VPS / VDS Virtual Dedicated Server Comparison
I have been happily running my websites on a dedicated server for years, but have recently decided to move to a VPS ( Virtual Private Server ) for the cost saving benefits as well as administration simplicity and am extremely happy with the decision.
My cost per server with the same or better specs have been reduced by over 400% and I have 24/7 backup and remote reboot capabilities.
There are so many companies to choose from and luckily I was already hosting with a great company that I was extremely happy with, so the decision for me was easy after searching around for hours trying to find a good fit.
However, I know from my painstaking google searches that it's tough to find a good service with great features and a reasonable price, so I'm compiling a list of VPS companies with their features and pricing structure that either myself or friends have used or are currently using that meet these qualifications.
What is a VPS Server you ask?
A VPS server is your own operating system environment which provides you with root access to your own dedicated system on a host server which uses virtualization features of the CPU hardware to offer multiple, separate and dedicated environments.
Each virtual server is alloted a certain amount of system resources including CPU cycles, RAM, Disk Space and Bandwidth on the host server hardware.
There are usually guaranteed resource limits for each host system although it's important to be on a system that hasn't provisioned too many virtual servers to provide the advertised limits to all VPS servers at once.
VPS servers essentially provide all of the features of a fully dedicated server at a fraction of the cost and since the hardware is managed by the hosting company, administration is simple and easy as well as extremely reliable.
Most hosting companies also provide simple to use tools for backups, system reboots, OS restores and selecting a new operating system whenever you feel like it.
As hardware becomes bigger, better and cheaper, choosing a VPS is becoming a more and more attractive option for even larger companies that have previously required dedicated hardware or colocation.
Quick Comparison Showing Lowest Cost VPS Packages
Keep reading below for a detailed overview of several VPS hosting providers, plans, features and pricing.
The following is just a quick table displaying the lowest cost option of each company outlined in this article and is only a small representation of each companies complete line of offerings. More detailed information about each VPS company can be found later in this article.
| VPS Hosting Company | Disk Space | RAID? | CPU | RAM | Bandwidth | Price |
| Burst.net | 20 GB |  | 1000 MHz / 1.0 G
| 512 MB | 1000 GB | $5.95 |
| VPSNOC | 20 GB | | 1500 MHz / 1.5 G
| 512 MB | 400 GB | $12.95 |
| BlackBoxVPS | 5 GB | | Up To 2.66 G
| 128 MB | 200 GB | $10.95 |
Net Hosting | 5 GB | | Variable
| 128 MB | 50 GB | $14.95 |
A2 Hosting
| 10 GB
| | Variable
| 256 MB
| 100 GB
| $10.32
|
| KnownHost | 10 GB | | Variable | 192 MB | 200 GB | $25.00 |
VPS Hosting Company Overview and Comparisons
Zerigo was recently bought out by 8x8. This isn't because they were an easy target or super cheap, but because they are rock solid, easy to use and their service just speaks for itself.
I'm in the process of moving ALL of my servers ( except for some backups ) over to Zerigo. Sure, they are not the cheapest option, but their administation panel, instant activation, awesome network and amazing uptime is too much to pass up.
I really can't say enough about them. Just try them for yourself and you'll see why they are worth the money ( and they are not expensive ).
Check them out
HERE.
Burst.net
Burst.net is probably my favorite VPS (and dedicated) server hosting company not only because of their rediculously low cost and incredible packages, but their support is awesome and I've just never had a single problem with them.
I would and do recommend Burst.net to my friends and family. They are definitely my first choice when thinking about a new VPS server or adding a dedicated server to my hosting services.
Not only do I have multiple VPS servers with them, but I also have a dedicated server that I pay only $35 a month for. A deal I got by signing up for one of their
closeout specials!
Many of my friends and co-workers also run their websites and applications on a Burst.net VPS server.
What They Offer:
- Great features at incredible prices (seriously!)
- Linux and Windows VPS solutions
- Top Notch U.S. Based support staff
- vePortal administration panel
- 24/7 Web Panel Based Remote Reboots
- Optional WebHostManager , cPanel and Plesk admin panels
- Many free OS options to choose from
- Free full system backup and restore from vePortal control panel
- 24/7 x 365 Phone, email and chat support
- World Class Datacenter
- DDoS protection
- Easy VPS upgrades
- No Contracts
- Discounted annual package prices
- Guaranteed RAM, CPU, Disk Space and Bandwidth limits
Featured Linux packages:
Featured Windows packages:
View more details and plan information as well as other products at Burst.net
VPSNOC - VPS Network Operation Center
VPSNOC Offers several VPS options including unmanaged and fully managed solutions. They have a first class datacenter and network connectivity as well as an experienced support staff.
