TL;DR
Not all VPS hosting plans are equal and the difference between managed and unmanaged VPS could also be a game-changer. Yet the key underlying factor – scalability is what makes all these providers great at what they do. We recommend ScalaHosting as a good playground for both advanced and new users who are venturing into the VPS segment.
Note: While our HostScore ratings provide a general overview of host performance, there are other factors you should consider for your specific needs. Our top hosting picks address this by offering tailored suggestions for different requirements, as demonstrated in this article.
ScalaHosting
ScalaHosting Review
Founded in 2007 by Hristo Rusev and Vladislav Georgiev, ScalaHosting has its headquarters in the Dallas, Texas. The company provides various hosting services like shared hosting, VPS hosting, cloud hosting, and email hosting. Renowned for its innovation, ScalaHosting sets itself apart with proprietary creations like sPanel and SShield, both designed in-house, providing users with intuitive server management and enhanced security.
ScalaHosting
ScalaHosting provides both managed and unmanaged VPS hosting. The managed VPS starts at $29.95 to $179.95 per month, featuring 24/7 support, free migration, dynamic CPU & RAM adjustment, SShield security, daily backups, and more. Their unmanaged VPS ranges from $20 to $179 per month, offering features like True Cloud VPS hosting, OpenLiteSpeed support, in-house control panel, and instant activation.
Is ScalaHosting VPS Right for You?
Ovearll, we think ScalaHosting packs a punch with its feature-rich VPS plan. The standout features include remote server backups and the sPanel control panel. These aspects not only enhance security and convenience but also protect users from unexpected cPanel price hikes, making it a smart choice for those looking for stability in their hosting costs.
Learn More in Our In-depth Review
How Much Does It Cost?
HostScore
ScalaHosting Pros
- Outstanding hosting uptime and speed performance
- Affordable pricing
- Anytime unconditional Money-back Guarantee
- Automated backup with 7 restore points
- Generous offer in server resources – Even the lowest shared plan gets unmetered bandwidth and unlimited emails
- NVMe SSD storage for all shared hosting plans
- Innovative technology – SPanel, SShield, SWordPress
ScalaHosting Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
Hostinger
Hostinger Review
Hostinger traces its origins back to 2004 when it began as Hosting Media, a brainchild of enterprising youth in Kaunas, Lithuania. Their journey of innovation commenced with the launch of 000webhost.com in 2007, followed by the establishment of the esteemed cPanel brand Hosting24.com in 2008.
The pivotal year of 2011 heralded the rise of Hostinger, accompanied by its bespoke hPanel interface. In 2016, Hostinger unveiled its cutting-edge cloud hosting service, marking another milestone in its remarkable evolution. In 2021, the company celebrated a significant milestone with the addition of its 1,000th employee, reinforcing its status as a premier provider of web hosting solutions.
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Hostinger
Hostinger offers unmanaged VPS hosting with features like Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) technology, weekly backups, auto malware scanner, full root access, dedicated IP address, AI server management assistance, NVMe SSD storage, and more, with prices ranging from $4.49 to $19.99 per month on signup.
Is Hostinger VPS Right for You?
Hostinger’s VPS is pretty basic but gets the job done for straightforward needs. The weekly backup could be a deal-breaker since most competitors offer daily backups. However, the AI assistance is a unique feature that stands out, making it easier for users to manage their server, especially for tasks like installing WordPress or setting up firewall rules.
Learn More in Our In-depth Review
How Much Does It Cost?
Hostinger Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Nine different data centers in four continents
- Good spread of hosting plans
- User-friendly control panel (hPanel)
- Wide range of payment options accepted
- Git environment available on shared hosting
- Additional 7% discount with coupon code “HOSTSCORE”
Hostinger Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Does not support Windows hosting
LiquidWeb
LiquidWeb Review
Founded in 1997 by Matthew Hill, Liquid Web has carved out a significant presence in the hosting and managed cloud services market. Located in Lansing, Michigan, Liquid Web has been recognized for its high-quality customer service and powerful hosting solutions tailored to businesses and professionals.
LiquidWeb
LiquidWeb provides managed VPS for both Linux and Windows, with prices starting at $20 to $145 per month on a 2-year subscription. Features include Acronis backup, DDoS protection, dedicated IP, 100% uptime SLA, and compliance scans at additional cost. They do not offer unmanaged VPS.
