Linux VPS is a virtual private server that uses Linux as its operating system. On top of that, there is also a high degree of variability as to the choice of your Linux VPS OS, since the open-source nature of Linux allowed the developers to create various distributions – Debian, Ubuntu, CentOS – of it, each with its distinctive features and policies, at which we’ll take a closer look later in this article.

But first, let’s have a look at what VPS is, what are the advantages of Linux VPS, and when you may need one.

What is VPS?

VPS is a virtual server that is created on the base of a physical that is divided into dedicated parts by means of virtualization technology. From a functional standpoint, this one is almost the same as a dedicated server, having a fixed number of resources, dedicated operating system, and IP, but for the fact that you get much less computing power and storage – but pay also significantly less, respectively.

When you might need Linux VPS?

Linux VPS is a reliable and flexible hosting solution, therefore it is a good idea to apply it to a broad variety of purposes – as a proxy, as a webserver, for storing files, providing cloud, mailing, gaming, and DNS services, and many others.

Pros and Cons of Linux VPS

1) Pros of Linux VPS

Security and flexibility. One of the reasons, why Linux is so secure, is that the developers of this OS have generally always focused on it rather than on other features. For this reason, for example, we have a simple interface that consists mainly of a command line rather than a GUI, which means fewer lines of code and hence fewer possibilities of cyber attacks.

Open-sourceness of Linux has been a breeding ground for creating the most various apps, so you’ll always be able to find the right tool for whatever purpose.

Dedicated resources. As mentioned earlier, VPS hosting offers you a fixed set of resources, which you share with no one else. So, you can feel free to use your RAM, storage, and CPU as you see fit and not worry that something goes wrong.

2) Cons of Linux VPS

The main disadvantages of Linux VPS are higher costs than shared hosting and lower resources than dedicated hosting. However, you should keep in mind that VPS is rather an intermediate solution aimed to provide quality hosting to a broader audience.

Another drawback is that you’ve got to have more technical skills to manage it if we compare it to shared hosting as you have more responsibility that comes with more control – which can be instead seen as a benefit by more experienced users. And anyway, if you want to avoid dedicating your temporal and mental resources to studying server administration, you can just opt for a managed server, that is to pay your hosting provider to manage the VPS for you.

Thus, the advantages of Linux VPS are absolute, while the drawback is rather relative and can be avoided with a proper approach, which makes it an excellent hosting service, especially for small to mid-sized businesses.

Linux distributions and their features

As mentioned earlier, Linux exists in a broad variety of distributions, so it’s useful to know, how what makes each of them special to find the best solution for your VPS.

Debian

Debian is an old and well-known Linux distribution that also served as a base for other Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, Deepin, or Mint. Debian is known for its stability and the wide selection of packages available.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is originally a Debian-based Linux distribution that was developed and maintained by Canonical Ltd. It is considered one of the most popular Linux distributions. It is known for its user-friendly interface and regular updates.

CentOS

This Linux distribution has been based on the commercial Red Hat Enterprise Linux. CentOS is supported and developed by the community and is considered stable, reliable, and convenient. It is provided by regular updates, that are released 1 or 2 times a year, so you can feel secure about its security, and the process of updating has been made easy with the help of the YUM model. The graphic interface of CentOS is considered more user-friendly than the ones of the previous two OS.

Conclusion

Linux VPS is a good choice for very diverse purposes. It is not as potent as a dedicated server, but it is almost equally reliable and secure and you can rescale it as you see fit, by choosing the plan that suits best your requests. Other than that, there is a wide range of available distributions, so you have incredible freedom of action. We hope that this short overview was helpful for you to figure out, which Linux VPS suits you best. If this is ubuntu vps, by the way, we highly recommend you to check out this offer by HostZealot hosting provider. Take care!