how-to
Advertiser Disclosure
When my friend Daniel started a WordPress site for his landscaping company, he first went with a shared hosting provider. With pages for multiple services and locations, his site was relatively large and loaded slower and slower as it grew. It soon became apparent that this setup wouldn’t work for the long-term, and he looked into the next step up: virtual private server (VPS) hosting.
For site owners who need more from their web host but can’t stomach crazy high prices, a VPS is an ideal middle ground between shared and dedicated hosting. VPS hosts put fewer sites on each server, meaning faster speeds and more storage space for affordable rates.
Daniel moved his site to a VPS, which runs on a more powerful machine and gives him the resources his site needs to perform optimally. Whether you’re outgrowing shared hosting or looking to start a large business site, a VPS is worth considering. In this comparison of VPS providers, we look at the companies that offer the best returns on investment.
Best Overall: Cheap VPS Hosting
It’s possible to get hosted on a VPS for a low price and still receive top-of-the-line features from your provider. On a VPS, your site has its own server that shares computer space with other servers. Customers pay for as much space as they need, so there are few limitations in terms of system resources.
When choosing a VPS host, reliability is one of the top features to consider. Reliability is measured in terms of uptime, or the percentage of time that a server is operational. Ideally, your site should rarely be unavailable to users due to server downtime. Another quality inherent in a good VPS host is tight security to ensure that the server isn’t susceptible to online criminals and sensitive data doesn’t get leaked.
High-quality hardware for housing the virtual server is an important aspect to look for when considering VPS hosting. The CPU, dedicated RAM, and storage space should be robust enough to endure heavy use. One of the benefits of VPS hosting is the ability to customize and control aspects of the server such as installations, data transfer, and storage. Flexibility and freedom to add custom installations and other resources to your server, whether you manage it or pay for it to be managed, is ideal. Also, look for reliable technical support to help troubleshoot these features. Below are our experts’ top recommendations for quality, affordable VPS hosting chosen based on these and other features.
1.
InMotionHosting.com
- 63% off the first month with added discounts
- Real-time redundancy powered by a cloud infrastructure
- FREE cPanel licenses with enterprise-grade CentOS
- FREE server management for patches and updates
- FREE SSDs and SSL certificate for fast, secure hosting
- Get started on InMotion now.
InMotion: Our Expert's Review
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | VPS Hosting Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 days | 75 GB SSD - 260 GB SSD | FREE (1 year) | www.inmotionhosting.com/vps |
2.
Hostwinds.com
- Managed or unmanaged virtual servers available in Windows or Linux
- Cloud hosting instances with hourly or monthly billing
- Instant upgrades without downtime
- FREE around-the-clock monitoring
- Automatic nightly backups available
- Get started on Hostwinds now.
Hostwinds: Our Expert's Review
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | VPS Hosting Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 30 GB - 750 GB SSD | New or Transfer | www.hostwinds.com/vps |
3.
InterServer.net
- FREE migrations and instant provisioning
- Latest versions of PHP, MySQL, Perl, Python, and Ruby
- 7 operating system options for Linux or Windows users
- NO contracts and your price is guaranteed for life
- Full root access and choice of datacenter included
- Get started on InterServer now.
InterServer: Our Expert's Review
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | VPS Hosting Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 30 GB SSD - 480 GB SSD | New or Transfer | www.interserver.net/vps |
4.
Bluehost.com
- 2-4 cores and 2-8GB of RAM
- Endorsed by the WordPress team
- Optional SiteLock security, CodeGuard backups, and SEO tools
- Seamless migration from Bluehost shared plans
- Get 33% off when you sign up (was $29.99, now $19.99)
- Get started on Bluehost now.
Bluehost: Our Expert's Review
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | VPS Hosting Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 30 GB SSD - 120 GB SSD | FREE (1 year) | www.bluehost.com/vps |
Cheap “Cloud” VPS Hosting
Cloud VPS hosting is, simply put, traditional VPS hosting brought to the cloud. With a VPS in the cloud, you get the benefits of both VPS hosting along with those of cloud services such as scalability and reduced costs. Ideal VPS hosting platforms will provide tools for managing your server (if you’re not going fully managed) and the ability to change and add options, such as additional storage, speed, and security features, as you need them.
