One of the steps when launching a website deals with choosing the right hosting. It’s like finding the perfect location for your business that will determine the website’s performance, security, and overall success. Will there be sufficient space to store all your resources? Who will be your neighbors, and what is the level of support from the vendor?
There are so many options to choose from, from shared and VPS hosting to dedicated and cloud hosting, that you may easily get lost. Are you scratching your head trying to figure out the best hosting for your website? You’re not alone. We understand that it’s not a decision to take lightly.
For this purpose, we’ve prepared this guide to explain the two types of hosting: managed and unmanaged. We’ll highlight their features, benefits, and drawbacks. Are you ready to explore managed and unmanaged hosting and decide which one is the best fit for your website? Read on!
Managed Hosting: What Is It?
First, let’s define managed hosting. Suppose you rent a house and need to fix something. In a managed hosting analogy, you’d have a specialist dealing with all the arising problems like the leaky faucet or the temperamental heating system.
Managed hosting is about having a team of experts. They handle the technical aspects, including:
- Server setup
- Automated backups
- Performance monitoring
- Automatic software updates
- Security, malware scanning, and removal
- SSH access
- Support
- On-demand services
So you can concentrate on managing your website rather than getting bogged down in the details. Similar to having your own IT department, it ensures everything runs smoothly in the background.
Unmanaged Hosting: What Is It?
Now, let’s shed some light on unmanaged hosting, the most popular option for startups and small businesses. It entails that you do everything yourself:
- Set up the system as you like;
- Take responsibility for any issues that pop up;
- Monitor and update your servers.
Coming back to the renting example, you’d have to provide your own furnishings and appliances and perhaps even fix the plumbing. It looks like a more flexible option. However, it implies the need for technical experience and knowledge of the server setup, software updates, security measures, etc.
Managed vs. Unmanaged Hosting: A Detailed Comparison
Okay, let’s compare managed hosting vs. unmanaged hosting. To make it easy for you to put them head to head, we’ll break down their features. That’s where the differences between managed and unmanaged hosting become the most apparent.
Managed Hosting
Proactive Monitoring
When you use managed hosting, your provider continually monitors the server to make sure it functions as it should. They can also identify and eliminate problems proactively before they impact your website.
Security Measures
Providers also take care of security-related tasks:
- applying patches to protect against vulnerabilities;
- upgrading firewalls and complying with spam filters;
- protecting the software without your intervention.
Automated Backups
Automated backups let you save data to prevent its loss. Most managed hosting providers offer this opportunity, often storing data on separate servers so any breakdowns won’t affect your information.
Tailored Storage Terms
Managed hosting companies have a wide range of storage options. So, to avoid wrong investments, it’s worth checking the storage offerings of different providers and finding the right balance.
24/7 Support
Your website may break during any hours of operation, and your team may not be online. It’s especially urgent during peak hours and busy holiday seasons, where time, stability, and resistance to traffic spikes are key. Managed hosting frequently comes with round-the-clock support, helping you withstand any server glitches.
Price
Managed hosting is frequently more expensive because these services aren’t free. The investment may be worthwhile if you value your time, support, and comfort.
Unmanaged Hosting
Full Control
Unmanaged hosting allows complete freedom and access to your server. You can adapt it to your needs.
Root Access
This type of access entails the maximum degree of control over your server: security, backups, optimization, and maintenance.
Hosting Control Panel
You can operate your system through a comprehensive control panel like cPanel, which serves for easier server management.
Cost
Unmanaged hosting usually becomes a go-to option for small businesses due to its lower cost. As you maintain the server yourself, you save money, sacrificing your time and dealing with the complexity of proper handling.
Limited Support
You can’t address specialists in case of disruptions. While some unmanaged hosting providers may help you with major server issues, the range of services is limited, and you should count on yourself.
Types of Managed Hosting
Managed Shared Hosting
Ideal for small websites and beginners, managed