Introduction

Should I buy Game Server Hosting or VPS Hosting? – A question we’re often asked. There are numerous factors that must be considered when deciding between these two services. We’ll be discussing the differences between these services, to inform you so that you can make the best decision!

What is Game Server Hosting?

Game Server Hosting is a hosting service which allows customer to choose the type of game they wish to host and have the service automatically installed for them. The customer can then interact with their server through a Control Panel Interface, which we like to refer to as a Game Panel. For a typical user, game hosting is often preferred due to it’s ease of use and accessibility. Many of the technical aspects are managed by us such as:

  • IP Configuration
  • Firewall Management
  • Server Installation

This allows the customer to get straight to work on their new server or start playing instantly!

What is VPS Hosting?

Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting is a hosting service in which the client has provisioned a Virtual Machine (VM), where they can choose the Operating System they’d like installed. Once the VM is installed, it’s the customer’s responsibility to install the services (game server, voice server, etc).

The customer must allow the service through their firewall, create the start-up scripts, and manage the server. More experienced users typically prefer this service as it provides them with more control. The customer is able to manage the VPS hosting service themselves without needing to contact support.

Which is Best?

First, let’s discuss performance – I have to point out that the following only applies to the services we provide at Iceline Hosting, it may differ at other gamer server hosting and VPS hosting providers.

Our game server hosting runs on the Ubuntu 18.04 Operating System with specific optimizations and modifications applied to ensure optimal performance efficiency. You could argue that our game server hosting performs better than a Windows VPS as Ubuntu uses fewer resources. If you’re comparing an Ubuntu Game Server vs an Ubuntu VPS, there isn’t going to be a noticeable difference. Some of the CPUs we utilize for our VPS hosting are considered to be better than the CPUs which we utilize for our game servers, but’s not a massive increase. It depends on how many players and scripts you expect on your server. Our Game VPS range may perform better for much larger servers compared to our game server hosting, but it’s usually a case-by-case basis. VPS’s are often purchased by customers who run a community where they host numerous game servers.

Conclusion

It mostly comes down to personal preference, whether you prefer the service to be automatically installed and managed for you, or if you prefer complete control of your server. Performance-wise, we can’t really provide a definitive answer since it’s determined on a case-by-case basis. But if you’re running a large server/community, we’d recommend Game VPS Hosting. Contact us today at Iceline Hosting to learn more about if gamer server hosting or VPS hosting is right for you.