What is a VPS? Virtual private servers explained
A VPS (virtual private server) is your own slice of a physical server: a virtual machine with its own operating system, guaranteed RAM and CPU, and full admin (root) access. It sits between shared hosting, where you share everything with other sites, and a dedicated server, where you rent the whole machine.
What is a VPS and how does it work?
A hosting company takes a powerful physical server and splits it into several virtual machines with software called a hypervisor, such as KVM. Each virtual machine gets its own share of CPU cores, a fixed amount of RAM and its own disk space, and runs its own operating system, usually Linux, sometimes Windows.
To you, it looks and behaves like a separate computer in a data centre. It has its own IP address, you can restart it, install any software and change any setting. Other customers on the same hardware can’t see your files, and with full virtualisation your RAM is reserved for you.
Root access: what “your own server” means
Root access means you are the administrator. You can install a web server, a database, Docker, a VPN, a game server or an AI model; open ports; and run programs 24/7. Nothing is pre-decided for you the way it is on shared hosting.
The flip side is responsibility. Updates, firewall rules, backups and security are your job unless you pay for management. You usually connect with SSH on Linux or Remote Desktop on Windows.
Managed vs unmanaged VPS
An unmanaged VPS gives you the server and nothing else: the provider keeps the hardware and network running, and you handle everything inside. It is the cheapest option and the standard for developers and anyone comfortable with a terminal.
A managed VPS includes help from the provider, such as installing software, applying updates, monitoring and fixing problems, often with a control panel like cPanel or Plesk. It costs more, but it is a sensible choice if you run a business site and don’t want to become a system administrator. Some people take a middle road: an unmanaged VPS with a free panel or a one-click app image.
VPS vs shared hosting vs dedicated vs cloud
These are the four options you will see most often:
- Shared hosting: many websites on one server, managed for you. Cheapest and easiest, but limited to websites and affected by neighbours.
- VPS: your own virtual server with guaranteed resources and root access. Flexible and affordable.
- Dedicated server: a whole physical machine. Maximum performance for heavy, steady workloads, at a higher price.
- Cloud server: a virtual server on a cloud platform, typically billed by the hour, easy to resize and delete. Close to a VPS, with more extras around it.
What people use a VPS for, and how big it should be
Common uses include websites and WordPress, online shops, automation tools like n8n, Docker apps, VPNs, game servers such as Minecraft, trading terminals, development and test environments, and small self-hosted AI models.
Size it by RAM first. Our rules of thumb: 1–2 GB for a small site or a VPN, 4 GB for WordPress, n8n or a small Docker stack, and 8 GB or more for shops and databases. A Minecraft server needs 2–4 GB for up to 10 players and 4–8 GB for 10–30. Our server finder turns your project into a spec, and the VPS pages list the cheapest plans that meet it.
Tell us the project, get the spec and the cheapest plansTry the tool →
Questions people ask
What is a VPS used for?
Anything that needs its own always-on server: websites, shops, n8n automations, Docker apps, VPNs, game servers, trading terminals or small AI models.
Is a VPS better than shared hosting?
It is more powerful and flexible, because resources are reserved for you and you have root access. Shared hosting is simpler and fine for a small, low-traffic website.
Do I need technical skills to use a VPS?
For an unmanaged VPS, basic Linux and SSH skills help a lot. If you don’t want that, choose a managed VPS or a plan with a control panel.
What is the difference between a VPS and a dedicated server?
A VPS is a virtual slice of a physical server; a dedicated server is the whole machine, with all its cores and disk speed reserved for you.