If your website needs more than what a shared host has to offer, you may want to consider VPS hosting. This type of host does have multiple websites on it, but each one is running in a virtual partition that acts like its own server. This can be the perfect solution for sites that are too resource-intensive or large for shared hosting but do not need everything a dedicated server has to offer. If you are curious about this option, our HostWinds Managed VPS review may help you decide if it is right for you.
Pros
- Offers more resources than shared hosting without the cost of a dedicated server.
- HostWinds offers both Linux and Windows OS.
- There are four levels of hosting for Linux and four for Windows
- Managed server configuration and maintenance is handled by HostWinds.
- Many different options if you need more memory, RAM, bandwidth, etc.
- Great uptime
Cons
- Cost can quickly add up, especially for the higher tier plans.
- The cheaper plans may not be enough for small businesses or large personal sites.
- Managed hosts do not provide as much customization as unmanaged servers.
HostWinds Managed VPS Review & Analysis
HostWinds has a reputation for their outstanding uptime and great customer service. Those are two reasons why you may want to sign up with one of their VPS hosting plans. However, you want to be sure you carefully consider which plan you start with. They have many different options, but there is not a lot of difference between some of them. You may need to jump up several tiers to really see an impact in the resources that are available.
Who This Hosting Plan is For
- Websites that require more than what a shared plan has to offer.
- Websites that need specific server configurations not commonly found on shared hosts.
- Companies that need flexibility and plans that accommodate growth.
- Anyone who wants an exceptionally reliable web host.
Who This Hosting Plan is Not For
- Small websites that would do just fine on a shared host.
- Huge websites that may be better off on a dedicated server.
- Companies and individuals looking for a simple, easy-to-select option.
- Anyone who wants full control over the server.
Bottom Line
You can’t go wrong with this hosting plan. It starts at just $6 per month, and you can expand it as your needs change. Files are secure and dedicated resources mean that other users’ activities won’t slow down your websites. Overall, HostWinds has a lot to offer with their web VPS hosting. The fact that you can select the operating system is a bonus. With multiple plans, you can select the one that perfectly fits your needs. On the other hand, there can be a thing as too many options, and it may seem like HostWinds may have too many plans that are similar. Still, with everything they offer, there is a lot to like about this company and their options.
HostWinds Managed VPS Hosting Features
- 1 Gbps Ports
- 99.9999% Uptime
- Friendliness Guarantee
- Solid State Drives
- Free Website Transfer
- Multiple Locations
- Snapshots
- Custom ISO’s
- Enterprise Firewall
Other Features
- Redundant Network
- Server Monitoring
- Instant Scalability
- Nightly Backups
- Full Management
- Cutting-Edge Hardware
HostWinds Managed VPS Hosting Prices
HostWinds Different Web VPS Hosting Options
At first glance, it appears that HostWinds offers four Linux hosting options and four Windows option. However, these four plans are simply their four basic options. You will also find much more advanced hosting plans. Of course, these plans are also more expensive. The pricing between Linux and Windows is different, too. Let us look at each operating system and the plans available so you can determine which is the best VPS hosting options for you. You may also want to read our Interserver Cloud VPS hosting review to see how HostWinds stacks up to their offerings.
Linux Hosts
Linux host plans start with a basic plan that includes a server with a single CPU core, 1 GB of RAM, and 1 TB of bandwidth. You have 30 GB of storage on a solid-state drive to work with as well. Each plan slowly adds more resources. For example, the next step up increases the RAM to 2 GB, offers 2 TB of bandwidth, and has 50 GB of storage. The price, however, doubles.
The highest hosting plan offered for Linux features 16 CPU cores, 96 GB of RAM, 750 GB of storage, and 9 TB of bandwidth. That is a lot, but you will also pay a good amount for it. The 53% off discounted price is a little under $250 a month. The regular price, which you will pay after your discounted introduction period, is twice that.
Your Linux hosting option includes Enterprise-level hardware, 24/7/365 support, daily backups, and redundant networking. You can also select from four operating system options: Debian, CentOS, Fedora, and Ubuntu.
Windows Plans
The first thing you will notice with the managed Windows plans is that they are slightly more expensive than the Linux options. However, what you get at each plan level is identical. Like the Linux plan, you will also have daily backups, 365/24/7 tech support, and a redundant network.
Both Windows and Linux options do allow you to upgrade at any time. If you select a lower tier plan, but realize it does not provide what you need, it does not take much to upgrade. This means you can start out with a less expensive plan and move up as you need the extra resources.
Managed vs Unmanaged VPS Hosting
There are two different types of VPS hosting offered by HostWinds. This review has looked at the managed hosting options. With these servers, HostWinds handles all of the configuration, maintenance, and other work that keeps the servers running. You do not have to go in and do anything to the operating system. If there are problems, all you need to do is contact customer support and they will take care of any issues.
The only real downside to this is that you cannot go in and configure the operating system yourself. For most people, that is not a problem. However, there are some more advanced websites where having that option may be beneficial.
With an unmanaged server, you are responsible for the configuration of the server and any major changes you want to make. You will have some tech support from HostWinds, but overall, you are more on your own.
Is HostWinds the Best VPS Hosting Option?
While the basic plans do offer cheap vps hosting, it is hard to say if HostWinds is truly the best option until you have looked at your needs. You should also look at other options and read articles like our Dreamhost VPS hosting review. By comparing what you need with what is offered and with the price, you can see if HostWinds truly is the right option for you.
Review HostWinds Managed VPS (VPS Hosting) Review.