TL;DR
The Best Unmanaged VPS Hosting offer unparalleled control and flexibility, allowing users to tailor their server environments to fit their specific needs. At the top of our list, Hostinger won the race with their tip-top server performance, competitive pricing, and responsive support team.
Note: While our HostScore ratings provide a general overview of host performance, there are other factors you should consider for your specific needs. Our top hosting picks address this by offering tailored suggestions for different requirements (for example, not all hosting companies offer unmanaged VPS plans).
Hostinger
Hostinger Review
Hostinger offers unmanaged VPS hosting with features like Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) technology, weekly backups, auto malware scanner, full root access, dedicated IP address, AI server management assistance, NVMe SSD storage, and more, with prices ranging from $4.49 to $19.99 per month on signup.
Is Hostinger VPS Right for You?
Hostinger’s VPS is pretty basic but gets the job done for straightforward needs. The weekly backup could be a deal-breaker since most competitors offer daily backups. However, the AI assistance is a unique feature that stands out, making it easier for users to manage their server, especially for tasks like installing WordPress or setting up firewall rules.
VPS Hosting Plans Available
Customer Support Channels
Hostinger Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Nine different data centers in four continents
- Good spread of hosting plans
- User-friendly control panel (hPanel)
- Wide range of payment options accepted
- Git environment available on shared hosting
- Additional 7% discount with coupon code “HOSTSCORE”
Hostinger Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Does not support Windows hosting
NameCheap
NameCheap Review
NameCheap offers unmanaged VPS from $6.88 to $24.88 per month, with the option to add a complete server management service for an extra $25 per month. Features include full root access, support for various OS, and flexible add-ons.
Is NameCheap VPS Right for You?
NameCheap’s VPS offerings are best for projects where high performance and reliability aren’t critical. The additional cost for server management might not justify the overall expense, suggesting that their unmanaged VPS plan could be the most reasonable path for budget-conscious users.
VPS Hosting Plans Available
Customer Support Channels
HostScore
NameCheap Pros
- Budget-friendly shared hosting plans
- Excellent domain name prices with free lifetime privacy protection
- Free site migration
- Perl, Ruby, and Python support in shared hosting plan
NameCheap Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Limited VPS plans
- Only US and UK-based servers
- Pay extra to choose UK-data center
Verpex
Verpex Review
Verpex supports both managed and unmanaged VPS for Linux and Windows. Managed VPS pricing ranges from $23.40 to $95.40, and unmanaged VPS from $12 to $53.4 per month. Features include NVMe SSD storage, choice of server locations, 24/7 support, and a 7-day money-back guarantee.
Is Verpex VPS Right for You?
Verpex offers excellent value for money, making it an attractive choice for those on a budget. However, the short 7-day money-back guarantee might raise some eyebrows. Despite this, the deal of free daily backups for unmanaged VPS at such an affordable rate is hard to pass up. It’s worth noting that their website could do with some improvements to make the hosting options clearer.
VPS Hosting Plans Available
Customer Support Channels
HostScore
Verpex Pros
- Budget-friendly shared and VPS hosting plans
- 45-day money back guarantee
- Daily backup included in all shared hosting plans
- Unlimited free site migrations
- Choice of 12 distributed data centers across five continents
Verpex Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
Kamatera
Kamatera Review
Kamatera offers cloud-based unmanaged VPS solutions with a high degree of customization. Echoing the model of giants like Google Cloud, Kamatera allows its users the freedom to tailor their hosting environment down to the minutest detail, including the choice of resources, server location, operating systems, and more. This approach, combined with the option for monthly or hourly billing, positions Kamatera as a highly flexible and scalable option for a variety of hosting needs. With starting prices as low as $4 per month, Kamatera makes entering the cloud hosting space accessible while providing the scalability needed for growing projects.
Is Kamatera VPS Plans Right for You?
Kamatera is like the buffet of VPS hosting: you eyeball it, you pile it on your plate, and you only cry a little when the bill comes – because you only pay for the bites you actually munch. You only pay for what you use.
With 18 data centers around the world, including the Middle East and China, it’s great for businesses wanting to save money and still have a wide reach. However, it’s not the easiest to use because of its complexity and extra costs for important add-ons. We think Kamatera is best for experienced developers. It might be too much for beginners, who could find simpler, less flexible hosting options a better fit.
