What is a VPS, how does it differ from shared hosting and which plan should you choose? A simple guide to picking the right VPS.
A VPS (Virtual Private Server) is a virtual slice of a physical server dedicated to you. Your RAM, CPU and disk belong only to you and are not affected by other users' load. It is more powerful than shared hosting and more affordable than a dedicated server.
VPS vs shared hosting
| Criteria | Shared hosting | VPS |
|---|---|---|
| Resources | Shared with other sites | Dedicated to you |
| Access | Control panel (cPanel, DirectAdmin) | SSH and full root access |
| Setup | Ready-made environment | Any OS and software you want |
| Best for | Business card site, blog, small shop | Applications, high traffic, several projects |
Who needs a VPS?
- Your site slows down on shared hosting or hits resource limits
- You run applications such as Laravel, Node.js or Python
- You need Docker, Redis or custom software
- You want to host several projects on one server
- You want full control and custom security settings
Which plan should you choose?
- Starter (1 GB RAM, 1 vCPU): small apps, test environments, light websites
- Ekonom (4 GB RAM, 2 vCPU): medium-traffic sites and database-driven projects
- Standart and above (from 8 GB RAM): high traffic, several projects, heavy applications
Location: Azerbaijan or international?
If most of your visitors are in Azerbaijan, an Azerbaijan VPS gives lower latency. For a worldwide audience, an international VPS lets you choose among 11 countries.
Keep in mind
On a VPS you have root access, so server updates and security settings are your responsibility. Our support team is here if you need help.