Virtual Private Servers — Best 10 VPS Hosting Providers

A virtual private server (VPS, also referred to as Virtual Dedicated Server or VDS) is a preferred hosting solution for small to medium sized businesses since it delivers control at a level similar to a dedicated server at a price not too far from affordable shared hosting. Below are the best and the most reliable VPS web hosting providers ranked by experienced webmasters from around the world.

Rank Web Hosting Provider Core Specs Features Hosting Review
1 Inmotion web hosting rating - 4.5 stars
Ultra Fast Servers
Space: 80 Gb
Bandwidth: 1000 Gb
Price: $74.95
Free & Easy Setup,
5 Dedicated IPs,
Full cPanel/Fantastico
Inmotion Review
Host Rating: 97%
Rate and Review a Host Review Inmotion
2 Acenet web hosting rating - 4.5 stars
High Performance Servers
Space: 40 Gb
Bandwidth: 1500 Gb
Price: $109.95
Free & Easy Setup,
Full cPanel/Fantastico
Acenet Review
Host Rating: 96%
Rate and Review a Host Review Acenet
3 HostICan web hosting rating - 4.5 stars
Affordable VPS Hosting
Space: 90 Gb
Bandwidth: Unlimited
Price: $84.95
cPanel/WHM/Plesk,
2 Dedicated IPs
HostICan Review
Host Rating: 96%
Rate and Review a Host Review HostICan
4 UltraHosting web hosting rating - 4 stars
Cheap VPS Solutions
Space: 40 Gb
Bandwidth: 1500 Gb
Price: $54.00
Free & Easy Setup,
1 Dedicated IP
UltraHosting Review
Host Rating: 95%
Rate and Review a Host Review UltraHosting
5 LiquidWeb web hosting rating - 4 stars
Reliable VPS Hosting
Space: 40 Gb
Bandwidth: 350 Gb
Price: $100.00
Free & Easy Setup,
4 Dedicated IPs,
Full cPanel/Fantastico
LiquidWeb Review
Host Rating: 95%
Rate and Review a Host Review LiquidWeb
6 NS web hosting rating - 4 stars
Secure VPS Hosting
Space: 50 Gb
Bandwidth: 2000 Gb
Price: $80.00
Free & Easy Setup,
1 Dedicated IP,
Virtuozzo/ Plesk 9
NS Review
Host Rating: 95%
Rate and Review a Host Review NS
7 Dotster web hosting rating - 4 stars
Cheap VPS Hosting
Space: 30 Gb
Bandwidth: 1000 Gb
Price: $48.95
Free & Easy Setup,
2 Dedicated IPs,
Virtuozzo/Plesk 9
Dotster Review
Host Rating: 95%
Rate and Review a Host Review Dotster
8 Lunarpages web hosting rating - 4 stars
Linux & Windows VPS
Space: 20 Gb
Bandwidth: 1000 Gb
Price: $49.95
Free & Easy Setup,
1 Dedicated IP,
Virtuozzo Power Panel
Lunarpages Review
Host Rating: 94%
Rate and Review a Host Review Lunarpages
9 1&1 Internet web hosting rating - 3.5 stars
Cheap VPS Hosting
Space: 50 Gb
Bandwidth: 2000 Gb
Price: $59.00
Free SSL Certificate,
1 Dedicated IP,
CentOS 5 + Plesk 9
1&1 Review
Host Rating: 94%
Rate and Review a Host Review 1&1
10 XL Host web hosting rating - 3.5 stars
Cheap VPS Hosting
Space: 10 Gb
Bandwidth: 250 Gb
Price: $59.00
Free & Easy Setup,
4 Dedicated IPs,
Tons of Extras
XL Host Review
Host Rating: 93%
Rate and Review a Host Review XL Host

Editor's notice: Web hosting providers ranked by the best price-value ratio. Host reliability, uptime, key features, bonus features, customer support, past and current user feedbacks, user-friendliness and hosting awards have been taken into account as well.


Best Web Hosting Awards 2009


What is a Virtual Private Server Hosting?

Virtual private server, or VPS, represents the next generation of web hosting that revolves around partitioning a single computer to simulate multiple servers. The unique aspect is that each server has the look and feel of a physical server, equipped with its own operating system and the ability to be rebooted independently of others. Similar practices have actually been used in mainframe computers for some time, but the emergence of virtualization technology has pushed VPS hosting into the mainstream market as a cost efficient, high performance solution.

How You Can You Benefit from VPS Hosting

Virtual private servers are designed to provide customers with a way to save money without the sacrifice of performance, flexibility and security. VPS hosting can be viewed as the perfect compromise between a shared and dedicated server, as it provides a great deal of freedom at what is usually a very reasonable price.

