The 10 Best VPS Hosting Providers (2023 Review)

Best VPS Hosting Providers
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Virtual private servers (VPS) are a popular choice for businesses and individuals who need more control and flexibility than a shared hosting plan can offer. VPS hosting provides a virtual environment that is isolated from other users, allowing you to install and run your own applications and customize your server settings to meet your specific needs.

In this review article, we will take a closer look at some of the best VPS hosting solutions on the market and compare their features, pricing, and performance to help you find the right one for your needs. Whether you're a small business owner, web developer, or just looking for a more powerful hosting solution, this article has you covered.

VPS Hosting: Managed vs. Unmanaged

If you're considering a VPS for your business or personal website, you might wonder whether to use managed or unmanaged hosting. The main difference between these two options is the level of support and assistance the hosting provider provides.

With managed VPS hosting, the provider takes care of all the technical details for you, including security updates, system backups, and troubleshooting. This can be a big help if you're not very tech-savvy or don't have the time to manage your own server.

On the other hand, unmanaged VPS hosting gives you complete control over your server, but it also means you're responsible for maintaining and running it. This can be great if you have the knowledge and resources to manage your own server, but it can also be a lot of work.

In general, managed VPS hosting is a good choice if you want the flexibility and control of a VPS without the hassle of managing it yourself. At the same time, unmanaged VPS hosting is better suited for users with the expertise and resources to manage their own servers.

This review highlights both managed and unmanaged solutions!


1. Cloudways

Managed Cloud Hosting Platform Simplified - Cloudways

Managed cloud hosting made easy

  • Pricing - $12 per month. Fully managed.
  • Best for - Developers and businesses seeking flexibility and scalability.

Another feature that sets Cloudways apart from the rest (and why it's ranked #1 in our list) is that with Cloudways, you can deploy your VPS on five different cloud providers.

These include DigitalOcean, Linode, Vultr, Google Cloud, and AWS. You can deploy to these providers independently, or you take advantage of many of the 1-click installation apps that Cloudways have to offer.

The entry-level plan specification:
CPU: 1 Core (Intel/AMD)
RAM: 1GB
Storage: 25GB (SSD)
Bandwidth: 1TB
Support: Live chat, ticketing, email, phone
Uptime: 99.9%

Cloudways is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a user-friendly, secure, and reliable hosting platform. Their features, security, and support are among the best in the industry, and I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone looking for a high-quality VPS solution.

Pros

  • User-friendly interface for easy server management.
  • Offers a wide variety of hosting options from multiple cloud providers.
  • High level of server customization and scalability.

Cons

  • Pricing can be higher than other VPS hosting providers.
  • No email hosting provided, you must use a third-party service.

2. Hostinger

Best VPS Hosting _ SSD Storage & Full Root Access

Quality hosting at unbeatable prices

  • Pricing - $3.99 a month. Save up to 50% as a first-time customer.
  • Best for - Individuals and small businesses seeking fast servers and a user-friendly interface.

Hostinger is a great option for those looking for affordable and reliable VPS hosting. With plans starting at just a few dollars a month, Hostinger is one of the most cost-effective VPS hosting providers on the market.

But don't let the low price fool you - Hostinger still offers a robust set of features and resources that make it a great choice for businesses and individuals alike.

One thing I particularly like about Hostinger is its user-friendly control panel. It's easy to navigate and offers a wide range of customization options.

Additionally, Hostinger offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee, so you can rest assured that your servers will be up and running around the clock.

The entry-level plan specification:
CPU: 1 Core
RAM: 1GB
Storage: 20GB (SSD)
Bandwidth: 1TB
Support: Live chat, email, ticketing
Uptime: 99.9%

With a 30-day money-back guarantee and a reputation for excellent customer service, you can trust that you're in good hands with Hostinger.

Pros

  • Offers a variety of VPS hosting plans with scalable resources.
  • 24/7 customer support with quick response times.
  • Dedicated IP with full root access.

Cons

  • Limited operating system options for VPS hosting.
  • No phone support is available, only live chat and email.
  • Automated backups are weekly only, so you need to set it up yourself for daily backups.

