In this blog, we will look at the differences between Cloud hosting and VPS hosting. Also we will look at which hosting is best for you.
Before we dive into the differences, let’s understand cloud hosting and VPS hosting in detail.
What is Cloud Hosting?
Cloud hosting is a type of web hosting in which websites are hosted on virtual servers that uses computing resources from underlying physical servers. It is powered by Virtualiation technologies used by the cloud hosting companies.
This is in contrast to traditional, or “shared” web hosting, in which each website is deployed on a single server.
Different virtual servers can use CPU and memory resources from the underlying physical server with a good isolation provided by Hypervisors. And multiple physical servers can be deployed in a cloud hosting environment.
The main advantage of cloud web hosting is scalability. Cloud hosting environments can be easily scaled up or down to accommodate changing website needs. We can call it as vertical and horizontal scaling.
This makes cloud web hosting ideal for businesses with rapidly changing or fluctuating bandwidth demands, such as e-commerce and media websites.
Another advantage of cloud web hosting is redundancy. If one server in a cloud hosting environment fails, the other servers can pick up the traffic, ensuring that your website remains online. It is called high availability setup using autoscaling and load balancing.
There are a few disadvantages to cloud web hosting to be aware of as well.
- The first is cost. Even though cloud computing operated in is pay per hour model, Cloud web hosting is often more expensive than traditional shared web hosting.
- The second disadvantage is complexity. Cloud web hosting environments can be complex to manage and require specialized skills. However, some managed cloud hosting services like cloudways have abstracted away all the complexity through their platform.
- Finally, there is a potential for security risks with cloud web hosting. Because multiple virtual servers are housed on the same physical server, all of the websites on it are vulnerable if that server is hacked. But most cloud providers have robust security mechanisms to circumvent this issue.
Also, as per latest report by Gartner, cloud services is forecast to grow 20.4% in 2022. Also, In 2023 user spend would grow by $600 billion.
What is VPS Hosting?
VPS hosting is a type of web hosting that uses Virtual Private Servers (VPS). VPS hosting is a popular option for small businesses and medium-sized businesses because it offers more control and flexibility than shared hosting, while still being more affordable than dedicated hosting.
VPS hosting works by creating multiple virtual servers on a single physical server. Each virtual server can run its own operating system and applications, and can be rebooted independently. This allows each VPS to function like a separate physical server, even though they are all sharing the same underlying hardware.
One of the main benefits of VPS hosting is that it gives you more control over your server environment than shared hosting. With VPS hosting, you can install the operating system and applications of your choice, and you have full control over the server configuration. VPS hosting is also a good option if you need to run resource-intensive applications or sites that are not compatible with shared hosting.
Another benefit of VPS hosting is that it offers better performance than shared hosting. Because each VPS has its own dedicated resources, your site will not be affected by the traffic or activity of other sites on the same server. This can result in better performance, especially during peak times.
VPS hosting is expensive as compared to shared hosting, but it is still more affordable than dedicated hosting. VPS hosting is a good option for businesses that need more control and flexibility than shared hosting, but do not want to pay the higher prices of dedicated hosting.
Cloud Hosting Vs VPS Hosting
Cloud hosting is a great alternative for those who need the flexibility and scalability of a VPS, but don’t want to deal with the hassle of managing a server. Cloud hosting is a bit like renting your own computer in the cloud. You get all the benefits of a dedicated server, without having to worry about maintaining or upgrading it.
There are a few key differences between cloud and VPS hosting:
- With cloud hosting, your website is stored on multiple servers, which are connected to form a “cloud”. This means that if one server goes down, your website will still be up and running, as it will be served by another server in the cloud.
- Cloud hosting is usually more expensive than VPS hosting, as you are paying for the flexibility and scalability that it offers.
- With VPS hosting, your website is stored on a single server. This means that if the server goes down, your website will go down with it.
- VPS hosting is usually cheaper than cloud hosting, as you are only paying for the server that your website is stored on.
- With cloud hosting, you can scale up or down as needed, without having to worry about reconfiguring your server. With VPS hosting, you would need to upgrade to a larger server if you want to increase your website’s traffic capacity.
- Cloud hosting is typically managed by the hosting provider, while with VPS hosting, you are responsible for server management.
Cloud Hosting vs VPS: Which is best for WordPress?
The best type of hosting for WordPress depends on your needs and budget. If you need the flexibility and scalability of cloud hosting, but don’t want to deal with server management, then cloud hosting is a good option.
If you are on a tight budget and don’t need the extra features that cloud hosting offers, then VPS hosting may be a better option.
Some things to consider when choosing between cloud and VPS hosting:
- How much traffic does your website get? If you are expecting a lot of traffic, then cloud hosting may be a better option, as it can scale up to meet your needs.
- How much control do you want over your server? With VPS hosting, you have full control over your server, but with cloud hosting, the provider manages the server for you.
- What is your budget? Cloud hosting is typically more expensive than VPS hosting.
If you are planning to migrate your WordPress website to cloud, check out my blog on the best WordPress cloud hosting services.
Conclusion
There is no clear winner when it comes to Cloud Hosting vs VPS Hosting. It really depends on your specific needs and preferences.
If you need the flexibility and scalability of cloud hosting, then that may be the best option for you. However, if you prefer the more predictable costs and performance of VPS hosting, then that may be the better choice.
Ultimately, it is important to evaluate your own needs in order to decide which type of hosting is right for you.
Also, If you want to host a high-performance WordPress website on cloud or VPS, checkout my guide on WordPress high Perfromance website setup on Cloud & VPS.
