Renting a VPS is the step between web hosting and a server of your own. You get a virtual server with its own operating system and full root access, but you share the physical hardware with other customers. That is why providers differ more than a price list shows. This checklist tells you what to look for before you rent a VPS. At the end you can see how our own VPS plans score on every point.
What is a VPS and when do you need one?
A VPS (virtual private server) is a virtual machine on a physical server. A hypervisor splits that server's processor, memory and storage between several VPSes. Each VPS runs its own operating system and is isolated from the others. You log in as root (Linux) or Administrator (Windows) and install whatever you want.
A VPS is a good fit when you:
- want to run several services on one server, for example a website, a bot and a database
- need software that regular web hosting cannot run, such as your own Node.js app, Docker or a VPN
- want to install your own control panel, such as Pterodactyl, Plesk or cPanel
- need a development or test server that is always on
Only want one Minecraft server, one WordPress site or one Discord bot? Then game hosting, web hosting and bot hosting are easier and often cheaper, because you do not manage an operating system. Want the hardware all to yourself? Then look at a dedicated server.
Renting a VPS: the checklist
1. Processor: model and number of cores
A vCore is a virtual processor core: a share of the physical processor's computing power. Not every vCore is equally fast. Two vCores on a new, fast processor can get more done than four on an old model. So do not just ask how many cores you get, ask which processor is in the machine.
2. Memory
RAM decides how much you can run at the same time. A bare Linux install with a small website fits in 2GB. A game server, a database or a few apps side by side quickly need 8GB or more. Also check that you can upgrade later without starting over.
3. Storage: NVMe or SATA SSD
An NVMe drive connects directly to the PCIe bus and handles far more reads and writes per second than a SATA SSD. On a low-traffic website you will hardly notice, on a database or game server you will. Watch out: "SSD" in an advert can also mean SATA.
4. Network and DDoS protection
Look at three things: how much traffic per month is included, what happens when you go over it, and whether DDoS protection is included as standard. Without protection, an attack can take your VPS offline.
5. Location and latency
The closer the server is to your users, the lower the ping. If your visitors or players are mostly in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe, pick a server in the Netherlands. A VPS far away is sometimes cheaper, but every request takes longer.
6. IPv4 and IPv6
You need your own IPv4 address to reach your VPS from anywhere. IPv4 addresses are scarce, so some providers charge extra for one or share one address between several customers. Check that a dedicated address is included in the price. If you also want IPv6, ask whether you get one address or a whole range.
7. KVM and full root access
The virtualisation technology decides how well your VPS is isolated. With KVM, every VPS runs its own kernel and you can install Windows too. With container virtualisation, such as OpenVZ or LXC, you share the kernel with your neighbours and can change less. Full root access, or Administrator access on Windows, should be standard.
8. Operating system
Check which systems you can install and whether you can reinstall from the panel yourself, without opening a ticket. Debian and Ubuntu are free and widely used on servers. Windows Server needs a paid licence. Ask whether it is included in the price.
9. Backups and snapshots
A snapshot is a point-in-time copy of your whole VPS that you can restore quickly, useful right before a big update. A backup is stored somewhere else and also helps when the server itself fails. Check what the provider offers and what it costs. And always keep your own copy outside the server.
10. Support: language, hours and channels
Even if you manage everything yourself, you want to reach someone fast during an outage or with a question about your invoice. Look at the support hours, the channels (ticket, Discord, email) and the language. Also read what support does and does not do for you. Help with the hardware and the network is not the same as help with your own configuration.
11. Contract and cancellation
A low price with a one-year contract is no bargain if you are done after two months. Look at the minimum term, the notice period and whether you can pay monthly.
12. Clear pricing
A cheap VPS is only cheap when the price is complete. Compare prices including VAT. Check whether there is a setup fee, what you pay on renewal, and whether IPv4, DDoS protection and traffic are included.
Managed or unmanaged?
With an unmanaged VPS you get the server with a clean operating system. Updates, security, the firewall and software are up to you. That is cheaper, but you need basic knowledge of Linux or Windows Server. With a managed VPS the provider does that maintenance for you, at a higher monthly price.
Do not know what apt update does, and do not want to learn? Then a managed VPS, or a service where the management is already included, suits you better. With us that is web hosting for websites and game hosting for game servers.
How our VPS plans score on the checklist
The VPS plans from EliteStarHosting are made for people who want control: you get full root access and install and manage everything yourself. Here is how they score on the twelve points:
- Processor: Budget VPS runs on Intel Xeon with 2 to 8 vCores, for websites, bots and light workloads. Premium VPS runs on an AMD Ryzen 9 5950X with 2 to 8 vCores, for game servers and high-traffic apps.
- Memory: 2GB to 32GB on Budget, 4GB to 32GB DDR4 on Premium.
- Storage: 10GB to 200GB SATA SSD on Budget, 60GB to 400GB NVMe on Premium.
- Network and DDoS: 1TB of bandwidth per month on plans up to and including 16GB RAM, 2TB on the larger plans. Network-level DDoS protection is included with every plan. We target 99.9% uptime.
- Location: Amsterdam, for low latency in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe.
- IPv4: every VPS gets its own dedicated IPv4 address, included with every plan.
- KVM and root: every VPS is an isolated KVM virtual machine with full root access (Linux) or Administrator access (Windows), over SSH or RDP. You install the control panel you want yourself, such as Plesk, cPanel or Pterodactyl.
- Operating system: Debian, Ubuntu or Windows Server 2022. You reinstall or switch the OS yourself in the VPS panel.
- Backups: make your own backups regularly and keep a copy outside the server. Our terms of service ask the same.
- Support: every day from 09:00 to 24:00 CET, in Dutch and English. For quick and technical questions you open a Discord ticket, for invoices and your account a ticket in the client area. Formal matters can also go by email. What support does and does not do for you is in our support policy.
- Contract: no contract. You pay monthly, or 3, 6 or 12 months in advance. You can cancel at any time and your VPS keeps running until the end of the paid period.
- Pricing: Budget VPS from €3.00 a month and Premium VPS from €6.00 a month, including VAT for consumers and with no setup fee. Pay 3, 6 or 12 months in advance and you get 5%, 10% or 15% off.
You can upgrade at any time. Your data is kept and the change takes effect at the next billing cycle. If a plan is temporarily sold out, the page says so. Notify me sends you a message as soon as it is available again.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a VPS and web hosting?
With web hosting you share a server with other websites and the provider manages the system. You only manage your own site, with us in DirectAdmin. With a VPS you get the whole operating system and manage everything yourself.
Can I run a game server on a VPS?
Yes. With root access you install a game server yourself, for example with Pterodactyl as the panel. Just want one server without the hassle? Then game hosting is quicker, because the panel is already set up. How much memory such a server needs is in How much RAM does your game server need?
How much does a VPS cost?
With us, between €3.00 and €48.00 a month when you pay monthly, depending on memory, processor and storage. All plans, with the price per billing period, are on the VPS page.
Not sure which plan fits what you want to run? Ask via support or on Discord. We are happy to help.
Read also: How much does a VPS cost? Pricing and hidden costs and VPS or dedicated server rental: what do you need?.