Shared hosting or VPS: what's the difference?
Torn between shared hosting and a VPS? In short: shared hosting means you share one server with other websites (affordable and low-maintenance), while a VPS gives you your own isolated slice of a server with guaranteed power (more performance and freedom, but a bit more technical work).
For most beginners and small business owners, shared hosting is the logical starting point. A VPS becomes interesting once your website grows significantly. Below we explain when to choose which. Looking for a broader overview of all packages? Start with the web hosting guide.
What is shared hosting?
With shared hosting, your website sits together with others on the same server. The cost of that server is shared, which makes it very affordable. You don't have to worry about a thing: we handle the maintenance, the security and the backups.
Ideal for: blogs, portfolios, business websites and most WordPress sites. Our regular hosting packages start from just €1.33 per month.
What is a VPS?
A VPS (Virtual Private Server) is your own isolated part of a server. You get guaranteed processing power (CPU) and memory (RAM) that are yours alone — you share them with no one. That means stable performance, even with lots of visitors.
Ideal for: busy online stores, heavy custom applications or developers who want full control. A VPS at bHosted starts from €10.00 per month. You do need a bit more technical knowledge to manage it.
Shared hosting vs. VPS at a glance
| Shared hosting | VPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From €1.33/month | From €10.00/month |
| Management | We take care of everything | You manage most of it yourself |
| Performance | Shared with other sites | Guaranteed CPU and RAM |
| Technical knowledge | Barely needed | Some experience preferred |
| Best for | Blogs, business sites, small stores | Busy stores, custom work, apps |
How do you choose?
Ask yourself three questions:
- How many visitors do you expect? Under a few thousand a day, shared hosting is perfectly fine.
- Do you need custom setups or special software? If so, a VPS gives you the freedom.
- Do you want to deal with the technical side? If not, shared hosting is the worry-free choice.
Most entrepreneurs smartly start with shared hosting and only move to a VPS when their website really calls for it. The best part: you can always upgrade. You're never locked in.
Frequently asked questions
Is a VPS faster than shared hosting? Under equal load, yes, because your power is guaranteed. But on our fast NVMe servers, shared hosting also performs excellently for most websites.
Can I move from shared hosting to a VPS later? Absolutely. You start small and scale up whenever you want.
Which should I choose for a WordPress website? For most WordPress sites, shared WordPress hosting is perfect. Read more in Choosing WordPress hosting.
Still not sure?
No problem — that's exactly what we're here for. At bHosted you get a real person on the phone who thinks along with you. Get in touch and we'll help you make the right choice.