VPSNOC Also provides absolutely free website migration to your new VPS if you're interested.
What They Offer:
- Fully Managed or Unmanaged VPS
- Money Back Guarantee
- Friendly, Personal U.S Support, 24x
- 24x7, 365, US Support
- No Overselling!
- RAID Protected Storage
- Top Network, High Performance Servers
- The VPSNOC Control Panel
- Integrated VPS Control, Support and Billing
- Over 20 FREE OS Templates
- Exceptional Value For Money
- FREE Migration
- 99.9% Uptime. Guaranteed.
- 7 Day Money-Back Guarantee
- PayPal , Credit Cards & Debit Cards Accepted.
Featured packages:
| Package Name | Disk Space | RAID? | CPU | RAM | Bandwidth | Price |
| Bronze | 20 GB | | 1500 MHz / 1.5 G
| 512 MB | 400 GB | $12.95 |
| Silver | 30 GB | | 2800 MHz / 2.8 G
| 768 MB | 600 GB | $15.95 |
| Gold | 40 GB | | 4000 MHz / 4.0 G
| 1024 MB | 800 GB | $20.95 |
| Platinum | 50 GB | | 5600 MHz / 5.6 G
| 1768 MB | 1000 GB | $28.95 |
| Diamond | 80 GB | | 7200 MHz / 7.2 G
| 3027 MB | 2000 GB | $48.95 |
View more plans, details and special offers at VPSNOC today.
BlackBoxVPS provides rock solid Linux and Windows VPS servers.
They utilize Xen Virtualization and have an impressive datacenter and backbone internet connections through some of the top tier providers such as Level 3, Worldcom, AT&T and More.
Prices are a bit more expensive than other places, but you get a powerful system and a reliable connection to the internet for your mission critical applications.
BlackBox provides 24/7 technical support and a 99.9% uptime guarantee.
What They Offer:
- Best US Data Center
- HyperVM Panel
- Root SSH access
- Dedicated Disk Space and Monthly Bandwidth
- Dedicated RAM
- Unique IP Addresses
- Host unlimited domains
- Instant VPS reboot capability
- Backup Restore Utility
- Custom software installs
- cPanel - WHM / DirectAdmin
- 24x7 Technical Support
- 99.9% Uptime Guarantee
Featured Linux packages:
| Package Name | Disk Space | RAID? | CPU | RAM | Bandwidth | Price |
XEN-128
| 5 GB | | Up to 2.66 G
| 128 MB | 200 GB | $10.00 |
| XEN-256 | 10 GB | | Up to 2.66 G | 256 MB
| 400 GB | $17.00 |
XEN-512
| 20 GB | | Up to 2.66 G | 512 MB
| 600 GB | $30.00 |
XEN-1024
| 40 GB | | Up to 2.66 G | 1.0 GB
| 1000 GB | $55.00 |
XEN-2048
| 80 GB | | Up to 2.66 G | 2.0 GB
| 1500 GB | $99.00 |
XEN-4096
| 160 GB | | Up to 2.66 G | 4.0 GB
| 2000 GB | $189.00 |
Featured Windows Server 2008 packages:
| Package Name | Disk Space | RAID? | CPU | RAM | Bandwidth | Price |
HV-256
| 10 GB | | Up to 2.66 G
| 256 MB | UNMETERED | $30.00 |
| HV-384 | 15 GB | | Up to 2.66 G | 384 MB
| UNMETERED | $35.00 |
HV-512
| 20 GB | | Up to 2.66 G | 512 MB
| UNMETERED | $45.00 |
HV-728
| 30 GB | | Up to 2.66 G | 728 MB
| UNMETERED | $60.00 |
HV-1024
| 60 GB | | Up to 2.66 G | 1.0 GB
| UNMETERED | $80.00 |
HV-2048
| 120 GB | | Up to 2.66 G | 2.0 GB
| UNMETERED | $140.00 |
View more details and plan information as well as other products at BlackBoxVPS!
Net Hosting
Net Hosting provides several competitive VPS packages and host their systems in a world class datacenter with tier 1 connectivity.
They provide 24/7 phone, chat or email support and employ professional engineers to help you with any problems along the way.
The Net Hosting network is built using 100% Cisco equipment to ensure a rock solid connection and 100% uptime guarantee.
What They Offer:
- Hardware Replacement Guarantee
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
- 100% Uptime Guarantee
- Support available via chat, phone & email 24x7x365
- Full Root Access
- Reimage/reinstall any time
- 24/7 Remote Reboot
- Network Statistics and graphs
- Fast and reliable.
