If you are new to WordPress, or an experienced WordPress administrator, it’s important that you choose the type of web hosting that’s best for you and your business. InMotion Hosting offers both a WordPress Hosting plan on WordPress-optimized shared servers, and a WordPress Virtual Private server (VPS). Below we’ll take a look at what the plans have in common, key differences between the plans, and some guidelines to help you decide which plan best fits your needs.
- WordPress Hosting and WordPress VPS Quick Reference
- What the Plans Have in Common
- Key Differences Between the Plans
- Deciding What is Right for You
WordPress Hosting and WordPress VPS Quick Reference
| WordPress Hosting | WordPress VPS Hosting | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Websites | 1 to 6 Websites, depending on plan | unlimited number of websites determined by resources used |
| Storage Space | 50GB to 200GB | 90GB to 360GB NVMe SSD Storage |
| RAM | Shared Server RAM allocated as needed | 2 to 8 dedicated CPU Cores depending on plan |
| Processors | Shared Server CPUs allocated as needed | 2 to 8GB Dedicated Ram depending on plan |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Email Addresses | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| SSLs | Free AutoSSLs | Free AutoSSLs |
| IP Address | Free IP addresses on Shared Servers, dedicated IP address included free on WP-4000S accounts and available as an upgrade | 3 Dedicated IP Addresses included Free with your account, more available for purchase |
| Softaculous Apps Installer | Included Free! | Included Free! |
| Server Software | WordPress Optimized Stack | WordPress Optimized Stack |
What the Plans Have in Common
Both plans are cPanel based, meaning that you can take advantage of the many features cPanel includes by default. You can easily create and manage email addresses, use cPanel’s free AutoSSL, and, with a bit of configuration, directly access the server via SSH.
Whichever plan you choose, you’ll be on a WordPress Optimized Server, built from the ground-up to take advantage of NGINX Caching to make your site fast and responsive.
Both plans come with the Softaculous App Installer, with lets you easily install WordPress — and dozens of other programs — quickly within individual cPanels.
Key Differences Between the Plans
Shared Plans are Cheaper but Share Server Resources
The basic WordPress Hosting is a shared hosting plan. If you’ve never used Shared Hosting before, this means that each account shares server resources with other accounts. Modern server technology — and our team of Systems Administrators — all work to make sure that these server resources are evenly distributed and provide you with all of the resources you need. This is fine for most businesses, but when you have a high volume of traffic, a lot of data, or certain security concerns, shared hosting may not be right for you.
WHM and Multiple cPanels with a VPS Plan
Shared Hosting plans like our WordPress Hosting provide you with access to one cPanel account. If you find yourself running multiple sites, though, running everything out of one account can feel a bit cramped. This is especially the case if you are a web designer or reseller with multiple clients — you’ll be stuck doing everything from creating emails to managing files yourself.
All of our WordPress VPS plans give you the ability to create multiple cPanels — a set amount based on your specific hosting plan, with an option to purchase more cPanel accounts as you need them. This means you can not only provide your clients access to a personal cPanel, but also configure everything from bandwidth and disk space to basic account features available based on what a given site does and does not need.
Root Access and Server Management with the VPS
The level of control offered by a WordPress VPS account is useful even if you just have one primary business site. With a VPS, you have total control over server resources beyond that of a shared account. A WordPress VPS plan even gives you root access, allowing you to install new software onto your account at the server level.
Deciding What is Right for You
Start with Shared if you are New or Unsure
If you want to run your first website, are completely new to WordPress, or aren’t sure what you need, start with a shared plan like our WordPress Hosting. You can go a long way with just a shared cPanel account, and you’ll be able to learn all of the basics of administering a WordPress website — which will work the same regardless of what kind of server you’re on. If you decide you’re ready to upgrade, don’t worry — we can easily turn your shared cPanel account into the primary cPanel account on a VPS server.
Experienced — Start with a VPS
Are you comfortable with basic systems administration tasks — running backups, making sure software is updated, dividing up server resources, and other similar tasks? WebHost Manager makes it easy to learn new skills as you go, so go ahead and try out a WordPress VPS! You can start off by simply running your primary sites out of one cPanel and gradually expand to running and managing multiple accounts as you feel comfortable doing so.
Multiple Clients — Get a VPS
Do you have multiple clients? Do you want to offer your customers the ability to log in and make new email addresses, without having to call you up every time they hire a new employee? Do you have one client that needs significantly more server resources than the others? Give your clients — and yourself — more control. Switching to a WordPress VPS is a significant quality of life upgrade for you.