Shared vs Cloud Hosting: What should you choose?

Web hosting services allow individuals and organizations to host their website on the Internet. These services provide a platform for customers to build and maintain their web presence. It is important to choose the appropriate web hosting package for your needs as there are many different types ranging from basic shared servers to sophisticated cloud-based platforms. Depending on your requirements and budget, you can select the best solution for you.

While both offer advantages in their own right, it’s important to understand the differences between Shared and Cloud hosting and decide which web hosting service is best for your needs. This article will help you understand the differences and make the best choice according to your needs.

What is Shared Hosting?

Shared hosting allows users to purchase space on a web server that is shared with other customers. This means that the server resources, such as disk storage space and bandwidth, are shared among multiple clients. Shared web hosting is typically the most affordable and cost-effective option for small businesses or individuals who don’t require a large amount of web traffic or demand intensive applications.

 

What are the pros of Shared Hosting?

1. Cost Effective: As the resources are shared among multiple customers, the cost per individual user is significantly lower than other web hosting services.
2. Easy to use and set up: Since most web hosts provide web page building tools and applications that are easy to use and set up, even a novice webmaster can quickly get their website up and running.
3. Multiple domains: Most shared hosting plans allow you to host multiple domains in a single account, usually at no extra cost.
4. Free extras: Many shared hosting plans come with access to site builders and other bonuses at no extra cost, such as WordPress installation or email accounts.
5. Regular updates: Shared hosting plans often come with automated software updates so that your website remains up-to-date without any effort on your part.

 

What are the cons of Shared Hosting?

1. Limited control over server resources: Shared hosting plans are limited in terms of the amount of RAM, CPU, and disk space that can be allocated to each user.
2. Increased security risks: Shared hosting plans can increase the risk of security breaches due to the fact that multiple sites are running on a single server.
3. Lower performance: Since the server is shared among multiple users, performance may not be as good as a dedicated server, VPS solution or cloud-based hosting.
4. Lack of root access: Root access is typically not available in shared hosting plans, which makes it difficult to install custom applications and modify system settings.
5. Limited scalability: It can be difficult to add more resources or scale up your website with a shared hosting plan since it relies on shared resources.
6. Cost savings may come at a cost: While shared hosting plans are cheaper than other options, they may lack features or have limited capabilities that make them less suitable for powering complex websites or applications.
7. Frequent downtimes: With shared hosting plans, there’s an increased risk of frequent downtimes due to high traffic from other websites on the same server being affected by technical issues or malicious attacks.
8. Slow page loading speeds: Shared hosting environments tend to have slower page loading speeds compared to dedicated servers since all websites are sharing resources on the same server.
9. Lower levels of customer support: Shared hosting usually offers fewer support options than VPS solutions, dedicated servers or cloud-based hosting due to its lower cost point.

What is Cloud Hosting?

Cloud hosting provides web hosting services where resources are shared over a network of web servers and storage devices. This means that web traffic, applications, and data are spread across multiple web servers and storage devices to ensure maximum availability, reliability, and scalability. Cloud hosting is typically more expensive than shared hosting but offers a number of distinct advantages such as improved security features, faster speeds, and better control over resource allocation.

 

What are the pros of Cloud Hosting?

1. More scalable: Cloud hosting is a type of web hosting which utilizes multiple sets of virtualized computing resources, such as servers and storage, to host websites or applications. It enables customers to access the same resources from any location, and often provides access to more power than on-premise solutions. Cloud hosting is more scalable than traditional hosting solutions because it allows businesses to add or remove resources quickly and easily in response to changing needs.
2. More reliable: Cloud hosting is more reliable than traditional hosting solutions because it utilizes multiple redundant servers. This means that if a server fails, the other servers will automatically take over and provide uninterrupted service. Cloud hosting also uses load balancing to ensure that resources are distributed evenly across all servers, reducing the risk of an overload on one machine.
3. More cost-effective: It eliminates the need for customers to purchase, install, and maintain software on their own machines since these services are provided remotely by the provider.
4. Allows for more flexibility and customization: It offers the flexibility and scalability of a virtualized environment with the ability to customize applications and services according to business needs. Cloud hosting provides businesses with access to resources such as computing power, storage capacity and networking on demand.
5. Provides better performance: Cloud hosting is a type of hosting that uses virtualized resources for storing, managing and processing data. Unlike shared hosting, cloud hosting does not share resources between clients, meaning each user has access to dedicated resources such as memory, storage and CPU power which can provide improved performance compared to shared hosting. Furthermore, cloud servers are more reliable since they are easily scalable if more resources are needed.
6. More secure: Cloud hosting stores and processes data in multiple locations. This ensures that data is stored securely and redundantly in multiple servers, making it less vulnerable to malicious attacks or other disruptions. Furthermore, cloud hosting provides users with greater control over security settings as these can be customized according to their requirements.
7. Easier to manage: Cloud hosting enables users to manage and configure their servers from any remote location without having to be physically on-site. This makes it easier for users to manage their servers as they do not have to be present to configure or maintain them.
8. Offers a pay-as-you-go model: You only have to pay for the services that you use. This can result in cost savings in the long run as you do not have to invest in physical hardware or purchase licenses for software. Furthermore, the pay-as-you-go model allows you to quickly and easily scale up or down your usage as needed without having to commit to any long term contracts.
9. Environmentally friendly: Cloud hosting is environmentally friendly as it reduces the need for physical hardware and associated energy consumption. As user’s data and applications are hosted in the cloud, it eliminates the need for physical servers and related infrastructure such as cooling systems. Moreover, by relying on virtualization technology to host their applications, organizations can reduce their carbon footprint significantly.
10. Allows for real-time collaboration and sharing of resources: By leveraging the cloud, users can access stored files from any location with an internet connection and collaborate on projects without having to be physically in a shared environment. Additionally, cloud hosting enables users to share resources such as software licenses, networks, servers, or storage space efficiently and securely. This eliminates the need for expensive duplicates of hardware used by different teams or departments within an organization.

 

What are the cons of Cloud Hosting?

1. Cost: Generally speaking, cloud hosting is more expensive than shared web hosting due to the increased server resources involved.
2. Complexity: Managing multiple web servers can be complicated and requires a certain level of technical expertise. It’s best suited for those who are comfortable with server management or have access to technical support when needed.

 

In conclusion

Cloud hosting and shared web hosting are two web hosting services that offer unique advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the choice between these web hosting services depends on your needs and budget. By carefully researching web hosts and comparing them to each other, you can find the perfect web host for your website’s needs. With the right web host in place, you can ensure your website remains up and running efficiently while achieving success online.

 

Looking for web hosting providers? Have a look at our top 5 WordPress web hosting providers.