Virtual Hosting

Publication date: 26 Aug 2024

Virtual (shared) hosting is a service offered by hosting providers that allows websites to be placed on a server that is shared by multiple users. Unlike dedicated hosting, where the server is fully dedicated to a single client, shared hosting divides the server resources among several users.

Each shared hosting user has their own virtual server, which functions as a separate server, but actually shares the physical server with other users. This reduces the cost of hosting as the server costs are spread across multiple users.

Virtual hosting is suitable for small to medium sized websites that do not require large amounts of server resources. It offers easy website management through the control panel usually provided by the hosting provider. In addition, shared hosting offers a high level of reliability and security as each virtual server is isolated from other users on the server.

What is the difference between VPS and virtual hosting?

VPS (Virtual Private Server) and shared hosting are similar in that they both use a single physical server for multiple users. However, there are important differences:

• VPS is a more advanced form of hosting that provides the user with dedicated resources on a physical server. Unlike virtual hosting, where resources are shared between all users, VPS gives each user a certain number of resources (CPU, memory, disk space) that are not shared with others. This ensures better performance and flexibility, suitable for larger sites and applications with high resource requirements.
• Virtual hosting is a simpler and more affordable option that uses shared server resources. It is suitable for lower load sites where budget savings are critical.

So, if your project requires more power and control, VPS is a better choice. If resources and budget are limited, shared hosting is a great solution.

What is a VPS? Read more in the 3S.INFO Knowledge Base!