Everything You Should Know About VPS Hosting in 2024

VPS, or Virtual Private Servers, have become a staple of the web hosting industry. VPS hosting services comprise a considerable market segment, with 10.3% of all platforms offering VPS services¹. This may seem a small percentage, but it is very impressive, given how new the technology is. 

Today, we will be diving into an in-depth exploration of VPS hosting. The journey will begin with a detailed introduction and feature breakdown before moving on to prominent comparisons. 

Lastly, we’ve thrown in some useful tips for finding the best VPS services for your use case. This article offers the ultimate overview of VPS services and why they have risen to such great heights so fast.

Introducing Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting

VPS stands for Virtual Private Server. It is a variation of web hosting that allows you to divide a single physical server into multiple virtual servers. Each virtual server thus created functions as an independent computing machine. Software allocates CPU, RAM, Storage, and other resources to each VPS tenant according to their SLA. 

The VPS market is on track to make massive gains in the coming years, with a projected CAGR of 16.2% from 2019 to 2026². VPS hosting has elevated modern web hosting standards, encouraging more innovation toward reliability, security, and affordability.

How VPS Hosting Works

VPS hosting utilizes virtualization technology to create virtual server instances called Virtual Machines. The specific technology in use is called a Hypervisor, which controls resource allocation and maintains virtual isolation. Each VM thus created is a pocket of virtual resources exclusively dedicated to the tenant’s use. The most notable hypervisors used by VPS providers are: 

• KVM
• OpenVZ
• VMWare ESXi
• Xen
• Hyper-V

The biggest distinguishing factor, however, is that these virtual servers are entirely autonomous and under tenant control. While the VPS hosting provider owns the hardware, the tenant retains full control over almost every aspect of the VPS. 

Many consider VPS hosting the perfect middle-ground between shared and dedicated server hosting services. They combine the more affordable prices of shared hosting with the security and control of dedicated server hosting. 

Key Features of VPS Hosting

Let’s review the spotlight features that make VPS hosting such a powerhouse solution in 2024:

Dedicated Resource Provision

Despite offering a shared physical environment, hypervisors allow providers to offer dedicated server resources to tenants. This means tenants receive all the resources owed to them in the SLA without conflict with neighboring tenants. Thus, tenants can safely run heavy-duty websites and applications without fearing resource limitations.  

Root Access and Control

VPS hosting offers the maximum possible control and customization flexibility to tenants. As a user of a VPS, you are at liberty to use any combination of Operation System, security configurations, applications, and so forth. For particularly tech-savvy users, this level of control and management potential make VPS a very appealing hosting option. 

Highly Scalable and Elastic Resources

Another headline feature of VPS hosting is its potential for scalability. Websites and applications that experience variable traffic and explosive growth require dynamic scaling. VPS offers just that, allowing users to upgrade or downgrade their SLAs and subscription plans for dynamic resource allocation. 

Since most VPS services operate on a pay-as-you-go model, users can effectively control costs and maximize their web hosting ROI. Plus, flexible scaling means zero need for downtime to upgrade or fear of failure due to load increase. 

Security and Isolation

VPS hosting emphasizes the importance of security and server isolation. Thanks to hypervisors, it is able to offer the affordability of shared hosting while maintaining heightened security standards. Hypervisors separate virtual servers at the kernel and host OS level. The technology is highly robust and ensures maximum isolation between VPS tenants. 

The elevated control and root access also allow you to configure custom security measures befitting your needs. This is especially true if your website collects sensitive consumer information that must be protected. 

VPS Hosting vs. Shared Hosting

Choosing between shared hosting and VPS hosting depends on your priorities and requirements. Despite appearing superior to shared hosting, there are many situations where shared hosting may prove the better solution. 

Here is the detailed comparison table highlighting what both hosting solutions offer to help you decide.

VPS Hosting vs. Dedicated Hosting

Dedicated server hosting is beloved among businesses, offering complete control over a physical server with zero interference. 

Curious how VPS hosting compares to such a formidable alternative? Here’s our feature comparison to give you an idea of how they perform side-by-side: 

Types of VPS Hosting

VPS hosting comes in two types based on the technical expertise and support required by the user: 

1. Managed VPS Hosting

Managed VPS hosting is when the service provider is responsible for server maintenance, updates, security patches, and monitoring. In exchange, users are charged a management fee for being provided resources like IT technicians and system administrators.

Managed hosting is an ideal solution for business owners and developers who prefer a hands-off approach or lack the IT skills for VPS management.

2. Unmanaged Hosting

Unmanaged VPS hosting services put full control and administration in the hands of the user. Unmanaged VPS hosting requires technical expertise in server management for effective operations.

While this is more cost effective on the surface, hiring an in-house technician or system administrator may prove more expensive long-term. However, unmanaged services are best for maintaining confidentiality and strict access control.