Here are more specific details on how you can benefit from a virtual private server:

• Incredible Value - A VPS hosting solution can provide you with a tremendous value. While a dedicated server could end up costing you well over $100 per month, the price of a virtualized platform is usually not too far removed from shared hosting. The distinct makeup of VPS technology allows the cost of the hardware, software, network connectivity and maintenance to be efficiently distributed without compromising your quality.

• Enhanced Protection - A virtual private server can ensure far better security than what is provided on a shared hosting platform. With the server running in the comfort of its own isolated environment, you are shielded from the stability and security issues originated by other users. Though a dedicated server offers the best performance and security, VPS hosting is not too far behind.

• Freedom and Flexibility - What makes VPS hosting so comparable to a dedicated server is the control and flexibility it grants to you. In most arrangements, you have the option of utilizing various provided add-on scripts or installing your own custom applications. This is enabled by root access that allows you to interact deeply with the server. In terms of customization, you are generally allowed to create applications in whatever programming technologies installed on the server, be it PHP, ASP or Cold Fusion.

• Guaranteed Power - Another major plus of VPS hosting is that it provides you with guaranteed system resources. Unlike in a shared hosting environment, you do not have to compete for most resources and have the luxury to receive accurately measured allotments that fit your specific needs. This, in turn, provides you with a robust, scalable solution that gives your business the room it needs to grow.

VPS Hosting Concerns

VPS hosting offers many advantages over its shared counterpart, but there are some disadvantages that warrant your attention. First and foremost, you should know that this solution is very much like a dedicated server in the way it requires you to actively maintain the server. This usually includes applying security patches and system updates, which could possibly take your time and focus away from other critical aspects of the business. When problems arise in your virtual environment, it is your responsibility to resolve them via remote administration.

Another concern is a drawback to remind you that VPS hosting is still a grade below the power of a dedicated server. While you have a guaranteed allotment of system resources, you are still required to share hardware assets with other VPS users hosting on the physical server. For this reason, a virtual private server cannot achieve the stability and optimal performance of the dedicated variety.

Do You Need a Virtual Private Server?

A VPS hosting plan can be the solution to all of your needs. However, due to the technical aspects and minor drawbacks involved, you need to give this option careful consideration before making a final decision. The best way to decide would be to access your needs and current hosting predicament. If your website is thriving on a shared server, then virtualization is probably a technology you could do without. However, if you find that this environment can no longer deliver the performance and level of security you require, VPS hosting could be the next step towards expanding on your web presence.


Learn more about Virtual Private Servers (VPS)

The Benefits of VPS Hosting
Seemingly out of nowhere, VPS has become the preferred hosting solution for small to medium sized businesses. VPS stands for Virtual Private Server, a solution that effectively bridges the gap between the limitations of shared hosting and the flexibility of dedicated server hosting. A VPS is created by virtualization software which partitions a single physical server to form multiple servers within it. Each virtual server is completely independent of its neighbors and functions like an actual networked server. What makes VPS hosting so popular is that it provides control at a level similar to a dedicated server at a price not to far removed from affordable shared hosting.

cPanel for VPS Hosting
VPS hosting has taken off over the last few years and with its popularity stems greater demands. In this environment, the average management tools usually do not cut it, rather this only present a new level of complexity. One critical area providers can’t afford to slack in is the control panel. And with more people moving up to VPS hosting, it is no surprise that the leading control panel software would step up to meet the challenge.

Hosting Considerations for E-commerce
When it comes to e-commerce, one must take several factors in consideration. Apart from deciding what market you want to tackle and thinking of ways to promote the business, you must also factor your online presence into the mix. Your business site will require a hosting solution and there are so many too choose from. There is shared hosting, dedicated hosting, managing hosting and a wide variety of niche variations. You also have the option of hosting your business in-house or going with a provider that specializes in colocation. Making a choice can be difficult, but it is much easier when matching up a solution with the specific needs of your business.

What Type of Hosting Do You Need?
Those looking to emerge on the internet have a slew of options and an abundance of providers. You have got your free web hosting services. Shared hosts. Dedicated server providers. All serve the same general purpose which is hosting your content so that it can be accessed and viewed by people on the internet. The major difference is how each sector is structured as well as the benefits they offer. Lets have a closer look at each of them.

Managed vs Shared Hosting - Which Type to Consider
Before deciding on a web host, it is important to know that web hosting is available in many different variations. Two of the most common forms of hosting are shared and managed hosting. While quite similar, the differences set these types of web hosting apart by far.

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