When Should You Consider a Migration From VPS to a Dedicated Server

A Virtual Private Server is a reliable and versatile hosting option that can host your website or any other type of web project, offering dedicated resources, stable and continuous performance, and other benefits. However, there is a limitation to this solution since a VPS is always only a part of a whole server, and although it is highly scalable, which means you can upgrade your current resources, at some point you may hit an insuperable limit where your VPS will no longer be capable of powering your projects. In this case, the wisest choice is to consider buying a dedicated server, buying which will give a second wind to your projects. The question is, when can this moment actually come? In the following, we’ll try to figure out when you should consider a migration from a VPS to a dedicated server.

VPS vs. Dedicated Server

Web hosting is about using dedicated computing machines that are supposed to work continuously in order to power any project that is to be accessed over the World Wide Web. These dedicated computing machines are commonly referred to as servers and are the basic unit of hosting.
The catch is that such a unit is, in fact, a whole computer. Computers nowadays have a great deal of resources at their disposal, and this number is actually often higher than is required to power various smaller kinds of web projects. For this reason, hosts came up with ways of dividing a server and renting it out to numerous clients.

One of the most simple ways to do it is by letting the users create accounts on the same server without particular resource allocation. This approach is rather budget-friendly and accessible, but this is probably the one and only advantage of it. For affordability, users have to sacrifice security, stability of operations, and customization.

To create a third option that would combine affordability with the performance of a dedicated server, virtual private servers were designed. This hosting solution is created by means of virtualization technology. Virtualization allows the creation of so-called virtual machines, each having dedicated resources and working virtually just like a dedicated server without any limitations you would find in shared hosting.

However, a VPS is obviously always only a part of a whole (dedicated) server. Switching from one solution to another can be an option once the resources of even the most powerful VPS offered by your host aren’t enough, even if you take the most powerful VPS available. Let’s have a look at cases that are a sign that it’s time to switch to a dedicated server.

When should you switch to a dedicated server?

• Resource shortage: As discussed above, the main reason to switch from a VPS to a dedicated server is the need for more resources. Once the resources that you have at your disposal aren’t sufficient to power everything you use your server for, it’s time to upgrade to a dedicated server.
• Performance issues: A clear sign that the resources are no longer sufficient for your server is when the performance of your web project decreases. Slow load speed, too much traffic to the website, lagging applications, and downtimes are clear signs that something has to be changed.

• Higher customization needs: No other hosting solution provides such freedom of action as a dedicated server does. If you need to fine-tune your project to very specific use cases, switching to a dedicated server might be exactly what you need.

• Control over hardware: When you pick up a dedicated server, hosts mostly give you the possibility to see which specific components you get. In some cases, you may also get a custom build of a server for your particular projects. Specific pieces of hardware give certain advantages in a series of specific areas, so with only a dedicated server, you can get the ideal machine for your needs.

• Cost efficiency: Although dedicated servers are no doubt the most expensive type of hosting, if you do need this many resources, you don’t overpay a cent. Moreover, you generally pay less for a given amount of resources than you would pay for choosing a VPS.

• Growth planning: Even if you don’t need all the resources of a dedicated server at the moment, a dedicated server gives you a great space to grow. If you do plan to constantly develop your project, expect rapid growth of visitors, etc., a dedicated server will allow you to realize any ambitions.

Conclusion

While a VPS server is a very versatile hosting solution, it can never offer the same level of performance and control as a dedicated server. As soon as you realize that the power of your VPS isn’t enough anymore to guarantee the ideal performance of your projects, or if you are planning to significantly expand them in the near future, switching to a dedicated server is the best option. We hope that this article has provided you with a clearer idea of when to move to a dedicated server. Good luck!