# Linux VPS vs Premium VPS Source: https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/presales/linux-vps-vs-premium-vps Last reviewed: 2026-07-02 Summary: Both give you a full root VPS on fast NVMe storage with the same control panel. The real difference is shared vs dedicated resources. Linux VPS is the great-value choice for most Linux workloads, while Premium VPS is your own slice of a dedicated server, with resources reserved entirely for you, full KVM virtualization (run any OS you like), and free Nightly Backups, for consistent, enterprise-grade performance. ## The short answer Both are real virtual private servers: you get full **root access**, fast **NVMe SSD** storage in RAID10, a dedicated IPv4, and the same easy control panel. If you're running a typical Linux workload and want the best value, **Linux VPS** is the one to pick. If you need performance you can count on every second of the day, or you want to run an operating system outside the usual list, step up to **Premium VPS**. The core difference in one line: **Linux VPS shares the server's capacity efficiently to keep the price low; Premium VPS dedicates resources entirely to your VPS.** ## At a glance | | [Linux VPS](https://vpsdime.com/linux-vps) | [Premium VPS](https://vpsdime.com/premium-vps) | |---|---|---| | **Best for** | Most Linux workloads, best value | Consistent, enterprise-grade performance | | **Resources** | Shared node capacity (actively monitored for headroom) | Fully dedicated to your VPS | | **Virtualization** | Our optimized Linux platform | Full **KVM** virtualization | | **Operating systems** | Our curated Linux distributions + one-click apps | Virtually any non-Windows OS, including your own via ISO | | **Storage** | Write-intensive NVMe SSD (RAID10) | Write-intensive NVMe SSD (RAID10) | | **Backups** | Optional Nightly Backups add-on | **Free Nightly Backups included** | | **Resizing** | Up or down, live and instant, no downtime | Upgrade-only, applies with a quick reboot | | **Access** | root over SSH | root over SSH | | **Starting price** | From $5/mo | From $20/mo | ## Shared vs dedicated resources (the main difference) **Linux VPS** makes smart use of a powerful host's capacity, with monitoring that keeps plenty of headroom available at all times. That efficiency is exactly how we hand you generous RAM and NVMe storage at a genuinely low price. For the vast majority of sites, apps, and projects, it's fast, stable, and more than enough. **Premium VPS** is effectively **your own slice of a dedicated server**: the resources are reserved for your server alone. Nothing you run competes with a neighbour, so performance stays flat and predictable even under sustained load. If your workload is latency-sensitive or business-critical, a busy database, a production app, a service where a slow moment costs you, that guarantee is the whole point. Rule of thumb: **choose Linux VPS by default, and Premium VPS when consistent performance is non-negotiable.** ## Freedom to run any OS (Premium) Linux VPS installs from our **curated list of Linux distributions** (Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, Rocky, and more), plus one-click **Applications** if you'd rather deploy a ready-made stack. That covers almost everyone. Premium VPS runs **full KVM virtualization**, which means it isn't limited to a list. You can install **virtually any non-Windows operating system**, including BSD variants or a custom image, by sending us the ISO in a support ticket and we'll attach it. If "I need to run something unusual" describes you, Premium is the answer. (After Windows itself? That's its own product, [Windows VPS](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/presales/windows-vps), with the license included.) ## Storage and performance Both product lines run on **write-intensive, high-DWPD enterprise NVMe SSDs in RAID10**, built on hand-tested Dell hardware, drives rated for heavy, sustained write activity. Write-heavy databases, busy logging, and high-churn workloads stay smooth on either product line. ## Backups **Premium VPS includes free Nightly Backups** in the price, so a good restore point is always there without you lifting a finger. **Linux VPS** keeps things lean and lets you add **Nightly Backups** as an optional feature whenever you want it. Either way, backing up matters, see [Nightly Backups](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/client-area/nightly-backups/nightly-backups-overview) for how it works. ## Upgrading later On **Linux VPS**, moving to a bigger (or smaller) plan is **live and instant, with no downtime and the same IP**, so you can start small and scale the moment you need to. On **Premium VPS**, an upgrade applies with a **quick reboot**, and note that Premium is **upgrade-only**: you can't move down to a smaller plan later, so start with the size you actually need and grow from there. Both are self-service from your client area. ## Which should you choose? **Pick Linux VPS if you:** - want the best value for the resources, - are running websites, web apps, dev/test environments, a VPN, game servers, or self-hosted tools, - are happy on a mainstream Linux distribution, - like the idea of instant, no-downtime upgrades as you grow. **Pick Premium VPS if you:** - need performance that stays consistent under sustained load, - run a production service, a busy database, or anything latency-sensitive, - want backups included for free, - want to run a non-standard OS (BSD, a custom image, and so on). Still weighing it up? See [Choosing the right VPS](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/presales/choosing-the-right-vps) for the full decision, or [how to size your plan](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/presales/choosing-a-vps-plan-size). If you're after Windows rather than Linux, that's a different product, see [Windows VPS](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/presales/windows-vps). --- Questions before you order? You can [open a ticket](https://vpsdime.com/open-ticket/), and we typically reply within minutes. ## Related questions - "What's the difference between Linux VPS and Premium VPS?" - "Is Premium VPS worth it?" - "What does 'dedicated resources' actually mean?" - "Which VPS is best for a production database?" - "Can I run FreeBSD or a custom OS on your VPS?" - "Do I get free backups on Premium?" - "Can I upgrade from Linux VPS to Premium later?" - "Which VPS should I buy for my project?"