Difference between VPN and VPS and which service suits you better in 2023?

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We need to accept that the internet era we are living in is all about technical jargon and endless abbreviations that are complicated, and almost intimidating at times. Everyday users find it difficult to understand these terms.

Have you ever heard of web hosting, VPN, and VPS services?

If your answer is a big fat no, then there is only one place to go and you are already here!

You will get a detailed explanation of both the VPN and VPS here. See the major differences between VPN V/s VPS.

VPN vs. VPS: What’s the difference between them?

VPN and VPS: Sound the same? Though VPN and VPS may appear to be similar, they are very different, like apples and oranges. If you ignore the word “virtual” in their names, they don’t have much in common. 

It is important to consider that a VPS is a service of a dedicated operating system that is hosted offline. Usually, we get access to VPS through a paid subscription. 

On the other hand, a VPN is a user-friendly tool with a network of dedicated servers that facilitates the use of the internet. Safe and secure browsing is also possible with a VPN.

Moreover, a VPN works well with any device, whether it is a computer, smartphone, or laptop.

A VPN and VPS are not exact replicas of one another.

To make it more clear,

• ​A VPN is a service
• ​A VPS is a computer

Whether you are a business person or a regular user, it is important to make sure you choose the right technology for your business or personal use. So, the awareness of these two services, VPN and VPS, is the need of the hour.

Let’s understand these two services, VPN and VPS in depth. But before diving into these, let’s learn about web hosting.

What is web hosting?

It is essential to have a web hosting service for a newly created website.

Wait! 

Are you a newbie to purchasing web hosting? 

Cool!

Hosting means the process of providing a service to a network. Web hosting is basically a service that lets you save your website files on a server.

In this way, it will be accessible to everyone on the internet. It is advisable for beginners to create a website using third-party hosting.

Go Daddy is a popular web hosting service.

Here is a list of the different types of hosting services.

Shared hosting: Bloggers and beginners find this hosting service very useful because it is affordable. In this type, several websites are hosted on the same server and each user gets a certain amount of storage and resources. 

Shared hosting is best suited for basic personal websites and web apps that have little traffic, few technical requirements, limited performance, or security requirements. 

In a shared hosting model, websites are not allowed to scale beyond the limits of the plan. This is because of the fact that all tenants are allocated a finite amount of an individual server’s capacity.

Dedicated Server Hosting: Unlike shared server hosting, a dedicated server is reserved for one specific website only.

Feeling great over it, right? 

But dedicated servers have jaw-dropping budgets and can only run a single OS (Operating System). However, one advantage is that they are more customizable.

WordPress Hosting: WordPress hosting is a service specifically provided to WordPress website owners.

Several WordPress-related features also come along with WordPress hosting that you can only use if you have an account on the WordPress site, such as one-click installation, pre-installed plugins, or a WP command-line interface.

Besides these, there are servers that are configured for the needs of WordPress.

Therefore, WordPress hosting was created as a part of their shared hosting service.

It is true that we can set up a WordPress site on a virtual private server. But we can’t get access to the custom-built servers that have been configured with WordPress in mind.

However, if you are adamant about choosing a VPS for your WordPress site, it is possible to set up and configure your hosting environment according to your business needs.

VPS hosting: A VPS (Virtual Private Server) is a more advanced level of server hosting with more powerful hardware.

It helps to host your website on a virtual server.

Cloud VPS hosting: A cloud VPS extends its virtual servers across a cloud-based network of physical servers.

This avoids server breakdowns!

Although cloud VPS is less secure, it can expand more easily.

If the term VPS is unfamiliar to you, fret not.

All your burning questions about virtual private servers will be answered. 

Are you ready to learn more about VPS?

Let’s dive in!

What defines a VPS?

First, let’s know what VPS actually stands for Virtual Private Server. Before jumping into learning VPS, let’s understand the working mechanism of a traditional server.

A server works like a digital butler. 

It may be a powerful computer, digital device, or digital program that processes requests from and sends information to other computers.

It’s like two-way communication. 

Hostinger, Kamatera, DreamHost, and InMotion are the best VPS hosting services.

How does a VPS work?

A VPS, or virtual private server, is a virtual operating system that is situated within a parent server.

With virtualization technology, a VPS splits the powerful physical server into multiple smaller virtual private servers.

Specialized software can be used for this purpose. 

Each server functions independently and acts as a private server for one end-user or as a proxy for a third-party user.

In that way, it functions like several separate private servers. Also, there is no need to share RAM, CPU, or any other data with other users. 

Earlier, a physical computer was a server that was owned by a user or company.

As time passed, it became easier and more economical to outsource these servers and rent them from an internet hosting provider.

