Shared hosting, VPS and cloud hosting solve different problems. Choose by the application's resource needs, access requirements and the people available to maintain it, rather than assuming that the most expensive category will be fastest.
Shared hosting: a practical starting point
Several hosting accounts use a managed server. You manage your website within the features and limits of your account; the provider manages the underlying server. This often suits company websites, blogs and standard content management systems. Check supported PHP versions, database limits, CPU or memory limits and the storage shared by files, databases and mail.
Start with Bulamu shared hosting if the application fits those limits. More visitors alone do not prove that a VPS is necessary: a large uncached page can consume more resources than many small cached pages.
VPS: more control, more responsibility
A virtual private server provides a virtual machine with an agreed allocation of resources. Ask whether CPU is shared or dedicated, how RAM and storage are allocated, and what happens when a limit is reached. A VPS is not automatically faster than a well-configured shared service.
A VPS can suit an application with background workers, special software or access requirements unavailable on shared hosting. Someone must own operating-system updates, firewall rules, monitoring, backups and recovery. A managed service only includes the tasks stated in its scope. Request a VPS configuration and management quote before choosing.
Cloud: ask which features are actually included
A cloud service may let you provision or resize virtual resources. One virtual server is still a single application instance unless redundancy has been designed around it. Automatic failover, load balancing, multiple availability zones and automatic scaling are separate capabilities that must be confirmed.
For cloud hosting, request the server location, resource allocation, storage design, backup policy, recovery target and billing model. Include bandwidth or egress, licences and management in the estimate. Do not assume “pay as you use” billing for a fixed-price plan.
Dedicated, reseller and managed hosting
A dedicated server assigns a physical server to a customer, but still needs maintenance and a recovery design. Reseller hosting lets an agency manage separate client hosting accounts within its allocation. “Managed” describes an agreed support responsibility and can apply to several hosting types; it is not a guarantee that all application work is included.
A decision checklist
- Can the current plan run the required software and background processes?
- Do measurements show CPU, RAM, database or storage limits being reached?
- Who can respond when updates, incidents or restores are needed?
- What is the full renewal cost, including licences, backups and support?
- How much interruption or data loss can the business tolerate?
Use the hosting plan checklist before ordering and the migration guide before moving a live service.
Reviewed 3 October 2026. Confirm the resources and management scope in your quote.