What is a VPS (a virtual server)?
A VPS, short for "virtual private server", is your own private computer in a data center that you reach over the internet. It's "virtual" because one powerful physical machine is divided into several independent servers, and one of those is yours alone. It behaves like a dedicated computer, but costs a fraction of one.
An apartment, not a shared room
On the cheapest shared hosting, many sites crowd onto one machine and compete for resources, like a shared dorm room. A VPS is more like your own apartment: your own space, your own key, and what your neighbors do doesn't spill into your rooms. You get a set amount of memory and power reserved just for you.
When a VPS is the right choice
- You need to install your own software. A VPS gives you a full Linux computer (Linux is a free, widely used operating system) to set up however you like.
- You've outgrown a simple site. More traffic or custom tools call for dedicated resources.
- You want control without a staff. With our managed Server plan, you get the freedom of your own machine while we handle the heavy maintenance.
Managed vs. bare
A bare VPS is just an empty computer and a password. Our managed Server plan keeps the operating system patched and the machine monitored, backed up, and redundant across two cities, so you get the power without the pager.
See the managed Server plan on our services page.