4.8 
VPS Hosting Providers Feature Overview
| Provider | Starting Price | Storage (GB) | CPU (Cores) | RAM (GB) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $4.00 | 20-4000 | 1-32 | 1-128 | Visit Kamatera |
 | $4.49 | 50-400 | 1-8 | 4-32 | Visit Hostinger |
 | $2.38 | 15-500 | 2-64 | 1-30 | Visit Webdock |
 | $5.50 | 30-100 | 1-4 | 1-6 | Visit Ultahost |
 | $5.00 | 30-150 | 1-8 | 1-8 | Visit Liquid Web |
 | $2.00 | 10-640 | 1-12 | 1-24 | Visit IONOS |
What is a Virtual Private Servers (VPS)?
VPS is a more advanced type of hosting compared to shared hosting. While in shared hosting your website shares resources with many others, VPS hosting gives you dedicated RAM, storage, and CPU power on a shared physical server. This solution provides more control and performance without the high cost of a dedicated server.
When to Choose and When to Avoid a VPS
| Reasons to Use a VPS | Reasons Not to Use a VPS |
| Your website outgrows 2000-3000 daily visitors, or 90,000 monthly users. | You are a beginner and learning the basics like FTP, WordPress, and cPanel. |
| You need to install applications that are not supported by shared hosting, such as PHP modules. | You can’t afford the higher cost of VPS hosting. |
| You need root access to the server for advanced configuration. | When lacking the technical expertise to manage a VPS. |
| You need a virtual environment for software development and testing. | When hosting non-critical, low traffic websites. |
| Your website handles sensitive data or financial transactions. | |
| You experience extreme traffic fluctuations. |
If a VPS is not relevant to your needs, consider these alternatives:
- Shared Hosting—Ideal for small websites with lower traffic and resource requirements. It’s a cost-effective solution for beginners and small businesses.
- Dedicated Servers—Suitable for large websites with high traffic and resource demands. It offers full control and exclusive use of server resources.
- Cloud Hosting—Great for websites with fluctuating traffic. It provides scalability and flexibility, allowing you to pay for only the resources you use.
- Managed WordPress Hosting—Perfect for WordPress websites, offering optimized performance, security, and automatic updates.
How To Choose The Best VPS Hosting Providers
Choosing the right VPS hosting requires balancing factors like hardware, skill level, project needs, and budget to ensure website performance and reliability.
- Choose a VPS Type—Decide between Managed or Unmanaged VPS. If you don’t know Linux commands and can’t manage a server, go with a Managed VPS.
- Match Resources to Needs—CPU cores, RAM, bandwidth, and storage space should all align with your website traffic and workload.
- Prefer High Performance—Aim for high uptime (ideally 99.95%+) and fast response times (below 600ms).
- Assess Ease of Use and Support—Choose a provider with a user-friendly control panel (like cPanel) and 24/7 customer support.
- Review Features & Pricing—Consider VPS features (root access, security, migration) and choose a plan with what you need at a reasonable price.
The Best VPS Hosting Services (Bought and Tested)
Rating based on expert review:
- Overall Score: 4.9
- Features: 5.0
- Reliability: 5.0
- User-Friendly: 4.8
- Support: 4.9
- Pricing: 4.9
Four CPU Types, 1 to 104 vCPU, 256MB to 512GB of RAM, 5GB Storage to tens of terabytes of block storage, and up to 1174 various cloud server setup configurations, entry level VPS plans starting at $0.005/hour or $4/month. Personally, I would go with Kamatera if I had specific requirements (such as OS) since it offers a wide range of services of top-notch quality.
Kamatera is the best VPS hosting for instant scaling. It provides a pay-as-you-go solution on a cloud infrastructure with zero maintenance and no single point of failure.
Kamatera does not have a BBB listing (only applicable for U.S.-based companies), however, Trustpilot awards them 3.3 stars out of five (with more than 71 user reviews).
- Incredible flexibility, customization, and scaling
- Cloud infrastructure with a dozen of data centers
- Round-the-clock customer support with decades of experience
- Managed Virtual private server solutions are a bit expensive
- Requires at least a bit of technical knowledge (luckily, customer support is always available to guide you step by step in the process, even without managed support)
Features: Advanced cloud solutions for businesses of all sizes, leading cloud technology and versatile products, firewalls, load balancers, and more!
Reliability: No single point of failure with 99.95% guaranteed uptime. Data centers in America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
User-Friendly: Flexible, fast, and reliable solutions for startups, SaaS developers, and web & app developers, with maintenance and information conveniently accessible via a single Control Panel.
Support: Live technical support around the clock, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week personal assistance.
Pricing: Pay monthly, hourly, or by the minute and only for what you use. Cancel at any time if you’re not 100% satisfied.
If you want to be in full control of your server, Hostinger is the way to go. It’s the best virtual private hosting – you get the freedom and flexibility to run it as you like, whether you’re hosting one large website or multiple smaller sites.