Is LiquidWeb VPS Right for You?
LiquidWeb, in short, is the go-to for power users and businesses that need top-tier hosting capabilities. While the pricing is on the higher side, it’s justified by the server’s performance, reliability, and compliance features (such as HIPAA and PCI compliance). The inclusion of 50 GB Acronis backup further adds to its appeal for businesses that can’t afford to compromise on data security.
Learn More in Our In-depth Review
How Much Does It Cost?
HostScore
LiquidWeb Pros
- Powerful enterprise hosting solutions with great scalability
- 100% network uptime, backed by detailed Service Level Agreement (SLA)
- Excellent customer support – 59-Second support response guarantee
- Self-operated data centres – Higher degree of security and data integrity compared to providers renting space from third-parties
- PCI-Compliant and HIPAA-Compliant hosting servers available
LiquidWeb Cons
- No standard shared hosting plans
- No Asia-based data center
InMotion Hosting
InMotion Hosting Review
InMotion Hosting, established in 2001 by Sunil Saxena and Todd Robinson in Los Angeles, California, has grown to become a well-regarded name in the web hosting industry. The company’s foundation by industry veterans is reflective of its deep commitment to offering reliable and user-friendly hosting solutions.
InMotion Hosting
InMotion Hosting offers managed Linux VPS with plans ranging from $14.99 to $74.99 per month for a 3-year subscription, including features like NVMe SSD storage, live support, dedicated IP addresses, Monarx Active Security, and more. Unmanaged VPS plans with NVMe storage are available from $7 to $224 per month, with cheaper options for SSD storage.
Is InMotion VPS Right for You?
With a solid reputation built over years, InMotion’s VPS hosting plans are thoughtfully designed. The long trial period is a significant plus, allowing users to thoroughly test their services. However, the catch is that Monarx Active Security is only included in pricier plans, and getting the best rates requires a 3-year commitment. This setup might make potential customers think twice if they’re wary of long-term engagements or need advanced security from the get-go.
Learn More in Our In-depth Review
How Much Does It Cost?
HostScore
InMotion Hosting Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Lowest shared hosting plan supports Python, Node.JS, Ruby and GIT version control
- Choice of data center locations in the United States and Europe
- Free AutoSSL
- Built-in hack, DDoS, and malware protection
- 90-day money back guarantee
- Free website migration services
InMotion Hosting Cons
- Lower shared hosting plans lack speed optimization
- Price increase during the renewal
DreamHost
DreamHost Review
DreamHost has established itself in the web hosting and domain services sector since its founding in 1996 by Dallas Bethune, Josh Jones, Michael Rodriguez, and Sage Weil. Based in Los Angeles, California, DreamHost’s origin and location underscore its longstanding role and innovation in web hosting and domain registration services.
DreamHost
Since its inception in 1997, DreamHost has grown to become a key player in the web hosting industry, now hosting over 1.5 million websites for more than 400,000 customers across over 100 countries. DreamHost offers a comprehensive range of hosting services, including shared, cloud, dedicated, managed WordPress, and VPS hosting. With its managed VPS plans ranging from $13.75 to $110 per month and unmanaged VPS plans from $4.50 to $48 per month, DreamHost caters to a wide array of hosting needs – providing scalable solutions from small personal blogs to large enterprise websites.
Is DreamHost VPS Plans Right for You?
DreamHost shines in several key areas, making it a top pick for a diverse clientele. Its “Web Pro” service suite is especially noteworthy, offering a one-stop shop for web design, site management, marketing, and development – a perfect match for businesses seeking comprehensive web solutions under one roof.
The promise of 100% uptime is a bold claim that underscores their commitment to reliability. Plus, their plans all run on speedy SSDs, and their own control panel means you won’t have to deal with cPanel’s price jumps.
Overall, we think DreamHost can be a solid choice for anyone, but businesses will love the full package. It’s like having a pit crew for your website.
Learn More in Our In-depth Review
How Much Does It Cost?
HostScore
DreamHost Pros
- Reliable server uptime performance
- Daily backup included in all shared hosting plans
- 97-day Money back guarantee
- Extensive knowledgebase
DreamHost Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Live chat support can be better
- Server location in the United States only
- No free site migration assistance
Kamatera
Kamatera Review
Established in 1996 by Yohay Azulay and Asaf Azulay, Kamatera is a cornerstone of the Israel-based OMCGroup Infrastructures and Computing business, founded in 1995. Specializing in enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure services, Kamatera offers Managed Cloud Servers, Virtual Private Cloud, Cloud FireWall, and reseller Hosting services.
