HomeHostingThe Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Cheap Linux VPS

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Cheap Linux VPS

VPS hosting is the way to go if you’re looking to enjoy better security and reduced risks. With a cheap Linux VPS hosting plan, you’ll get root access that allows you to install different scripts and software applications and customize them to meet your needs.
However, the market has become over-saturated, with many companies claiming to offer these and other similar Linux VPS server services. So, how do you differentiate one Linux VPS server hosting plan from the other?

When choosing the best VPS provider, how do you know what to look for? Read on to learn the answers to these and other pertinent questions about buying a cheap Linux VPS.

What Exactly Is A VPS?

A VPS or virtual private server refers to a type of multi-tenant cloud hosting where an end user attains access to virtualized server resources online. Every VPS runs on a physical machine controlled by the hosting provider, running several VPSs. But while the VPSs share underlying hardware and a hypervisor, each VPS runs its own applications and operating system (OS). It also reserves a slice of the available machine resources, e.g., computing power and memory.

A Virtual Private Server provides control, flexibility, and performance levels somewhere in between those offered by single-tenant dedicated hosting and multi-tenant shared hosting. Therefore, hosting providers use the term ‘VPS’ to differentiate it from ‘shared hosting.’
When looking at the use cases for virtual servers, you’ll find that the differences between VPS providers are quite significant. For example:

  • Traditional hosting providers believe VPS provides the best representation of control, costs, scalability, and flexibility between dedicated and shared hosting. It’s what makes it ideal for eCommerce platforms and apps with spiky or moderate traffic.
  • On the other hand, VPS servers provided by leading public cloud providers are more feature-rich and robust and act as the building block for what the world today calls the “cloud.” VPSs in this group can handle many different types of workloads.

The Best Cheap Linux VPS Providers

1. Kamatera.com

Kamatera is one of the most renowned hosting providers. It comes backed by a state-of-the-art infrastructure and industry experience spanning more than 20 years. It tops our list of cheap Linux VPS providers due to its dedication to its clientele.


It's a cloud hosting provider renowned for its multiple cutting-edge data centers, high-end servers, and many other affordably priced tools. What's more, Kamatera allows you to try its VPS hosting services by opting for a 1-month fee-free subscription.


The best part about this trial offer is that it requires no commitment and doesn't include any hidden fees. It allows you to check whether it meets your hosting needs without having to pay a penny.

Our Expert Rating:

96%

Best Features

  • Simple API and console management

  • 40+ Linux distros, from CloudLinux to FreeBSD

  • Unlimited cloud-based scalability on SSD storageNew List Item

  • Build and deploy VPSs in less than sixty seconds

2. A2 Hosting

A2Hosting comes a close second on this list of cheap VPS providers. It stands out for providing its customers access to many features as part of its packages. The company came into the industry in 2003. Nowadays it continues to offer not only great VPS plan but also shared, dedicated and cloud hosting.


Its unmanaged VPS hosting services start as low as $5 and are considered the best-priced option for experienced developers. Their plans provide developers with root access, allowing them complete control over all administrative rights, including boot and shutdown operations.


Its users have access to its multiple data centers spread out in different locations. Such as Michigan (USA), Singapore (Asia), and Amsterdam (Europe).

Our Expert Rating:

90%

Best Features

  • Dependable storage in RAID-10 arrays

  • Scalability and high-speed 

  • Upgrading to a turbo server offers you 20x more speed

  • Fedora, CentOS, Ubuntu, and Debian are available

3. Hostinger

Hostinger is a popular and cheap Linux VPS provider offering several reasonably priced hosting options for Linux users. Users love it because even the lowest-priced plan includes IPv4 and IPv6 protocols.




End users who want a dedicated IP address can purchase it as a premium feature. Unlike some of the other providers on this list, Hostinger is a general host offering WordPress-specific hosting plans.


VPS aside, it also provides dedicated, cloud, and shared hosting plans. Its cheapest package retails at $3.95 per month and includes 1GB RAM, 20GB storage, and one vCPU. A VPS control panel is available to simplify your VPS management needs.

Our Expert Rating:

94%

Best Features

  • 24/7 live chat

  • Free security features

  • Access to five data center locations

  • Fast speed as it only uses VPSs built with SSDs

4. Vultr

Vultr is ideal for users who want affordable but powerful solutions. Many customers see it as a cheap Linux VPS solution offering access to a sophisticated and efficient infrastructure. Apart from being one of the cheapest VPS providers, it has one of the best support teams around. It is crucial if you want to have your problems solved fast.


It enables its users to install custom ISOs thanks to its ability to run different Linux distros and apps. It's a host that will work for you regardless of whether you're a developer, webmaster, or blogger.


Cheap plans aside, Vultr customers are guaranteed access to data centers spread out across 17 different locations. Each data center has a built-in robust server featuring advanced infrastructure, enterprise-level hardware, SSDs, and CPUs.