As this provider is responsible for computer hardware management, you can just install any software that you like on it. 

Easy, right?

Additionally, a VPS enables the user to install custom software and applications.

It is also easy to apply security preferences: say, opening or closing a port, or multiple ports, is no issue at all.

You can even host games too by using a VPS.

The Top Benefits of Using VPS 

The primary benefit of VPS is freedom!

A VPS is an affordable server with good performance and unabusing shared resources. 

On top of that, a virtual private server allows you to run software of your choice, with the resources to use it properly and at a cost structure that works well with your budget. 

With the help of a VPS, content can be shared very easily because there is no issue with censorship.

Even though some content is restricted on social media sites and hosted blogs, you will find fewer arbitrary limitations on your own platform and bypass content throttling or content censorship.

Most VPS plans are now cogs in the machine of larger cloud-hosted clusters. This increases their reliability for long-term usage.

Moreover, you will not even notice downtime whenever your server stops working because it is fully active. 

In addition to these, VPS gives you the option to only pay for the resources you use and only add the features that you require to run your website.

In that sense, VPS is customized.

VPS is more privacy-friendly.

It is a better way to store your data on a private server to secure your sensitive information. 

The VPS comes with reliable resources and enhanced security features to protect the privacy of the website host and its visitors.

With a VPS, only you will have access to the resources allotted to your virtual server, so the activities of other users won’t slow down your website.

You are also able to scale up the server resources and only pay for the features you need. This is not possible with physical servers.

That’s where a VPS excels!

Who Needs a VPS?

If you run a business and want special software or apps, a VPS is all that you need.

A VPS is generally believed to be a middle ground between shared hosting and a dedicated server. It also provides a high level of customization without the high cost.

Additionally, a good developer can do anything on a VPS just like on a dedicated server without any help from the hardware, maintenance, or support. 

Can a VPS hide your location?

Unfortunately, a VPS cannot alter the actual location of your internet traffic.

So, this is a drawback of VPS!

As your IP address is always associated with your geo-location, it also implies that a VPS is ineffective in hiding your IP address. 

What is a VPN? How does it work?

Virtual private network is referred to as VPN. Its purpose is to turn your entire network connection into a private and secure network.

By allowing you to remain anonymous online, it protects any data transmitted over the network.

Whenever you activate your VPN software while connecting to the internet, your VPN client will automatically encrypt your data sent over a network connection.

Why is it said that a VPN is essential today?

In this treacherous digital world, it is important to secure your internet connection with the help of a VPN.

A VPN has many advantages, like helping to browse the internet securely and anonymously, maintaining privacy, and accessing any content. 

Nowadays, most VPN services come with an easy and convenient cross-platform app where users can route their traffic through different servers across the world.

You may be familiar with the incognito mode in your browser.

An incognito mode helps you browse the internet without saving any remote content or searches. 

Do you believe this is super effective?

No chance at all!

This does not ensure that your usage is hidden from your employer or ISP. 

A VPN rises on this occasion.

It tactically hides your IP address.

By doing so, your entire search history will be untraceable by any hackers/trackers.

Another use of a VPN is that it helps you log on from major airports or the local coffee shop, or enact bank transactions on public Wi-Fi.

The VPN effectively masks your IP address and location and works with encryption protocols.

Only encrypted data will be passed through VPN servers.

Digital nomads and other business professionals will find this an excellent option because they have to travel a lot for work-related purposes or attend client meetings in public locations.

Communicate easily and freely anywhere with a VPN service.

We can locate a VPN in any continent or country according to our choice.

It is possible to connect to a VPN in the USA, Canada, Australia, or virtually any applicable country.

This is because of the location facilities of the most hosted VPN services in multiple countries. 

Therefore, a VPN can easily access any content on social media, use streaming services, or access other assets that are banned in your country.

If you are a travel freak, it will be beneficial for you.

A VPN is an advocate of the free internet by encrypting searches and protecting information.

Who wants a VPN?

A VPN was originally designed for large enterprises to use.

For a business person, a VPN is vital as it protects their data from prying eyes and masks their IP address.

VPN employs a tunneling technique for this. Tunneling is a method of sending data separately from the rest of the internet via virtual “tunnels.”

Currently, many individual users also need VPNs.

This great technology makes both your professional and personal life very simple, safer, and easier.

You can mainly use a VPN service to:

• Browse the internet privately: We can’t fully believe in traditional internet connections as they are not secure.

Read more on How to Access Blocked Websites Securely

Cybercriminals could track your online calls, snag your bank information, or steal your credit card and passwords.

• Access to any content: A VPN enables you to access any content in your country. 

You are interested in watching a Netflix show that isn’t currently available in your country, right?

Don’t worry!

