Did you know?
— VPS (virtual private server) market is projected to grow by over 17% by 2025.
And the dedicated hosting market has experienced a growth of about 35% during the 2015-2020 period.
Makes it difficult to choose one of them right? But since you googled “difference between vps and dedicated server hosting”, you are expecting clear and simple ideas about both. That’s what we are about to give you. Themeim will compare major aspects of them so that you can make an informed decision.
Stay with us. The journey is going to be fun (and enlightening) about the difference between vps vs dedicated server.

Difference Between VPS and Dedicated Server Hosting
The VPS vs Dedicated Server comparison:
— Let us now start the comparison match or difference between VPS and dedicated servers.
What are they?
VPS | DEDICATED |
It’s a virtual private server. | A dedicated server is a physical server for one single user. |
It uses virtualization technology to turn a physical server into multiple virtual server computers. | With a dedicated server, you will have total control over almost every aspect of the server. |
Each of these virtual servers contains the files of one single website. That’s why it’s private. |
How does VPS vs Dedicated server allocate resources?
VPS | DEDICATED |
VPS gives you full admin access to your virtual server. | A dedicated server gives you access to massive bandwidth, CPU, RAM and other resources. |
You will be able to run any OS of your choice on each of the VPSs. | But unlike VPS, only one application is hosted on the entire server. Thus the name “dedicated”. So you don’t need to worry about any other application jeopardizing your performance. |
Since it’s a private virtual server, you will not need to share CPU, storage, RAM etc with other VPSs. | |
Dedicated space and scalable RAM are just some of the perks. | |
However, your virtual private server will be housed in the same physical server along with others. | |
Meaning multiple websites will be accessing resources of the same server. So if anyone site uses all the available resources of its virtual server, then it may affect the performance of other websites. |
Security
VPS | DEDICATED |
If one VPS is infected with a virus, then it may propagate among other VPSs. | One dedicated server is under the control of one user. |
Thus, each VPS user has to have adequate security measures in place. | When you are the master of your dedicated server, you don’t need to worry about the security status of other users. |
Any carelessness about the security of any user may put the entire server at risk. |
Efficient use of resources
VPS | DEDICATED |
Any application you host on a VPS gets as much resource as it needs. During high volume traffic, it can access more processing power and vice versa. | Dedicated servers put all its resources at your disposal. So in case your application is experiencing moderate traffic, huge server resources are sitting idle. |
Cost
VPS | DEDICATED |
VPS pricing plans usually range from $20-$100/month. | Dedicated server pricing plans usually range from $100-$300/month. |
Speed
VPS | DEDICATED |
In a VPS, the data has to pass from the physical server to the virtual machine through the virtual layer. That’s why there is a latency due to which data transfer is relatively slower. | Because of the absence of the virtual layer, there is nothing holding back the data transfer speed. When your website is handling large traffic and the users expect rapid service, even the tiniest bump in speed may affect the user experience. |
Configuration
VPS | DEDICATED |
While VPS does give you a certain degree of freedom of configuration, there is a limit to what you can do. | Provided you have the know-how, you will have the freedom to configure a dedicated server in any way you want (almost). This is very important when you have a website or app with a very specific configuration requirement. |
For instance, you can’t install any software package that may jeopardize the security of any other site hosted on a neighboring VPS. | |
Similarly, you can’t install large software packages as the storage space is shared among all the VPSs hosted on the physical server. |
Maintenance
VPS | DEDICATED |
Usually, there are several virtual machines hosted on a physical server PC. Each of these virtual servers has websites or applications hosted on them. | You can configure your dedicated server in any way you want as you are the only client. (almost). |
Meaning the physical server will have to handle multiple streams of data. | For instance, you can install any software package without worrying about its size as you will have plenty of hard drive space at your disposal. |
If there is an issue with any of the virtual machines or the physical server itself, then the technician has to be extremely careful when tending to it. | Furthermore, you wouldn’t need to worry about your server slowing down since you will have 16-64 GB of RAM and multiple processors with hyperthreading support. |
Any wrong step may disrupt the data flow of other virtual servers. | This criteria of a dedicated server is highly beneficial when you have a website or app with a very specific or very high configuration requirement. |
So, which is better for your business?
— At this point, you know about the difference between VPS and dedicated servers.
You are probably wondering which one you are going to get for your business.
Here is a set of questions to help you decide:
1. Are you a small or medium business or an enterprise?
If yours is the first one, then a VPS is enough for you. If not, then you may need a dedicated server. However, do know that there are many VPS plans that can easily rival dedicated servers.
2. Is your average monthly site traffic 500,000 or more?
This number of 500,000 is like a mile marker. If your site traffic is closer to or more than this, it would be wise to go for a dedicated server.
3. Is your business prone to the high frequency of cyberattacks?
If that is the case, security will be a big concern for you. In that case, a dedicated server will likely be a better option.
4. Do you have a unique regulatory requirement that mandates that you have a dedicated server?
If that is the case, then you will need to get a dedicated server for your website.
5. Is pricing as important to you as security, configuration needs and other relevant aspects?
If you are running your business on a budget, then pricing will be very important to you along with other issues. VPS will be suitable for those in these situations.
Wrapping up
Before you choose any, do make sure that you have considered security and configuration, and resource requirements before pricing.
When you are done, then have a look at the pricing of the VPS vs Dedicated Server hosting providers.
— That way, you will be able to make a smart choice.
We wish you all the very best! difference between vps and dedicated server