Our Expert Rating:

88%

Best Features

  • Data centers in 17 locations

  • Powerful hardware specs

  • It supports 13 different OSes

  • Provides extensive VPS hosting options

5. InMotion

InMotion is the best Linux VPS provider, supporting Ubuntu, Debian, and CentOS while providing root access. As a cheap Linux VPS solution, it's available in 5 subscription packages, with its four managed plans ranging from $19.99 to $59.99 per month.


InMotion is optimized for eCommerce, and its managed services include an SSL certificate and 2 -3 dedicated IPs. As part of the deal, users receive a Web Host Manager license, five cPanel licenses, and unlimited email. The provider doesn't charge extra for the setup process. If you're a savvy technical user, you can opt for the self-managed cheap cloud solution. It comes in 8 different packages, ranging from $5 to $160 per month.

InMotion guarantees brute-force and DDoS attack resistance no matter the package you select.

Our Expert Rating:

90%

Best Features

  • Free resource monitoring

  • Different packages for different users

  • Free Cpanel

  • Extensive support-channel selection

6. Namecheap

Namecheap is a web hosting provider best known for its domain registrar services. Apart from this, it also offers inexpensive Linux VPS solutions. They are fully customizable and allow you to choose your preferred OS, e.g., Ubuntu, CentOS, or Debian.


You can use the features this cheap Linux VPS company provides to leverage root access to the server. Another option available to you is installing a cPanel which enables you to transfer your existing VPS and website to Namecheap at no charge.


Its hosting plans give you complete control over the server setup and configuration process. It provides two hosting plans, with the basic plan charging $9.98 per month and the high-performance plan charging $17.78 per month.

Our Expert Rating:

92%

Best Features

  • Guaranteed VPS compensation

  • Free professional migration

  • Multiple hosting plans are available

  • Decent range of add-ons

7. DreamHost

DreamHost is a cheap Linux VPS provider with managed services. It is a reliable hosting solution for developers, designers, and bloggers interested in cheap Linux VPS hosting services.


The company began its operations in 1997 and is today viewed as a market leader in the VPS hosting industry. It guarantees less than a second speedy service and 100% uptime for all users who have cleared the checkout process.


DreamHost has partnered with Ubuntu to ensure it receives updates as they become available. The deal covers seamless services and security holes to ensure less downtime. All its services are provided on SSD drives which are 20x faster than standard hard drives.

Our Expert Rating:


86%

Best Features

  • One-click application installer

  • IPv4 and IPv6

  • Unlimited email accounts

  • Password protection

8. Bluehost

Last but not least on this list is Bluehost. It's known for WordPress hosting and provides a large selection of plans to its ever-growing customer base. Its services comprise VPS, shared, WooCommerce, managed WordPress, and dedicated hosting.


Users also have an option to register a domain with them. Its cheaply priced Linux VPS services ensure that these servers are available to all who need them. The provider strives to remain updated by using the latest technology in the market.


Apart from getting access to advanced technologies like KVM and OpenStack, every user is assured of access to an enhanced cPanel having an intuitive dashboard. It also provides you with full access to CentOS.

Our Expert Rating:


96%

Best Features

  • Fast transition from shared Linux server to VPS

  • Enhanced cPanel for simplified server management

  • MySQL, PHP, Ruby, and Python available

  • Powered OpenStack, Apache, and CentOS

What is the difference between Shared and VPS hosting?

Shared Hosting

Opting for shared hosting is not very different from living in a home or apartment where you must share a parking lot, backyard, and even the pool. It means that your site will need to share the resources allocated by the hosting provider with others.


It’s the cheapest option a client can get because they will have to share the available memory, disk space, and CPU with other clients using that server. The main downside is that your site will have limited bandwidth causing it to slow down when traffic surges.


In short, you can enjoy what it offers when the server isn’t crowded, but you’ll need to anticipate when everyone else will likely start using it, as this will cause it to slow down. Some of the reasons to use shared hosting include:

  • You’re new to web development
  • You want to create a personal site or blog
  • You have a limited budget

VPS Hosting

You’ll still need to share a single physical server in VPS hosting, but you’ll have access to dedicated resources. Here, you have cheap Linux VPS unlimited bandwidth that other sites can’t access.


Every user on this physical server will have a dedicated virtual partition. Meaning that the available resources are only available to you. Look at it this way; it’s like owning a penthouse where although there are other people in the building, you still have everything you need.


Although it’s more expensive than shared hosting, there are reasons to choose VPS hosting, such as:

  • If you expect that traffic to your website will continue increasing with time
  • You have a large operating budget and don’t mind investing in the site
  • You’re running an eCommerce platform and plan to expand in the coming days

What to Look for When Choosing the Best Linux VPS?

Server Uptime

Uptime is often presented as a percentage that measures whether the cheap virtual server Linux is reliable. For example, if a host provides a 99% uptime guarantee, it means that your site will not go down for a combined period of more than 7 hours within a month.

Speed

It’s particularly important to note that web page speed and web server speed are two different things. The latter denotes a rating of how long the cheap centos VPS provider will take to respond to a query. It’s an indicator of the quality of service the web host provides.