- RAID 10
- Static IP(s)
- Full-featured DNS management tool
procps-3.2.7-11.1.el5.i386
Featured Linux packages:
| Package Name | Disk Space | RAID? | CPU | RAM | Bandwidth | Price |
| VPS-128 | 5 GB | | Variable
| 128 MB | 50 GB | $14.95 |
| VPS-256 | 10 GB | | Variable | 256 MB | 100 GB | $24.95 |
| VPS-512 | 20 GB | | Variable | 512 MB | 150 GB | $44.95 |
| VPS-1024 | 40 GB | | Variable | 1024 MB | 250 GB | $79.95 |
| VPS-2048 | 80 GB | | Variable | 2048 MB | 350 GB | $149.95 |
View more plans and details from NetHosting :
A2 Hosting, Inc.
Award winning VPS Hosting from a leader in the hosting industry.
A2 Hosting offers a 30 day money back gurantee, powerful backbone connections, premier datacenter locations and more at competitive rates.
With several packages to choose from, you can find the right system to meet your needs and host your sites worry free with their 99.9% uptime guarantee.
A2 offers both XEN and
OpenVZ platforms with many web panel options and excellent features.
What They Offer:
- 5 Star - 3rd Party Testimonials
- Award Winning Hosting
- Free Site Transfer
- 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee
- 99.9% Uptime Guarantee (View Uptime Statistics)
- HyperVM Control Panel
- Kloxo Web Hosting Control Panel**
- InstallApp - Auto-install Blogs, Wikis & more!**
- Full Root Access
- Reload / Re-Image OS any time
- Google AdWords Credit
- Yahoo PPC Credit
- Constant Contact Email
- SubmitNet SEO Software
- Pixmac Stock Images
Featured Linux packages:
| Package Name | Disk Space | RAID? | CPU | RAM | Bandwidth | Price |
| Core | 10 GB | | Variable
| 256 MB | 100 GB | $10.32 |
| Enhanced | 20 GB | | Variable | 512 MB | 200 GB | $17.22 |
| Power | 35 GB | | Variable | 1024 MB | 350 GB | $31.02 |
| Pinnacle | 50 GB | | Variable | 2048 MB | 500 GB | $55.17 |
View more plans and details from A2 Hosting!
KnownHost VPS Hosting
World class fully managed VPS hosting from $25 a month.
KnownHost 's Managed VPS Hosting packages are a cost effective substitute for shared/reseller hosting as well as Dedicated Servers with one major difference; VPS Hosting (Virtual Private Servers) give you the flexibility and power of a dedicated server, without its high price. VPS’s are excellent for high resource web applications that demand more than a shared environment can empower.
KnownHost provides free migration, scalable on demand upgrades without downtime and a 30 day money back guarantee to boot.
What They Offer:
- Free and fast setup. Our average setup time is between 2-4 hours!
- Free Migration Service. As long as control panels match, we take care of it.
- Unlimited Domains. Add as many clients and domains as you like.
- 2 dedicated IP addresses. Create custom white-label nameservers for free.
- Equal Share CPU. Benefit from the use of Powerful CPU's
- CentOS Operating System. All VPS's come preinstalled with CentOS by default
- Seamless upgrades from VPS to VPS. Upgrading has never been easier.
- Fully Optimized & Secured. Out of the box we will secure and optimize your VPS.
- Full Managed support. We support all VPS packages with a control panel.
- Free Backups We backup each VPS/Hybrid every other night at no cost.
- Private nameservers. Choose and create your own white-label nameservers
- 99.9% network uptime guarantee. We will guarantee that your website stays online.
- Root access / SSH. You have full administrator rights to your VPS.
- Free Virtuozzo PowerPanel . Easy to use GUI for full control of VPS
- Free 3rd party installations. If you need a forum etc. installed we will take care of it
Featured Linux packages:
| Package Name | Disk Space | RAID? | CPU | RAM | Bandwidth | Price |
| VS1 | 10 GB | | Variable
| 192 MB | 200 GB | $25.00 |
| VS2 | 30 GB | | Variable | 512 MB | 750 GB | $35.00 |
| VS3 | 40 GB | | Variable | 768 MB | 1000 GB | $45.00 |
| VS4 | 55 GB | | Variable | 1024 MB | 1250 GB | $65.00 |
| VS5 | 70 GB | | Variable | 1280 MB | 1500 GB | $85.00 |
View more plans and details from KnownHost!
More reviews coming soon!
I hope that this was at least somewhat helpful to those searching for a VPS.
I'll be reviewing other VPS companies soon and will add them to the list here.
Thanks!
--
JeffreyWeitz - 2010-03-06
About
Notifications
RSS Feed
Statistics
Create New Topic