When choosing a cloud-based VPS host, you’ll also want to consider the customizations that are available. Part of the benefits of a cloud-based environment is the flexibility to customize system specifications, so take time to see what’s out there. Look for automatic backups as another must-have feature for cloud VPS hosting, allowing your files to be readily restored. Check out our reviews of the top cloud hosting providers below to help you decide which service to choose.
5.
HostGator.com
- Twice as fast and four times the computing resources
- Tons of storage with the scalability of the cloud
- Low-density servers and multiple caching layers
- Unlimited domains and MySQL databases
- Upgrades available for security, backups, productivity, and domain privacy
- Get started on HostGator now.
HostGator: Our Expert's Review
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Cloud Hosting Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 days | 120 GB - 240 GB | New or Transfer | www.hostgator.com/cloud |
6.
Hostwinds.com
- Choose your OS or optimized application configuration
- Hourly or monthly billing for convenience
- Optional upgrades for cPanel, backups, and monitoring
- Managed services, SSDs, and HDDs available
- Block and object storage, plus enterprise-grade firewall
- Get started on Hostwinds now.
Hostwinds: Our Expert's Review
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Cloud Hosting Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 30 GB - 750 GB SSD | New or Transfer | www.hostwinds.com/cloud |
7.
A2Hosting.com
- High-powered SwiftServer platform with FREE SSDs
- Quick Start Cloud configures servers in minutes
- Root access and on-demand server controls
- Optional Cloudflare web application firewall for added speed and security
- Softaculous and cPanel upgrades available
- Get started on A2 Hosting now.
A2 Hosting: Our Expert's Review
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Cloud Hosting Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 75 GB SSD - 150 GB SSD | New or Transfer | www.a2hosting.com/cloud |
See more cloud hosting deals »
Cheap “Linux” VPS Hosting
Most commonly, you’ll find VPS providers running a Linux operating system on their servers. One reason for this is that Linux is known for its reliability and tight security, two things that customers depend upon to keep their sites up and running smoothly. Linux-based VPS plans tend to give businesses good value because their systems can be easily updated with the necessary code to fix bugs and patch up problems in Linux’s open-source environment.
Choose a Linux VPS hosting provider that offers ample bandwidth and storage allowances. You’ll want to consider the availability of security patches and updates, the range of customizations available, and steady customer service. Pricing in the Linux-based VPS hosting market is highly competitive, which makes it possible to get the best bargain for your specific requirements. Our expert reviews on affordable Linux VPS hosting plans below provide an authoritative guideline for making your decision.
8.
InMotionHosting.com
- CentOS 6: Enterprise-class Linux operating system
- FREE OS security patches and updates for VPS
- Root access, SSH access, and reseller access with WHM
- FREE cPanel license, SSL, and speed-boosting SSDs
- Unlimited FTP accounts and MySQL databases
- Get started on InMotion Hosting now.
InMotion: Our Expert's Review
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Linux VPS Hosting Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 days | 75 GB SSD - 260 GB SSD | FREE (1 year) | www.inmotionhosting.com/linux-vps |
See more Linux VPS hosting deals »
Cheap “Windows” VPS Hosting
Windows-based VPS hosting is not as common as Linux-based hosting but still has several good options. These plans can sometimes be more expensive due to Windows licensing fees. It’s a matter of preference whether you want to go with a Linux- or Windows- based VPS hosting provider. Some people opt for Windows due to its more familiar and intuitive management interface. Windows VPS hosting plans are also well known for their superior level of support.
High server resource demands don’t necessitate a high hosting bill. Enter VPS hosting.
Check for plans with a wide range of disk space allowances to ensure there is an affordable starter option but with room to grow. Choose your plan based on the availability of a high-quality control panel, like Plesk or cPanel, and the option to be fully managed, giving you flexibility with how your server is operated. Look for ample RAM and data transfer as well to ensure high performance. Read on to discover our picks for the cheapest Windows VPS hosting providers that offer the best value.
