Compare Dedicated vs. VPS vs. Shared Hosting
There are three main options for hosting: dedicated servers, virtual private servers (VPS) and shared hosting services. While it may initially seem that bigger and more expensive is better, there are benefits and drawbacks to each of these options. Which service is correct for you will vary depending on your budget, projected traffic, required resources and desired level of control.
Dedicated Server Environments
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You should choose a dedicated server if you are running server-side applications, if your website has resource-intensive code or database usage, if you expect an extremely large volume of traffic, or if you will be handling a large number of financial transactions. When comparing dedicated hosting you should check the physical specifications of the systems offered, with a focus on the RAM and CPU. |
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Offers the highest degree of control. Offers the highest level of security, since the server is only used by your organization. All server resources are committed to your company's use, so your website runs faster and more reliably. |
More expensive than other options.
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Virtual Private Servers (VPS)
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A VPS (virtual private server) is a good compromise for websites that have moderate traffic and CPU usage but don't have a high enough volume to require the cost of a dedicated server. When searching for a VPS hosting package, you should compare the physical specifications of the machine and the bandwidth and storage space allotted. You should also research the web host's capping policies, as some hosts will throttle your website's CPU or bandwidth usage if you use too much of it. |
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Offers a high degree of flexibility and scalability. Your VPS is allocated a certain amount of server resources and may be able to "burst" during high usage times. |
Server resources are shared with other VPS users. Traffic to your site is on the same subnet as other users. To remedy, you may add-on a private subnet. |
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Shared Hosting Services
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The most economical of the three options, a shared hosting service is ideal for smaller, low traffic websites composed of mostly static pages (ie. no contact forms or e-commerce applications). When comparing shared hosting packages, you should consider the bandwidth allotted and the storage space. As with VPS hosting, the web host may throttle your usage if you consume a disproportionate amount of resources. With a shared hosting service, technical support may be limited, depending on the company used. |
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The least expensive hosting option. |
Little control, since a single server is often shared by hundreds of clients. High security risk since traffic to all users is on the same subnet with minimal security measures (eg. no firewall). Minimize this risk with our Premium Shared Hosting. Your website may be slow to load, especially during peak hours, since server resources are shared by so many clients. |
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Deciding What's Right for Your Website
Before choosing a hosting package it would be worthwhile to consider the amount of traffic you believe you're going to receive, the level of control you will need over your server environment, and the amount that you are willing to spend. You should also consider the degree to which you expect your website to grow, as switching servers can be a tedious process and may involve some measure of downtime.
At Webservio, we make security and reliability a priority. To maintain the integrity of our servers and data centers, we have Hosting Security Standards that outline minimum hosting requirements for certain types of websites. For example, a website with ecommerce functions will need a more robust hosting solution than a basic website without a shopping cart feature. While there are many cheap hosting deals out there, not all web hosts or solutions are equal. Doing thorough research before committing can save you from a lot of frustration and headaches down the road.
