While both a VPS and a VPN can be used to enhance your time online, they are fundamentally different. One is used as a server space you rent over time, whereas the other ensures your safety and privacy when browsing online.
Can you figure out which is which? In this article, we’ll discuss the differences between a VPS vs VPN, how they relate to each other, and how you can make the most out of using them.
What is a VPS?
Virtual private servers have made their name as one of the best server choices on the market. With resources stored virtually rather than in physical machines, it's easier for users to configure resource levels to suit their needs – especially with easy-to-use, beginner-friendly management interfaces like our Control Panel.
Another upside is that a VPS is a cheaper alternative to a dedicated server, but with all of the features and capabilities, including full root access and super-fast performance – so you wouldn’t be missing out on quality. They’re also considered a more secure option than shared hosting, so that’s a plus too.
Learn more: What is a VPS?
How does a VPS work?
A VPS works by creating multiple environments within the server space to act as ‘mini’ virtual servers, all housed under the same server, which is done through a process known as virtualisation. This means each splice is isolated so that they utilise their own resources to ensure other segments of server space are unaffected by the activity going on in another area of the server.
Within a VPS, each server has its own resources such as SSD space, CPU and the like. But why would you use a VPS to begin with?
What is a VPS used for?
A VPS can be used for multiple purposes such as web hosting, gaming, testing environments and more. Here are just a few of the many uses of a VPS:
- When you need root access to make changes at administrator level.
- When you’re handling sensitive data.
- When you need to use specific apps which are unsupported by shared or dedicated servers.
- Your website(s) need decent resources to handle web traffic.
- You need to run software from anywhere in the world.
What are the benefits of a VPS?
Want to rent a virtual private server? Here are some of the many benefits you can enjoy:
1. Have your own resources
You won’t be sharing your storage, RAM and CPU with someone else! You’ll have your own server that you won’t have to physically share (like you would with a shared server). This means better speeds for your server, even with more demanding workloads (like more traffic visiting your website).
2. They’re reliable
If one server in a shared server falls, so does the rest. With a VPS, this doesn’t happen, because the servers are split out and house their own spaces. This means if one goes down, the others will continue to run.
3. They're scalable
Scaling a VPS is important if your website(s) grow. This is because you’ll need to handle more content and/or website traffic. A VPS is easy to scale as and when needed – just add more virtual resources to your hosting plan via your provider’s control panel.
4. They’re secure
Each VPS is completely isolated from other customers on the same server, so your data stays private and secure. Plus, VPS providers like Fasthosts offer fantastic security measures for your peace of mind, including multi-factor authentication, firewall configuration and 24/7 monitoring.
5. They’re customisable
Since your VPS environment is totally isolated, you get full root access to server settings, allowing you to customise your server however you want. For example, if you have a strong preference for Windows or Linux, you can choose your own server operating system.
6. They’re cost-effective
A VPS offers super-fast speeds, robust security, and excellent scalability and reliability for a fraction of the cost of a dedicated server. This makes hosting websites and gaming servers more accessible for individuals or small businesses.
What are the disadvantages of a VPS?
Virtual private servers aren’t the best choice for everyone. Here are some of the main disadvantages to consider and alternative servers to explore:
1. Security
A VPS is more secure than a basic shared server, but since you’re still technically sharing server space (albeit with more separation between customers), there are some lingering security risks. For example, if another website on the server is spammy or malware-ridden, this could have an impact on the performance and rankings of your site. To avoid this issue entirely, you would need to upgrade from a VPS to a dedicated server.
2. Performance
A VPS offers amazing performance considering its affordable pricing, but for really demanding workloads (e.g., high-traffic websites, high-performance computing, machine learning, or hosting multiple websites), you could easily outgrow your VPS. For these scenarios, we would recommend upgrading to dedicated server hosting or bare metal server hosting.
3. Cost
VPS hosting can be more expensive than basic shared web hosting, so if you only need to host a small blog or portfolio, you could save some money by looking for a cheap web hosting plan instead.
However, at Fasthosts, our smallest VPS only costs £3 per month, so this is a lesser concern compared to security and performance considerations.
What is a VPN and how do they work?
A VPN, or a virtual private network, is a service that enables users to search the web securely and safely. It protects their data by hiding their IP address to give them an anonymous browsing experience. But how does a VPN work?
A VPN creates an ‘encrypted tunnel’ between the web and your device. This blocks anyone from accessing your data, including your online activity. In order to secure your data online, a VPN will first send your traffic – including downloads, uploads and searches – through a VPN server. This traffic will then be transmitted to your Internet Service Provider (ISP). This process protects your device from being identified, and instead it appears that your data is coming from the VPN server – not your device. Using a VPN server will also hide your IP address as well as your traffic, which adds another layer of security.
Why is a VPN important for security?
Without a VPN, your traffic and IP address would immediately be sent over to your ISP, and your data and device would be identifiable to others online. Not only could others then access data about your browsing habits, but they could access personal information too. A VPN also protects your device from bugs and malware, so they truly are a great addition.
