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Difference Between VPN & VPS

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Maybe they sound similar but they are totally different from each other, if you know the full form of both may clear your thoughts like VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and VPS stands for Virtual Private Server.

VPN: It is a type of technology that allows you to connect to the internet through a private, secure, and encrypted connection.  

When you connect to a VPN server, your internet traffic is encrypted and routed through the VPN server, which acts as a middleman between your device and the internet. This makes it more difficult for hackers, ISPs, or other third parties to intercept or access your online activity.

  • VPNs are commonly used to access blocked or restricted content, such as streaming services or websites that are blocked in certain countries. 

VPS: It is a type of web hosting service where a physical server is divided into multiple virtual servers, each running its own operating system and hosting its own set of files and applications.

With a VPS, users have root access to their virtual server, which means they can install and configure any software or applications they need. They also have more control over server settings and configurations, such as memory allocation, CPU usage, and disk space.

  • VPS hosting is typically offered in two main types: managed and unmanaged. With managed VPS hosting, the hosting provider takes care of server maintenance, security, and software updates. With unmanaged VPS hosting, the user is responsible for managing and maintaining the server.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and Virtual Private Servers (VPSs) have different uses, but they are both effective tools for protecting users’ privacy and security online.

With the establishment of a secure, private connection between the user’s device and the internet, VPNs are frequently used to safeguard users’ online privacy and security. This makes it more difficult for outside parties, like hackers, internet service providers (ISPs), and governments, to monitor a user’s online activity. Because they may make it seem as though the user’s internet traffic is coming from a different place, VPNs are also helpful for getting around internet censorship and accessing geo-restricted content.

VPSs, on the other hand, are virtual machines that are hosted on a distant server and have a range of uses. Due to their high levels of control, flexibility, and scalability, they are frequently utilized by corporations and organizations for hosting websites, applications, and databases. Because they enable customers to build their own virtual private network and encrypt their internet traffic, VPSs can also be utilized for security and privacy reasons.

Generally speaking, VPNs and VPSs are useful tools for maintaining online security and privacy, accessing content that is banned, and hosting websites and apps.

Differences between VPN & VPS:

Category                    VPN VPS
Purpose Provides secure and private access to the internet by encrypting traffic and masking IP address Provides a virtual server environment where users can install and manage their own software and applications
Type of service    VPN is a subscription-based service offered by VPN providers VPS is a hosting service offered by hosting providers
Usage Mainly used for remote access, online security, and privacy Mainly used for web hosting, application hosting, and cloud computing
Cost Usually cheaper than VPS Can be more expensive than VPN
Traffic Encryption Encrypts and secures data traffic between the client and the VPN server Does not necessarily encrypt data traffic, but provides a secure hosting environment
Dedicated Resources Shared resources with other VPN users Dedicated resources allocated to each user
Location VPN servers are located in various locations around the world  VPS servers are located in data centers
Operating System Does not provide access to a specific operating system Users can choose their preferred operating system
Scalability Not scalable Scalable, users can easily upgrade resources as their needs change
Maintenance  Maintenance and updates are handled by the VPN provider Maintenance and updates are the responsibility of the users
Examples  ExpressVPN, NordVPN  AWS EC2, DigitalOcean, Vultr

VPN and VPS are both technologies that provide private and secure access to online resources, but they serve different purposes. The choice between VPN and VPS depends on the user’s specific needs and use case.

VPS are useful but before choosing any VPS we highly recommend you to check these articles:


Last Updated : 18 Apr, 2023
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