get your website up and running, especially if you have a limited budget. It allows you to share server resources with other users, which keeps costs low.

As your business grows and your traffic increases, you may require more resources and control over your hosting environment. That’s when VPS hosting makes sense; it provides dedicated resources, more customization options, and better performance.

If you choose a hosting service that offers both shared hosting and VPS hosting, you have the flexibility to start with shared hosting and then upgrade to VPS hosting when your business needs grow. This allows you to scale your hosting solution as your business grows, without having to switch hosting providers

IONOS offers hosting plans to meet the needs of any size business. They offer a variety of hosting packages, from [shared hosting plans](https://www.ionos.com/hosting/web-hosting) with unlimited storage and free domain registration  to [VPS hosting services with unlimited traffic](https://www.ionos.com/servers/vps). IONOS also has a [personal consultant](https://www.ionos.com/consultant) to help you select the right plan for your business. Your business is always supported, no matter how big it grows. 

Find the [right plan for your business](https://www.ionos.com/): today and in the future.