Whether you are a small business owner looking to launch your first app or run an app development agency with a wide variety of clients, picking the best hosting option for your business is crucial.
A reliable hosting solution is a must to always make your apps accessible to your users. Of the different types of hosting solutions available today, shared hosting and dedicated hosting are two of the most common hosting solutions businesses consider.
Before you make the shared vs dedicated hosting decision, this article will help you understand the pros and cons of each and how your decision must depend on your business and its goals.
The Difference Between Shared Hosting and Dedicated Hosting
Shared Hosting
As one might guess from its name, shared hosting refers to a solution wherein multiple websites and apps are hosted on a shared server.
The server resources are shared and allocated among hundreds or thousands of apps and websites running on it. This is why shared hosting is the most affordable solution in the market.
It’s the best option if you’re on a tight budget and prefer minimal control over the customisation and configuration of your app.
However, the lack of control over server management, resource allocation, server updates, and maintenance is one of the most commonly cited drawbacks of shared hosting.
Another drawback is if user traffic increases as your business grows, a shared hosting solution may not be able to scale up to meet your demands.
Pros of Shared Hosting
- Extremely affordable hosting solution
- Ideal for small businesses with low traffic
- The host manages all technical requirements, allowing you to focus on content
- Easy and quick to set up
Cons of Shared Hosting
- Different apps/websites competing for limited resources
- Low flexibility and control over server functioning
- Low scalability
Dedicated Server Hosting
Dedicated server hosting allows you to use an entire server to solely host your websites and apps.
Dedicated hosting doesn’t involve resource sharing or allocation, and you can benefit from all the computing power that the server offers.
Owning a dedicated server also gives you complete and unrestricted control over the configuration and operation of server resources.
You can customise the server according to your needs, which makes it ideal for businesses that have unique and evolving server requirements.
One of the main reasons businesses opt for a dedicated server is the scalability that it offers. With a powerful server, free from competing apps and websites of other users, your apps will be in the best possible position to provide access to more users as your business grows.
Keep in mind that dedicated servers require a fair bit of technical know-how to manage and operate. However, you can skip the technicalities if you opt for a server management plan.
Pros of Dedicated Servers
- Power and high levels of performance
- Increased control over server customisation and configuration
- High flexibility and scalability
Cons of Dedicated Servers
- More expensive than shared hosting
- Some technical knowledge is a prerequisite
Shared Hosting vs Dedicated Server: The Verdict
The final choice between a shared hosting solution and dedicated server hosting depends on the business itself, its goals for future growth, the need for scalability, and a range of other factors.
If you run an app or web development agency, the decision becomes a lot simpler; dedicated servers are the ideal choice.
If hosting multiple apps with varying functionalities is important to you, a shared hosting server lacks the computing power and flexibility to fulfil your requirements.
While shared hosting might be ideal for smaller businesses that do not expect significant increases in traffic, an app development business cannot afford to take that risk.
Dedicated servers provide a wide range of power-packed features and customisation options that not only make up for the price you pay but also make dedicated server options very affordable when compared to cloud hosting solutions offering similar functionality.
Why Dedicated Server Hosting is Worth the Price
While shared hosting services may be popular, any business involved in app development cannot go wrong with a dedicated server. It offers everything you need for scalability, performance, and control and will help your business grow and take on more clients without having to worry about server support.
BigRock offers various dedicated server packages for businesses that can help you get started on your app development journey today!