Cost

Generally speaking, costs have reduced where most technology is concerned. But when it comes to the cheap Linux VPS, you should focus more on the cost-benefit analysis than the amount spent on the service.

Customer Support

Customer service is one area you can’t afford to overlook when dealing with low-cost Linux VPS servers. Nobody likes having to wait for hours to receive a response. If you can, try to contact the support team your web host is using before signing up for a hosting plan.

Backup

It’s technically a good idea to have a solid backup in place to boost your site’s reliability. Confirm that the cheap ubuntu server company has a reliable backup before you sign on to any of their packages. Note that the prices may vary depending on the service range.

Security

Although VPS hosting is usually safer than shared hosting, some differences still exist between the cheap Linux VPS providers. An example will include the type of hosting that the provider has in place. Cloud-based providers tend to have the best security.

Special Features

Special features are the one thing that can tell you whether a hosting company is serious about its operations or not. Though most companies in this arena offer the same range of services, some include features that can help you outdo your competition. Such features can include performance optimization and other cost-saving options.

Linux OS or Windows OS – Which One Is Actually Better?

Linux and Windows are two of the most popular operating systems in use today. It’s, therefore, not surprising to find that they both have strong fanbases. Each claiming that their OS is the best, of course. The table below provides a brief look at the differences between the two:

Linux

Windows

Developer

Linus Torvalds, community

Microsoft Corporation

Written in

C, Assembly language

Assembly language, C++

Target market

Supercomputers, cloud computing servers, PCs, mobile phones, embedded systems

Majorly personal computing

Ease of use

Mainly used by technical people who understand the various Linux commands

Anyone can use it, regardless of their technological know-how

Reliability

Secure and highly reliable.

Less reliable and regularly suffers from security weaknesses and system instabilities

The fact that every OS has a target audience means none is better than the other. On the other hand, Linux offers better security and speed. This makes it the best for use by virtual private server Linux providers.

If you are looking to find out more about Windows VPS, you can read more here.

How Can I Host for Free?

If you can’t afford to buy a plan from the available cheap Linux VPS providers, you can always opt to go the free hosting route. Free hosting allows you to host the website at no cost for as long as you want, but you’ll need to ensure that you have chosen the right host.
Before you consider free web hosting, you should note that it does come with certain restrictions such as:

  • Limited bandwidth
  • Storage capacity
  • Displaying their own ads
  • Shared branding
  • Lack of customer support
  • Limited pages
  • Common outages

You’ll never have to worry about these restrictions when working with the best Linux VPS hosting providers. However, if you have no option but to use free hosting, you can consider the following platforms:

  • WordPress
  • Weebly
  • Wix
  • InfinityFree
  • AwardSpace

You should only consider free hosting if you’re only interested in building a website to share information or for fun. Any person who intends for their website to be anything more than that will need to look beyond free hosting and into virtual private server Linux services.

Should I Choose Managed or Unmanaged VPS Hosting?

That is one question everybody researching cheap Linux VPS plans has to answer at some point. With the high number of hosting packages on offer from Linux VPS providers, no one can blame you for asking this question. So, what is the difference between them?

Managed VPS Hosting

Choosing a managed VPS hosting plan enables you to adopt a hands-off approach. It’s a VPS available for any type of functionality you may want. What happens is that you use it and leave the cheap Linux VPS provider to manage its technical aspects.
Managed hosting is the perfect choice for site owners who don’t have a tech team or aren’t tech-savvy. The service lets you focus on growing the company without managing the server.

Managed VPS Pros

Managed VPS Cons

  • It saves you and your personnel valuable time

  • Guarantees that all changes will occur correctly

  • It doesn't require you to possess any IT expertise

  • Ensures OS updates occur on time, keeping you current and secure

  • Hands over the control to third parties

Unmanaged VPS Hosting

Using unmanaged VPS hosting means you and your team have to handle everything, not the cheap Linux VPS provider. You can choose this option if you have an in-house IT team or are tech-savvy. With this option, you have to note that there are no calls or emails to the Linux VPS server supplier. You’ll have to jump in and do the work whenever a problem arises.

Unmanaged VPS Pros

Unmanaged VPS Cons

  • Provides you with more control

  • Cheaper than managed VPS

  • Difficult to keep up with critical OS updates

  • Can decrease security and reliability if you fail to perform the updates regularly

When all is said and done, managed VPS hosting is the safer bet. You’ll have a dedicated team handling all your Linux VPS server hosting needs.

Final Verdict

If you have read through the article to this point, go ahead and pat yourself on the back. You’re no longer a VPS newbie. It all comes down to this: if the site has started to grow and is attracting attention, you have to ensure its performance keeps pace.
Using cheap Linux VPS-style hosting is the only way to keep up with the successes of a site that has started to go through rapid growth. It’s a plan that will afford you the scalability you need to continue expanding.


Linux VPS server hosting enables you to enjoy a tremendous amount of bandwidth and storage. Thus making it a cost-efficient solution that can meet the demands of a dynamic platform. Make sure to consider your needs when deciding between managed and unmanaged VPS hosting.


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