VPS Hosting Plans Available
Customer Support Channels
Kamatera Pros
- Excellent server speed performance
- Highly flexible hosting plans
- Affordable pricing
- Choice of 18 distributed data centers
Kamatera Cons
- Plans are confusing – especially if you are new
- Many vital add-ons require extra cost
- Unhelpful customer support
HostWinds
HostWinds Review
HostWinds supports both Linux and Windows for managed and unmanaged VPS. Managed VPS prices for Linux start at $8.24 to $395.24, and for Windows, from $12.74 to $431.24 per month. Features include 24/7 support, free migration, 1 Gbps ports, enterprise firewall, and nightly backups. Unmanaged VPS costs $4.9 to $328.90 (Linux) and $10.99 to $376.99 (Windows) per month, with a 99.9999% uptime guarantee, instant scalability, and more.
Is HostWinds VPS Right for You?
If you’re looking for value, Hostwinds delivers with very competitive pricing and a solid 99.9999% uptime guarantee. The option for nightly backups and a wide selection of OS choices (both Windows and Linux) makes it a versatile option for various hosting needs.VPS Hosting Plans Available
Customer Support Channels
HostScore
HostWinds Pros
- Fast and reliable services
- Sterling reputation and support
- Lots of automated services
- Weebly website builder included
HostWinds Cons
- Slightly higher than usual starting prices
- No extra business services
What Is Unmanaged VPS Hosting?
Unmanaged VPS Hosting refers to a Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting environment where the hosting provider is responsible only for the physical server and its connectivity, leaving the server’s setup, management, maintenance, software installations, and security in the hands of the client.
Unmanaged vs Managed VPS
Generally, unmanaged VPS hosting is geared towards users with technical expertise who prefer having full control over their server environment. It offers more flexibility and is typically less expensive than managed hosting, as the provider’s role is limited to ensuring the underlying infrastructure’s operational integrity.
Unmanaged VPS hosting users must have the skills to configure their server, manage its security, and handle all aspects of its operation, making it a suitable choice for tech-savvy individuals and businesses with IT capabilities.
| Features | Managed VPS Hosting | Unmanaged VPS Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Server Management | The hosting provider handles server management. | The user is responsible for server management, including installing software, updates, security, and troubleshooting. |
| Technical Expertise | Minimal technical expertise is required. The hosting provider takes care of technical issues. | High level of technical expertise is required to manage and troubleshoot the server. |
| Cost | Generally more expensive due to the added services and support from the hosting provider. | Less expensive as the user is responsible for managing the server. |
| Customization and Control | Limited customization options. | Full control over the server, allowing for custom configurations, and settings adjustments. |
| Security | Hosting provider ensures server security, applying necessary patches and security measures. | The user is responsible for securing their server, including firewalls, security patches, and malware protection. Any oversight can lead to vulnerabilities and potential security breaches. |
| Time Investment | Low. The hosting provider handles most of the technical management, allowing users to focus their your website. | High. Requires time for server setup, management, maintenance, and troubleshooting. |
How Much Does Unmanaged VPS Hosting Normally Cost?
Entry-Level Unmanaged VPS Hosting
- Cost Range: $5 to $25 per month.
- Typical Specifications: 1 CPU core, 1-4 GB RAM, 20-75 GB SSD storage, 1-2 TB bandwidth.
- Best For: Small websites, personal projects, and development environments.
Mid-Range Unmanaged VPS Hosting
- Cost Range: $25 to $60 per month.
- Typical Specifications: 2-4 CPU cores, 4-12 GB RAM, 80-200 GB SSD storage, 3-4 TB bandwidth.
- Best For: Medium-sized websites, e-commerce sites, and small to medium-sized business applications.
High-End Unmanaged VPS Hosting
- Cost Range: $60 to more than $300 per month.
- Typical Specifications: 6-12+ CPU cores, 16-96+ GB RAM, 200-500+ GB SSD storage, 4 – 10+ TB bandwidth.
- Best For: Large websites, enterprise applications, high-traffic e-commerce sites, web applications requiring significant resources.
What Types of Support Can We Expect from Unmanaged VPS Provider?
While unmanaged VPS hosting places the primary responsibility for server management and maintenance on the user, it does not mean the absence of support from the hosting provider.
Unmanaged VPS hosting services typically offer a basic level of support focused on the infrastructure and network, ensuring the physical server and connectivity are functioning optimally. Here’s what you can generally expect in terms of support from an unmanaged VPS hosting provider:
1. Hardware Support
- Server Hardware: The hosting provider is responsible for any hardware issues, including failures and replacements. If a component of the server fails, the provider will replace it to ensure the server remains operational.
