Cloud hosting and VPS hosting are 2 types of web hosting that offer distinct infrastructure and resource allocation models. Cloud hosting uses a network of interconnected servers to dynamically distribute resources. VPS hosting partitions a single physical server into isolated virtual servers, each with dedicated resources.
Cloud hosting is slightly more expensive but offers pay-as-you-go models, while VPS hosting offers predictable fixed pricing. Cloud hosting handles performance fluctuations better. Cloud hosting is generally more user-friendly but both cloud and VPS offer managed and unmanaged plans to choose from. Cloud hosting offers more flexibility and requires less maintenance. VPS hosting offers higher security. Cloud hosting is much more scalable for growing sites.
Cost, performance, and scalability are the 3 areas where the differences between cloud and VPS hosting are most evident. These distinctions help define which hosting type best fits your needs. Choose cloud hosting if your website experiences fluctuating traffic or requires dynamic scalability and flexibility. Choose VPS hosting if you need consistent performance, control, and predictable costs for steady workloads.
What is Cloud Hosting?
Cloud hosting is a type of web hosting that dynamically distributes resources across multiple servers in a network. It works by pooling resources like CPU, RAM, and storage from interconnected servers to ensure high availability and scalability. The core advantages of cloud hosting are its flexibility, dynamic scaling, and redundancy.
What is VPS Hosting?
VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting is a type of web hosting that uses virtualization technology to partition a physical server into isolated virtual servers. It works by allocating dedicated resources such as CPU, RAM, and storage to each virtual server for consistent performance and control. The core advantages of VPS hosting include reliable performance, enhanced server control, and access to high resources.
What is the Difference Between Cloud and VPS Hosting?
The difference between cloud hosting and VPS hosting refers to the distinct characteristics that separate these hosting types for different use cases.
Cloud hosting is generally more expensive than VPS hosting but this depends on the plan tier and type. Both offer high performance, with VPS providing consistent high performance and cloud hosting being better at maintaining performance during traffic surges. Cloud hosting is generally more user-friendly. Both types of hosting offer excellent flexibility in how users configure servers, yet cloud hosting offers more flexibility in how resources are allocated and deployed. VPS hosting requires higher maintenance but provides higher security. Cloud hosting‘s scalability is unmatched.
Cost
Cloud hosting generally costs slightly more than VPS hosting. Cloud hosting plans range from RM45 – RM675/month. Many hosts also offer a pay-as-you-go model, where users pay for actual usage. This offers flexibility but leads to unpredictable expenses during traffic spikes. VPS hosting has fixed pricing ranging from RM18 – RM360/month. Keep in mind that VPS hosting usually involves extra costs for software licenses or unmanaged plan setups.
Performance
Cloud hosting offers greater performance than VPS hosting because it distributes workloads across multiple servers. This minimizes downtime because if a server goes down, it is able to draw from another server. VPS hosting is able to provide high performance because it uses dedicated resources, but its reliance on a single physical server limits its ability to handle heavy traffic surges.
User-Friendliness
Cloud hosting is generally more user-friendly than VPS hosting because it is commonly sold as a managed service. Managed cloud hosting provides intuitive dashboards and sliding scales that allow users to manage their server resources in a few clicks. VPS hosting requires more technical expertise, especially for unmanaged plans that demand manual server setup and ongoing maintenance. However, managed VPS plans are also available.
Flexibility
Flexibility in cloud hosting is unmatched because it dynamically draws from a network of multiple servers. It also allows users to tailor and scale their plans to meet very specific resource requirements. Many cloud hosts let users pick from providers like Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, or Digital Ocean. Some cloud providers offer root access. VPS hosting also offers high flexibility by providing root access but it is limited by the physical capacity of a single server.
Maintenance
Cloud hosting offers easier maintenance through its managed plans, in which cloud providers handle updates and security for the user. VPS hosting typically requires more hands-on involvement. This is especially the case for unmanaged VPS plans that need users to manage software installations and troubleshoot issues themselves.
Security
Cloud hosting is secure, but not as secure as VPS hosting. VPS hosting provides stronger isolation between accounts and this reduces the risks posed by shared environments. However, cloud hosting still offers strong security in the form of high redundancy. By distributing data across multiple servers, it reduces the risk of downtime or data loss due to server failure.
Scalability
Cloud hosting’s scalability is superior to VPS hosting since it offers dynamic scalability. This means resources are adjusted in real-time to meet surges in traffic. VPS hosting does not offer this. However, VPS hosting still offers high scalability by making it easy for users to add more resources to their plan once their website traffic grows.
How Do I Choose Between Cloud and VPS Hosting?
Choose between cloud hosting and VPS hosting based on your website’s traffic patterns, resource needs, and budget preferences. Cloud hosting suits eCommerce businesses or websites with fluctuating traffic that require dynamic scalability and flexible pay-as-you-go pricing. VPS hosting is better for medium to large websites with consistent traffic, predictable resource needs, and a preference for stable pricing. Whichever your choice, ensure you opt for a good hosting provider that provides reliable plans of that web hosting type.
What Makes a Good Cloud Hosting Provider?
A good cloud hosting provider offers generous CPU, RAM and storage, and provides auto-scaling. Consult our shortlist of the best cloud hosting providers to get started.
What Makes a Good VPS Hosting Provider?
A good VPS hosting provider provides sufficient vCPU and RAM, provides a data center near your target audience, and supports the operating system of your choice. Consult our shortlist of the best VPS hosting providers to get started.
Is There Such a Thing as Cloud VPS?
Yes, there is such a thing as cloud VPS. A cloud VPS is a virtualized server hosted in a cloud environment, which combines VPS’s dedicated resources with cloud hosting’s scalability. It allows dynamic resource allocation to handle varying workloads efficiently and optimizes costs with usage-based pricing. This hybrid solution provides control and flexibility. It’s ideal for businesses needing both adaptability and performance.
Cloud Hosting vs VPS Hosting: Difference Summary
The difference between cloud hosting and VPS hosting is most prominent in terms of cost, performance and scalability. The differences between cloud and VPS hosting are presented in the table below.
| Aspect | Cloud Hosting | VPS Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Higher pricing, possible to find pay-as-you-go plans | Slightly lower pricing than cloud, fixed pricing |
| Performance | Dynamic resource allocation | Consistent high performance with dedicated resources |
| User-Friendliness | Generally more user-friendly | Requires high technical skills for unmanaged plans |
| Flexibility | Highly customizable resources, root access often provided | Root access provides high server customizability |
| Maintenance | Minimal maintenance | Complex maintenance required on unmanaged plans |
| Security | Strong security with redundancy | Stronger security with user isolation |
| Scalability | Dynamic and nearly unlimited | Limited to server capacity |
| Use case | Fluctuating traffic, resource-heavy applications needing scalability | Steady traffic, sites requiring consistent performance and control |
Cloud hosting costs more but often comes in the option of pay-as-you-go plans. Both cloud hosting and VPS offer high performance hosting solutions, but cloud hosting offers greater reliability and uptime. Cloud hosting is the most scalable form of web hosting thanks to its inherent infrastructure. Cloud hosting therefore suits businesses with fluctuating traffic or those seeking flexibility in cost and resource management. VPS hosting is better suited for medium to large websites with more predictable demands.