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Shared vs WordPress vs VPS Hosting: Which Do You Need?
Shared, WordPress, VPS, dedicated… hosting plans can sound confusing. Pick too small and your site may slow down on busy days. Pick too big and you pay for power you don’t use.
This guide explains shared vs WordPress vs VPS hosting in plain language, including the key differences in shared vs VPS hosting and when a dedicated server makes sense, so you can choose the right plan for your website today and know when it’s time to move up.
The quick answer
Shared hosting
Best for new websites, blogs, portfolios, and small businesses. The most affordable way to get online. See shared plans
WordPress hosting
Shared hosting with WordPress already installed. Best if you know you’re building with WordPress. See WordPress plans
VPS hosting
Your own virtual server with dedicated RAM and root access. Best for busy sites, online stores, and agencies. See VPS plans
Dedicated server
A whole physical server just for you. Best for the heaviest traffic and workloads. See dedicated servers
1. Shared hosting: the affordable place to start
With shared hosting, your website lives on a powerful server alongside other customers’ sites, and everyone shares the cost of the hardware. That’s what makes it so affordable. We handle the server setup, security updates, and maintenance, so you can focus on your website.
Cheap shared hosting cuts corners. Ours doesn’t. Every shared plan includes:
- CloudLinux account isolation, so a busy neighbor can’t slow down your site
- The LiteSpeed web server and NVMe SSD storage
- cPanel and a one‑click installer for WordPress and 300+ apps
- The AI‑powered Sitejet website builder
- Free SSL, SiteLock Lite malware scanning, and daily and weekly backups
Choose shared hosting if
- You’re launching a new website or blog
- You run a small business site, portfolio, or most WordPress sites
- You don’t want to manage a server
2. WordPress hosting: shared hosting, ready for WordPress
Our WordPress hosting runs on the same fast, secure servers as shared hosting, at the same prices. The difference is setup: WordPress comes pre‑installed, so there’s no installer to run and no database to create. You log in and start building.
Choose WordPress hosting if
- You plan to build your site with WordPress
- You want to skip setup and start creating right away
- You’re running a blog, portfolio, or business site on WordPress
Good to know: some hosts sell “managed WordPress hosting” at a much higher price. Before you pay extra, ask exactly what “managed” includes. For most WordPress sites, fast shared servers plus good caching are plenty. See our WordPress PageSpeed checklist.
See WordPress Hosting Plans3. VPS hosting: your own space, power, and control
A virtual private server (VPS) splits one physical server into separate virtual servers. Your VPS gets its own dedicated RAM that no one else can use, plus full root access to install software and change server settings.
Every Next Wave Host VPS is fully managed by our team, and you still keep the keys:
We take care of
Server setup within 48 hours, operating system and cPanel updates, ImunifyAV+ malware scanning and a DDoS shield, Engintron caching, and support by chat and ticket.
You stay in control
Full root access, WHM to create cPanel accounts, the software and frameworks you need, your PHP versions and server settings, and RAID 0 or RAID 1.
Signs you’ve outgrown shared hosting
- Your pages slow down on busy days
- You need software that shared hosting won’t run
- You host websites for clients and want WHM and free WHMCS billing
- Your online store handles customer data and you want your own isolated server
4. Dedicated servers: a whole server for you
With a dedicated server, the entire physical machine is yours. You choose the processor, operating system, and control panel, and our team manages the server for you, with full root access whenever you want it. Servers are ready in 24 to 48 hours.
Choose a dedicated server for very high traffic, large online stores, or heavy applications that need every bit of a server’s power.
See Dedicated ServersShared vs WordPress vs VPS hosting: side‑by‑side comparison
Shared
Resources: shared, with CloudLinux isolation
Control: cPanel
Server managed by: us
Price: lowest
WordPress
Resources: same as shared
Control: cPanel + WordPress pre‑installed
Server managed by: us
Price: same as shared
VPS
Resources: dedicated RAM
Control: full root access, WHM and cPanel
Server managed by: us, fully managed
Price: mid‑range
Dedicated
Resources: a whole physical server
Control: full root access, your choice of OS and panel
Server managed by: us, fully managed
Price: highest
Now that you’ve seen shared vs WordPress vs VPS hosting side by side, check current prices for every plan on our hosting prices and plans page.
Want to sell hosting instead?
Starting a hosting business? Reseller hosting lets you sell hosting under your own brand, with WHM and WHMCS included. Learn why in our guides to WHM and WHMCS.
Start small and move up when you need to
Choosing between shared vs WordPress vs VPS hosting isn’t a forever decision, so you don’t have to get it perfect on day one. Most websites start on shared or WordPress hosting and move up as they grow. Upgrading between shared plans takes a few clicks with no rebuild, and we include a free site migration on VPS Basic and Plus when you’re ready for your own server.
Compare All Hosting PlansFinal thoughts on shared vs WordPress vs VPS hosting
When it comes to shared vs WordPress vs VPS hosting, most new websites should start on shared or WordPress hosting. Move to a VPS when you need dedicated resources or root access, and choose a dedicated server when your site needs a whole machine. Building with WordPress? Follow our guide on how to build a WordPress website.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between shared and VPS hosting?
The main difference in shared vs VPS hosting is resources. With shared hosting, your site shares a server’s resources with other accounts. With a VPS, you get your own virtual server with dedicated RAM and full root access.
Is shared hosting secure?
Yes. Each of our shared accounts runs in its own isolated space with CloudLinux, and every plan includes free SSL, malware scanning, and automated backups.
Do I need a VPS for WordPress?
Not usually. Most WordPress sites run fast on shared or WordPress hosting. Consider a VPS if your site gets very high traffic or needs custom software.
What is root access?
Root access is full administrator control of a server. It lets you install any software and change any setting. It’s included with our VPS and dedicated servers.
Can I upgrade my plan later?
Yes. You can move up to a bigger plan as your site grows, and your website moves with you.
Still not sure which plan is right?
Still weighing shared vs WordPress vs VPS hosting? Tell us about your website and we’ll recommend the best fit.
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