3. Cherry Servers

Cherry Servers Bare Metal Cloud Services - Raw & Simple

Enterprise cloud servers for ambitious projects

  • Pricing - $9.72 per month.
  • Best for - Businesses requiring high-performance computing, robust security features, and customizable infrastructure to support complex workloads.

I've had the opportunity to work with Cherry Servers, and I must say, I was very impressed with their services. Cherry Servers provides a top-of-the-line VPS hosting solution that is both reliable and affordable.

Their servers are fast, secure, and come with all the essential features that you would need to host a website or application. One of the things I like about Cherry Servers is that they offer a wide range of server configurations, which means that you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Cherry Servers also provides excellent customer support. I've had to contact their support team a few times, and every time, I've received quick and helpful responses. Additionally, you can try the platform out on a 14-day free trial, which is an excellent way to test out their services and see if they're right for you.

The entry-level plan specification:
CPU: 1 vCore
RAM: 1GB
Storage: 20GB (SSD)
Bandwidth: 1TB
Support: Phone, email, tickets
Uptime: 99.9%

Overall, I highly recommend Cherry Servers for anyone looking for a reliable, affordable, and high-performance VPS hosting solution. Their excellent customer support and wide range of server configurations make them a great choice for businesses of all sizes.

Pros

  • High-performance servers with SSD storage and up to 100 Gbps bandwidth.
  • Offers custom configurations and pricing options for maximum flexibility.
  • Highly secure servers with built-in DDoS protection and firewall options.

Cons

  • No control panel is provided; you must use the command line or install one manually.

4. XetHost

XetHost - Powerful Hosting Services

Secure hosting for businesses and developers

  • Pricing - $4.99 a month. $2 setup fee.
  • Best for - Businesses seeking a cost-effective, scalable, and flexible VPS solution.

XetHost is a VPS hosting service that offers a range of features suitable for both beginners and experienced users. With unlimited data traffic on every plan, you can rest easy knowing that you won't be charged extra for exceeding your limits. And, if you decide that the service isn't right for you, you can cancel at any time without any commitments.

With full root control, you can configure your VPS server to your needs easily and efficiently, and if you need help, XetHost's VPS expert support team is always available to assist you.

Another great feature of XetHost is the flexibility it offers when it comes to operating systems. Whether you prefer CentOS for speed and stability, Debian for flexibility and reliability, Ubuntu for a flexible and stable environment, or AlmaLinux for a robust platform.

The entry-level plan specification:
CPU: 1-4 vCore
RAM: 512MB
Storage: 10GB
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Support: Tickets, emails, knowledge base
Uptime: 99.9%

If you're looking for a cost-effective solution for your business, XetHost is an excellent choice. With seamless upgrades available for RAM, CPU, and storage, you can easily increase your resources as your business grows.

And, with a 99.9% uptime guarantee from the start, you can be sure that your website or application is always available. XetHost also offers 12 payment options, including cryptocurrency, which makes it easy to pay for your VPS service.

Pros

  • Unlimited data traffic on every plan
  • Full root control for customization and configuration
  • Flexible upgrades for resources as your business grows

Cons

  • Relatively new in the market compared to other established hosting providers.

5. Kamatera

Kamatera – Performance Cloud Infrastructure

Scalable cloud solutions for modern businesses

  • Pricing - $4 a month. Pay as you go.
  • Best for - Businesses seeking a highly scalable and cost-effective cloud infrastructure with global coverage and a wide range of customization options.

In my experience, Kamatera is a top-notch option for anyone looking for a reliable, high-performance VPS hosting solution. They offer a wide range of plans to choose from, so you can easily find one that fits your needs and budget.

One of the things I particularly appreciate about Kamatera is their emphasis on flexibility and customization. You can easily configure your server to meet your specific requirements, which is great for anyone with unique needs or preferences.

Another thing I really like about Kamatera is their excellent customer support. Whenever I've had questions or issues, their support team has been quick to respond and incredibly helpful. They offer support via live chat, phone, and email, so you can always get the assistance you need when you need it.

