Our Methodology for Identifying the Best Windows VPS Hosting Services
Server Resources
Hardware is what makes the biggest difference between a good and bad virtual machine. Providers give you a set amount of resources to work with, and if that’s not enough for your demands, it’ll cause slowdowns and customers will abandon their shopping carts. Ultimately, you might end up spending more money if you pick a cheap, underpowered VPS.
Luckily, the hosting sites show the exact hardware specs of each of their Windows VPS hosting plans. These include the number of CPU cores that will be dedicated to your account and websites. The amount of RAM is also important, as is the amount of storage space and monthly bandwidth allowance. Some hosts offer unlimited bandwidth, often calling it an unmetered plan. Bigger is better in all of these departments.
One important feature that distinguishes the best Windows VPS hosting from an average service is the type of drive it stores its data on. Just like any cloud service, such as virtual phone number or cloud gaming, it is pivotal to store your data on the best and fastest SSDs. Hard drives are a thing of the past – for the web hosting world at least. SSDs provide much higher access speeds, which is important in this day and age when even a two-second load time is far too slow for a typical website.
Uptime
It’s not just important to host a website on a fast and powerful server. It also needs to be reliable and stay online as close to 24/7 as possible. That’s why we look at the uptime of the top VPS hosting services when we review them.
The uptime is displayed as a percentage of the total time the host guarantees your site will be online throughout the year. It’s measured in hours, so 99.9% uptime means your VPS might face eight to nine hours of downtime during a single year. 100% uptime is a rarity, but it occasionally happens even if the hosting provider doesn’t mention it in its terms of service. As with the resources, more is better here, too. We’re looking for services that guarantee the aforementioned uptime or better.
Additional Tools and Features
Since we’re looking for the best Windows VPS hosting solution, one great option is the ability to select between different versions of the operating system. Windows Server 2016 is the most common option, but it’s even better if you have the ability to install Windows Server 2019 – the newest one.
After examining the OS options, we also take a look at the other features each VPS offers. For example, we analyze what databases are supported (MySQL, Windows SQL, etc.), what kinds of control panels you can use, whether there is an option for an unmanaged server with root access, and anything extra that’s available. The best Windows VPS should also be scalable, allowing you to quickly add more storage space or get a faster cloud server with the push of a button.
At least one free domain name is included in the offer, along with the accompanying email address. Most web hosts either don’t impose a limit on the number of email addresses you can create or set it high enough that you’ll never have to worry about reaching the limit.
Price
The next important aspect to look at is value. To find an affordable Windows VPS hosting, we look at the different pricing tiers that each host offers, optional add-ons, and what features are available. Basically, we look at how good a deal you get when you sign up for the service. It’s also important to factor in renewal periods and discounts. Combo deals and long-term plans usually bring the price down.
Customer Support
Good customer experience is also important. Since hosting providers boast about almost nonexistent downtime, it’s fair to also expect 24/7 customer support. We evaluate the availability of the support team, ways to get in touch with the company, and any additional knowledge pages available on the website.
Our Picks: The Best VPS Hosting for Windows
- HostGator
- Hostwinds
- GoDaddy
- Hostiger
- InterServer
- Kamatera
FAQ
What is the best VPS hosting?
HostGator has been at the top of the list of VPS providers for many years now. The company is renowned for its big server network, great stability, and near nonexistent downtime, as well as its pricing. It’s one of the best options right now if you want to try out cloud hosting without paying an arm and a leg.
What can you do with Windows VPS?
All kinds of users can benefit from a VPS running on a Windows platform. Business users can keep their office on the cloud, having a remote desktop in any part of the world. An unmanaged Windows VPS service gives you full reign over the remote machine, basically like you’re sitting in front of your own PC. Many users, therefore, use this service for hosting various applications, games, and websites, just like a small-scale CDN. Some even replace their expensive home computers with a VPS. It’s a really flexible platform.
Why is VPS so expensive?
With VPS, you’re renting computer resources from a remote machine. A Windows VPS is generally more expensive than a Linux one due to the hardware demands of this OS. Windows takes up more storage space, and its licensing comes at a price. So, from the get go, you need to spend more if you want a Windows-based cloud server.
Is there any free VPS?
Free VPS hosting doesn’t exist, as no hosting provider will just give out its resources for free. This is especially true if the VPS in question needs to run Windows, a much more demanding OS than Linux and CentOS. That said, some providers offer free trials for customers before they purchase a plan, and some have generous money-back policies in place. Even though it’s not a 100% free alternative, a good money-back guarantee still lets you test the server without risking your finances if you’re not satisfied.
What are the benefits of VPS hosting?
Unlike shared hosting, a VPS server runs faster, is more stable, and provides a much higher level of control. When you get the best Windows VPS hosting, you can use it in several different ways, too. You’ll be able to install various apps, manage multiple websites and storefronts, run simulations, and even play games remotely. For what it offers, a VPS ends up providing greater value for your money, especially since you’re never locked into any specific machine thanks to a high level of scalability. It’s the modern way to run a business and many companies vastly prefer it over traditional hosting.