Use Cases for VPS Hosting

VPS is an effective solution for a variety of personal and business use cases. Highlighted below are some of the most notable examples of VPS use in 2024: 

• Small to Medium-Sized Businesses: SMBs make for the perfect VPS users. VPS offers affordable web hosting with scalability for growth. 
• E-commerce Websites: E-commerce platforms require security, performance, and scalability. VPS hosting offers the resources to handle large traffic volumes and sensitive customer data.
• Developers: VPS hosting is perfect for developers needing an isolated environment to test applications or run custom software.
• Resource-Heavy Applications: Websites or apps that consume significant resources, such as gaming servers or big data analytics, benefit from the dedicated resources offered by VPS.

Choosing the Right VPS Hosting Provider for You

There is no best VPS hosting provider out there objectively. Instead of searching for a zero-risk, satisfaction-guaranteed solution, you must search for providers that can address your priorities.

By evaluating servers based on certain quality and performance criteria, you can separate the wheat from the chaff and find the best choice. Some of these criteria include: 

• Performance

Look for providers that offer reliable and powerful resources (CPU, RAM, and SSD storage) to ensure smooth performance, especially for high-traffic sites or resource-intensive applications.

• Scalability

Choose a provider that allows easy upgrading of resources as your business or website grows without requiring downtime or complex migrations.

• Uptime Guarantee

Ensure the provider offers a high uptime guarantee (99.9% or higher), as this directly impacts your website’s availability. According to a report by the Uptime Institute, 63% of all web outages can be attributed to poor hosting service providers³. 

• Customer Support

Opt for providers with 24/7 customer support. Prioritize ones with multiple channels like live chat, phone, and ticketing systems for fast issue resolution.

• Security

Look for built-in security features like DDoS protection, firewalls, regular backups, and automated updates to keep your data safe. Avoid providers that cannot provide security provisions at the server level. 

• Cost

Compare pricing plans to ensure you’re getting value for the resources provided. Make sure there are no hidden fees for upgrades or additional services. 

• Control and Customizability

Some users may need root access and full control over their server environment. If this is important, verify that the provider offers this level of access.

• Backup Solutions

Ensure the provider offers reliable and automated backup solutions to protect your data from loss or corruption. Providers with real-time backup and disaster recovery systems should move to the top of the list. 

• Server Location

Consider the geographic location of the provider’s data centers. Hosting your VPS closer to your target audience can reduce latency and improve website loading times. This is especially relevant for gaming and streaming services that demand low ping and latency for maximum customer satisfaction. 

Conclusion

VPS hosting perfectly balances performance, control, and cost-effectiveness for businesses looking to scale their online presence. Whether you’re running a small business, developing applications, or managing an e-commerce site, the flexibility and reliability of VPS hosting make it an excellent choice. Now is the perfect time to explore VPS hosting for your business.

In case VPS proves insufficient, there’s no harm in checking out alternatives either. RedSwitches dedicated server hosting, for example, brings the power of dedicated hosting to businesses at highly affordable prices.  Unlock the full power of hosting with RS dedicated servers and experience a new world of online activity!

FAQs

1. What is the difference between VPS hosting and dedicated hosting?
   VPS hosting uses virtualization to divide a physical server into multiple virtual servers, while dedicated hosting provides a physical server entirely for one user. VPS is more affordable and scalable, whereas dedicated hosting offers maximum performance and control.
2. Can I customize my VPS server?
   VPS hosting allows root access, enabling you to install custom software and make adjustments based on your specific needs.
3. Is VPS hosting better for small businesses than shared hosting?
   VPS hosting offers better performance and security than shared hosting. It is ideal for small businesses expecting moderate to high traffic or running resource-heavy applications.
4. How secure is VPS hosting?
   VPS hosting provides a higher level of security than shared hosting due to its isolated environment. However, additional security measures like firewalls and backups should be implemented for enhanced protection.
5. Can I upgrade my VPS plan as my website grows?
   VPS hosting is highly scalable. You can upgrade your plan to increase resources like CPU, RAM, or storage without migrating to a new server or experiencing downtime.
6. What is the difference between managed and unmanaged VPS hosting?
   Managed VPS hosting includes server management, maintenance, and support from the provider. Unmanaged VPS requires the user to handle all technical aspects, making it more suitable for experienced users.
7. Is VPS hosting suitable for hosting multiple websites?
   VPS hosting is well-suited for hosting multiple websites. You can allocate dedicated resources to each site for better performance and control than shared hosting.
8. What kind of traffic can VPS hosting handle?
   VPS hosting can handle moderate to high traffic levels. It is ideal for growing websites, e-commerce platforms, and resource-intensive applications.
9. What operating systems can I use with VPS hosting?
   Most VPS hosting providers offer a range of operating systems, including Linux distributions (like Ubuntu and CentOS) and Windows, depending on your application needs.
10. Is VPS hosting suitable for beginners?
    Managed VPS hosting is ideal for beginners because the provider handles server maintenance and updates. Unmanaged VPS is better for users with technical expertise who want full server control.

References

1: ScalaHosting, VPS Hosting Statistics, 2024

2: Allied Market Research, Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2026

3: Uptime Institute: Outage Analysis Report, 2022