If you need an extra level of security and stability, then you may be looking for a Virtual Private Servier (VPS). VPS hosting provides you with private (dedicated) resources on a server with multiple users. It’s more secure than the commonly used shared hosting and ideal for those who don’t need an entire server to meet their needs.
We reviewed dozens of VPS hosting providers to identify the best of the best. We considered factors such as cost, reliability, security, support, and customer feedback to identify the best VPS hosting providers. We found the best VPS hosting providers for security and those with unlimited data transfers, free VPS hosting providers, and those that will award you the kind of flexibility and control to do what you need.
For a VPS hosting provider that stands above its peers, look no further than Host Gator.
Check PriceThroughout our research, Host Gator kept coming up as a leading option, and it was an obvious choice to put it in our top spot. It has an excellent bottom line for cost, and their VPS hosting solution offers excellent customization and flexibility.
The 5 Top-Rated VPS Hosting Providers
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Editor's Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| Best VPS Hosting Provider Overall | Host Gator | 4.7 |
| Best VPS Hosting Provider for Security | GoDaddy | 4.8 |
| Best Budget VPS Hosting Provider | iPage | 4.4 |
| Best VPS Hosting Providers for Unlimited Data Transfers | DreamHost | 4.6 |
| Best VPS Hosting Providers for Flexibility | BlueHost | 4.7 |
*Editor’s ratings are current at the time of publication and can change
Best VPS Hosting Provider Overall: Host Gator
Host Gator offers flexible hosting with full root access to give you maximum customization. You’ll be able to create unlimited email accounts, databases, and FTP accounts and host unlimited domains. And the best part of these features? They’re all at no extra cost to you. Host Gator will also offer a courtesy weekly off-site backup of your private server data for added security.
You’ll also enjoy the ease of scaling as you go. With the full control you’ll have of your VPS, you can upgrade your RAM, CPU, or disk space as your traffic changes. It offers all the benefits of dedicated resources without the cost of a dedicated server, and all of Host Gator’s virtual private servers are hosted in a state-of-the-art data center with redundant power and HVAC units.
Host Gator Key Features:
- 24/7/365 support
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Free weekly off-site backups
Best VPS Hosting Provider for Security: GoDaddy
GoDaddy offers a base plan package for a VPS that offers full control with the cPanel and WHM + Installatron, and better still, even the most basic plan will give you the best security available. You get around-the-clock network monitoring with DDoS protection and a free SSL certificate for the first year. (In case you weren’t sure what that meant, it’s an additional security measure. Sites not using an SSL certificate are marked as “insecure” from a Google Chrome browser.)
You can get the standard plan with 1 CPU core, 1 GB RAM, 20 GB storage for Linux for just under $5 a month. If you need more, they have scaled plans to make sure you’re getting just the right plan for your needs, managed or self-managed, all the way up to 8 CPU cores, 32 GB RAM, 400 GB storage, and a dedicated team of experts managing your server, for just under $190 a month. Which, considering all you get, is still a good deal.
GoDaddy Key Features:
- Managed or unmanaged VPS hosting options
- On-demand snapshot and weekly backups
- Full control with root access
Best Budget VPS Hosting Provider: iPage
For a VPS hosting provider that will give you an excellent product for not a lot of cash, try iPage.
Check PriceiPage will give you the flexibility and control you want for your server. You’ll be able to customize the hosting environment just how you want and even have the option of installing your own proprietary software or applications. You’ll have cloud-based flexibility with instant provisioning and seamless migration options, offering scalability to accommodate your needs as your website grows.
You can get the base VPS plan for $20 a month, and while there are others that offer less expensive hosting plans, the real value with this is in what that $20 gets you. While it’s true that you can find a free VPS hosting provider, the perks they’ll give you will be far surpassed by iPage. Think of free VPS hosting as primarily for personal or incredibly low-traffic sites. If you run a business, need a VPS hosting provider that offers a more robust plan with beefier security. If that’s the case, then the iPage plans may be for you.
iPage Key Features:
- Seamless migration
- High-speed mirrored SAN
- 1-year free domain registration
Best VPS Hosting Providers for Unlimited Data Transfers: DreamHost
If you’re looking for the best in unlimited data transfers, then you won’t want to miss DreamHost.
Check PriceDreamHost offers managed VPS hosting so that your site will always have a team of experts taking care of it for you. The security, the updates, finding the optimal performance – all taken off your plate when you sign up for DreamHost’s VPS. You’ll still maintain control of your server and content, though, with your custom control panel. Their VPS are US-based, and SSDs, email, SSL, and unlimited domains are included.
You’ll have your pick of several different plans, so you can choose the plan that fits your needs best, whether it’s for a small business, resource-intensive site, or for a new personal website. And as your business grows and changes, changing your plan is as easy as pie. They have expandable plans that will allow you to grow with your market, scaling as you see fit.
