At first glance, the difference between VPS and VPN is merely a single letter. Therefore, mixing them up is very common for most people; most people think they’re similar. The truth is, apart from having “virtual” in the names, they have little to do with one another.
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows users to remain private and anonymous online, while a VPS (Virtual Private Server) is a web hosting service.
Still confused? Don’t worry.
A VPN is a service, while a VPS is a computer. The two can be confusing if you’re a beginner to virtual technology. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered; this article will help you understand the differences or similarities between the two and how you use them for your benefit.
What’s a VPS?
A Virtual Private Server (VPS) is a physical server divided into smaller virtual servers that you can use. Think of it like a shared house with several rooms whereby each tenant occupies a room. In this case, the house is the physical server, while each room is the virtual server.
That means the virtual servers are for rent, and if you want to host apps, blogs, or any other service, you can rent a virtual server.
Now, the virtual private server will be “private” to you, so you won’t share the server resources such as RAM and bandwidth with other users.
Why Rent a Private Virtual Server?
If you’re looking to host a few business apps or one website, renting a web hosting service is cheaper than getting a server to manage yourself. Besides, hosting a high-profile website on a personal device consumes much of the device’s CPU.
Therefore, when you rent a server, you enjoy an unchanged performance of your device while your readers or clients get a speedy experience.
You can rent a server on shared, dedicated, or VPS servers. Several clients use shared servers at once, making them cheaper but slower.
Dedicated servers are assigned only to a single client, hence their speed but price. VPS servers have several clients, each with a personal virtual server.
Still confusing? Well, here’s how a VPS works.
How a VPS Works
A VPS works by using virtualization, which involves taking a single physical server and splitting it into several virtual private servers that people can use. Ideally, the virtual servers share a piece of the physical server but then function independently.
That means each virtual server gets a portion of the physical server’s CPU, hard disk, and several other resources, depending on the particular VPS plan. Since they’re separated, users won’t be sharing RAM or storage space. Moreover, they can install their personal operating systems or software.
Where to Use a VPS
A VPS is merely a web hosting service. Using a VPS, you can host your blogs, websites, apps, and other digital content. Also, there are several other situations in which you can use a virtual server.
Some of the most scenarios that you might require a VPS include:
- While running some powerful app that needs a lot of CPU power.
- When you host a website with high traffic, you require extra resources for better performance.
- A VPS also comes in handy when running apps or software remotely.
- If you are hosting a site with an eCommerce platform and need it to run smoothly, a VPS will significantly help.
- When a business grows and needs scalability, a VPS is an option.
The scenarios can be unlimited, but what are VPS’s benefits?
Don’t worry, if you want to know the benefits of a VPS, then here are some of them:
- It simply makes hosting easier to scale and more customizable.
- With a VPS, you’ll have a personal virtual server, which means that you won’t share resources with other website owners, unlike with a shared physical server.
- Very customizable.
- Cheaper than most dedicated servers.
- It’s much more complicated when compared with managing some dedicated servers.
What are the Drawbacks of a VPS?
They say almost everything has a drawback. So, what drawbacks does a VPS have?
For instance, the price is one major drawback. If you want to upgrade to a VPS, you should be ready to pay more. This is a significant setback for small businesses that try to save on cash.
Also, it’s not the easiest option for inexperienced users—most will find it difficult to configure and maintain a VPS.
Now, there’s no denying that a VPS service is one of the most beneficial tools to boost your business. However, have you thought about securing your daily activities online?
Perhaps there’s only one answer to that: a VPN.
What’s a VPN?
To start, a VPN has nothing to do with web hosting. A VPN is typically a word for cybersecurity technology. It helps hide a user’s IP address and encrypts online traffic so nobody can trace your online activities.
Once you connect to a VPN, it creates a secure encrypted tunnel between the device you’re using and the VPN server. Technically, you can say that you’re browsing via a VPN server.
How a VPN Works
The process starts with downloading the VPN app and then enabling the VPN connection. Once that’s done, your internet traffic is instantly redirected via a remote VPN server, which secures all the data that travels between the VPN server and your device.
Ideally, a VPN encrypts your data on the Internet. Therefore, it should be your go-to option for online security and privacy.
You must ensure you connect to a secure VPN when you’re on public Wi-Fi. Hackers are everywhere on Wi-Fi looking for targets, and without a VPN, they might access your sensitive information.
A VPN assigns you a different IP address, which means you can browse the internet privately without third parties having access to what you do online. In fact, with a VPN, your ISP will not be able to see your activities, even the websites you visit.
If you want to access your favorite local channels abroad, you only need a reliable VPN. Select a VPN server located in your country and start enjoying the content.
Sometimes, several ads can be annoying, but you can have a seamless browsing session with a VPN. Additionally, a VPN can help you get excellent deals online, given that most products differ in price depending on the country. You can change your IP to a country where the products are cheaper. It looks fantastic, right?
Cons of a VPN
When it comes to online security and privacy, nothing beats a VPN. Unfortunately, VPNs have their drawbacks. Most reliable VPNs charge a fee, monthly or yearly. VPN use is regulated in some regions, while others are banned. Therefore, you need to be very careful to avoid legal repercussions.
Some VPNs, especially free VPNs, offer weaker encryption, some lack privacy, and some could sell their personal data to third parties. Therefore, you should always go for paid VPNs like NordVPN.
Key Differences in Features: VPN vs VPS
Both tools are essential when it comes to online space, although they’re very different. A VPS is simply a hosting service that allows you to host a website on a digital server. Unlike most traditional servers, a VPS doesn’t provide security.
On the other hand, a VPN encrypts all your online activity and hides your IP address, allowing you to browse the internet privately and secure your data.
You can still use a VPS to host your sites and a VPN to protect yourself when administering your VPS. A VPS and a VPN are not competing options; you might use either both or none, depending on your needs.
Conclusion
The acronyms can sound similar, but VPS and VPN are two different tools. A VPN allows you to browse the internet securely and safely, while a VPS helps you to host a website on virtual resources. The good news is that they both offer exceptional value for money. The best way is to combine both technologies to achieve the maximum outcome.