The entry-level plan specification:
CPU: 1 vCPU
RAM: 1GB
Storage: 20GB (SSD)
Bandwidth: 500GB on a 10Gbit network
Support: Phone, tickets, email
Uptime: 99.95%

Another benefit of Kamatera is their flexible billing model. They offer hourly billing, which means you only pay for what you use, making them an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses looking to save money on hosting. They also provide a range of tools to help you monitor your usage and costs, giving you complete control over your hosting expenses.

Whether you're an individual blogger, a small business owner, or a larger enterprise, Kamatera has the expertise and resources to provide you with the hosting solution to match your needs.

Pros

  • High-performance servers
  • Multiple data center locations
  • Flexible plans

Cons

  • Extra charge for backups
  • Limited refund policy

6. Scala Hosting

Web Hosting, Reseller Hosting & Cloud Server Hosting _ Scala Hosting

Managed cloud hosting with unbeatable support

  • Pricing - $29.95 a month.
  • Best for - Individuals and businesses looking for reliable and secure VPS hosting with excellent customer support, managed services, and a user-friendly control panel.

Scala Hosting is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and high-performance VPS hosting service. The company offers a wide range of hosting plans, including managed VPS and cloud VPS hosting, as well as shared hosting, WordPress hosting, and reseller hosting. Their VPS hosting plans are available on both Linux and Windows operating systems, giving you plenty of flexibility and options to choose from.

One of the best features of Scala Hosting is their fully managed VPS hosting service. This means that their team of experts will handle everything from server maintenance to software updates and security patches, allowing you to focus on your business instead of worrying about the technical details of your hosting environment.

In terms of performance, Scala Hosting uses cutting-edge hardware and software technologies to deliver fast and reliable VPS hosting. Their servers are located in data centers around the world, allowing you to choose a location that is closest to your target audience for optimal website speed and performance.

The entry-level plan specification:
CPU: 2 Cores
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 50GB (SSD)
Bandwidth: Unmetered
Support: Live chat, tickets, email, phone
Uptime: 99.9%

In terms of customer support, Scala Hosting provides 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone. Their support team is knowledgeable and responsive, and they provide prompt solutions to any issues that you may encounter.

Additionally, they have an extensive knowledge base that provides helpful guides and articles to assist you with your hosting needs.

Pros

  • Offers both managed and unmanaged VPS hosting plans
  • Provides free daily backups and an easy-to-use control panel
  • Has a knowledgeable and responsive customer support team

Cons

  • Limited data center locations compared to some other hosting providers
  • Additional fees for certain features such as Cloudflare CDN and advanced DDoS protection
  • Prices are slightly higher compared to some other hosting providers

7. Veesp

Rent a server, deploy a VPS, extend your IT infrastructure — Veesp

Powerful VPS hosting, simplified

  • Pricing - $5 per month.
  • Best for - Businesses seeking a powerful and flexible virtual private server solution with multiple locations, excellent network connectivity, and affordable pricing plans.

Veesp is a great choice for people looking for a Virtual Private Server (VPS) that is not only affordable but also offers a host of features. One of the key benefits of using Veesp is that it offers unlimited traffic with a connection capacity of 200 Mbit/s, which means that you can host your website without worrying about traffic limits.

But what about security? You'll be glad to know that Veesp has got you covered with their state-of-the-art data storage system. Built on the latest enterprise-level drives with RAID10 architecture, your data will be both fault-tolerant and lightning-fast. And if you're a developer, you'll appreciate the HTTP RESTful API that lets you manage vital account and service details.

And if you're not tech-savvy, no problem. Veesp's team will handle all the essential tasks like server deployment and software configuration for you. And with one-click installation and a wide range of operating systems to choose from, including Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, AlmaLinux, and even Windows, you'll have your project up and running in no time.

The entry-level plan specification:
CPU: 1 vCore
RAM: 1GB
Storage: 20GB (SSD)
Bandwidth: Unlimited at 200Mbps
Support: Email, tickets
Uptime: 99.97%

Veesp uses KVM virtualization, ensuring that all allocated resources are fully at your disposal. You'll also get one primary IPv6 address and IPv6 subnet /64 with every virtual machine, as well as custom reverse DNS support. And if you run into any issues, their 24/7/365 technical support is always there to help.