You can simply bypass it with the help of a VPN.

• Secure your data: As VPNs encrypt your data before sending it over the network, your data will always remain safe and secure from the prying eyes of snoopers and cybercriminals.
• Keep your online activities safe: If you want to access unsecured public wifi networks, you can use a VPN to enhance your security and ensure you stay safe online.
• Get over ISP throttling: It is a well-known fact that your ISP can limit your bandwidth speed for certain sites or online activities such as P2P (peer-to-peer) connections.

This is commonly called throttling. 

It can slow down your internet connection.

If you are a VPN user, your ISP can’t see all the sites you visit. 

Your ISP is made to believe that you are using one.

So, it is easy to prevent throttling issues and boost your internet connection.

In spite of all those advantages above, a VPN offers you a lot of bang for your buck.

Free versions are also available.

SPL VPN is a reliable VPN with military-grade encryption.

It offers premium services for free, unlike many paid VPNs.

SPL VPN: The Trustworthy VPN You Should Try!

SPL is a good option if you want to get the best-in-market VPN service. It is a user-friendly free Android VPN with a zero-logging feature and unlimited bandwidth. 

Let’s see what makes SPL VPN unique and peculiar:

• Unlimited speed
• High-quality Wire Guard protocol
• Easy, one-click connectivity
• The zero-logging feature
• 1000+ servers worldwide

See more Features of SPL VPN

The Business Use of a VPN 

As we all know, the internet is a public network that can be accessed by anyone from anywhere.

Nevertheless, there are some resources that should be hidden. 

For instance, a company or organization has some private documents and websites (also called intranets) that should only be accessed by its employees.

So, it is necessary to keep these documents and websites on a private network.

It is secure!

A company has many offices or remote workers in various locations.

So, the private network should be virtually available to all employees equally.

The solution to this problem is simple! 

Just create a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that connects all these offices together.

Personal use of a VPN 

A VPN offers anonymity to its users.

They can connect to a VPN from any of their devices (computer, laptop, or smartphone).

Whenever you activate a VPN on your device, the website that you choose to visit will go through the VPN first. 

This means that it is impossible for cybercriminals or other snoopers to know what websites you visit, and those websites will only see the VPN that you are using and not your device.

There are many options available to connect to the internet nowadays.

Public Wi-Fi is one such option.

At the time we connect to an unsecured public Wi-Fi, the Wi-Fi owner can get the details about the websites that you visited.

As most websites use HTTPS, the original content that the user sends and receives is encrypted.

But one thing is still visible to the network or internet service provider (ISP). 

Guess what it is?

It is none other than the domain name of the website.

But we can resolve this issue with a VPN.

So, the next time you are supposed to connect to the public Wi-Fi network, use a VPN.

After connecting to the internet using a VPN, the only information that will be visible to the network is that the user is connected to a VPN.

No more details about the websites visited will be exposed.

Moreover, a VPN helps to get access to any content on the internet or mobile app securely.

Some websites show cross marks, which indicate that they can be viewed only in a specific country.

Let’s make it clearer that Netflix contains a movie that is available only to the North American audience but not to Europeans.

So, even if you are in Europe, you can connect to a VPN that is located in the USA.

Ultimately, you can now play your favorite movie on Netflix and it will work as if you were in the USA.

Is it possible to run a VPN on a VPS?

Although both VPS and VPN are different technologies, they can be combined.

A VPS can be used as the hosting server to create your own VPN. Some tech professionals build their own VPNs to save money and guarantee total privacy.

When should you use a VPN and a VPS?

You can rely on both VPN and VPS for individual purposes, even if they both serve completely different purposes.

Say, if you own a large and high-traffic website, you can host it with VPS hosting. 

Your VPS is more powerful when your website grows!

Luckily, this can be achieved in the blink of an eye.

There is no need to reinstall and reconfigure the whole server.

You can move on to a larger, more powerful VPS without any problems. 

Your hosting provider will help you to do this.

This is comparatively easier than trying to move from one physical server to another.

Also, if you need top-notch security features, enhanced monitoring capabilities, more back-up space, improved website reliability, or are planning to transact online payments, then a VPS is necessary for you.

And you can also use VPN software to manage your site and protect any data you send over the internet while browsing.

Conclusion 

Let’s wrap it up!

We mainly use a VPN to keep our data safe and secure when browsing the internet.

On the other hand, a VPS is a service for hosting a website or application. Although a VPS can be used to connect to the internet, it does not secure your information. 

We cannot determine which one is the right tool for us.

It depends on the nature of your job.

Consider what your business needs and what is most important right now.  If your needs do not lean heavily in either direction, you may need both. 

However, a VPN has the edge over a VPS based on web security.

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