In almost all cases, virtual private servers are a good choice. However, there are some use cases to make VPS easy to choose:
1. Your budget is limited
You must realize that shared hosting is a good idea for lower-priced beginners. But VPS is not much more expensive than shared servers, but it provides more. If you have an ambitious plan for application and business development, renting a virtual private server is a reasonable investment. You will have high-quality security and flexibility, as well as almost unlimited scalability. If you plan to share hosting, it is best to consider switching to VPS as soon as your app starts to generate revenue.
2. You have specific needs
The default settings provided by shared and cloud hosting providers are not suitable for all use cases. You may need to install third-party applications or use Windows or a non-default Linux operating system. Sharing and cloud hosting cannot achieve this flexibility, so no installation is allowed. With VPS, you will gain root access, and you can install any OS and any software you need for your work. Therefore, you can configure the server part to meet the exact needs of the application.
3. You have several applications
You can rent a virtual private server, and you can run any number of applications as long as you have enough resources to run it. When choosing cloud or shared hosting, you must pay for each application. The scalability potential of VPS allows you to upgrade immediately when you find that you need more RAM or storage.
4. Data security concern
If your web application handles confidential information (name, contact information, credit card information, etc.), don’t even consider shared hosting. It is too unstable, and viruses caught by the neighbors of the server are always in danger of infecting your applications and databases. VPS is a safer place for personal data. In addition, you can also set up a firewall to enhance application protection.
5. Your application must be online 24/7
Applications designed for customers should be available 24/7. For certain types of applications, availability is critical: e-commerce applications (you might lose buyers when you are offline), communication programs (your goal is to connect people 24/7), marketing (the only way to communicate for both clients and service providers is through the application). The list can go on, but the lesson is clear: If it is important to provide services to customers around the clock, choose VPS. If the server fails, your VPS provider will connect you to another server within a few seconds. Shared hosting and dedicated servers cannot guarantee such stability.
Conclusion
After reading so many advantages, you might think that virtual private servers have no disadvantages. And, in most cases, this is correct! Remember this: VPS hosting requires some knowledge of server management. If you lack the appropriate expertise, you must outsource server maintenance or hire a professional for this. If server management costs are currently beyond the budget, you can start with cloud hosting and sacrifice custom features before upgrading to VPS.
Read more about VPS in Casbay Blog.
