Exploring hosting options? You’ve likely come across VPS hosting. But what exactly is it used for? Whether you’re launching a website, running a business application, or even hosting a game server, a VPS offers a flexible and scalable solution. In this guide, we’ll explore the different ways VPS hosting can be utilized and help you determine if it’s the right choice for you.
A VPS (Virtual Private Server) is a powerful and flexible hosting option that provides more control and resources than shared hosting – without the high cost of a dedicated server. Because of this, VPS hosting is a popular choice for businesses, developers, and even gamers who need a reliable, customizable, and secure hosting environment.
1. Hosting Multiple Websites on a VPS: How Many Can You Run?
One of the most common uses of a VPS is hosting websites and web applications. If you run a growing website, an e-commerce store, or a blog that gets a lot of traffic, shared hosting might not cut it. With a VPS, you get dedicated CPU, RAM, and storage, so your site loads faster and runs more smoothly – even when traffic spikes.
Plus, you can host more than one website on VPS, depending on the specs of your VPS. Here’s a general guideline:
- 1 vCPU / 1GB RAM: Best for 1-3 small websites (static or low-traffic blogs).
- 2 vCPU / 4GB RAM: Handles 5-10 medium websites with moderate traffic.
- 4+ vCPU / 8GB+ RAM: Can support 20+ websites if optimized correctly.
2. Using a VPS for Application Hosting
Many businesses use VPS hosting to run essential applications like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools, and email servers. A VPS provides a dedicated environment with scalable resources, making it an ideal choice for hosting web apps, APIs, and backend services.
With full control over server settings, businesses can optimize security, performance, and scalability, ensuring smooth operation as their needs grow. Whether you’re managing a lightweight application or a high-traffic enterprise system, a VPS offers the flexibility and power to handle it all.
Here’s a breakdown of the VPS specs you would need, based on the application you’re running:
- Small Applications & APIs: 2-3 vCores, 4GB RAM (ideal for lightweight applications and testing environments).
- Medium-Sized Web Apps: 4-6 vCores, 8-16GB RAM (best for moderate traffic applications handling 10K-50K monthly visits, APIs, and small databases).
Enterprise Applications & High-Traffic Apps: 8+ vCores, 32GB+ RAM (designed for mission-critical apps, eCommerce platforms, and large databases).
VPS for Gaming: The Best Way to Host Private Game Servers
If you love gaming, a VPS can be the perfect solution for hosting your own private game server. This is especially useful for multiplayer games like Minecraft, CS:GO, and Rust, where performance and reliability make a huge difference in the gaming experience. With a VPS for gaming, you can say goodbye to lag and hello to a smooth, customizable gaming setup.
4. Running the Best VPS for Developers
If you’re a developer, a VPS can be your best friend. It allows you to create staging and testing environments for software, websites, and applications. Since you have full root access, you can install and configure exactly what you need, without worrying about the limitations of shared hosting.
For developers on a budget, the best VPS strikes a balance between affordability, performance, and flexibility. A solid entry-level plan should offer 1-2 CPU cores, 2-4GB RAM, and SSD storage – enough to handle coding, testing, and deployments without lag.
Scalability is key, allowing you to start small and upgrade as needed without hidden costs. Unlike hyperscalers that charge extra for bandwidth and API requests, transparent pricing ensures you only pay for what you use. Free Linux OS options (like Ubuntu or Debian) eliminate licensing fees, while seamless DevOps integration with tools like Docker and Git keeps workflows efficient.
It’s also important to note that security shouldn’t be an add-on. SSH access, firewalls, and DDoS protection should come standard.
5. VPS Email Server Hosting
Tired of relying on third-party email providers? With a VPS, you can host your own email server, giving you full control over security, customization, and privacy. This is particularly useful for businesses that need a reliable, professional email system without depending on services like Gmail or Outlook.
However, some VPS providers block outbound email ports (e.g., Port 25) to prevent spam abuse. Be sure to verify that your provider allows SMTP traffic or offers unblocked alternatives like Ports 587 or 465 for email delivery.
If you’re serious about running a solid VPS email server setup, you’ll need:
- Reliable uptime: Anything below 99.99% isn’t worth your time.
- Dedicated IPs: A must for keeping your emails out of the spam folder.
- Scalability: More traffic? More resources. Your VPS should adjust accordingly.
- Fast, stable network: You don’t want email delays caused by slow connections.
Pro Tip: For better email deliverability, ensure your VPS has proper rDNS (PTR) records, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication to avoid getting flagged as spam
Now that you know what VPS hosting is used for, you can decide whether it’s the right choice for your project. Whether you’re running a website, developing software, or hosting an online game, a VPS gives you the power, flexibility, and security to get the job done.