DreamHost Key Features:
- Unlimited bandwidth & traffic
- Monthly, annual, and 3-year plans
- Allocated resources for unrivaled power
Best VPS Hosting Providers for Flexibility: BlueHost
BlueHost exclusively uses SSD storage for optimal performance and reliability. The speed will be dramatically improved from the traditional HDD, and in terms of a server’s response, every second counts. You’ll have three plan options, varying in size and cost between 2 cores and 30 GB of RAM with 1 TB of bandwidth for roughly $20 a month to 4 cores, 120 GB of RAM, and 3 TB of bandwidth for roughly $60 a month. Either extreme is excellent value, and there’s a middle-of-the-road option for those who need it as well.
You’ll be able to use your BlueHost VPS for file management, and the file transfer protocol (FTP) allows you to upload, download or modify any of the files on your virtual server. You’ll have access to complete control of your VPS, so you’ll be able to create passwords that grant individual users access to only specific aspects of your account, so having more help, without the risk of sharing too much, is all the easier.
BlueHost Key Features:
- Free domain for the first year
- 24/7 support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Who Should Use a VPS Hosting Provider
If you’re looking for an option for hosting your website that will offer you a completely customizable experience with added stability and security, then a VPS hosting provider is the way you want to go. There is a commonly used analogy for web hosting – if all hosts are pools, there are different types of pools. A VPS host will give you your own private section of the pool. You can do what you want with it, and no one else has access to it. You’ll have to provide your own lifeguards, though. That means if you don’t have someone to work on your IT, then a VPS hosting provider might not be the right fit for you. If you have the people or the know-how, then VPS hosting might be the perfect fit for your business. You get the ability to swim around however you want, invite anyone you want to win in your section of the pool – but you’re still sharing water with the rest of the pool.
There are a few needs that arise for a company that would make VPS hosting most preferable. For example, when you need more than a shared server, but less than a dedicated server. So if your business is growing, and you need greater security or control than you get with a standard hosting plan, switching to a VPS host could help. For example, if you use custom software, a VPS hosting provider is worth considering.
For a VPS hosting provider that stands above its peers, look no further than Host Gator.
Check PriceImportant Features to Consider
A VPS hosting provider should do several things well. Here’s what to consider when selecting a provider for your VPS hosting provider:
- Cost. The average cost of a VPS is exactly what you would expect: less than a dedicated server and more than a shared one. Because although you’re sharing the host with others, you’re not sharing your data. While the old adage of, “You get what you pay for,” rings true, you should keep in mind the opposite is also true. You shouldn’t pay for what you don’t need.
- Anonymity. Very often, a VPS is confused with a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, and for this reason, we feel we need to make sure you’re not expecting complete anonymity from your VPS. Your data is more secure on a VPS than on a cloud, but your data will still be easily traced back to your location. With a VPS, you won’t be able to, for example, trick your internet into thinking you’re in a different country to watch the shows exclusively available in Canada. (You can with the right VPN, though. Check those out by reading our roundup of The Best VPNs For Streaming.)
- Support. You should choose a VPS that will give you the kind of support you need, but bear in mind, there aren’t going to be experts managing your server for you unless you find a managed VPS (they are a bit more difficult to find, though, be forewarned). If you don’t have someone to take care of the IT, then a VPS may not be the right choice.
- Security. For a site that deals regularly with bursts of traffic or requires more security, you’ll want to heavily weigh the extra security you’ll receive from a VPS as opposed to a cloud host. In the pool analogy, even though you’re in the same pool, imagine that there are ropes and bouncers that keep others off your particular section.
- Reliability. Though you may not expect your server to go down often, chances are you’ll have to contend with it at some point. The key is to find a server that minimizes the downtime occurrences as well as the duration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a VPS hosting provider?
A VPS is a Virtual Private Server. It gives you your own private slice of a server to which only you have access. You will gain stability and speed because your portion of the server is allocated to you and you alone. So rather than your site becoming bogged down by the traffic of other sites on shared servers, you will have the same consistent bandwidth and stability at all times.
If it helps, think of the VPS as a stepping stone between a shared server and a dedicated server. It will better handle more traffic, but it still has some limitations. It’s excellent for growing businesses.
Is VPS better than shared hosting?
Very rarely do we get to answer frequently asked questions in absolutes, but for web hosting, it’s a pretty clear-cut answer of “Yes!” VPS is absolutely better than shared hosting. You may not need anything more than shared, and you will most likely spend more on a VPS than on a shared host, but if you can afford it, and you have the will, traffic, and capability to manage a VPS, it will give you near infinitely more options for customization.
Is my VPS truly private?
