Managed vs. Unmanaged VPS in India: Which Is Right for You?

If you’re considering a VPS hosting plan for your website in India, you may wonder if a managed or unmanaged plan is right for you.

Did you know that VPS-hosted sites load between 15% and 35% faster than those hosted on shared plans, and more than 2500 companies offer VPS hosting?

If you’re unsure whether a VPS is right for you, this guide will help you understand the key differences between managed and unmanaged VPS hosting.

What is a VPS?

A virtual private server (VPS) is a type of hosting account where the server environment is divided into multiple virtual servers.

Unlike in shared hosting in India, each virtual server can run its own operating system and be rebooted independently. A VPS is similar to having a dedicated server but at a lower cost.

What is Managed vs. Unmanaged VPS?

As you can guess, they are both children of VPS (if there’s such a thing?).

A managed VPS means that your hosting provider will take care of all the technical details for you. This includes installing the operating system, setting up firewalls, and configuring account permissions. Managed VPS plans usually include 24/7 support from your hosting provider.

Conversely, an unmanaged VPS means you are responsible for all the technical details yourself. This includes installing the operating system, setting up firewalls, and configuring account permissions.

You will get 24/7 support, but not for the same reasons as using a managed VPS in India.

To make it easier to grasp these two, we are looking at the pros and cons of each. And it doesn’t stop there. We will dive into some common applications of each.

This should help you get the bigger picture and, maybe, solve your dilemma when it comes to choosing between managed vs. unmanaged VPS hosting in India.

Sounds good?

Let’s get right to it, then.

Pros of Managed VPS in India

Managed VPS hosting can benefit businesses, including increased flexibility, scalability, and performance.

However, there are also a few potential disadvantages to consider, such as higher costs and less control over the server environment.

Here are some pros of managed VPS hosting:

a). Increased flexibility compared to shared hosting environments

Increased flexibility refers to the ability of businesses to scale their operations.

A VPS hosting environment is more flexible than a shared hosting environment. This is because each customer has their own virtual server, which can be customized to meet their specific needs.

At the same time, customers have the ability to install any software they need on their virtual server. This means you can tailor your VPS hosting environment to meet your specific needs.

Increased flexibility means that businesses can more easily scale their operations.

For example, if a business needs to increase its storage capacity, it can simply add another disk to its virtual server. And at the same time, businesses can install any software they need on their virtual servers without worrying about compatibility issues.

b). Can scale up or down as needed without incurring additional costs

In fact, this type of hosting can be beneficial for businesses that have seasonal or fluctuating traffic patterns, as well as businesses that are growing or expanding their operations.

In addition, managed VPS hosting can provide businesses with the peace of mind that their site is monitored and maintained by a team of experts.

c). Enhanced performance due to dedicated resources

Your site’s performance is enhanced when you have access to dedicated resources. This can lead to increased traffic and conversions for your business.

And having a team of experts managing your VPS in India can free up your time so that you can focus on other aspects of running your business.

d). Server administration and maintenance is handled by the hosting provider

This includes tasks such as installing and configuring software, monitoring server performance and managing storage.

If you are like most of us, you have little to no technical knowledge. So the last thing you want is to get into things you have no idea how to get out of.

A managed VPS thus frees up your time to focus on other aspects of running your business, such as marketing and product development. It can also help improve uptime and reduce the risk of data loss, which can happen when you touch what you are not supposed to?.

e). Ideal for businesses that don’t have the internal resources to manage a VPS server

One of the biggest benefits of acquiring a managed VPS in India is that businesses can save money by not hiring internal staff to manage the server.

With that out of the way, entrepreneurs can focus on their core competencies and leave the server management to the experts.

However, there are also some downsides to using a managed VPS server in India.

Cons of Managed VPS in India

x). Usually more expensive than shared or unmanaged VPS hosting

The main reason for this is that managed VPS hosting in India includes many features and services that are not typically included with other types of hosting.

For example, you will usually get 24/7 customer support, backups, and security updates with managed VPS hosting.

Another reason why managed VPS hosting costs more is that it is a more hands-on type of service.

With unmanaged VPS hosting, you are responsible for managing your own server. This includes tasks such as updating software, setting up security measures, and monitoring your server to make sure it is running smoothly.

With managed VPS hosting, the provider takes care of all these tasks for you.

x). Less control over the server environment compared to an unmanaged VPS solution

With a managed VPS hosting solution, the hosting provider manages your server. This can be an issue for businesses that require a high degree of control over their server environment.

It means you can’t do some things without reaching out to your provider for a helping hand. And if you are dealing with sensitive stuff like proprietary software, it can be a huge headache.

x). May be subject to additional fees for exceeding bandwidth or other usage limits

This is something that can vary from provider to provider, so it is important to be aware of it before signing up for any service.

Who should use a managed VPS in India?

A managed VPS should be used by anyone who wants the benefits of a VPS without having to manage it themselves. It is also a good option for those who do not have the time or expertise to manage their own server.

For example, if you are running a small business with a website, you may want to use a managed VPS so that your IT staff does not have to worry about managing the server.

Pros of Unmanaged VPS in India

1. Cheaper than managed hosting services

Unmanaged VPS hosting services are generally cheaper than managed hosting services because the provider does not have to manage and maintain your server.

All these hands-off services are what actually make managed VPS expensive. But since you are doing your own stuff, it gets cheaper.

2. More control over your server

With an unmanaged VPS, you have complete control over your server. You can install the operating system of your choice and configure it according to your needs.

