Why is it time to switch from Shared Hosting to VPS?

Imagine you have launched a website. Over time, it has “grown”, the number of visitors has increased by 5 times. It's time to rejoice, because the project has scaled. However, there is an unpleasant detail - the site began to “slow down” and “fly out”. And it happened because it is stored on Shared Hosting.

What to do? Stay on Shared Hosting or move to a separate virtual server VPS?

Let's tell you the difference between Shared Hosting and VPS, and find out why you should switch to VPS.

Shared Hosting: what it is and how it works

Shared Hosting is a basic hosting option for projects that do not require powerful resources.

Shared Hosting works like this: the resources of one server are shared between several users. Users do not get full access to the server. It will not be possible, for example, to install the software you need, operating system and change settings.

When you rent shared hosting, you can use part of the server resources. It's like renting a room in a two-bedroom apartment. Yes, you can live in the apartment, use the communications, but to make repairs or rearrange the common areas - no. And also you can not fully separate from your neighbors, because you depend on them.

Shared Hosting hosts many websites. Processor power, RAM and other server resources are distributed among all files hosted on the server. Hence the main disadvantage: the work of your site may suffer because of problems in the neighbors.

For example, someone has sharply increased traffic and the load on the site increased by 3 times. Neighbors will feel the changes on themselves: their sites will load slower and slow down.

Why is VPS better?

When you rent a VPS for hosting, you also share resources with other users, but with a caveat. VPS is a full-fledged server, only virtual. What does that mean?

Inside the physical server with the help of virtualization, several VPS with an individual set of capacities are created. They are autonomous and do not depend on each other in any way. A VPS has almost the same capabilities as a physical server. You are no longer dependent on your neighbors. No matter what happens at the neighboring VPS: a hacker attack or a sharp increase in the load on the site - it will not affect you in any way.

This is no longer a room in a communal apartment, but a separate apartment where you can do whatever you want. For example, install any program, operating system, change settings.

Advantages of VPS

As we have already found out, VPS is practically no different from a physical server in terms of functionality. This is its main advantage. Besides, VPS resources are enough even for large projects: online stores or file sharing services.

The list of advantages does not end here. VPS wins over shared hosting on several points:

• Stability. When you rent a VPS, you get a fixed set of resources. It doesn't matter what will happen with neighboring virtual servers - you will in any case dispose of the set of capacities you have chosen from the beginning. With Shared Hosting the situation is different: there resources are distributed dynamically, and you cannot know in advance how many of them you will have at rush hour;
• Security. With Shared Hosting, be prepared for unexpected leaks of personal data. This happens when your neighbors get hacked. In case of a hacker attack, your website will also suffer. With VPS you can not be afraid of such “surprises”, as virtual servers are isolated from each other. You manage the VPS yourself and decide which security software to install on the server;
• Full Control. When you rent a VPS, you get full rights to it. This means that you can manage the server however you want: install programs, change settings, choose the operating system. Shared Hosting doesn't have such possibilities. There actions are limited to common settings, which you have no right to change;
• Performance. With a VPS, the site or application will load quickly, despite interference from outside. If you choose Shared Hosting for hosting, the speed of the site may slow down due to increased load from neighbors;
• Scalability. With VPS you can increase the capacity at any time. Such a need arises if your project has expanded and you need more resources. To do this, you just need to expand your plan. Shared Hosting does not have such features. If you do not have enough capacity, you need to move to a new level of hosting, more expensive.

Is it worth switching to a VPS?

It is worth switching to VPS for those who plan to scale, want to control all processes, use powerful server resources and do not worry about security.

Shared Hosting is suitable for beginners and small projects. This is more of a temporary option than a permanent one. The main disadvantages of shared hosting are lack of resources and lack of security.

Which VPS to rent?

The ideal VPS is secure, fast and reliable. It works around the clock and without interruptions. You can rent such a VPS in LikeVPS.

The service offers 1 Gbps port bandwidth, unlimited traffic in all tariffs and 24/7 technical support.

Tariffs are available for hosting small sites, as well as large-scale projects that require powerful resources. The choice of geolocations is extensive - 35 countries. The cost of a month of rent starts from $6.5. For this money you get access to a server with a vCore x1 processor, 1 GB RAM and a 25 GB disk.

There are plans with more powerful features: with vCore x2, x10, x32 processors, RAM up to 64 GB and disk up to 510 GB. Choose the one that matches the demand.

In our blog you can read more about how to buy VPS for website hosting. There we give detailed instructions on how to do it.

VPS - a choice for those who are looking for hosting, with which the site or application will load in a couple of seconds, and their work will not stop at an inopportune moment. Yes, Shared Hosting is cheaper, but it is insecure and its resources are often insufficient for stable work.