- Overall Score: 4.6
- Features: 4.7
- Reliability: 4.8
- User-Friendly: 4.5
- Support: 4.5
- Pricing: 4.7
Hostinger grants you full root access and unparalleled control over how you manage your server and resources. You can configure the server environment to your needs, including how you dedicate your resources, install custom software, or transform your VPS for many purposes, including a VPN server, web server, mail server, or game server.
- Impressively fast website loading times and a 99.9% server uptime guarantee
- Top-notch protection (BitNinja, advanced DDoS protection, and other custom-built tools)
- Full control and flexibility to customize your VPS to your needs
- No Windows-based VPS hosting (you can choose from CentOS, Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, and Suse)
- Limited customer support (you are responsible for your VPS)
Features: You’ll get full root access, a user-friendly dashboard that simplifies server management, a dedicated IP address, FTP access and domain-based email service, automated backups, and manual live snapshots.
Reliability: You can choose from five data center locations to ensure maximum performance with minimum latency. All Hostinger servers utilize the latest Intel Xeon processors, terabytes of NVMe SSD storage, 512 GB RAM, and a 100Mb/s Network.
User-Friendly: While you’ll benefit from Hostinger’s user-friendly interface, you’ll still need technical skills to take full advantage of its self-managed VPS.
Support: You’ll be responsible for your VPS. However, you can still refer to Hostinger’s tutorial base for server management, creating your WordPress website on VPS, and other VPS-related topics. Furthermore, you can contact their support team, available 24/7 to answer all general questions.
Pricing: Hostinger offers eight self-managed VPS plans, starting at $3.49 for 1GB RAM, 20GB SSD disk space, 1TB bandwidth, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Rating Based on Expert Review:
- Overall Score: 4.4
- Features: 4.5
- Reliability: 4.3
- User-Friendly: 4.4
- Support: 4.2
- Pricing: 4.6
Webdock stands out among the best VPS hosting providers with its flexible plans and robust performance. Known for its user-friendly interface and solid feature set, Webdock offers a compelling option for users seeking a reliable and scalable VPS solution.
Detailed Analysis:
Features: Webdock provides a range of VPS plans with solid specifications, including SSD storage and a variety of operating system options. Their VPS hosting includes essential features such as automated backups, root access, and easy scalability. Advanced features like high-availability clusters and additional security options are available at higher pricing tiers.
Reliability: Webdock’s VPS hosting offers good reliability with high uptime and consistent performance. The infrastructure is designed to handle moderate to high levels of traffic and workloads, ensuring that services remain stable under various conditions.
User-Friendly: The control panel provided by Webdock is intuitive and easy to navigate. Users can quickly set up, configure, and manage their VPS environments, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced users.
Support: Webdock offers reliable support through a combination of online documentation and community forums. While the support for VPS is generally helpful, users may find that more direct or personalized support is available with their premium plans.
Pricing: Webdock’s pricing is competitive, offering good value for the features and performance provided. The free tier is ideal for testing, while paid plans are reasonably priced for those who need additional resources and features.
Pros and Cons:
- Flexible VPS plans with SSD storage and scalable options
- User-friendly control panel for easy management
- Competitive pricing with a free tier for trial purposes
- Limited advanced features in the free plan
- Support for free users is primarily through community resources
Who doesn’t like flexibility? With Ultahost, you will get to choose from a wide range of Linux and Windows OS, different programming languages, multiple locations, and host as many websites as you need. You can also install your own ISO and scale your resources with just one click!
- Overall Score: 4.9
- Features: 4.8
- Reliability: 4.8
- User-Friendly: 4.9
- Support: 4.9
- Pricing: 4.9
With Ultahost’s managed low-cost Virtual private server hosting plans, you can host unlimited websites, get unlimited bandwidth, enjoy one-click vertical scaling, and choose the control panel that you prefer (Hestia, CyberPanel, Plesk, and cPanel), and never pay for the resources that you don’t use!
Ultahost does not have a BBB listing (only applicable for U.S.-based companies), however, Trustpilot awards them 4.6 stars out of five (with more than 145 user reviews).
- Excellent flexibility (you can choose from multiple OS options, programming languages, locations, and more)
- The provider does not make you sign a contract or pay a fixed amount for resources that you don’t use
- You can choose between four different control panels, including Hestia, CyberPanel, Plesk, and cPanel
- Storage limitations on all plans (you can get up to 750GB of storage with its Ultra Windows VPS, which is still more than enough for most)
Features: All Ultahost VPS Plans come with fast-paced SSD & NVMe storage, built-in cache including Varnish, Memcached, and Redis, free SSL certificates, SSH & SFTP access, dedicated IPv4 addresses, unlimited application installation, and more!
Reliability: Ultahost offers managed Virtual private servers with the highest virtual server reliability and performance built for speed. It also includes Apache and Nginx as web servers, ultra optimized servers which are powered by 14th generation Dell servers with a 99.9% uptime guarantee.