Pros

  • Cost-effective plans with a wide range of features and resources.
  • Quick server deployment with instant activation and setup.
  • Multiple payment methods, including cryptocurrencies.

Cons

  • Managed services are paid-only
  • Does not provide free backups

8. IONOS

IONOS » Hosting Provider _ Websites. Domains. Server.

All-in-one hosting solutions for businesses

  • Pricing - $2 per month.
  • Best for - Individuals and businesses looking for a reliable and user-friendly VPS solution, with a wide range of plans, excellent customer support, and strong security features.

IONOS is a well-established hosting provider that offers various hosting services, including VPS hosting. One of the standout features of IONOS's VPS hosting is that it's scalable, meaning you can upgrade or downgrade your plan as needed. This is great if you're not sure how many server resources you'll need in the long term or if you expect your website or app to experience periods of high traffic.

In terms of security, IONOS takes it seriously. They have firewalls and malware scanning to keep your server and data safe. They also offer daily backups, so you can rest assured that your data is protected in case of a disaster.

Customer support is also a strong point for IONOS. They offer 24/7 support via phone, email, and chat. I've found their support team to be knowledgeable and helpful when I've had questions or issues with my VPS.

The entry-level plan specification:
CPU: 1 vCore
RAM: 512MB
Storage: 10GB (SSD)
Bandwidth: Unlimited at 400Mbps
Support: Phone, control panel, email
Uptime: 99.9%

Performance-wise, IONOS's VPS hosting is solid. They use state-of-the-art hardware and SSD storage, which helps your website or app load quickly. Additionally, they have data centers located in various locations worldwide, so you can choose the one closest to your target audience to improve performance even more.

The user interface for IONOS's VPS hosting is clean and intuitive. It's easy to navigate and find what you're looking for. They also offer a variety of tools and integrations to help you manage your server, such as cPanel and Plesk.

Overall, I would recommend IONOS for VPS hosting. The scalability, security, customer support, performance, and user interface all make it a strong choice for those looking for a reliable and user-friendly hosting solution.

Pros

  • Competitive pricing
  • Flexible options
  • Good customer support

Cons

  • Even though support is great, to get access to premium support, you have to sign up for the more expensive plans

9. GreenGeeks

GreenGeeks® _ Fast, Secure and Eco-friendly Hosting

Blazing-fast, eco-friendly hosting

  • Pricing - $39.95 a month. Fully managed.
  • Best for - Environmentally-conscious individuals and businesses seeking a high-performance, scalable, and eco-friendly VPS hosting solution with excellent customer support and a user-friendly control panel.

One of the things that makes GreenGeeks stand out from the crowd is its commitment to the environment. They use renewable energy to power their servers and have an impressive track record of reducing their carbon footprint. If you're looking for a web host that's both eco-friendly and affordable, GreenGeeks is definitely worth checking out.

In addition to their environmental initiatives, GreenGeeks also offers many great features for their customers. They have various hosting plans to choose from, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting. Their VPS hosting plans are particularly impressive, with plenty of resources and flexibility to meet the needs of businesses and individuals alike.

The entry-level plan specification:
CPU: 4 vCPU
RAM: 2GB
Storage: 50GB (SSD)
Bandwidth: 10TB
Support: Email, tickets, phone, managed support
Uptime: 99.9%

If you ever run into issues with your website or hosting, GreenGeeks has a great customer support team that's available 24/7. They're responsive and knowledgeable, and can help you with everything from setting up your account to troubleshooting technical issues.

In terms of performance, GreenGeeks is very reliable. They offer a 99.9% uptime guarantee, which means your website should be up and running nearly all the time. They also use top-of-the-line hardware and software to ensure fast load times and a smooth user experience.

Overall, GreenGeeks is a great choice for anyone looking for an eco-friendly, affordable, and reliable web hosting service. Their commitment to the environment is admirable, and their features, security, and performance are all up there with the best of them.

Pros

  • Good uptime with reliable server performance
  • 24/7 customer support through live chat, phone, and email
  • Free website migration service

Cons

  • No free domain registration for VPS hosting plans
  • No Windows hosting options, only Linux-based servers

10. DreamHost

Managed VPS Hosting - DreamHost

VPS hosting for creators, by creators

  • Pricing - $10 a month.
  • Best for - Developers, businesses, and website owners seeking a fully-managed VPS solution with high-performance, scalability, and excellent uptime.

