As with its shared hosting plans, Hosting.com has multiple Linux-based virtual private server (VPS) packages. VPS hosting is like shared hosting in that multiple sites exist on the same server. The difference? VPS hosting offers more resources per site. There are far fewer sites on each server, and each is isolated from its server mates.

Hosting.com offers managed and unmanaged VPS servers. With managed servers, Hosting.com takes care of all aspects of server management, including setup, configuration, security, backups, and maintenance. On the other hand, unmanaged servers require you to handle all these tasks yourself for a more hands-on experience.

Unmanaged VPS XS (starting at $9.99 per month with an annual contract) starts with 4GB of virtual memory, 80GB of storage, and unlimited monthly data transfers. The next tier up, VPS S (starting at $15.99 per month with an annual contract), increases the virtual memory to 8GB and storage to 160GB. VPS M ($24.99 per month with an annual contract) lets you work with 16GB of virtual memory and 320GB of storage. Lastly, VPS L ($60.99 per month with an annual contract) is a plan with a hefty 32TB of virtual memory and 640GB of storage.

Managed VPS plans use the same naming structure and offer the same configurations, but include managed server support. As expected, that white glove treatment comes at a much higher cost than unmanaged VPS. Managed VPS XS starts at $65.99 per month for a one-year commitment, while the highest tier, Managed VPS L, costs you $110.99 per month for the year. The upside is that Hosting.com’s team handles your site’s backend, so you can focus on website content without stressing about site maintenance.

All VPS plans come with a free SSL certificate and cPanel. It’s worth noting that both managed and unmanaged VPS have root access options for complete website control; it’s standard on unmanaged VPS plans, and an option for managed ones.

(Credit: Hosting.com/PCMag)

Hostwinds tops Hosting.com in VPS hosting. It has you covered with multiple tiers of managed or unmanaged VPS, plus Linux- or Windows-based hosting, something that Hosting’s VPS services lack. Hostwinds even features Minecraft (yes, the video game) VPS server hosting. Like the standard VPS hosting, Minecraft VPS hosting has a slider that lets you quickly select a pre-configured server. The entry-level tier ($4.99 per month) is designed for 10 people; the high-end tier ($328.99 per month) can host 350 people.