Shared hosting vs. a VPS: which do you need?

The short version

Shared hosting puts many accounts on one server that the host manages. A VPS (virtual private server) gives you your own slice of a server with full control, which also means you're responsible for running it. Most small sites are better off on shared hosting.

How they compare

	Shared hosting	VPS
Who runs the server	The host: updates, security, monitoring	You, unless you pay extra for management
Control panel	cPanel, ready to use	Often none, or a separately licensed panel
Root access	No	Yes
Skills needed	None beyond following a guide	Comfort with Linux and the command line
Resources	A fixed, fairly shared portion	A dedicated amount of memory and CPU
Typical cost	Lower	Higher, plus your time

Shared hosting is enough if

You're running websites, blogs, small shops, or WordPress.
You'd rather spend your time on your site than on server maintenance.
Your traffic fits comfortably within your plan's monthly transfer.

You need a VPS if

You need root access to install your own software or change server settings.
You're running something long-lived, like a game server, a chat bot, or a custom background service.
You need a language or stack that shared hosting doesn't support.

Outgrowing shared hosting?

If your sites regularly need more than 300 GB of transfer a month, email support@dredgehost.com before you move. We can often put together a custom plan.