With a commitment to flexibility and transparency, Kamatera’s pay-as-you-go model ensures clients are charged only for the resources they utilize. Boasting one of the largest VMware-based Public Clouds globally, Kamatera serves tens of thousands of customers with its powerful cloud infrastructure and dedicated support.
Kamatera
Kamatera offers cloud-based unmanaged VPS solutions with a high degree of customization. Echoing the model of giants like Google Cloud, Kamatera allows its users the freedom to tailor their hosting environment down to the minutest detail, including the choice of resources, server location, operating systems, and more. This approach, combined with the option for monthly or hourly billing, positions Kamatera as a highly flexible and scalable option for a variety of hosting needs. With starting prices as low as $4 per month, Kamatera makes entering the cloud hosting space accessible while providing the scalability needed for growing projects.
Is Kamatera VPS Plans Right for You?
Kamatera is like the buffet of VPS hosting: you eyeball it, you pile it on your plate, and you only cry a little when the bill comes – because you only pay for the bites you actually munch. You only pay for what you use.
With 18 data centers around the world, including the Middle East and China, it’s great for businesses wanting to save money and still have a wide reach. However, it’s not the easiest to use because of its complexity and extra costs for important add-ons. We think Kamatera is best for experienced developers. It might be too much for beginners, who could find simpler, less flexible hosting options a better fit.
Learn More in Our In-depth Review
How Much Does It Cost?
Kamatera Pros
- Excellent server speed performance
- Highly flexible hosting plans
- Affordable pricing
- Choice of 18 distributed data centers
Kamatera Cons
- Plans are confusing – especially if you are new
- Many vital add-ons require extra cost
- Unhelpful customer support
HostWinds
HostWinds Review
Established in 2010 by Founder and CEO Peter Holden, Hostwinds has its roots in Seattle, Washington. Committed to delivering dependable and cost-effective web hosting solutions globally, Hostwinds offers an array of services, spanning shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated server hosting, and cloud hosting, tailored to accommodate the multifaceted requirements of its clientele.
HostWinds
HostWinds supports both Linux and Windows for managed and unmanaged VPS. Managed VPS prices for Linux start at $8.24 to $395.24, and for Windows, from $12.74 to $431.24 per month. Features include 24/7 support, free migration, 1 Gbps ports, enterprise firewall, and nightly backups. Unmanaged VPS costs $4.9 to $328.90 (Linux) and $10.99 to $376.99 (Windows) per month, with a 99.9999% uptime guarantee, instant scalability, and more.
Is HostWinds VPS Right for You?
If you’re looking for value, Hostwinds delivers with very competitive pricing and a solid 99.9999% uptime guarantee. The option for nightly backups and a wide selection of OS choices (both Windows and Linux) makes it a versatile option for various hosting needs.Learn More in Our In-depth Review
How Much Does It Cost?
HostScore
HostWinds Pros
- Fast and reliable services
- Sterling reputation and support
- Lots of automated services
- Weebly website builder included
HostWinds Cons
- Slightly higher than usual starting prices
- No extra business services
VPS Hosting Explained
A Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting is a type of web hosting that provides users with a virtualized server environment on a physical server. Unlike shared hosting – where resources are shared among multiple users, a VPS offers dedicated resources such as CPU, RAM, and disk space. This allows VPS hosting users to have greater control, customization, and performance stability.
Benefits of VPS Hosting
Generally – VPS hosting is the ideal solution for websites that have outgrown the limitations of shared hosting but are not yet ready to commit to the complexities and costs of a dedicated server.
Some of the key benefits of VPS hosting include:
1. Greater Control
Because you’re essentially getting all the features that come with a (virtual) dedicated server, you have great control over the entire environment you’re working in.
VPS hosting empowers users with the autonomy to configure their virtual server to their precise specifications, enabling efficient resource management and optimization for peak performance.
2. Enhanced Reliability
Stepping up from shared to VPS hosting not only promises dedicated resources but also fosters a stable and dependable environment. Users enjoy the exclusivity of their allocated resources, insulated from the activities of others on the same physical server, thus ensuring uninterrupted service and reliability.
