Shared Hosting vs VPS: Which One Do You Need?

“Shared hosting” and “VPS hosting” are two of the most common options you’ll see when comparing web hosting plans. Here’s what they actually mean — and how to choose without overpaying.

What shared hosting is

Shared hosting means your website lives on a server with many other websites. It’s usually the lowest-cost option and can work well for smaller sites.

Shared hosting is a good fit when:

You’re launching a personal site, brochure site, or small blog.
Your traffic is light to moderate.
You want the simplest setup (especially with a control panel).

What a VPS is

A VPS (Virtual Private Server) is still one physical server — but your account gets a more isolated slice of resources (CPU/RAM/storage) and more control.

A VPS is a good fit when:

Your site is growing and you need more consistent performance.
You run WordPress with many plugins, or multiple sites.
You need custom server settings or stronger isolation.

What to compare (the checklist)

Resources: CPU/RAM (especially for VPS)
Storage: SSD vs HDD and real limits
Backups: automatic backups and restore options
Security: malware scanning, firewall options, SSL support
Support: how fast do they respond when something breaks?

The simple rule

If you’re small and want low cost: start with shared hosting. If performance consistency and control matter more (or you’re managing multiple sites): a VPS is often worth it.