- Performance Monitoring: Some providers may offer monitoring tools to help users keep an eye on the server’s hardware performance, allowing for proactive management of potential hardware issues.
2. Network Support
- Connectivity Issues: Providers typically ensure that your VPS has a stable connection to the internet. This includes resolving any network-related issues that fall within their control, such as router failures or bandwidth problems.
- DDoS Protection: Basic protection against distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks may be provided, helping to safeguard your server’s accessibility.
3. Basic Security Measures
- Firewall: Even in unmanaged services, some providers might offer initial firewall setup or tools to configure firewall settings, although it’s generally up to the user to manage and update these settings.
- Network Security: Providers often ensure the overall security of the network on which your VPS operates, although the security of the server software itself is the user’s responsibility.
4. Access and Control
- Root Access: Users have root access to their server, providing the freedom to install any software and make any configurations or adjustments as needed.
- Control Panel: Some providers offer a control panel (sometimes for an additional fee) to facilitate server management, even if the overall service is unmanaged.
5. Limited Customer Service
- Basic Troubleshooting: While comprehensive technical support is not a feature of unmanaged services, providers may offer guidance or resources for basic troubleshooting or point users to documentation.
- Community Forums: Many hosting providers maintain community forums where users can seek advice from other customers or find answers to common issues.
Operating Systems for Unmanaged VPS Hosting
You must carefully consider your needs, expertise, and budget when choosing an operating system (OS) for your unmanaged virtual server. Your server’s OS affects nearly every aspect of your operations, including:
- Compatibility with Applications: The OS determines which applications and software can be run on the server. Different applications have specific OS requirements, so choosing an OS that supports the intended software stack is crucial.
- Security and Stability: Each OS has its own security features and protocols. You need to select an OS they are familiar with or willing to learn about to ensure they can adequately secure their server. Furthermore, the stability of the OS affects the reliability of the server, impacting your server uptime and performance.
- Control and Flexibility: Unmanaged VPS hosting provides users with root access, allowing them to install and configure any software as needed.
- Performance Requirements: Depending on the server’s intended use, some operating systems might perform better than others. For example, certain OSes are optimized for web services, while others might be more suited for database hosting or application development environments.
Popular OSes to Consider for Unmanaged Linux VPS
Linux Distributions
- Ubuntu: Known for its user-friendliness and extensive community support, Ubuntu is a popular choice for web servers, application servers, and more. It receives regular updates and has a strong focus on security.
- CentOS (Community ENTerprise Operating System): Favored for its stability and strong enterprise support, CentOS is widely used for web hosting and as a server OS. It’s compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), making it ideal for businesses looking for a free OS with enterprise-grade capabilities.
- Debian: Praised for its stability and security, Debian is a solid choice for servers. It has a vast repository of software packages, making it versatile for various applications.
- Fedora: Known for incorporating the latest technologies and software, Fedora is suitable for those who wish to work with the newest developments in Linux. It’s also the upstream source for RHEL, meaning that technologies tested in Fedora often make their way to CentOS and RHEL.
Windows Server
- Windows Server 2019/2022: While Linux distributions are more commonly used for web servers, Windows Server remains a popular choice for businesses that rely on Microsoft software and technologies, such as .NET framework applications, Active Directory, and SQL Server. It offers a familiar environment for those accustomed to Windows, though it requires purchasing a license.
BSD Variants
- FreeBSD: Known for its advanced networking, security features, and performance, FreeBSD is a Unix-like operating system often used for servers. It boasts a comprehensive collection of third-party applications and has a reputation for reliability and flexibility.
- OpenBSD: With a strong emphasis on security, OpenBSD is considered one of the safest server operating systems available. It’s the choice for operators prioritizing security over other factors.
Final Thoughts
Navigating the complex landscape of unmanaged VPS hosting requires a thoughtful approach, but the rewards of unparalleled control, customization, and cost-effectiveness are substantial. Our comprehensive review underscores the importance of choosing a provider like Hostinger, which balances performance, flexibility, and value.
As we’ve explored – factors such as technical expertise, security responsibilities, and the support available from providers play pivotal roles in ensuring a successful hosting experience. By carefully considering these aspects, you can harness the full potential of unmanaged VPS hosting to power your websites with efficiency and precision.