3. Scalable Resources
Most web hosting providers who offer shared hosting have a few standard plans which they sell. VPS hosting may at first look like that structure but there are a few caveats. The first difference is that for most VPS plans you can scale your plan yourself. Getting more resources can be as simple as adjusting a slider bar in some cases.
The second is that despite offering only a few plans on the surface, many hosts can offer customized VPS plans for those with more specific needs. This ties back to the scalability of the system and can be adjusted quickly. The only real limits are the actual physical resources on the server.
4. Cost-Effectiveness
While some of you may scoff at the thought of VPS hosting being called affordable, there are many instances where this might be true. Think of it this way – web hosting has changed somewhat over the years. There are not many more options available and I have seen some web hosts offer VPS plans for as little as what others offer shared plans at.
Remember that it’s all about the resources. Finding a cheap VPS hosting plan to experiment on can help you familiarize yourself with the environment before moving there. Once you’re ready to go you can make the move and easily scale your plan to meet your needs.
It is also much more affordable than what a dedicated server would set you back for as well.
How to Choose a VPS Hosting
Choosing a VPS hosting plan isn’t all that difficult – in many cases, it’s simply opting for resources and features that you need. After all, the beauty of VPS hosting is scalability and that can be adjusted later. However, pricing varies widely and a large part of that is due to software options.
For example, the cPanel price hike last year resulted in many web hosts offering alternatives, or simply raising their prices. Yet some hosts offer a ton of add-ons that can increase your bill significantly. This guide will run through some of the top web hosts and look at both their pros and cons as well as how transparent their pricing is.
Below is our step-by-step guide to help you make an informed decision.
1. Access Your Needs
- Traffic Volume: Estimate the amount of traffic your website is expected to receive. A higher traffic volume requires more resources, such as CPU, RAM, and bandwidth.
- Website Purpose: Determine the purpose of your website. E-commerce, gaming, and high-traffic content websites have different requirements compared to personal blogs or small business pages. Knowing this will enable you to look at various VPS service providers in a different light.
- Technical Skills: Evaluate your technical expertise in server management. Managed VPS hosting might be preferable if you lack the technical knowledge to manage a server.
2. Managed vs Unmanaged VPS Hosting
- Managed VPS: The hosting provider takes care of server maintenance, updates, and security. Ideal for users with limited technical skills or those who prefer to focus on their business rather than server management.
- Unmanaged VPS: Offers more control and flexibility but requires you to manage and maintain the server yourself. Suitable for users with technical expertise.
3. Consider Scalability & Key Server Features
- SSD vs HDD: Solid State Drives (SSD) offer faster performance and are more reliable than Hard Disk Drives (HDD), which can be cheaper but slower. For most applications, SSD is preferred for its speed.
- Scalability: Ensure the hosting provider offers easy scalability options so you can upgrade your resources as your website grows. This includes more CPU, RAM, and storage without significant downtime or data migration hassles.
- Security: Look for features such as SSL certificates, DDoS protection, firewalls, and regular backups. Security is critical to protect your data and your users’ information.
- Customer Support: Reliable customer support is crucial. Look for 24/7 support via multiple channels (phone, chat, email) and a comprehensive knowledge base.
- Company Track Record: Consider the provider’s experience and longevity in the hosting industry. A provider with a long track record is generally more reliable.
- Control Panel Options: Look for user-friendly control panel options like cPanel or Plesk that make server management easier.
- Email Accounts: If you need email accounts for your domain, check if the hosting plan includes this feature.
- Data Center Locations: Consider the location of the data centers. Closer data center locations can result in faster load times for your website visitors.
4. Consider Pricing and Payment Plans:
- Pricing: Compare the pricing plans of different providers. Look for hidden costs, such as setup fees or charges for additional services.
- Payment Plans: Check if the provider offers monthly, quarterly, or annual payment options and any discounts associated with longer commitments.
5. Test the Hosting Performance
- Trial Periods or Money-Back Guarantee: If available, take advantage of trial periods or money-back guarantees to test the performance of the VPS hosting firsthand.
- Track Hosting Performance: Once you have done setting up your site on your new VPS hosting account, start tracking your website uptime and speed performance. Free tools like Uptime Robot, Gtmetrix, and Bitcatcha are some that we frequently use to measure a web host performance.
By carefully considering these factors, you can choose a VPS hosting solution that best fits your needs, ensuring optimal performance, security, and scalability for your website.
