What is a VPS and how is it different from shared hosting?
VPS stands for virtual private server. A powerful physical machine is split into several isolated virtual servers, and each one gets its own share of CPU, RAM and disk plus its own operating system. To you it behaves like a small server that only you control.
What you get with a VPS
- Root access, so you can install any software you like
- Resources reserved for your server instead of shared with every site on the machine
- A fixed IP address you can point domains at
- Freedom to run websites, bots, databases, game servers and tools side by side
How shared hosting differs
On shared hosting, hundreds of sites live in one environment managed by the host. You usually upload files and click through a panel, but you cannot install your own software or change system settings. It is simple and cheap to start with, but a busy neighbour can slow you down and you are limited to what the host allows.
Side by side
- Control: shared hosting is limited, a VPS gives you full control
- Setup: shared hosting is point and click, a VPS expects you to use the command line
- Software: shared hosting offers what the host provides, a VPS runs anything that works on Linux
- Maintenance: the host updates shared hosting, you update your own VPS
Who should pick a VPS
Choose a VPS if you run a Discord or Telegram bot, a custom web app, a game server, an API, or several websites. Choose shared hosting if you only have a simple WordPress or static site and do not want to manage a server.
The trade-off: you are the admin
With a VPS you are responsible for updates, security and backups. That is the price of freedom. Our guides on first steps and securing a VPS cover the basics, and they are quick to follow.
Good to know
- Tabi Cloud offers DDoS protection on all plans and 24/7 uptime
- You can change or cancel your plan any time
- Locations include India, Singapore, Germany, the US and Canada, so pick the one closest to your users
- You order through our Discord, and support is available by Discord ticket or email
Quick start
- Decide what you want to run, such as a bot, a site or a game server
- Pick a location near your users
- Order through Discord and log in with SSH
- Follow our first-steps guide to get the basics in place
A VPS is the natural next step when shared hosting starts to feel like a cage. You get room to grow without touching physical hardware.