DreamHost offers a wide range of plans that can accommodate different types of users, from beginners to advanced developers. The platform has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to set up your VPS in just a few clicks.

One area where Dreamhost really stands out is their impressive performance. They offer fast SSD storage, as well as unlimited bandwidth on all plans. This translates into faster loading times for your website, which is essential for improving user experience and increasing conversions. Additionally, they offer scalable resources, so you can easily upgrade or downgrade your VPS plan as your server's needs change.

When it comes to customer support, Dreamhost really shines. Their support team is available 24/7 to assist you with any questions or issues you may encounter. They offer ticket support, email support, and live chat support, which is very helpful for anyone who needs assistance quickly. Their customer service is knowledgeable and friendly, providing prompt and thorough answers to any questions you may have.

The entry-level plan specification:
CPU: 1 Core
RAM: 1GB
Storage: 30GB (SSD)
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Support: Chat, email, tickets
Uptime: 100%

In terms of pricing, DreamHost is competitively priced compared to other VPS hosting providers. The platform offers flexible billing options, including monthly and yearly plans, and you can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time.

Pros

  • Offers a free trial for users to test out the service before committing.
  • Excellent uptime and website performance.
  • Knowledgeable 24/7 customer support.

Cons

  • No cPanel or Plesk control panels offered.
  • Some users may find the interface too simplistic and lacking in advanced features.

Summary

I have been hosting Stack Diary and all my other website projects on a VPS server since I can remember. As I explained in my previous review on WordPress hosting providers - even though VPS management takes a bit of time to master, it's a lot less hard to work with than people make it out to be.

As far as the best VPS providers go, you should go with Cloudways if you're looking for cutting-edge managed services, and Hostinger is a fantastic option if you feel comfortable managing your VPS server on your own!

Frequently Asked Questions

 

The main difference between VPS hosting and other types of hosting, like shared hosting, is that with VPS hosting, you have your own dedicated resources. This means you get a certain amount of processing power, memory, and storage space that's exclusively reserved for your website. In shared hosting, you share these resources with other websites on the same server, which can lead to slower load times and decreased performance.

Another difference is that with VPS hosting, you have more control over your server. You can install and configure software, set up custom security measures, and make other changes that you can't make on shared hosting.

Overall, VPS hosting is a good option if you need more control and resources than shared hosting can provide but you don't want the expense and complexity of dedicated hosting. It's a great choice for websites that need a lot of processing power, storage, or bandwidth or that require custom software configurations.

Yes, you can use VPS hosting to create a VPN for yourself. In fact, using a VPS to create a personal VPN is a popular use case for VPS hosting.

To create a personal VPN with a VPS, you'll need to install VPN server software on your VPS and configure it to create a secure connection between your computer and the VPS. There are a number of open-source VPN server software packages available, such as OpenVPN and WireGuard, which are easy to install and configure.

Once you've installed and configured the VPN server software, you'll need to connect to the VPN from your computer or mobile device. You can do this by installing a VPN client on your device and configuring it to connect to your VPS.

Creating a personal VPN with a VPS has several benefits. It allows you to encrypt your internet traffic and protect your online privacy, even when using public Wi-Fi. It also allows you to bypass internet censorship and access geographically restricted content.

To manage a VPS hosting account, you should have a basic understanding of web servers, operating systems, and server administration. This includes knowledge of the command line interface, basic shell commands, and the ability to navigate and configure files and directories.

You'll also need to have a good understanding of security best practices, as you'll be responsible for setting up and maintaining your server's security measures. This includes setting up firewalls, configuring user permissions, and keeping your software up-to-date to prevent security vulnerabilities.

That being said, most VPS hosting providers offer customer support, online tutorials, and user forums where you can ask questions and get help. Many providers also offer managed VPS hosting plans where they handle server administration tasks for you.

If you're willing to invest some time and effort into learning how to manage a VPS hosting account, it can be a great choice for websites that require more resources and customization options than shared hosting can provide.