BEST VPS HOSTING PROVIDERS 2025
In short, a virtual private server (VPS) is just a physical server whose hardware has been divided into multiple partitions, each acting as its own server environment (a “virtual” dedicated server, or VDS).
As with any other niche in this industry, the companies selling “virtual” machine hosting, allowing sites to live online, are called web hosts..Finding the Best VPS Plan for You.
Let’s examine the features we looked for when conducting our VPS hosting comparison above. What separates the so-so from the best private servers? We found flexibility to be a common theme, and that begins with having your choice of operating system.
Whether you’re hosting your increasingly popular website or you’re in need of a Linux backup server for secure storage, hosts like InMotion and Media Temple never cease to exceed expectations in terms of service.
Below are some of the buzzwords we look for when judging the best Linux server(s):
CentOS, Ubuntu, or Debian operating system
Linux-friendly software like CGI, MySQL, or Apache
24/7/365 expert support
Managed security patches and updates
Uptime (preferably 99.99% or better)
Whether you’re hosting your increasingly popular website or you’re in need of a Linux backup server for secure storage, hosts like InMotion and Media Temple never cease to exceed expectations in terms of service.
For those shopping for Windows server hosting, here are the things we look for:
Choice of Linux or Windows server, backups included
OS-friendly applications with easy management via cPanel
24/7/365 expert support
SSH access with Windows SFTP servers
Uptime (preferably 99.99% or better)
If you’re wondering, ‘Windows or Linux: Which is for me?’ chances are you should go the Linux route.
Only go the Windows way if you have a really specific reason for doing so (i.e., you’re going to be running some sort of software that’s not Linux-compliant).
The vast majority of y’all are going to want to run Linux, so we’ve reviewed the top shared hosts for Linux and the top plans for Linux VPS hosting.
Buying a VPS plan means that you get your very own virtual server environment. You have full control over the operating system, the extensions and apps you install, and all their settings.
Each physical server will still host multiple VPS customers, but not as many as with shared hosting, and typically each VPS will be allocated a share of key resources – RAM, storage space, CPU cores – for their use alone.
This can be easier to manage than you might think. Many VPS plans include standard tools like cPanel to help monitor and configure your site. Some web hosting providers will manage the service for you, monitoring for problems like a crashed service, and fixing them as soon as they’re detected.
VPS prices and specs vary from a few pounds a month to hundreds, depending on your requirements. There’s a lot of choice out there, but don’t panic – our list of five best VPS providers will point you in the right direction.
