Shared hosting puts many websites on one server and splits its resources between them. Cloud hosting runs your site on a pool of connected servers, so resources can grow with demand. A VPS (virtual private server) gives you a fixed slice of a server that's reserved for you, with full control over the software. A dedicated server goes one step further and gives you a whole machine.
The right choice depends on four things: how much control you need, how many resources your site uses, who will manage the server, and what you want to spend. This guide compares the three main types on each.
Shared hosting
On shared hosting, your website lives on a server alongside other customers' sites. The host runs the server, installs updates to the operating system, and gives you a control panel to manage your files, databases and email.
Good for:
- a first website, a blog or a small business site
- a handful of sites with modest, steady traffic
- people who don't want to manage a server
Trade-offs:
- Resources are shared, so plans set fair-usage limits on how much any one account can use.
- You can't install server-level software or change the server's configuration.
- A very busy site can outgrow it.
Shared hosting is the most affordable way to run a website, and most sites start here. Plans differ mainly in how many websites and email accounts they include. See our web hosting plans for what each tier covers.
Cloud hosting
Cloud hosting spreads your site across a cluster of servers rather than one machine. Because resources come from a shared pool, a cloud setup can usually give a site more capacity when it needs it, and the failure of a single machine doesn't have to take the site down.
Most cloud hosting aimed at websites is managed: the provider looks after the servers, and you look after your site. That makes it a natural step up from shared hosting when a site gets busier, without having to learn server administration.
Good for:
- business sites and online stores that have outgrown shared hosting
- sites with traffic that rises and falls, such as seasonal stores or sites that run campaigns
- owners who want more room but not a server to manage
Trade-offs:
- It costs more than shared hosting.
- How much control you get depends on the provider. Managed cloud hosting usually doesn't give you root access.
You can read about our cloud plans on the cloud hosting page.
VPS hosting
A VPS is a virtual machine on a physical server. Its CPU, memory and storage are allocated to you and not shared with other customers' sites, and you get your own operating system with root access. You can install whatever software you need and configure the server however you like.
Good for:
- developers and agencies who need custom software, background services or specific configurations
- applications that don't fit a shared hosting environment
- sites that need predictable, reserved resources
Trade-offs:
- You're responsible for the server: updates, security, backups and fixing whatever breaks. Some providers offer a managed option at extra cost.
- Resources are fixed to your plan. To get more, you move to a bigger plan.
- It takes more technical skill than shared or managed cloud hosting.
Our VPS hosting page lists the plans and what comes with them.
Shared vs cloud vs VPS: side by side
| Shared hosting | Cloud hosting | VPS hosting | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resources | Shared with other sites, under fair-usage limits | Drawn from a pool across several servers | Reserved for you, fixed by plan |
| Control | Control panel only | Usually control panel or dashboard, depending on provider | Full root access |
| Who manages the server | The host | Usually the host | You, unless you add a managed service |
| Skill needed | Low | Low to medium | Medium to high |
| Cost | Lowest | Middle | Middle to high, depending on resources and management |
| Typical fit | First sites, small businesses, blogs | Growing business sites and stores | Custom applications, developers, agencies |
VPS vs shared hosting: when to move
Shared hosting covers most small sites well. These are signs it's time to look at a VPS:
- You need software or settings that a shared environment doesn't allow.
- Your site regularly runs into the plan's fair-usage limits, and optimizing the site hasn't fixed it.
- You run background processes or services that need to stay running.
- You want resources that aren't affected by other customers' sites.
If the only problem is that your site is getting busier and you don't want to manage a server, cloud hosting is often the better next step than a VPS.
Cloud hosting vs shared hosting: what changes
Moving from shared to cloud hosting mostly changes the capacity behind your site and how it's spread across machines. Day to day, managing the site often feels similar: you still work in a dashboard, and the provider still runs the servers. That's why cloud hosting suits site owners who need more room without taking on server work.
Dedicated server vs VPS
A dedicated server gives you an entire machine. Nothing else runs on it, so all of its resources are yours, and you have full control over it.
Consider a dedicated server over a VPS when:
- your workload needs more resources than the largest VPS plans offer
- you're hosting many busy sites or a demanding application
- compliance or policy requires that no other customers share your server
Like a VPS, a dedicated server is self-managed unless you add a managed service. It costs more, and moving to it is a bigger step. Our dedicated servers page shows the available configurations.
How to choose
- Start with what the site needs today. A new site, blog or small business site almost always fits shared hosting.
- Decide who manages the server. If nobody on your team wants to, stay with shared or managed cloud hosting.
- Check whether you need custom software. If yes, look at a VPS.
- Plan for growth, but don't overbuy. You can move up a tier later. Moving between hosting types usually means migrating the site, so it helps to pick a provider that offers the next step.
Next step
Not sure which one fits? Open a support ticket with a short description of your site and what it runs, and we'll suggest a starting point. More guides are on the ResellerBytes blog.
FAQ
What is the difference between shared, cloud and VPS hosting?
Shared hosting puts many sites on one server and splits its resources. Cloud hosting runs sites on a pool of connected servers so capacity can grow. A VPS gives you reserved resources on a virtual server with full control, and you usually manage it yourself.
Which is best for a small business website?
For most small business websites, shared hosting is the best place to start. It's the most affordable and the host manages the server. Move to cloud hosting when the site gets busier, or to a VPS if you need custom software.
When do I need a dedicated server instead of a VPS?
When your workload needs more resources than a large VPS can offer, or when you need a whole machine to yourself for performance or compliance reasons. For most growing sites, a VPS or cloud hosting is enough.
