Managed vs Unmanaged VPS Hosting: A Comprehensive Comparison 2024

VPS August 24th 2023

Virtual Private Servers (VPS) have emerged as a powerful solution that delivers the diverse needs of businesses and individuals alike. As the global virtual private server market is to grow at $7,178.93 million at a CAGR of 10.32% (source: globalnewswire.com) Websites and applications demand more reliability, resources and control, so selecting between managed and unmanaged VPS hosting becomes crucial. 
 
Both Managed and Unmanaged Hosting are popular types of VPS hosting that cater robust features and benefits for businesses across the globe. Managed VPS hosting offers convenience, with the hosting provider handling server management, updates and security. In contrast, unmanaged VPS hosting provides complete control and customization but needs users to manage all the aspects. Are you also confused between managed vs unmanaged VPS hosting? Let’s dive deeper into our detailed comparison of these VPS hosting types and determine which is best for you.

Managed vs Unmanaged VPS Hosting Comparison Table

Aspect	Managed VPS Hosting	Unmanaged VPS Hosting
Price	$10to $100/mo (price may vary depending on Hosting provider)	$2 to $80/mo (price may vary depending on Hosting provider)
Security	The hosting provider ensures regular security patches, malware scans, and firewall configurations.	The user is primarily responsible for all security measures, patches, and configurations.
Control	Users have more streamlined control, with certain limitations for stability and security.	Users have full control and responsibility over the server, allowing deep customization.
Scalability	Often includes easier scalability options with the ability to upgrade resources without much hassle.	Scalability is possible, but users typically handle the process and adjustments themselves.
Configuration	Hosting provider takes care of the basic configurations, and some might offer custom configurations upon request	Entirely up to the user. Users have to set up, configure, and maintain all server components.
Setup	Quick and hassle-free. The hosting company manages the initial setup and gets the server running for you.	Requires technical knowledge for initial setup, software installations, and optimizations.
Complexity	Suited for those who prefer a hands-off approach or have limited technical knowledge. Easier for beginners.	Suited for tech-savvy users who are comfortable with server management tasks.

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Must Read: How to Set Up a Virtual Private Server (VPS)?

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Understanding Managed VPS Hosting

Managed VPS hosting is a type of VPS web hosting service that combines the benefits of a virtual private server with the convenience of management services provided by the hosting provider. In managed VPS hosting, from set up to optimization of server software updates and security patches, the hosts look after all the functionalities so that you can focus on other business aspects.

Key Features  

• Security  
• Server Setup  
• Updates  
• Scalability  
• Support  

Advantages of Managed VPS Hosting

• Peace of mind: The hosting provider resolves and handles challenging technical tasks like software installations, server setup, and configurations. This primarily benefits individuals and businesses who don’t have more technical knowledge.
• Timesaving: Managed VPS hosting helps save time and energy as you can engage in core business activities rather than getting involved in server-related tasks. You can concentrate on growing your website and expanding your online presence without worrying about troubleshooting server issues or performing regular maintenance.
• Expert support: One of the outstanding features of managed VPS hosting is the availability of expert support. You can contact the hosting provider’s support team if you face any obstacles or technical problems or have questions about server-related matters.
• Enhanced security: Having security for your website is the most important thing for your business. Managed VPS hosting offers enhanced security measures, including regular security patches, software updates, and configurations to protect your server from potential vulnerabilities.

Considerations and Potential Drawbacks

• Cost: In managed vs Unmanaged VPS hosting, managed hosting is generally more expensive due to the added services. While the higher price can be justified by the time and effort saved in server management, it’s vital to weigh this against your budget and consider your project’s needs.
• Limited control:  Server reliability and security are frequently prioritized by managed hosting companies, which may result in restrictions on some customization possibilities. While this is done to maintain a secure environment for all users, it could restrict your ability to implement particular configurations.
• Dependence on the provider: By choosing managed hosting, you give a hosting company control over the management of your server. Your experience, server performance, and support quality depend on how capable and dependable your selected service is.

