Learning the differences of VPS vs. cloud hosting is helpful in deciding which type of web hosting platform will best meet the needs of a specific web hosting account. In this Web Host Ranking article we will take a look at what VPS hosting is and what cloud hosting is, as well as some of the pros and cons of each. Comparing VPS and cloud hosting can help webmasters understand the similarities and differences and help him/her find the best web hosting provider to meet individual web hosting needs.
What is Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting?
To start our comparison of VPS vs. cloud hosting we will first define VPS hosting. Virtual private server (VPS) hosting is similar to having a dedicated server in that each VPS hosting account has the ability to choose certain server configurations, choose which operating system to use, and have root access to reboot the system or set custom server preferences. VPS hosting essentially separates a sever into several mini dedicated servers giving each webmaster an isolated environment in which to run the web hosting account. Choosing a VPS hosting service provides the account owner with virtually the same control that he/she would have on a dedicated server, at a fraction of the price.
What is Cloud Hosting?
In comparison, let’s take a look at what cloud hosting is. Cloud hosting is a much more general term and can be used to describe several types of web hosting platforms including, shared cloud hosting, cloud VPS hosting, reseller cloud hosting, and dedicated cloud hosting. To understand what the differences are in VPS and cloud hosting, we need to understand the concept of what cloud computing, or cloud hosting, is. Cloud hosting essentially takes the load that would normally be all on one server and splits it up on a network of servers. When a couple of sites on one server get really busy, other sites can be negatively impacted because the server simply doesn’t have the resources to support the spike in traffic. With cloud hosting there would be other servers on the network to help manage the load, automatically.
The cloud computing concept can be applied to shared web hosting, VPS hosting, reseller hosting, dedicated servers, and more. In addition to the type of web hosting, there are several variations within the cloud hosting infrastructure including, public, private, hybrid, and community. The different types of cloud hosting just refer the environment in which the physical data is stored: private means the data is all stored on your own physical property where no one else has access to the data and you control all the security of the data, on a public cloud service your data is stored on someone else’s servers and you have to trust them to keep it secure. Hybrid is a combination of the two and community cloud hosting is where one specific community (professional, geographic, etc) store all the data together on a network of servers.
Comparing VPS vs. Cloud Hosting
When comparing VPS vs. cloud hosting, a webmaster needs to decide what his/her web hosting needs are and then find a provider that can meet those needs. VPS hosting provides a webmaster with complete control but also requires a lot of management and knowledge. In comparison, cloud hosting doesn’t put a lot of extra responsibilities on the webmaster but can provide him/her with a more reliable web hosting environment. If VPS hosting is what you need, compare regular VPS hosting with cloud VPS hosting to determine which solution will provide the best web hosting environment for your needs. Talk to the web hosting providers to find out what type of cloud hosting environment they use, public, private, hybrid, or community, to choose the solution that is the best option for you. Choosing cloud hosting ensures that if the hardware your data is hosted on fails, another server will automatically take over, keeping your site online and files secure. You will not have to wait around for the hardware to be repaired or replaced.
- VPS hosting provides the webmaster with a lot of extra control of the server that one doesn’t necessarily have with cloud computing.
- VPS may be more secure because the user is isolated and has control over the security of his/her own data, but in comparison private cloud hosting can provide the same security.
- Cloud computing is redundant but VPS hosting is still utilizing just one server so the failure of that sever is much more catastrophic than the failure of one server in a network, as with cloud hosting.
- Cloud hosting varies greatly in pricing, in comparison VPS hosting is fairly cheap across the board. VPS hosting prices vary depending on the amount of allocated resources but cloud hosting pricing varies depending on the infrastructure and nature of the cloud computing system.
- Both VPS and clouding hosting provide a lot of flexibility and scalability to better meet the changing needs of a dynamic web hosting account.
Comparing VPS vs. cloud hosting, like comparing web hosts of all kinds, is an individualized process. What is right for one web hosting account may not be the best solution for another. Understanding the needs of a website or group of websites, as well as the knowledge and skills of those managing the account(s), and the budget for web hosting, will all play a central role in helping a webmaster choose between VPS and cloud hosting or some combination of the two. Finding the right solution for your current needs can save you a lot of headache down the road. If you anticipate growth, be sure and discuss what additional options will be available to you in the future as well.