The best unmanaged VPS hosting services offer unparalleled control and flexibility, allowing users to tailor their server environments to fit their specific needs. At the top of our list, Hostinger stands out with its excellent server performance, competitive pricing, and responsive support team.
Note: While our HostScore ratings provide a general overview of host performance, it’s important to consider other factors for your specific needs. Our top hosting picks address this by offering tailored suggestions for different requirements, as not all hosting companies offer unmanaged VPS plans.
Hostinger
Hostinger Review (2024)
Hostinger offers unmanaged VPS hosting with features like Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) technology, weekly backups, auto malware scanner, full root access, dedicated IP address, AI server management assistance, NVMe SSD storage, and more. Prices range from $4.49 to $19.99 per month on signup.
Is Hostinger VPS Right for You? Hostinger’s VPS is basic but effective for straightforward needs. The weekly backup might be a downside since most competitors offer daily backups. However, the AI assistance feature stands out, making it easier for users to manage their server, especially for tasks like installing WordPress or setting up firewall rules.
VPS Hosting Plans Available
- Price Range: $4.49 – $19.99 per month
- Customer Support Channels: Live chat and email
- HostScore: 82.4%
- Hosting Services: Shared, VPS, and Cloud
Hostinger Pros:
- Cost-effective pricing – Lowest plan starts at $2.99/mo and supports up to 100 websites
- Nine different data centers across four continents
- User-friendly control panel (hPanel)
- Wide range of payment options accepted
- Git environment available on shared hosting
- Additional 10% discount with coupon code “HOSTSCORE”
Hostinger Cons:
- Price increase during renewal
- No support for Windows hosting
Visit Hostinger to learn more about the features
Verpex
Verpex Review (2024)
Verpex supports both managed and unmanaged VPS for Linux and Windows. Managed VPS pricing ranges from $23.40 to $95.40, while unmanaged VPS ranges from $12 to $53.4 per month. Features include NVMe SSD storage, choice of server locations, 24/7 support, and a 7-day money-back guarantee.
Is Verpex VPS Right for You? Verpex offers excellent value for money, making it an attractive choice for those on a budget. The short 7-day money-back guarantee might be a concern, but the offer of free daily backups for unmanaged VPS at such an affordable rate is hard to pass up.
VPS Hosting Plans Available
- Price Range: $12.00 – $30.00 per month
- Customer Support Channels: Live chat and email
- HostScore: 79.5%
- Hosting Services: Shared, VPS, Dedicated, Cloud, and Reseller
Verpex Pros:
- Budget-friendly shared and VPS hosting plans
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Daily backup included in all shared hosting plans
- Unlimited free site migrations
- Choice of 12 distributed data centers across five continents
Verpex Cons:
- Price increase during renewal
Visit Verpex to learn more about the features
NameCheap
NameCheap Review (2024)
NameCheap offers unmanaged VPS from $6.88 to $24.88 per month, with an option to add complete server management for an extra $25 per month. Features include full root access, support for various OS, and flexible add-ons.
Is NameCheap VPS Right for You? NameCheap’s VPS offerings are best for projects where high performance and reliability aren’t critical. The additional cost for server management might not justify the overall expense, making their unmanaged VPS plan a reasonable path for budget-conscious users.
VPS Hosting Plans Available
- Price Range: $6.88 – $24.88 per month
- Customer Support Channels: Phone, live chat, and email
- HostScore: 74.6%
- Hosting Services: Shared, VPS, Dedicated, and Reseller
NameCheap Pros:
- Budget-friendly shared hosting plans
- Excellent domain name prices with free lifetime privacy protection
- Free site migration
- Perl, Ruby, and Python support in shared hosting plans
NameCheap Cons:
- Price increase during renewal
- Limited VPS plans
- Only US and UK-based servers
- Extra cost to choose a UK-data center
Visit NameCheap to learn more about the features
Kamatera
Kamatera Review (2024)
Kamatera offers cloud-based unmanaged VPS solutions with a high degree of customization. Users can tailor their hosting environment to the minutest detail, including the choice of resources, server location, operating systems, and more. Starting prices are as low as $4 per month, making Kamatera a flexible and scalable option for various hosting needs.
Is Kamatera VPS Right for You? Kamatera is ideal for experienced developers who need a highly flexible hosting environment. With 18 data centers around the world, including the Middle East and China, Kamatera is great for businesses wanting to save money while maintaining a wide reach. However, its complexity and extra costs for add-ons might be overwhelming for beginners.
VPS Hosting Plans Available
- Price Range: $4.00 – $12.00 per month
- Customer Support Channels: Email
- HostScore: 58.7%
- Hosting Services: VPS, Cloud, and Reseller
Kamatera Pros:
- Excellent server speed performance
- Highly flexible hosting plans
- Affordable pricing
- Choice of 18 distributed data centers
Kamatera Cons:
- Confusing plans, especially for new users
- Many vital add-ons require extra cost
- Unhelpful customer support
Visit Kamatera to learn more about the features
HostWinds
HostWinds Review (2024)
HostWinds supports both Linux and Windows for managed and unmanaged VPS. Managed VPS prices for Linux start at $8.24 to $395.24, and for Windows, from $12.74 to $431.24 per month. Unmanaged VPS costs $4.9 to $328.90 (Linux) and $10.99 to $376.99 (Windows) per month.
Is HostWinds VPS Right for You? If you’re looking for value, HostWinds delivers with competitive pricing and a solid 99.9999% uptime guarantee. The option for nightly backups and a wide selection of OS choices makes it a versatile option for various hosting needs.
VPS Hosting Plans Available
- Price Range: $8.24 – $395.24 per month
- Customer Support Channels: Phone, live chat, and email
- HostScore: 52.5%
- Hosting Services: Shared, VPS, Dedicated, Cloud, and Reseller
HostWinds Pros:
- Fast and reliable services
- Sterling reputation and support
- Lots of automated services
- Weebly website builder included
HostWinds Cons:
- Shortest money-back guarantee period in the market (3 days)
- No extra business services
- Slightly higher starting prices
Visit HostWinds to learn more about the features
What Is Unmanaged VPS Hosting?
Unmanaged VPS Hosting refers to a Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting environment where the hosting provider is responsible only for the physical server and its connectivity, leaving the server’s setup, management, maintenance, software installations, and security in the hands of the client.
Unmanaged vs Managed VPS Unmanaged VPS hosting is geared towards users with technical expertise who prefer having full control over their server environment. It offers more flexibility and is typically less expensive than managed hosting, as the provider’s role is limited to ensuring the underlying infrastructure’s operational integrity.
Features Comparison:
| Features | Managed VPS Hosting | Unmanaged VPS Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Server Management | Hosting provider handles server management. | User is responsible for server management. |
| Technical Expertise | Minimal technical expertise required. | High level of technical expertise required. |
| Cost | Generally more expensive. | Less expensive. |
| Customization and Control | Limited customization options. | Full control over server. |
| Security | Provider ensures server security. | User responsible for server security. |
| Time Investment | Low. | High. |
Final Thoughts
Navigating the complex landscape of unmanaged VPS hosting requires a thoughtful approach, but the rewards of unparalleled control, customization, and cost-effectiveness are substantial. By carefully considering factors such as technical expertise, security responsibilities, and available support from providers, you can harness the full potential of unmanaged VPS hosting to power your websites with efficiency and precision.