VPS VS VPN: What is the Difference?

VPS and VPN appear similar but have nothing major in common. Both are different terminologies with distinctive meanings. However, some people might confuse the two; hence it is essential to differentiate significant aspects.

The article compares both services in terms of their extensive use, advantages, and disadvantages.

VPS VS VPN: An Overview

What is VPS?

Virtual private servers, or VPSs, are a type of web hosting service that offers modern features. Virtual Private Servers are famous for their unique approach, where a single physical server is split into several separate ones. Each user has complete control over a single one with no interference from others.

It simply means that one is not complying to share the storage space of their server with other users, as is the case with shared hosting. Moreover, you can also install different software and operating systems independently without consulting the service provider or other subscribers of the service.

What is VPN?

VPN, a virtual private network, is a powerful tool capable of disguising your IP address and encrypting the browsing data to hide your real identity and browsing habits from ISPs, websites that gather such data from cookies, and information collecting companies, i.e., data brokers.

This technology works on a simple principle: the internet flows from the original server to the servers these virtual private network providers specify.

VPS VS VPN: When to use?

Since you have basic information about both technologies, let’s dig deeper to know the instances where both can come in handy.

Almost all websites use VPS hosting in cases where websites outreach the resources of shared hosting plans. They now require a higher-level alternative that can scale up to its requirements. Most users could not afford dedicated hosting services and eventually, go for VPS.

It is a midway solution available at affordable rates compared to fully managed hosting. There are a few sub-cases where VPS will prove extremely helpful. Let’s have a look at them:

Since VPS is scalable, your growing site with extra traffic will need it for enhanced performance.
VPS makes you the sole owner of the server your website airs on. You can entirely customize it by installing the software of your choice and also have root server access at your disposal.
A primary significant attribute of VPS is its capability to expand resources based on the amount of traffic it receives; hence you won’t have to worry about maintaining a rapidly growing website by changing hosting servers repeatedly.
VPN serves chiefly to prevent browsing history from being subject to unauthorized services or to access websites or services censored or limited by the user’s country. The below points will further clear your thought process on when using a VPN becomes essential.

To surpass geo-restrictions to access services like Netflix. It is required in such a case when the country has blocked the use of these services on its premises, and it calls for a strategy to pass this blockade without revealing the real IP address. It is when the VPN comes to the rescue.
VPN software is a must-have for those who fear leakage of their private data over the internet. VPNs can effectively prevent this digital theft by encrypting the data sent anywhere in the virtual world.
If you are using public WiFi, then connecting to a VPN service is a precautionary measure since such connections are precarious and pose a significant risk of hackers taking over your device.

I hope you understand how both technologies differ.

VPS VS VPN: Pros and Cons

Let’s look at the pros and cons of both VPS and VPN.

Pros and Cons of VPS

VPS Pros

Here are some beneficial aspects of virtual private servers.

● Expandability

A quickly growing business will need more resources than current to perform efficiently; this is where the scalable feature comes in handy. With VPS, you can always add extra disk storage, random access memory, cores, etc. Moreover, scaling down these resources is applicable if you think the lesser resources will work fine for your business. Escalating resources according to needs saves money with guaranteed extraordinary performance!

● Economical rates

VPS offers perks of dedicated hosting at a price (slightly more) than shared hosting. Exactly! These hosting services allow users to control the server even when shared amongst other users, dividing the overall cost, hence economical rates.

● Unmatchable performance

As stated above, VPS gives you absolute control over the server; hence, it protects you from some drawbacks of shared hosting that might lead to a slow-loading site that generally affects its progress. It might include a traffic surge at the shared site, a commonly faced issue.

VPS can create a separate server space for individual users while keeping them on a similar physical server, indicating that you will face no such issues.

● Absolute control

Since VPS gives its users an entire grip on the server, it is easier for them to personalize it without the assistance of the hosting provider. One can conveniently set up as much software as possible, unleash multiple ports, and insert customized attributes in a website operating on the virtual private server.

VPS Cons

Let us now look at the drawbacks of using VPS as a hosting web service.

● Pricing

Although VPS services are economical compared with dedicated hosting, they might not suit small-scale businesses. They have to pay a little more bucks to avail of this asset.

● Not so beginner-friendly

A novice user will face many hurdles in maintaining VPS, which might contribute to the need for a technical expert who is extremely expensive to hire.

Pros & Cons of VPN

VPN Pros

Following are a few important aspects of connecting to a virtual private network. Have a look!

● Digital safety

A virtual private network can disguise your IP address which does not stake your privacy at the hands of hackers and phishers. It often comes in handy when operating on public WiFi, which is more prone to such instances. Your private data remains safe if you have a VPN.

● Confidentiality

Not everyone is comfortable sharing their browsing habits as a part of the marketing schemes of the sites they visit. Many internet service providers, online businesses, information broker companies, etc., collect data from the users’ browsing history to further use it for their promotional campaigns. However, suppose you are against this idea or even want general safety from intruders. In that case, VPN is the perfect choice of technology for you.

● Unrestricted access

Many countries ban several websites according to their rules and regulations; hence, users cannot access them. However, VPN can remove these restrictions, and one can easily surf limited or blocked websites that too free of cost.

● Convenient use

VPN is straightforward to apply irrespective of technical knowledge, which was not the case with VPS. However, all one has to do is install a reliable application from the play store, launch it and connect to the custom server of any country in a single click. It is now ready to provide a hassle-free browsing experience!

VPN Cons

VPN might possess a few disadvantages; the major ones are listed here.

● Slow speed

A slower browsing speed is a case with almost all VPNs because they work, i.e., rerouting and encrypting the internet to a private server. Although some highly advanced VPN providers might not slow down the site too much, a tiny speed drop is always present.

● Illegal or legit?

Although most countries do not mind if people use VPNs, some governments, like North Korea, strictly prohibit using such technology. The user might be subject to a hefty penalty if guilty. Countries like China allow restricted use of VPNs, i.e., only the ones that the official cyber department has approved.

● Security issues

VPN is not a perfect way to secure the data if not configured correctly. In such a case, the DNS or IP address of the user can get leaked, posing a massive threat to digital security.

Final Thoughts

This comparison between VPS and VPN shows how two different technologies are often confused due to their similar acronyms. VPS is a private server to host a digital site, whereas VPN is an IP address disguiser to protect private data and surpass blocked content on the internet.

The only similar aspect of both services is their virtualized mechanism of action. A web host can put both in action simultaneously. A VPS maintains a high traffic load, and a VPN protects any private information on the website.