Should I choose a VPS or a Dedicated Server?
- Do I need a dedicated server, or will a virtual private server (VPS) do?
- What’s the difference?
- How will my choice affect my business?
This post will help clear the murky world of server selection and let you know the difference between VPS and dedicated servers.
First, Some Basic Facts
Nine out of 10 people think they should go straight to a dedicated server. They want super-fast load times and believe having their own server will ensure that.
Dedicated is not always the answer.
The fact is, dedicated servers are fast, but virtual private servers are also quick. Which one to choose depends on the anticipated volume of traffic and storage needs.
Also, dedicated servers typically cost three to seven times more than a VPS, so a healthy budget is necessary.
Natural Server Progression According to Your Needs
If you’ve already been using shared web hosting (also known as SSD Hosting) and are ready to upgrade, the next step should be using a VPS.
That will give you far greater storage, CPU, RAM and network port speed specs. In other words, your site will work fast! You will notice an improvement over using regular shared hosting.
The benefits of upgrading
This is suitable and offers plenty of resources and speed for small to mid-sized businesses. It’s also a logical financial move, so a good business decision.
On the other hand, if you have a massive volume of site traffic, or you get to the point where you need more resources than a VPS offers, that’s the time to move to a dedicated server.
Comparing VPS to Dedicated Server
Something to note before you study the server comparison of VPS vs dedicated servers below is that under the VPS column, you’ll see ‘shared server resources’.
This is unlike regular shared web hosting, though it sounds that way. You are on a server with others, but only a handful, versus the many you share with on your regular hosting plan.
If you are not much of a techy, don’t let the root access part scare you, either.
A managed VPS will remove that worry, and you will be responsible for the technical stuff. Just use it as you usually would.
Managed Dedicated Servers with cPanel are also available.
Here is a simple, fast overview:
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| VPS | Dedicated Server |
| Less expensive | Approximately 3-7 times the cost |
| Resources for small-medium businesses, but can also cater to larger enterprises depending on required specs and budget. | Potentially far greater resources depending on necessary specs and budget |
| Usually better value for money | A lot more overhead |
| AlmaLinux 8 or CloudLinux 8 operating system | AlmaLinux 8 or CloudLinux 8 operating system |
| Intel or AMD processors | Intel or AMD processors |
| Minimally shared server resources | Only you are on the server |
| Root access for total control |
Root access for total control |
The Fast Answer
To summarise, a VPS should be enough if you have a small to medium-sized business. Plus, it’s the most economical choice without sacrificing speed and resources.
When your business grows, you’ll want to see if it’s time to move to a dedicated server. You will have a choice of UK, France, Germany, Canada, and USA locations to suit your needs.
Still Unsure of Which Server You Need?
If you are unsure of which type of service you need for your project(s), please get in touch with us and give us an idea of what kind of website you will be running.
Depending on your budget and other requirements, we can advise you on which service is best for your project.