Every high-performing and smooth-functioning website needs the underpinning of an equally strong web hosting solution. However, with so many hosting options available today, selecting the right web hosting type seems intimidating and tedious for many.
In this article, we will take you through two of the most promising and reliable web hosting types—VPS hosting and cloud hosting, followed by their differences. This will help shed light on what option is the best for you.
What is Cloud Hosting?
Cloud Hosting is a type of hosting that uses a network of servers that act as one to host a site. This enables a website to use the multiple servers’ resources, thus resulting in faster performance. With this, you get all the advantages of cloud technologies and the simplicity and ease of shared hosting.
What is VPS Hosting?
VPS or Virtual Private Server Hosting is a type of hosting that separates a physical server into multiple, independent virtual servers with its own operating system (OS) and applications. This is a hybrid model of dedicated and shared hosting.
VPS hosting is more affordable compared to dedicated hosting. But it provides better security, performance, and reliability compared to shared hosting. On the other hand, the users get root access to the server, giving them complete authority to install applications and make necessary environment changes without having to go through the web hosting provider. This is the same with shared hosting.
As everyone gets a defined server share and the resources of the parent server (bandwidth, operating systems, etc.), no one needs to bear the brunt of another server’s over-usage or get affected by a failure in any of the servers.
Difference between cloud hosting and VPS hosting
Below, we will segregate cloud hosting and VPS hosting by their performance, security, scalability, and customization for you to have a better understanding.
1. Performance
Cloud hosting – In a cloud hosting setup, multiple servers that store your data’s copies are connected to each other. Hence, if there’s a failure in any of the servers, the files and functional responsibilities are instantly migrated to another available server without any downtime. With cloud hosting, there is no single point of failure.
VPS hosting – While cloud hosting is known for higher availability, fast website loading speed, and better uptimes, VPS hosting guarantees a fixed performance level as a fixed amount of system resources are dedicated to every virtual server. And because your server’s part is sectioned off from other parts in VPS hosting, your performance should not be affected by other websites on the hosting server.
In rare cases, if multiple websites hosted on the same server face abnormally high demands at the same time and the hosting server pushes against its limits, the performance will be affected.
2. Security
Online security is a big concern. You must have heard about the websites that have been hacked and their consequences. The web hosting type you choose is only a part of overall website security.
Cloud hosting- A cloud hosting environment is highly secure and can be isolated from the rest of the users of the same physical server network. Since this is entirely web-based, this makes it vulnerable to attacks.
VPS hosting- VPS hosting is positively secure. Although it’s not as secure as dedicated hosting, it’s favourable compared to shared hosting. Your VPS is protected from outside access because it operates independently among other websites that share the same physical server. However, your website could be affected by another website’s poor security if your web hosting provider discards security as top concern.
3. Scalability
Scalability is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a web hosting type. Take for example, an ecommerce site may expect more traffic during the winter holiday season as compared to the rest of the year. The site may not be able to accommodate the influx of visitors, that’s why it’s imperative to be smart with choosing your web hosting type.
Cloud hosting- Cloud hosting’s ability to scale is noteworthy. Essentially, you will have an entire network of servers to meet the need for additional storage or rising traffic needs at short notice. In addition, due to the high availability of servers, you will have great performance and high uptime. Even if a server failure ever occurs, then your website will be switched to another server.
VPS hosting- VPS hosting is not a scalable solution. You are guaranteed a specific amount of server resources, and as long as your traffic does not go beyond your ideal needs, you should be fine. But if you feel the need to scale your website quickly, it may get hard. Your existing web hosting type might not be able to handle traffic surges, depending on the volume.
4. Customisation
Customisation is crucial for users with an idea of what they want their website to be capable of and the types of software they want to use. It’s an important factor to website owners with technical know-how.
Cloud hosting- Cloud hosting offers customisation options. However, these options are limited because there are multiple servers across that you need to distribute the settings to. Moreover, your technical skills are a must if you want to configure your hosting setup.
VPS hosting- VPS hosting can be customised heavily. With it, you have root access to the server and control over the server software. However, there may be some limitations imposed due to the physical server’s configuration.
Demonstrate a user-centered website for your customers now!
Now that the basics of cloud hosting and VPS hosting are covered, it’s time for you to decide on the best web hosting type. The choice of your hosting type will largely depend on your website type and needs. But if you’re still lost on choices, why not avail yourself of BigRock’s VPS hosting plans at an affordable price. BigRock provides high-performing websites and applications with state-of-the-art VPS servers. Contact our representatives now to know more about our plans.
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