As your business grows, you may find that shared hosting is no longer enough to handle the increasing traffic and operations. This is when many businesses choose to upgrade to a Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting.
A lot of people choose VPS hosting because it’s a good middle ground between shared hosting and dedicated hosting. It costs less than dedicated hosting but gives you more tools and control than shared hosting. In this blog, we will go through the difference between managed and unmanaged VPS hosting services.
What is VPS Hosting?
Before understanding the differences between managed and unmanaged VPS hosting, let’s first understand what VPS hosting is and how VPS hosting works.
VPS hosting is a way of providing hosting services where one physical server is split into multiple virtual servers. Each virtual server acts as a separate computer with its own resources like processing power (CPU), memory (RAM), and storage space.
Although these virtual servers are created on a single physical machine, they work independently from each other. Each user gets their own dedicated virtual server, just like having a dedicated physical server, but at a lower cost since the underlying hardware is shared.
The servers are isolated from each other, meaning that each user’s data and applications are kept separate and secure, just as if they were running on their own physical server.
What is VPS Hosting Used For?
- High-Traffic Websites: VPS hosting can handle more traffic and concurrent users, making it ideal for websites with high traffic volumes.
- Resource-Intensive Applications: If your application requires more CPU, RAM, or storage than what’s available on shared hosting, VPS hosting provides the necessary resources.
- Testing and Development Environments: VPS hosting offers an isolated environment for testing and developing applications without affecting your live website.
- Hosting Multiple Websites: With dedicated resources, you can host multiple websites on a single VPS without impacting performance.
Managed VPS Hosting
Managed VPS hosting, as the name suggests, is a service where your web host takes care of all the technicalities of managing and maintaining your virtual server. With managed VPS hosting, you don’t have to worry about server administration tasks, as the hosting provider handles them for you.
Key Features of Managed VPS hosting:
- Server Management: Maintenance, software changes, security fixes, and backups for the computer are all taken care of by the hosting provider.
- Technical Support: You can get help from the server provider’s team of professionals 24/7.
- Server Monitoring: The hosting provider monitors your server for performance, security, and availability, ensuring optimal uptime.
- Easy Setup: The hosting provider handles the initial server setup and configuration, making it easier for those without technical expertise.
Managed VPS hosting is the right decision for businesses that want to focus solely on their core operations without worrying about server management. It’s also suitable for those without in-house technical expertise or resources to manage a server.
Unmanaged VPS Hosting
Unmanaged VPS hosting puts the responsibility of server management and maintenance on you, the customer. With unmanaged VPS hosting, the hosting provider is responsible for the server and its availability while you handle everything related to the virtual server.
Key Features of Unmanaged VPS hosting:
- Server Management: You are responsible for tasks such as software installation, updates, security patches, and backups.
- Root Access: It allows you to customize and configure the virtual server to your requirements.
- Cost-Effective: Unmanaged VPS hosting is generally more cost-effective than managed VPS hosting, as you don’t pay for the additional management services.
- Technical Expertise Required: You need to have the technical knowledge and resources to manage the server effectively.
Unmanaged VPS hosting is a good choice if you have people on your team who know how to manage servers. It can also work if you are willing to hire someone or learn how to manage a server yourself. With unmanaged VPS, you get more control over the server and can customize it however you want.
However, this also means you are responsible for keeping the server running smoothly. You need to have the technical skills and time to handle tasks like installing software updates, ensuring security, and monitoring the server’s performance.
Managed vs. Unmanaged VPS: Key Differences
Now that we’ve covered the basics of managed and unmanaged VPS hosting let’s explore the key differences between the two:
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Server Management
With managed VPS, the hosting company takes care of all tasks related to maintaining the server, like installing updates, security fixes, and backing up data. With unmanaged VPS, you have to handle these tasks yourself.
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Technical Knowledge
For managed VPS, you don’t need much technical knowledge because the hosting company manages the technical aspects. For unmanaged VPS, you need to have good technical skills and resources to manage the server properly.
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Customization
With unmanaged VPS, you have full control and can customize the server however you want. With managed VPS, the hosting company manages the server, so you may have limited customization options.
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Cost
Managed VPS is typically more expensive because you’re paying for the hosting company’s management services. Unmanaged VPS is usually cheaper since you’re managing the server yourself.
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Growth Potential
Think about how your business could grow and what it will need in the future. If you expect significant growth in traffic and resource requirements, managed VPS hosting might be a better choice, as the hosting provider can handle the scaling and maintenance tasks more efficiently.
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Support
With managed VPS, you get 24/7 expert support from the hosting company. With unmanaged VPS, you may have limited support options since you’re responsible for managing the server.
Finding the Best Unmanaged VPS Hosting
If you decide to choose unmanaged VPS hosting, it’s essential to select a reputable web host that offers reliable and affordable services. Look for providers with a good track record, high uptime guarantees, and transparent pricing.
When searching for the best VPS hosting in India or cheap unmanaged VPS options, consider factors such as:
- Server specifications (CPU, RAM, storage)
- Network performance and bandwidth
- Data center locations and redundancy
- Customer support and response times
- Server management tools and control panel
By carefully evaluating your requirements and the offerings of different providers, you can find the best unmanaged VPS hosting solution that meets your needs and budget.
Conclusion
Choosing your ideal web hosting plan, i.e., between managed and unmanaged VPS hosting, ultimately depends on your business’s requirements, technical expertise, and available resources.
Managed VPS hosting is a convenient option for businesses without dedicated IT resources, offering peace of mind and reliable support. Unmanaged VPS hosting offers greater control and customization but requires technical expertise and dedicated resources for effective server management.