You also get root access to your server, which allows you greater control over its operations.

3. More responsibility for managing your server

You are responsible for managing and maintaining your server with an unmanaged VPS. This means you have to take care of security updates, software installs and configuration, and monitoring.

While this may sound daunting at first, it can actually be quite empowering once you get the hang of it. And if something does go wrong, you only have yourself to blame!

4. More flexible than shared hosting services

Unmanaged VPS hosting services are more flexible than shared hosting services. This is because you have complete control over your server and can configure it to meet your specific needs.

With a shared host, on the other hand, you are limited by the server’s resources and cannot customize it to suit your requirements.

5. Easier to scale up or down as needed

Scaling up or down with an unmanaged VPS is easier than with a shared host. This is because you have complete control over your server and can easily add or remove resources as needed.

With a shared host, on the other hand, you would need to upgrade to a higher-priced plan or migrate to another server entirely if you outgrow your current resources.

Cons of Unmanaged VPS in India

1. Requires technical expertise to set up and maintain

An unmanaged VPS in India requires the user to have the technical expertise to set up and maintain it. This can be a disadvantage for users who do not have such expertise or for those who prefer to outsource their IT needs.

Running a server is not an easy task, and even if you have the technical expertise, it can be time-consuming.

And this explains why most people opt for managed services.

2. User is responsible for security patches and updates

The server faces security threats daily, and it is important to keep the server up-to-date with the latest security patches. However, in an unmanaged VPS, the user is responsible for implementing these security patches and updates.

This ties up with point #1 – if you don’t have the technical expertise, it can be difficult to keep your server secure.

3. User is responsible for backup and disaster recovery

In an unmanaged VPS, the user is responsible for backing up their data and implementing a disaster recovery plan. This can be daunting, especially if you have large amounts of data to back up.

And once again, this reinforces point #1 – if you don’t have the technical expertise, it can be difficult to properly back up your data and ensure that you have a solid disaster recovery plan in place.

4. May require additional software to manage the server

Depending on the VPS hosting company, you may be required to purchase additional software to manage your server. This can add to the overall cost of running a VPS and may not be ideal for users looking for a low-cost solution.

5. Support may be limited

When you opt for an unmanaged VPS, support from the hosting company may be limited. This is because they are not responsible for managing your server and thus cannot provide as much support.

This can be a disadvantage if you need assistance setting up or maintaining your server. And some providers may make it even harder to access their support in the hope that you will switch to a managed service.

Who should use an unmanaged VPS?

Anyone who wants complete control over their server should use an unmanaged VPS. It is also a good option for those with the time and expertise to manage their own server.

This goes to startups running custom applications that need to be handled with care or certain configurations that are not yet available on managed hosting.

How to choose the best VPS hosting provider in India

Choosing a VPS hosting provider in India can be daunting, with more than 2500 companies offering VPS hosting services (source: HostAdvice).

As such, consider the following factors when choosing a VPS hosting provider:

Price: VPS hosting providers vary widely in price. Choose a provider that offers a price that fits your budget.
Features: Ensure the provider offers the features you need, such as unlimited storage space and bandwidth, quality customer support, etc.
Security: Choose a provider with robust security features to protect your website from attacks.
Reputation: Check out online reviews of the provider to see what others have to say about their experience.
Support expertise: Choose a provider that offers customer support that is knowledgeable and helpful, especially in your industry.
Extra services: Some providers offer additional services such as website design and development, SEO, etc. Choose a provider that offers the extras you need

Managed vs. Unmanaged VPS: FAQs

What is the difference between VPS and shared hosting?

There are a few key differences between VPS hosting and shared hosting services. For one, VPS hosting services are much more expensive than shared hosting services. This is because VPS hosting offers higher security and flexibility than shared hosting.

With VPS hosting, your website is hosted on its own server, which gives you full control over the server’s resources. You can also customize your server environment to meet your specific needs.

On the other hand, shared hosting is much cheaper, but it comes with some trade-offs. Your website is hosted on the same server as other websites, which means you share server resources with them. And because you’re sharing resources, your website may be less secure and unstable than if it were on a VPS server.

Can a VPS get hacked?

It’s possible for a hacker to gain access to a VPS if they have the right skills and tools. However, it’s not as easy as hacking into a shared server. A VPS has its own dedicated server, so the hacker must find a way to penetrate that server.

You can take some steps to protect your VPS from being hacked. First, make sure you have a strong password for your server. Second, keep your software up to date. And third, don’t forget to back up your data!

If you follow these steps, you can rest assured that your VPS is safe from being hacked.

Is managed VPS secure?

Yes, managed VPS is secure. Here’s why:

1. With managed VPS, you get your virtual server. This means your website is isolated from others on the same server. This isolation provides better security for your website.

2. Managed VPS also comes with increased control. You can control who has access to your server and what they can do. This allows you to tighten security around your website.

3. Managed VPS providers typically have better security measures than shared hosting providers. This includes things like firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

Is Managed hosting Worth It?

Yes, managed hosting is worth it!

Here’s why:

1. You’ll get expert support: When you go with a managed host, you’ll work with a team of experts who can help you with any issues. This is especially helpful if you’re not very tech-savvy.

2. They’ll take care of security for you: One of the biggest benefits of managed hosting is that your host will take care of all the security updates and patches for you. This can save you a lot of time and hassle.

3. They often offer additional services: Many managed hosts offer additional services like backups and monitoring. Knowing that your site is always backed up and monitored for potential issues can give you peace of mind.