9.
Hostwinds.com
- Managed or unmanaged virtual servers available in Windows or Linux
- Cloud hosting instances with hourly or monthly billing
- Instant upgrades without downtime
- FREE around-the-clock monitoring
- Automatic nightly backups available
- Get started on Hostwinds now.
Hostwinds: Our Expert's Review
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Windows VPS Hosting Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 30 GB - 750 GB SSD | New or Transfer | www.hostwinds.com/windows |
See more Windows VPS hosting deals »
Cheap “SSD” VPS Hosting
You might opt for solid-state drive (SSD) VPS hosting if you are interested in maximizing data transfer and system reliability. A system that reads and writes data using an SSD rather than a standard hard drive will perform more optimally, and for that reason is usually more expensive (but not too much more). Investing in SSD VPS hosting is a popular solution for speeding up site performance, as the server itself is on a machine that works faster than if it were using a regular hard drive.
If you’re in the market for the fastest type of VPS hosting available, consider the amount of bandwidth offered and the amount of additional speed for the price. Automated data backups, fast and reliable support, and the availability of databases and FTP accounts are other factors to consider. Some of the cheaper providers offer pay-as-you-go features so you can customize your experience, which can add even more value. Check out our ratings of the most affordable SSD VPS hosting options below.
10.
InMotionHosting.com
- FREE SSDs for 20x faster VPS hosting
- Enterprise-grade CentOS and FREE security patches
- Root access, SSH access, and reseller access with WHM
- Cloud infrastructure with real-time redundancy
- Unlimited FTP accounts and MySQL databases
- Get started on InMotion Hosting now.
InMotion: Our Expert's Review
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | SSD VPS Hosting Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 days | 75 GB SSD - 260 GB SSD | FREE (1 year) | www.inmotionhosting.com/ssd-vps |
See more SSD VPS hosting deals »
Cheap “WordPress” VPS Hosting
As WordPress is the most popular website development platform, many VPS hosting providers offer WordPress-specific website hosting. Specific support for WordPress typically includes automatic updates and backups, 24/7 support, and special WordPress security and speed solutions that make your site perform optimally. If your site runs on WordPress, having support designed especially for WordPress is crucial when choosing a VPS hosting plan.
The top WordPress VPS hosting competitors offer a large amount of (or unlimited) bandwidth, multiple email accounts, and plenty of disk space. You will want to look for a provider that allows you to host multiple WordPress sites on one account for easy management and optimizes plugin performance and security. Easy, one-click installation is preferred. See our top recommendations for WordPress VPS hosting plans below to compare the best options available on the market.
11.
InMotionHosting.com
- 63% off the first month with added discounts
- Real-time redundancy powered by a cloud infrastructure
- FREE cPanel licenses with enterprise-grade CentOS
- FREE server management for patches and updates
- FREE SSDs and SSL certificate for fast, secure hosting
- Get started on InMotion now.
InMotion: Our Expert's Review
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | VPS Hosting Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 days | 75 GB SSD - 260 GB SSD | FREE (1 year) | www.inmotionhosting.com/vps |
See more VPS deals for WordPress »
We Get the Cheapest Pricing on VPS Services Before Anyone Else!
Choosing a VPS hosting service can feel overwhelming but is ultimately a good problem to have. When Daniel decided to switch from shared hosting to VPS hosting, he was able to find a provider with which he knew his website and business would have room to grow. Best of all, he was able to make the move without breaking the bank.
Harness the power of virtual hosting — its computing potential and its cost-effectiveness.
VPS hosting can be very affordable, as our list of top providers demonstrates. Through our relationships with the top web hosts, we’re often able to offer exclusive discounts to our readers before they’re available to the general public. Keep checking HostingAdvice.com to catch up on the latest deals for VPS hosting!
Was this helpful? Tell Us Thanks.
About the Author
Questions or Comments? Ask Jennifer!
Ask a question and Jennifer will respond to you. We strive to provide the best advice on the net and we are here to help you in any way we can.