Yes, it is. We must note, however, that virtual private servers aren’t locked down by the CIA. Privacy is relative. If you’re looking for privacy, then a VPS will likely give you all you need. If your website collects highly sensitive data, then you may want to go a step up from just a VPS.
If it seems like we’re emphasizing the pool metaphor, you’re right. A VPS is like a dedicated section of the pool. No one is allowed to go over the ropes or past the bouncers at the edge of your pool. But if someone pees on the other side of the pool, there’s a good chance you’re going to be swimming in it, too. So, too, will you be protected from nearly all threats by using a VPS – but not everything.
Do I need a VPS hosting provider?
If you’re struggling with your site as it is, then you may need a VPS hosting provider. There are several benefits that a VPS server can offer to help your site struggles, but perhaps one of the most common is the performance. Although a VPS does share bandwidth with other sites, much like a shared server, the beauty of the VPS is that it allocates your bandwidth to ensure your site’s performance is sufficient, even if you’re sharing a server with a far higher-traffic site.
Other VPS Hosting Providers We Reviewed
For a VPS hosting provider that stands above its peers, look no further than Host Gator.
Check PriceWe looked at 15 other VPS hosting providers. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best VPS hosting providers list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for you. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
Free VPS Hosting Providers
You can choose your specifications and customize your server to meet your needs with the sliding scale for the monthly plans.
Key Features:
- 24/7 support
- 4 hosting options
- Pure SSD servers
Cost: Free to $30/monthly
If you’re using a Linux system, gigarocket will give you free VPS on a limited availability basis.
Key Features:
- 150 GB transfer
- 4 GB RAM
- 25GB HDD
Cost: Free
If you’re looking for a VPS hosting solution for your lower traffic site, then you won’t want to miss InstaFree’s forever free VPS.
Key Features:
- 5 GB SSD Disk Space
- 50 GB Bandwidth
- NAT IPv4 Address
Cost: From Free to $5/month
Though you may not get a huge amount of RAM with this free VPS hosting provider, you’ll get far more than you pay for and the tech support is excellent.
Key Features:
- 24/7 tech support
- Linux or Windows servers available
- Free SEO tools and search engine submission
Pay-As-You-Go VPS Hosting Providers
With A2 Hosting, you’ll be able to focus on the content of your managed VPS and allow their experts to manage the techy parts.
Key Features:
- 20x faster Turbo Option
- 3 plans available
- Money-back guarantee
Cost: $25-50/monthly
You’ll get to customize your service with accuWebHosting several ways, and the first is decided whether you want to have your site managed or if you prefer to do it yourself.
Key Features:
- 7 plans available
- Window or Linux system VPS available
- Complimentary backup
Cost: $5-30/monthly
You’ll have a dedicated IP, variable bandwidth, and full root access if you opt-in for the Hostinger VPS.
Key Features:
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 6 plan options
- 24/7/365 Support
Cost: $4-30/monthly
With five different VPS plan options, HostPapa will be able to give you what you need for your site, no matter how it changes as time passes.
Key Features:
- On-Demand scalability
- Enterprise-grade VPS
- 30-day risk-free guarantee
Cost: $20-250/monthly
Bu choosing this VPS hosting provider, you’ll get access to a free control panel with a one-click installation.
Key Features:
- Cloud remote backup
- Managed web hosting
- 24/7 support
Cost: $6-100/monthly
You’ll have fewer periods of downtime when you utilize the high-performing Windows VPS by Hostwinds.
Key Features:
- Custom ISOs
- Free website transfer
- 99.9999% uptime
Cost: Starts at $8/monthly
This VPS host has the industry-leading control panel that will let you make full use of the Web Host Manager to get your site exactly where you want it to be.
Key Features:
- Real-time redundancy
- 3 VPS plans available
- Root access allowed
Cost: Starts at $25/monthly
You’ll have total control of your VPS with the full root access and API on a dedicated SSD.
Key Features:
- 4 plans available
- Unlimited traffic
- Month-to-month plan
Cost: Starts at $10/monthly
You’ll enjoy your own virtual private server with speeds faster than other leading competitors and at a fraction of the cost.
Key Features:
- Linux or Windows options
- Hassle-free
- 24/7 access to support
Cost: Starts at $60/month
MT web hosting is so confident in the stability of your VPS that if it ever falls short, you’ll get 20% of your monthly hosting cost back for every 20 minutes of downtime.
Key Features:
- 24/7/365 support team
- On-Demand scaling
- Self-managed or DV managed options
Cost: Starts at $30/month
VPSServer.com values performance, and because of this, they use the native NVMe SSD, which is five times faster than the regular SSDs.
Key Features:
- 40 GB network
- 24/7 chat support
- $250 deposit hosting bonus
Cost: Starts at $5/month