Learn more: How does a VPN work?
What’s the difference between a VPS and a VPN?
Despite similar looking acronyms, a VPS and a VPN are completely separate services. Virtual private servers offer users the ability to host applications such as websites and gaming servers, whilst a virtual private network focuses on protecting your data online. However, you can actually use both of these services together, which we’ll discuss in the next section.
Can you use a VPN on a VPS?
Despite a VPS and a VPN being fundamentally different, you can use them in conjunction with one another. A VPN can be used on your virtual private server in order to protect your data whilst online. Although a VPS is already very secure on its own, throwing a VPN into the mix will double your security.
What are the benefits of using a VPN?
1. It secures your network
A VPN encrypts data passed within a specific network, which is especially important if you’re working with public Wi-Fi or you’re unsure of the security of a network you’re connected to. A VPN can actively stop unknown applications from tracking your activity and drastically reduce the risk of sensitive data getting into the wrong hands.
2. Get access to geo-blocked services
You often hear about how TV shows and movies from some streaming providers are only available in certain countries. A VPN allows you to ‘set’ your country to anywhere in the world to access those shows. Whilst this may not be the main reason you need a VPN, it’s a nice plus to consider.
3. It’s a cost-effective security solution
While a VPN can’t scan for viruses, it is an additional security measure that can keep you protected until you’re able to scan your system (and one that can remain on your device to protect it at all times).
What are the disadvantages of using a VPN?
Whilst a VPN is usually an amazing security feature for many users, it may not be right for everyone. And even if a VPN is right for you, it’s still important to consider the downsides too so that you’re making an informed decision.
1. Cost
Depending on the provider you choose, VPN services can cost from just a few pounds to over £10 per month. Although this doesn’t seem like a significant amount, this monthly cost could represent a significant investment over a long period of time, so you have to be sure that you’re getting your money's worth. There are some free VPN services, but they often come with limitations (such as ads or slow speeds) and inferior security.
Another option is to create your own VPN on your server by installing VPN software. However, bear in mind that this isn’t entirely free, as you’ll need to consider hosting costs for your VPN server. Plus, hosting your own VPN can be technically challenging, so this isn’t a beginner-friendly option.
2. Slow speeds
If the speed of your internet connection is really important to you, then using a VPN might introduce some difficulties. The process of encrypting data and routing it through remote servers can introduce latency, so if you need the best speeds possible for streaming or gaming, make sure you consider this.
3. Security concerns
Although a VPN should improve security and privacy overall, this can depend on the provider you choose. Not all providers use strong encryption protocols or security measures, so you could actually be endangering your data – especially with free VPN services. Always choose a reputable provider rather than just going for the cheapest possible option. Remember that your VPN provider will be able to see your online activity even if the websites you visit can’t, which is why choosing a trusted provider is so important.
Is a VPN better than a VPS?
A VPN and a VPS aren't interchangeable. Why? VPNs are used to secure your online activity, whereas a VPS is a type of server you can rent out to host other servers, websites, games and the like.
However, a VPN can complement a VPS by securing its network even more. Whilst a VPS has pretty robust security, it doesn’t render it entirely invulnerable to attacks. There’s no such thing as too much security, meaning a VPN can be a great addition to your VPS for that extra peace of mind.
Is a VPS more secure than a VPN?
Again, a VPS is a virtual hosting space for as many servers as needed and is secure in nature, but doesn’t add specific security measures unless your hosting provider offers these as part of the VPS service (or as an add-on). A VPN can work in tandem with a VPS to encrypt connections and change your location to whichever place you desire.
What is a VPN used for?
If you’re a VPN newbie, you might be wondering in what instance you would need a VPN – that’s why we’ve put together a few VPN use cases to get you started.
1. For private browsing
Online sites, and possibly even hackers, can track your movements and access your personal data. So it’s more than likely that you’re wanting to use a VPN purely to protect your data online, and that’s the best reason to use a VPN.
2. If you’re using public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is risky at the best of times, so if you’re hoping for a private browsing session you’ll need a VPN.
3. To avoid price discrimination online
Something that you may have noticed is that prices can differ online depending on the device you use. For example, the price of a flight may be £250 on your laptop, but £300 on your friend’s device. This occurs because these sites have been tracking your habits, and they set a price based on what they believe you would pay. Using a VPN will bypass this and allow you to avoid price discrimination.
4. Bypassing targeted ads
Without a VPN, sites can gather information about your likes, dislikes and spending habits. They then use this to personalise their ads. So if you don’t want targeted ads, a VPN is a great way to avoid it.
Learn more: What you can do with a VPS
VPS vs VPN: Comparison Table
If you need a summary of everything we’ve mentioned, we’ve captured these into a snapshot view so you can quickly see the differences between a VPN vs VPS, and which service you feel could be right for your needs.
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