In the market, we can find alternatives of VPS (Virtual Private Server), such as Managed VPS and Unmanaged VPS, which are tailored to the needs and characteristics of customers. One of the main dilemmas when choosing a service will be deciding between a Managed VPS and an Unmanaged VPS. Which one will be more convenient?
Before making a decision, it is essential for the company to understand its reality regarding the web traffic it handles, the strengths and weaknesses of its team, the projected growth it expects, and the needs of its virtual operations. Based on this initial self-assessment, we can focus on analyzing the three main aspects that differentiate Managed VPS from Unmanaged VPS.
Differentiating Aspects
- Pricing
Often, the main concern for clients with expanding businesses is the investment in new systems, such as choosing to acquire a VPS service. In response to this concern, when deciding between Managed and Unmanaged VPS, there is a noticeable price difference. Managed VPS will always be more expensive than Unmanaged VPS. This is because the managed service offers more benefits to the client, as they no longer have to worry about managing the system themselves. In this sense, the company must evaluate whether the investment will be worth it. Many companies with the technical capabilities to manage the VPS properly can opt for an Unmanaged VPS, but it’s important to note that this requires particularly advanced skills that not every growing company can provide.
2. Control
The level of control is another aspect that differentiates Managed VPS from Unmanaged VPS. In this regard, when hiring a Managed VPS service, the client does not have full access and cannot manipulate the system. Thus, the management of email, databases, plugins, etc., is handled by the service provider. It’s important to note that the client will have access to the control panel but will not be able to make complex technical changes that could compromise the entire system's operation. On the other hand, with an Unmanaged VPS, the client has full access to make any technical changes they deem necessary. In other words, they will have root access, allowing them to manage the server without restrictions. They can run any tests they wish but will also assume the risks. In this sense, evaluating the technical capabilities of the company’s team is crucial when deciding how much control the company can or needs to take on when hiring either a Managed or an Unmanaged VPS.
3. Responsibility
The level of responsibility for the regular management of the system also varies depending on the control capabilities. With a Managed VPS, the company providing the service will take care of the necessary and periodic software updates, monitor the hardware and server performance to ensure and maintain stability, and resolve any technical issues that arise. In many cases, they will also create security backups to ensure that data is not lost. In contrast, with an Unmanaged VPS service, the responsibility for these tasks falls entirely on the client. Therefore, the client must handle system management and respond to any needs the system presents. As a result, the technical knowledge required to manage this responsibility without risk is quite high. Thus, the decision between a Managed VPS and an Unmanaged VPS also depends on evaluating the technical capabilities of the staff and the possibility of dedicating resources to this new task.
Which is better, Managed VPS or Unmanaged VPS?
Deciding whether to acquire a Managed VPS or an Unmanaged VPS depends primarily on the aspects mentioned above. Neither system can be considered superior; each one is suited to the specific needs and capabilities of the clients. In summary, it depends on the client's level of expertise and the risks they are willing to take when choosing between a managed or unmanaged system.
It is also worth noting that both Managed and Unmanaged VPS services require careful management to avoid security risks related to data handling. This is because using this system inevitably involves risks that can be prevented and managed appropriately. In this sense, part of managing a VPS includes handling a security protocol, which will be managed by the service provider in the case of a Managed VPS or by the client themselves in the case of an Unmanaged VPS.
Both considerations, specific needs and security, must be weighed when choosing between a Managed VPS and an Unmanaged VPS. In addition to these options, we must also consider semi-managed VPS or partial management services.
With the virtualization of systems, ensuring the speed of our processes and the customer experience in our virtual systems has become even more necessary. Therefore, it is essential to have some additional considerations when evaluating our VPS provider, whether Managed or Unmanaged.
- Server Power
You should hire a provider that regularly updates their systems to guarantee speed and adequate uptime, ensuring the best possible experience for your customers.
- Control Capabilities
Especially in the case of Unmanaged VPS, you should consider whether the provider offers full access (SSH access and control over your VM) to the server configuration, allowing you to edit it according to your needs.
- Service Scalability
Evaluate whether the VPS service provider allows you to access more power when needed, such as adding CPU cores, RAM, storage space, and bandwidth. These capabilities should be easily scalable when required. Similarly, it should be easy to downgrade your package if you no longer need the resources.
- Managed Support
In the case of an Unmanaged VPS, you should consider whether the provider offers some level of support to help you get started with server configuration initially. While Unmanaged VPS depends entirely on the client, you may prefer providers who offer some assistance if needed.
In addition to the price mentioned earlier as one of the differentiating characteristics of Managed and Unmanaged VPS, the parameters presented can complement the considerations when deciding which VPS system to choose and which provider to go with. Given the need for these systems as part of the company's growth, it is essential to carefully consider this investment.
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