Choosing the right VPS
Picking a VPS comes down to four quick decisions. The good news: none of them lock you in, you can resize the plan, reinstall a different OS, and add resources later, so aim for a sensible fit and get going.
1. Which type of VPS?
- Linux VPS is the right call for most people: the best value, generous RAM on fast NVMe, and everything you need for websites, web apps, databases, VPNs, game servers, and self-hosting.
- Premium VPS reserves resources entirely for your server, for consistent, enterprise-grade performance, and its full virtualization lets you run virtually any operating system. Choose it when performance has to stay steady under load, or you need a non-standard OS. See Linux VPS vs Premium VPS.
- Windows VPS is for when you specifically need Windows, to run Windows-only software or a full Windows desktop you reach over Remote Desktop.
New to all this? Start with What is a VPS?.
2. How big?
Go with what comfortably fits what you're running today. RAM is usually the deciding factor, and our plans lead with plenty of it. A small site or VPN is happy on the entry plans; busier sites, databases, or Windows want more. Full guidance and per-workload starting points are in How to choose a plan size, and remember you can upgrade later (instantly, with no downtime, on Linux VPS).
3. Which operating system?
- On Linux VPS, pick a distribution, a current LTS release like Ubuntu or Debian is the safe default for most people, or use a one-click Application to deploy a ready-made stack.
- On Premium VPS, choose from the Linux distributions, or install virtually any non-Windows OS yourself, including BSD or a custom image, by sending us the ISO in a support ticket.
- On Windows VPS, choose Windows Server 2025, 2022, or 2019.
You can always reinstall a different OS later, so this isn't a one-way door.
4. Which datacenter?
Pick the location closest to the people who'll use your server, that's what gives you the lowest latency and the snappiest feel. Don't guess, measure: our Looking Glass lets you ping and download a test file from every location before you order. Your IP address belongs to the location, so it's worth choosing well up front. We run six datacenters:
Availability can vary and a location is occasionally out of stock, the order form shows the ones you can deploy to right now. If you specifically need a location that isn't listed, just ask.
Not sure? Here's a safe default
For most people, a Linux VPS with 4 to 6 GB of RAM, running the current Ubuntu LTS, in the datacenter nearest your users, is an excellent starting point. And if it's your first order with us, it's covered by a 72-hour money-back guarantee, so you can try us with nothing to lose. Still torn? Contact our team and we'll point you the right way.
Related questions
- "Which VPS should I choose?"
- "Linux, Premium, or Windows, what's the difference?"
- "What size VPS do I need?"
- "Which operating system should I pick?"
- "Which datacenter location is best for me?"
- "Can I change my plan, OS, or size later?"
- "What do you recommend for a beginner?"