VPN and VPS are two terms that are often misunderstood. As they use similar letters, many people mistake the two for each other, but they are two completely different services.
VPS, known as a virtual private server, is a web hosting service. VPN, known as a virtual private network, is technology that lets you keep anonymous and private online.
While these two applications offer different things, they are often sorted with each other as their names are so similar.
However, this can make it difficult to understand when each service should be used, particularly for beginners who aren’t familiar with online terms.
To make it a little easier, we’ll go over what VPS and VPNs are below. We’ll cover what each of these services is, how they work, and when you might need to use each feature.
What Does VPS Mean?
Let’s first look at what a VPS is and how it’s different from other services. As mentioned above, VPS refers to a Virtual Private Server.
This is a web hosting service that companies provide, giving you a virtual server on which site owners can store their websites.
Servers are computers that store website data and files. If you type a domain name into a web browser, the browser will link to the server to generate the necessary stored files.
There are several types of web hosting plans, like dedicated hosting and shared hosting, but VPS hosting is different, as it employs virtualization technology. This divides one physical server into several virtual ones.
This gives you more access to server resources, as well as the aptitude to broaden the virtual server when necessary.
As it’s a virtual server, you won’t be linked to the restrictions of one physical server. As it’s a private setting, you won’t need to share server supplies with any more users.
Bear in mind that you will be sharing real physical servers, but thanks to the virtualization technology, you won’t see any server usage intersections.
How VPS Hosting Works
Now we can look at the way VPS hosting (see also ‘5 Best: Free VPS Hosting‘) works. Essentially, the software lets you run several virtualized operating systems from one machine.
For instance, if you have a Macbook that runs the Mac operating system, you can quickly move to Windows operating system without needing to restart your desktop.
VPS servers employ technology like this to run an effective server setting. Picture having a typical private server.
On top of this server, you can make many virtual server layers that perform as their own private server settings.
In most cases, VPS servers will draw from several private servers. If one fails or goes offline, this means that it won’t affect your website’s performance.
Every VPS server will be private and completely independent from other virtual servers which use the same material server.
When You Should Use VPS Hosting
VPS is usually the next step after your first site has advanced past the restrictions of simple shared hosting plans.
They offer a nice compromise for website owners that don’t want to move to a fully private server, but cannot continue with shared hosting.
If a website is growing fast and receiving high traffic, it requires a hosting plan that can handle these changes.
VPS hosting plans are scalable and can handle high-traffic and larger websites.
Customized Server Requirements
A VPS server gives you greater control over your server setting. You will receive admin access, the aptitude to select your operating system, and various other customization features.
Flexible Server Supplies
VPS hosting lets you accommodate server resource requirements as your website gets bigger, or if it receives a lot of traffic.
You won’t be restricted to one material server, meaning increasing your resource needs is a lot easier to do.
Overall, VPSs deliver the same advantages as a private server at a much lower cost.
What Does VPN Mean?
The term VPN refers to a Virtual Private Network. These generate a secure and private network that expands over your whole network connection.
These give you a method of staying anonymous over the internet, as well as safeguarding any information that moves through the network.
How VPNs Work
After you start your chosen VPN software, the VPN client will encrypt any information that is delivered over a network connection.
Before any information passes through the network, it will pass over to the VPN first. The VPN will encrypt the traffic, then send it on afterward.
Any online portals that you visit will view the sent information as initiating from the VPN, not your home network.
If you connect to the internet without a VPN, any information you send can be at risk, as anyone with the right equipment can have access to it. This will be fine for general scenarios, but not if you’re transmitting sensitive data.
If you are going over banking details, emails, or anything that requires more security, you may want to consider a better protective layer.
Using a VPN means that any information that’s sent over the internet is sent straight from an ISP to the VPN server. The VPN will then link to the internet for the user.
This helps to eliminate or lower the risk of popular security issues you may encounter online.
For instance, if you’re using a VPN, it’s hard to link your computer back to any information that you’re transferring. All of the information will be encrypted, so even if this data is seized, no one will be able to read your information.
When You Should Use A VPN
Many individuals can benefit from using VPNs, particularly if you’re worried about internet privacy. You can utilize a VPN whenever you go online.
These will work in the background so they won’t affect any current online actions.
However, VPNs might affect your internet speed, though this depends on the VPN software you’re using and your internet connection.
Here are some of the scenarios in which you may want to use a VPN:
Getting Past Content Blocks
Some areas censor online content, but you can use a VPN to bypass this. They let you get past content blocks while remaining anonymous online.
You can also use VPNs to bypass geo-restrictions on streaming content, such as Netflix.
Private Network And Data
A VPN ensures that your internet connection is completely secure. Private information that is transmitted online will stay safe and encrypted.
Internet Anonymity
You will be using the VPNs IP address, meaning your own IP address and personal data will stay private.
Accessing Unsecured Wi-fi
Using unsecured Wifi when in public can mean your data is at risk. If you often connect to wifi networks away from home, VPNs can ensure your data remains secure.
The Bottom Line: Should I Use A VPS or A VPN?
While both of their names are similar, a VPS and a VPN do different things.
VPS hosting plans let you store your website on a virtual server. A VPN is a tool that lets you browse online safely and privately. The only feature VPNs and VPSs have in common is their virtualization technology.
While both platforms do different things, you can use both services with each other. For instance, if you have a big website that receives a lot of traffic, you can use a VPS hosting plan to host the website.
As you do so, you can also use VPN software while you browse the internet to handle your website. This will secure any information you’re transmitting online.
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