Managed Hosting vs Cloud: What’s the Difference?
Recent technological advances have enabled companies to move their applications, websites and data to the cloud. But how do you know if cloud hosting or managed hosting is best for your company needs? In this article, we will explore the differences between managed hosting and cloud hosting so that you can make an informed decision about your website's future.
What is Managed Hosting?
Managed hosting is a type of web hosting in which the provider takes care of all server management and maintenance. The customer pays a monthly fee for access to hardware and software resources dedicated to their usage alone. The client is provided with a control panel such as cPanel to manage accounts and other aspects of the server as needed. A managed hosting provider also provides support for any technical issues that arise.
What is Cloud Hosting?
Cloud hosting is a type of hosting where multiple virtual servers are used together to form a single pool of resources. It is “on-demand” service, meaning you only pay for what you use. It allows customers to scale up or down depending on their computing needs. Cloud hosting is typically less expensive than managed hosting due to its cost-effective nature.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Managed Hosting
The main advantage of managed hosting is that it offers complete control over the server. This means that the user has full access to all the features of the server and can configure them as they wish. This can include setting up databases, installing software, and customizing settings. Additionally, the provider handles all of the technical aspects of the server, saving the customer time and money. On the downside, managed hosting can be more expensive than shared or cloud hosting because of its dedicated nature.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloud Hosting
The main benefit of cloud hosting is scalability. Customers can add or remove computing resources as needed without worrying about additional costs or maintenance. This makes it ideal for businesses that experience sudden spikes in traffic or need to rapidly expand their operations. Additionally, cloud hosting is secure and reliable since it distributes resources across multiple servers. The main disadvantage of cloud hosting is that customers don’t have full control over the server. Resources are pooled together, making it difficult to customize settings or install specific software.
Which one should I choose?
The choice between managed hosting and cloud hosting depends on your particular needs. If you require complete control over the server, then managed hosting is probably the better option. However, if you need to rapidly scale up or down, then cloud hosting may be the right choice. Consider your budget, storage needs and the level of control desired before deciding between managed hosting vs cloud hosting.