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Hosting or virtual server - what’s better?


Whether to choose hosting or a virtual server is a common question when it comes to website hosting. Both services can be used for this purpose, but they differ primarily in price and configuration complexity. Often, shared hosting is more cost-effective, while certain projects can only be implemented on a dedicated server.

This article aims to answer the question: web-hosting or VPS, detailing the pros and cons of these services. It also examines scenarios where each solution would be appropriate.

Choosing between web-hosting and a virtual server

First, let's understand the difference between hosting and a virtual server. Hosting is a server with a set of services (web or mail server, FTP, etc.) pre-installed, ideally suited for hosting and operating websites, with most settings already configured. You simply upload your sites, and they start working.

A server is your personal resource, customizable for various tasks, including website hosting. In other words, you can independently install and configure a web server for hosting.

Pros and Cons of hosting websites on shared hosting

Pros:

  • Everything is already set up. Websites work immediately after placement.
  • Convenient hosting panel. Nothing superfluous in settings.
  • Lower cost compared to VPS.

Cons:

  • Dependence on neighbors, as resources are shared.
  • Shared IP address (with the option to purchase an individual one).

So, hosting's main advantages lie in its ease of setup. Its weaknesses are dependency on neighbors and limited resources. Hosting is the best option for hosting small sites. To see how easy and quick it is to create a site from scratch on hosting, watch this tutorial (video available).

If you plan to host high-traffic projects, such as large stores or sites where page loading speed is critical, you should consider purchasing a virtual server.

Pros and Cons of hosting on a virtual server

Pros:

  • Your projects are on fully dedicated resources, ensuring high website speed.
  • Each server comes with a dedicated IP address that belongs only to you and is not on any lists.
  • You can customize the server for your tasks, such as opening and closing ports, setting policies, etc.

Cons:

  • The server requires setup, which can be largely resolved by renting the ISPManager panel, making it possible for even a novice to configure the server. Essentially, after installing this panel, the user gets a configured web server like on hosting.
  • Higher cost compared to hosting.
  • Requires more knowledge (even with the ISPManager control panel).

Conclusion

Hosting or virtual server? Clearly, if your sites do not critically depend on the load of neighboring nodes and the purity of shared IP addresses, and you are a beginner, then hosting is the way to go.

For serious commercial projects with high traffic or a strong interest in SEO optimization, a virtual server is definitely the right choice.

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