Using a VPS

A VPS gives you your own private slice of a server — more power and control than shared hosting. This guide covers what it's like to actually use one, and the responsibility that comes with it.

What you get

• Full root access — you can install and configure any software.
• Your choice of Linux OS.
• Dedicated resources — CPU, RAM, and storage that aren't affected by other customers.
• A dedicated IP address and DDoS protection.
• Instant deployment and the ability to scale resources up at any time.

See VPS hosting for the plan lineup.

What you're responsible for

A VPS is self-managed — you're responsible for the software you run on it. That means:

• Keeping the OS and software updated.
• Securing your server (firewall, strong passwords, SSH keys).
• Configuring the applications you want to run.
• Monitoring resources and scaling when needed.

If you'd rather not manage this, a managed option (like shared or managed WordPress) is the easier choice. See Is shared hosting enough?.

Common uses

• Hosting a website or app that's outgrown shared hosting.
• Running a game server — see Game server hosting.
• Hosting custom software, databases, or multiple sites.

Getting started

1. Choose a plan sized to your workload. See VPS hosting and Plans & pricing.
2. Pick your OS at deployment.
3. Connect via SSH using your root credentials.
4. Configure and secure your server.

New to VPS? Contact support and we'll help you set it up, or point you to a simpler option if a VPS isn't what you need.