Shared, VPS, dedicated and cloud hosting all put a website online. The difference is who runs the server, how much of the machine is yours, and how much work and money it takes. This guide explains each type in plain terms and gives you a simple way to pick, based on what you are actually building rather than on traffic guesses.
Most business websites, WordPress sites and online shops belong on shared hosting, where the provider runs the server for you. Choose a VPS when you need root access, background processes or software shared hosting blocks, and someone on your team can manage Linux. Dedicated servers and cloud platforms are for large or unusual workloads with a matching budget and skills. If you only want a site without touching hosting at all, a website builder is simpler still.
1. The four types at a glance
| Feature | Shared | VPS | Dedicated | Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What you get | An account on a server the provider manages | A virtual machine with its own resources | A whole physical server | Virtual machines and services billed by use |
| Who manages the server | The provider | You, unless you pay for management | You, unless you pay for management | You, plus the platform's tools |
| Root access | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Technical skill needed | Low | Medium to high | High | High |
| Typical cost | Lowest | Moderate | High | Varies with usage |
| Best for | Business sites, WordPress, email | Apps, custom stacks, busy sites | Very heavy or specialised workloads | Workloads that scale up and down |
2. Shared hosting
Many customer accounts live on one server that the provider looks after: operating system, web server, PHP, databases, security and updates. You get a control panel, email accounts, databases and free SSL, and you manage only your website.
- Lowest cost and quickest start
- No server administration
- Email, databases and SSL included
- Control panel for everything
- Per-account limits on CPU, memory and processes
- No root access; you can't install system software
- Some PHP functions are disabled for security
- Long-running scripts and background workers don't fit
"Shared" does not mean one busy neighbour can take your site down. On a well-run server each account is kept inside its own limits. What it does mean is that you work within those limits and the software the server provides.
3. VPS (virtual private server)
A VPS is a virtual machine on a physical host, with its own CPU cores, memory, storage and IP address. You get full root access and can install anything that runs on the operating system.
- Root access and any software stack
- Resources reserved for you
- Background workers, Docker and custom services
- A separate IP address
- You patch, secure and back up the server
- Email and control panels are yours to set up
- A misconfiguration can take the site offline
A VPS is the usual next step when an application outgrows shared hosting. The honest cost is not only the monthly price: it is also the time to run the server, or the cost of someone who can.
4. Dedicated servers
A dedicated server is a whole physical machine for one customer. It makes sense for very heavy databases, specialised hardware needs or strict isolation requirements. It also carries the highest price and the most responsibility, including hardware lead times and planning for failures. For most small and medium businesses, a well-sized VPS gives the same practical benefits at a fraction of the cost.
5. Cloud hosting
"Cloud" usually means a platform where you rent virtual machines, storage and managed services by the hour or by use, and add or remove them on demand. It suits workloads that change sharply, such as seasonal spikes or batch processing, and teams that want managed databases, load balancers and automation.
The trade-off is complexity and unpredictable bills. Usage-based pricing is cheap when idle and expensive under load, and a cloud setup needs someone who understands it. A single website with steady traffic rarely needs it.
6. Managed platforms and website builders
Two newer options sit beside the classic four:
- App platforms run your application from a Git repository or container image. You deploy code; the platform handles servers, SSL and routing. There is no root access.
- Website builders let you create a site without touching hosting at all. They are the quickest route for a small business site, with less freedom to customise.
7. How to choose: five questions
- What are you building?A business website, blog or shop on WordPress or another PHP CMS fits shared hosting. A Node.js or Python application fits an app platform or a VPS. A simple brochure site may only need a website builder.
- Does it need software shared hosting blocks?Background workers, WebSockets, Redis, Docker, or services on their own ports all need a VPS.
- Who will manage the server?If nobody on your team wants to patch Linux, stay on shared hosting or a managed platform.
- Do you need email on the same account?Shared hosting includes it. On a VPS you set it up yourself or use a separate email service.
- What does it cost in total?Add the time or staff to run the server to the monthly price before you compare.
A slow site is more often caused by heavy plugins, uncached pages or slow outside services than by the hosting type. Fix those first, and try a larger shared plan, before moving to a server you will have to manage. See my website is slow and check hosting resource usage.
8. Where Domain India fits
This guide's Domain India recommendations cover shared hosting, VPS, the App Platform and the AI Website Builder.
- Shared hosting with cPanel, DirectAdmin or Webuzo runs Apache, with email, free SSL and backups included (CloudLinux account isolation on cPanel and DirectAdmin). Jailed SSH access is available on every shared plan; it is off by default, so ask support to enable it. Windows (Plesk) hosting is available for ASP.NET sites and has no SSH.
- VPS plans are KVM virtual machines with full root access. They are self-managed: you look after the operating system, security and software. cPanel is not offered on VPS.
- The App Platform runs Node.js apps (detected automatically) and other stacks from a Dockerfile, with a PostgreSQL database on each plan.
- The AI Website Builder creates a business site for you, with a free plan to start.
- 25 GB NVMe SSD Storage
- 50 GB Monthly Bandwidth
- 1 Website
- 10 Email Accounts
- 1 vCPU
- 2 GB DDR4 RAM
- 64 GB NVMe SSD Storage
- 2 TB Monthly Bandwidth
- 512 MB RAM per app
- 1 vCPU
- 5 GB NVMe SSD
- PostgreSQL Database
Cards show Domain India list prices on 19 September 2026, excluding 18% GST. For a closer look at the most common decision, read VPS vs shared hosting.
Which hosting type is best for a small business website?
Shared hosting suits most small business websites, blogs and online shops built on WordPress or another PHP CMS. The provider manages the server, and email, databases and SSL come with the plan.
When should I move from shared hosting to a VPS?
Move when you need root access, background workers, Docker or software that shared hosting blocks, or when you keep hitting resource limits after optimising your site, and someone on your team can manage a Linux server.
Is a VPS harder to manage than shared hosting?
Yes. On a self-managed VPS you install and update the operating system and software, configure the firewall, set up email and plan backups yourself. On shared hosting the provider does all of that.
What is the difference between VPS and cloud hosting?
A VPS is a virtual machine with a fixed set of resources at a fixed monthly price. Cloud hosting usually means renting resources and managed services by use, adding or removing them on demand, with pricing that changes with usage.
Do I need a dedicated server for a busy website?
Rarely. Caching and a well-sized VPS handle most busy websites. A dedicated server makes sense for very heavy databases, special hardware needs or strict isolation requirements.
Does Domain India shared hosting include SSH?
Jailed SSH access is available on every Domain India shared hosting plan with cPanel, DirectAdmin or Webuzo. It is off by default; ask support to enable it. Windows hosting has no SSH.
Can I get cPanel on a Domain India VPS?
No. cPanel is offered on shared hosting only. The VPS page lists the control panel options available for a VPS.
Ready to choose? Compare cPanel hosting, DirectAdmin hosting and VPS plans, look at the App Platform or the AI Website Builder, or tell us what you are building through a support ticket and we will suggest a fit.
Email, free SSL, weekly backups and a control panel on every shared hosting plan, with the server run by Domain India.
See cPanel hosting plans