You have to make multiple decisions before you buy a domain name and hosting package for your business website or blog. One of the most important decisions is the type of hosting solution you purchase.
Shared and dedicated hosting are two of the most common choices, catering to distinct hosting needs. Before you buy a shared or dedicated server in Australia, try to understand the difference between the two.
You must always pick the one that suits your needs better rather than picking the one that is objectively superior.
Definitions: Shared Hosting Vs Dedicated Hosting
Shared Hosting
In shared hosting, one physical server is shared by multiple websites, blogs or web applications. All tenants share all the hosting elements and resources among one another, creating a shared environment.
Dedicated Hosting
In dedicated hosting, one website or web application is housed in a single physical server. The hosting resources, software and applications are exclusively run to suit the website’s needs and expectations. This creates an exclusive environment, maximising privacy.
Differences: Shared Hosting Vs. Dedicated Hosting
| Features | Shared Server Hosting | Dedicated Server Hosting |
Server |
One physical server hosts multiple websites. If you opt for shared hosting, your website will be housed along with multiple others. | One entire physical server hosts a single website. You will get an entire server dedicated solely to your website. |
Resource Allocation |
Hosting resources, including CPU, RAM, bandwidth and storage, are shared among multiple websites. | All the hosting resources are utilised by your website or application. It offers more exclusivity. |
Scalability |
A reliable shared hosting provider offers optimal scalability with little downtime. | When it comes to scalability between shared vs. dedicated servers, dedicated hosting can be rigid. You need to upgrade the hardware in order to scale your resources. |
Management |
Managing your shared server requires basic technical knowledge. | Managing a dedicated server requires high technical expertise. However, you can opt for managed dedicated hosting where the provider performs all server management and maintenance tasks. |
Security |
When it comes to a shared server vs dedicated server security, a shared server lags. A shared environment increases vulnerability to threats if another site on the server is compromised. | Dedicated hosting offers a highly secure environment. You do not experience noisy neighbour issues or get blocklisted due to other users. |
Customisation |
Shared hosting offers limited customisation options since most of the server is pre-configured. For instance, all the websites use the same operating system. | Conversely, a dedicated server offers complete control over the server configuration. You can choose your control panel, operating system, hosting applications and other settings. |
Speed |
Your website’s performance may be affected during peak usage by other websites sharing the server. | Thanks to the dedicated resources, your server experiences faster loading speeds and consistent performance. |
Cost |
Shared hosting is arguably the most affordable hosting solution. It is ideal if you want to opt for a budget-friendly solution. | Dedicated hosting is expensive when we compare shared vs dedicated servers. You pay for exclusivity and stability. |
Summing it Up!
Unless and until you find the perfect fit for your hosting expectations, you must not make any purchases. In the case of “shared server vs dedicated server” discussion, the two solutions offer standout features, benefits and limitations based on their server structure and other elements.
Shared hosting has a long-standing reputation for being cost-efficient and optimal. Conversely, dedicated server hosting is known for its superior stability, customisability and security.