So you want to take advantage of all that VPS hosting has to offer but you have a budget to stick to? Here are the best cheap VPS hosting and web servers.
VPS hosting is taking over the world. Companies like Amazon and Google are driving the future of business by allowing your servers to appear anywhere.
You know it’s time to get a virtual private server, but how do you decide which is best? Is there a method that allows you to pick the right one for you?
Keep reading for your guide to understanding the best VPS systems in the world.
VPS Hosting
Managed Shared Hosting
Managed shared hosting is generally considered the entry level for hosting professional websites. It’s appropriate for users with limited experience setting up websites, or people with limited technical ability.
It’s also great for anyone who simply doesn’t want to be bothered with setting things up.
With managed hosting, a system administrator from the hosting company will have access to your site. They will set up everything you need, including Secure Socket Layer [SSL] certificates and email accounts.
This is a great option for small business people who want to run a boutique e-commerce store. If convenience is your primary concern, a managed platform is your best cheap web hosting solution.
A dedicated physical server stands on the opposite extreme from managed hosting. This is a real physical computer that exists in a data center somewhere that you access remotely.
You get full control over the system, and can even lock out the data center technicians if your service requires that level of privacy.
Physical servers are useful for companies that have very high-level security systems, Payment Card Industry [PCI] compliant systems, and cryptocurrency applications. Small businesses and individuals rarely have a need for full-blown physical servers.
VPS Hosting
A Virtual Private Server [VPS] is a system where software emulates an entire physical machine. This creates a hybrid system that appears to you, the user, as a full-blown private server but is – in fact – running on a machine that may be hosting more than one VPS.
This is accomplished using software systems like hypervisors and virtual machines.
The advantage of a cheap VPS hosting system is that it appears like a full-blown private server to the user, but at a fraction of the cost. You can do anything you want with it, and you can even lock it down so that no one else can possibly access it.
The disadvantage is that it’s merely virtual that your machine is private. You may experience a slow down of system resources if other people using the same server use it too much.
Usually, this is just a theoretical concern since you can increase the power to your VPS at will on most modern platforms.
You will also have to have the technical skills to run and maintain your own server. This includes handling your own security, web servers, and possibly email servers.
This can be a daunting task if you don’t know how to do it!
Modern cloud systems are so advanced that you might never see such a slowdown. The system admins [who own the data center], can throttle and move users around the physical cores in their control.
This all happens in the background, and as a user, you are unlikely to ever even notice it.
Cloud Offerings
The distinction between managed cheap hosting, a VPS, and a cloud instance is fading away rapidly. If you have the skill to manage your own private virtual machine, you can certainly manage a cloud instance.
They are basically the same thing.
The major cloud companies all offer basically the same service at very similar prices. It’s an extremely competitive space and the big companies are willing to lose money to out-compete one another.
The phrase “cloud computing” refers to a system where you can access multiple server instances over the internet at will. On all the main cloud services, you can deploy and terminate instances at will, for as long or as short a period of time as you need them.
These machines are rented by the second, and they are very cheap. Actually, you can get a full blown server completely free on the top three systems.
Granted, the free tier servers are usually not very powerful, but they can run a basic WordPress e-commerce store.
Typical Cloud Computing Companies:
Amazon AWS
Microsoft Azure
Google Cloud
Cloud9
So Who’s Best?
The honest truth that you won’t hear on the internet, is that it’s a Coke or Pepsi type of decision. There isn’t a best VPS hosting provider. There are, however, many different tiers of service and many different types of products.
The decision who to use often devolves to specifically what you need
You have to lay out your own priorities. How much traffic do you expect? What kind of site do you need?
Do you need intense customer support?
Is setting up an SSL certificate to hard for you?
Yes. You should choose a managed hosting provider.
Do you understand how to keep your own software up to date?
Can you run BASH scripts or afford to hire your own sysadmin?
Do you operate cryptocurrency related services or products?
Yes. A private physical server is best for you.
Anything beyond managed hosting will require you to have at least some technical knowledge about servers in order to operate. You can hire a system administrator, or at least retain one part-time.
Many consultants and engineers will hire themselves out on a temporary, hourly basis.
Even if you go the managed route, there is nothing stopping you from getting your toe in the water with VPS and cloud solutions. They are literally free to get started! All the major providers allow you to run full-fledged serves on a trial basis.
A quick search for “free tier cloud hosting” or something similar will produces dozens of companies willing to help you out. Give it a try, what do you have to lose?
Get Your Server On
Virtual Private Servers are the cornerstone of the modern cloud computing revolution. VPS hosting is a big step up in power compared to a managed hosting solution.
It is a big step down, in terms of price, when compared to a full blown physical server.
It’s time for you to take control of your company’s digital presence. It’s time to get a VPS! For more awesome tech and crypto posts, check out our blog.