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Must Read: 6 Signs of a Good VPS Hosting Provider

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Exploring Unmanaged VPS Hosting

Unmanaged VPS hosting is a web hosting service where the user is responsible for maintaining and managing their VPS server entirely on their own. In this type of VPS hosting, users have complete control over the server’s customizations, software installations, and configuration. 

Key features

• Full control  
• Customization  
• Scalability  
• Root access  
• Privacy and Security  

Benefits of Unmanaged VPS Hosting

• Full customization: Unmanaged VPS hosting allows users unparalleled control over their virtual private server’s configurations. This means that users can fine-tune every aspect of the server environment to meet their specific needs.
• Cost savings: Compared to managed hosting, where the hosting provider handles various aspects of server management, unmanaged hosting typically comes at a lower upfront cost. This is because the hosting provider doesn’t need to invest resources in technical support. 
• Learning Opportunities: Unmanaged VPS allows users to expand their technical skill set and knowledge. Hands-on server management involves implementing security measures, configuring server software, troubleshooting issues, and optimizing performance.

Challenges and Possible Downsides

• Technical expertise required: Opting for unmanaged VPS hosting demands a strong familiarity with server administration and management. Users must comprehensively understand various server-related concepts, including operating system installation, software configuration, networking protocols, and security practices. Without adequate technical expertise, there’s a risk of incorrect designs or server mismanagement, leading to performance issues or security vulnerabilities.
• Time-consuming: Users are responsible for initial server setup, configuring and selecting the operating system, and establishing security protocols and software installations. Ongoing maintenance tasks like security patches, software updates, and troubleshooting can consume significant time.
• Security concerns: Security is a vital factor of server management, and unmanaged VPS hosting places the responsibility for security squarely on the user. Users must proactively implement security measures like intrusion detection systems, firewalls, regular security updates and monitoring to safeguard the server from potential threats.

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Must Read: When Should You Consider Upgrading to VPS Hosting?

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Making the Choice: Managed vs Unmanaged VPS Hosting

When deciding between managed and unmanaged hosting, here are a few factors to consider; 

• Technical Proficiency: It’s recommended to analyze expertise in server management. Managed hosting provides technical support for those with less experience, while unmanaged hosting requires a solid understanding of server administration.
• Time Availability: Consider how much time you can dedicate to server-related tasks. Managed hosting offloads many responsibilities like troubleshooting, maintenance, and setup, while Unmanaged hosting demands more time for these responsibilities.    
• Budget: Regarding the budget of Managed vs Unmanaged VPS hosting, Managed hosting typically costs more due to included support. In contrast, unmanaged hosting might be more affordable but demands your time and expertise.

Scenarios for Managed Hosting

• Business Websites: When your focus is on core business activities, managed hosting enables you to delegate server management to professionals, ensuring your website stays online and functional.
• Non-Technical Users: Businesses or individuals who lack technical skills may benefit from managed hosting, as it offers technical assistance and support.
• High-Security Needs: Healthcare or finance industries can benefit from managed hosting to implement stringent security protocols.

Scenarios for Unmanaged Hosting

• Developers: Unmanaged hosting can benefit developers for complete control and customization over the server environment, which is ideal for testing, development, and deploying applications.
• Cost-Conscious Users: Individuals willing to invest time in managing their servers can take advantage of unmanaged hosting’s cost savings, especially if they possess the necessary technical knowledge.
• Learning Experience: Those interested in learning in-depth server administration techniques might consider unmanaged hosting. Its Hands-on server management offers practical knowledge of several server technologies.  

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Must Read: Cloud vs VPS vs Dedicated Server Comparison

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Managed vs Unmanaged VPS Hosting: Final Verdict

Several factors including time availability, budget, and technical expertise, influence the decision between managed and unmanaged hosting. Businesses that prioritize core operations, sectors, and non-technical users with security requirements can benefit from managed VPS Hosting. At the same time, Unmanaged hosting is the apt option for developers, price-conscious clients and individuals interested in enhancing their learning experience about server maintenance. Therefore, selecting between both depends on your dedicated hosting requirements.   

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