User-Friendly: You will get fully managed services with which you can enjoy excellent assistance from the provider’s team. Namely, the team will update your security patches, OS, and more, for you. You can also choose from four user-friendly control panels and manage your server from there.
Support: Ultahost offers 24/7 expert support that will help you with maintaining your server and perform automated troubleshooting if needed.
Pricing: Ultahost’s entry level VPS Plans start at $5.5/month for one CPU core, 1GB RAM, 30GB NVMe SSD, managed services, and one IPv4 dedicated IP address.
Rating Based on Expert Review:
- Overall Score: 4.8
- Features: 4.9
- Reliability: 4.8
- User-Friendly: 4.7
- Support: 4.9
- Pricing: 4.6
Liquid Web is highly regarded as one of the best VPS hosting providers due to its premium features, exceptional reliability, and top-notch support. It caters to users who need high-performance VPS hosting with a focus on advanced capabilities and customer service.
Detailed Analysis:
Features: Liquid Web offers high-end VPS hosting with a comprehensive set of features, including SSD storage, advanced security options, and scalable resources. Users benefit from fully managed services, which include regular backups, monitoring, and performance optimization tools.
Reliability: Known for its excellent uptime and stability, Liquid Web’s VPS hosting is built on a robust infrastructure that ensures consistent performance. Their network and server setup are designed to handle demanding workloads and provide high availability.
User-Friendly: Liquid Web provides a user-friendly interface that simplifies VPS management. Their control panel and management tools are designed to be intuitive, allowing users to easily configure and maintain their VPS environments.
Support: Liquid Web is renowned for its exceptional customer support. They offer 24/7 support through multiple channels, including live chat, phone, and email, ensuring that users receive prompt and effective assistance whenever needed.
Pricing: Liquid Web’s pricing reflects the premium nature of their VPS hosting services. While on the higher end, the cost is justified by the advanced features, reliability, and exceptional support provided.
Pros and Cons:
- Premium features and high-performance VPS hosting
- Excellent uptime and reliability with a focus on stability
- Outstanding customer support available 24/7
- Higher cost compared to some other VPS hosting providers
- The premium pricing may be a barrier for budget-conscious users
I don’t believe IONOS’ rating fairly represents its quality. While the host might not have the best reputation, its fully virtualized VPS with full root access and API is worth every dime.
- Overall Score: 1.5
- Features: 1.5
- Reliability: 1.8
- User-Friendly: 1.5
- Support: 1.4
- Pricing: 1.4
IONOS offers the best VPS servers with various options; you can choose from Linux or Windows, standard or memory optimized VPS, optional Plesk web host, and several data centers around the globe.
- Compatible with a variety of operating systems & administration tools
- Certified infrastructure with maximum security and a 99.99% uptime guarantee
- Easy administration with full root access and Plesk Obsidian management software
- Acronis backups cost an additional fee
- Plesk costs an additional fee
- Registration is available from a limited number of countries
Features: 1-click WordPress install and WP Toolkit, SSL encryption, firewall management, DDoS protection, preconfigured email functionality, unlimited bandwidth, and optional backups.
Reliability: IONOS utilizes last-generation hardware, including Intel Xeon E5 processors and 100% SAN SSD storage for maximum availability and 99.99% uptime.
User-Friendly: You’ll benefit from an intuitive IONOS cloud panel, streamlining your VPS management.
Support: IONOS’ server experts are available 24/7 to solve your issue quickly, minimizing downtime.
Pricing: You can choose from monthly or annual billing terms, pre-paid and post-paid billing, and cancel anytime with a monthly period or after 12 months with a yearly term. IONOS’s VPS plans start at $2 per month for 1 vCore, 512MB RAM, and 10GB SSD.
Why Trust Our Recommendations
At HostAdvice, trust and transparency are at the heart of what we do. We combine deep VPS expertise with real user feedback, ensuring our recommendations stand out for their quality and dependability. Our aim is clear: to confidently guide you to the top VPS hosting solutions that best fit your needs. Further down the page, you can find a complete breakdown of our methods to rank VPS providers.
How Do We Test and Rank?
At HostAdvice, we have performed extensive research to figure out the best VPS providers, their features, and what sets them apart from the rest.
Our experts have tested hundreds of products in the past year. More importantly, we are dedicated to continually improving our review methodology.
For instance, we have recently upgraded our uptime and speed monitoring processes. Each review process is based on real-time performance, meaning our experts purchase the plans, just as a regular customer would.
This way, HostAdvice can compare the web host’s promise with measurable results. We give extra points for transparency – we like companies that stand true to their promises, regardless of what they are.
Read more about our rating system here.
Best VPS Hosting: Final Recommendations
Selecting the right VPS hosting provider is essential for your website’s success. Start by identifying your key requirements—such as performance, security, and budget.
Next, compare providers to find those that offer dedicated resources, customizable plans, and excellent customer support. Prioritize those with positive user reviews and robust security features to ensure optimal scalability and protection for your site.
By taking these steps, you can ensure you select a VPS hosting solution that supports your website’s growth and success effectively.
