VPS vs virtual machine: what's the difference?
By Leonardo Araújo, CEO of Leaven Marketing · Code verified at checkout on · Updated
A VPS is a type of virtual machine. A virtual machine (VM) is any computer created by software on top of physical hardware; a VPS (Virtual Private Server) is a virtual machine that a hosting provider runs in a data center, keeps online 24/7 and rents to you with a public IP address. So every VPS is a VM, but a VM on your laptop isn't a VPS. If you need one, the coupon code JX9LEOSPEPWF takes 20% off Hostinger VPS plans for new customers.
Hostinger coupon code
JX9LEOSPEPWFPaste it in the coupon field at checkout. The “O” is a letter, not a zero.
Affiliate disclosure: the Hostinger links on this page are affiliate links. Leaven Marketing may earn a commission if you buy through them or with our referral code, at no extra cost to you.
Opens Hostinger with the code applied. Check for REFERRALDISCOUNT -20% in the order summary.
What is a virtual machine?
A virtual machine is a software-based computer. A program called a hypervisor takes the CPU, memory and storage of one physical machine and creates one or more isolated “guest” computers on it. Each guest runs its own operating system as if it were a real computer.
Common examples:
- VirtualBox or VMware Workstation on your laptop, to run Linux inside Windows.
- Hyper-V on a Windows server in an office.
- Cloud instances such as AWS EC2 or Google Compute Engine.
What is a VPS?
A VPS is a virtual machine sold as a hosting product. The provider runs the hypervisor on servers in a data center and gives you:
- reserved CPU, RAM and storage;
- a public IP address;
- root access to install anything;
- a fixed price for the term you choose.
The full explanation is in what is a VPS.
VPS vs virtual machine: comparison table
| Virtual machine (general) | VPS | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Any software-defined computer | A VM rented from a hosting provider |
| Where it runs | Your computer, your office server or the cloud | The provider’s data center |
| Who manages the hardware | You, or your cloud provider | The hosting provider |
| Internet access | Depends on your network | Public IP, online 24/7 |
| Cost | Free on your own computer; pay-per-use in the cloud | Fixed price per term |
| Typical use | Testing, running other operating systems, labs | Hosting websites, apps, databases, bots |
| Setup | Install a hypervisor and create the VM | Choose a plan and an OS; ready in minutes |
What is a “virtual private machine”?
“Virtual private machine” isn’t a standard technical term. People usually mean either:
- a virtual private server (VPS), when they’re looking for hosting; or
- a private virtual machine in the cloud, isolated from other users.
If you want to host a website or an app, the product you’re looking for is a VPS.
VPS vs cloud VM (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure)
Both are virtual machines in a data center. The difference is mainly in pricing and simplicity:
- Cloud VMs are billed by the hour or second, can scale automatically and connect to many other cloud services. Powerful, but costs can be hard to predict.
- VPS plans have a fixed price, a simpler panel and bundle things like bandwidth and backups in one plan. Easier for websites, small apps and personal projects.
Which one do you need?
- Learning Linux or testing software on your computer? A local VM, such as VirtualBox, is free.
- Hosting a website, store, API or bot that must be online 24/7? A VPS.
- Building a large app that needs auto-scaling and many managed services? A cloud VM platform.
Still deciding between a VPS and simpler hosting? Read shared vs VPS vs cloud hosting.
Try a VPS with code JX9LEOSPEPWF
If you need a server that’s online 24/7 at a fixed price, Hostinger’s VPS plans use KVM virtualization, so each VPS is a fully isolated virtual machine, with NVMe storage, weekly backups, snapshots and one-click templates for apps such as Docker and n8n.
The coupon JX9LEOSPEPWF works on Hostinger VPS plans from a 1-month term for new customers. Check for REFERRALDISCOUNT -20% in the order summary. Plan sizes and eligibility are in the Hostinger VPS coupon guide.
Sources
Read next
FAQ
Is a VPS a virtual machine?
Yes. A VPS is a virtual machine running on a provider's physical server, rented to you as a hosting service.
Is a VPS better than a virtual machine?
They aren't competitors. A VPS is a VM that someone else hosts for you. For a website or service that must always be online, a VPS is more practical than a VM on your own computer.
What virtualization do VPS providers use?
Most modern providers use KVM, which gives each VPS its own kernel and full isolation. Some older or cheaper plans use container-based virtualization such as OpenVZ.
Can I run a virtual machine inside a VPS?
Usually not, unless the provider supports nested virtualization. You can, however, run containers such as Docker on a VPS.
What is the difference between a VPS and a VPN?
A VPS is a server; a VPN is an encrypted connection. You can install VPN software on a VPS to create your own VPN.
Opens Hostinger with the code applied. Check for REFERRALDISCOUNT -20% in the order summary.