# Shared vs managed vs VPS vs dedicated hosting

Source: https://dijituldns.co.uk/compare/shared-vs-managed-vs-vps-vs-dedicated/
Updated: 2026-10-08

> Shared hosting is cheapest but you share resources and do the upkeep. Managed hosting adds someone who looks after the server for you. A VPS gives you a private slice of a server, and dedicated gives you a whole machine. dijitul offers managed Complete Hosting at £1 a day + VAT, with VPS and dedicated servers quoted.

## Key facts

- Shared hosting puts many websites on one server, sharing CPU, memory and disk.
- Managed hosting means the provider handles updates, security patches and monitoring.
- A VPS (virtual private server) has its own guaranteed slice of memory and CPU.
- A dedicated server is a whole physical machine used by one customer.
- Unmanaged VPS and dedicated servers need someone with Linux skills to run them.
- dijitul Complete Hosting is managed hosting at £1 a day + VAT (£365 a year + VAT).
- dijitul quotes for VPS, managed VPS and dedicated servers based on the workload.

## The four types of hosting in one table

Most UK hosting falls into four types. The real differences are how much of a server you get, and who does the technical work.

| Type | What you get | Who looks after it | Best for |

| Shared | Space on a server shared with many other sites | Host runs the server, you look after your site | Small, low-traffic sites on a tight budget |
| Managed | Hosting where the provider handles updates, security and monitoring | The provider, with you free to focus on the business | Small businesses that want it set and forget |
| VPS | A private virtual server with its own memory and CPU | You, unless you pay for a managed VPS | Growing sites, custom software, several apps |
| Dedicated | A whole physical server | You, unless you pay for server management | High-traffic sites, heavy databases, strict isolation |

Note that "managed" is a service level, not a server size. You can have managed shared hosting, a managed VPS or a managed dedicated server.

## Shared hosting: cheap, but you are on your own

Shared hosting is the entry point. Hundreds of sites can sit on one server, each with a control panel such as Plesk or cPanel. It works well for a brochure site with modest traffic.

The catches are practical rather than technical:

- A busy or hacked neighbour can slow the whole server.
- Memory limits and PHP settings are often fixed, so older or heavier sites struggle.
- Backups, SSL and migrations are frequently extras, or left to you.
- Support often stops at "the server is up", not "your site works".

If you are happy updating your own CMS, checking backups and fixing problems, shared hosting can be fine value.

## Managed hosting: someone else does the upkeep

Managed hosting is about who does the work. The provider keeps the server patched, watches for problems, runs backups and steps in when something breaks. You still get a control panel, but you rarely need it.

For most small businesses this is the sweet spot. Your website is a tool, not a hobby, and an hour lost to a broken update costs more than the hosting. A good managed host will also set sensible PHP versions per site, tune **memory_limit** and **max_execution_time**, and keep ionCube Loader and common PHP extensions such as gd, intl and mbstring available.

Read more in our guide on [managed vs unmanaged hosting](https://dijituldns.co.uk/guides/managed-vs-unmanaged-hosting/).

## VPS and dedicated servers: when you need more

You need your own server when shared resources hold you back. Common signs include:

- Traffic peaks that slow or crash the site.
- Large databases, heavy search or reporting jobs.
- Custom software needing Redis, Node.js or specific system packages.
- Several sites or apps that need to be kept apart.
- Compliance reasons for not sharing a machine.

A [VPS](https://dijituldns.co.uk/vps-hosting/) is usually the first step. A [dedicated server](https://dijituldns.co.uk/dedicated-servers/) makes sense when you need the full machine. Both need ongoing care: security updates, firewall rules, monitoring and backups. Without that, a powerful server soon becomes a risky one. That is why many businesses choose a [managed VPS](https://dijituldns.co.uk/managed-vps/) instead of running it themselves.

## How dijitul fits

Most small business websites need managed hosting, not a bigger server. dijitul [Complete Hosting](https://dijituldns.co.uk/complete-hosting/) is one managed plan at **£1 a day + VAT** (£365 a year + VAT). It covers one website and includes Plesk access, 10 POP3/IMAP email accounts, Cloudflare DNS set up and managed, daily backups kept for 14 days, free SSL, one domain registration or renewal a year, migration done for you, and UK-based support from a company trading since 2006.

If your site has outgrown that, we quote for VPS, managed VPS and dedicated servers, sized to what you actually run. [Order Complete Hosting](https://clients.dijitul.uk/order) or call 01623 650333 to talk it through.

## FAQs

### Is managed hosting the same as a VPS?

No. Managed describes who looks after the server, while VPS describes the type of server. You can have managed shared hosting, a managed VPS or a managed dedicated server. Managed means the provider handles updates, security and monitoring, whatever size of server sits underneath.

### Do I need a VPS for a small business website?

Usually not. A typical small business site with a few thousand visitors a month runs well on good managed hosting. A VPS becomes worth it when you have heavy traffic, large databases, custom software or several apps that need separate resources.

### What are the downsides of shared hosting?

Shared hosting is cheap, but other sites on the server can slow yours down, PHP settings and memory limits are often fixed, and backups, SSL and support can be limited or charged as extras. It suits small, simple sites run by someone happy to do their own upkeep.

### When should I move to a dedicated server?

Consider a dedicated server when a VPS is no longer enough: sustained high traffic, very large databases, demanding applications or a requirement not to share hardware. It costs more and needs proper management, so get advice on sizing before you move.

### What does dijitul offer for each type of hosting?

dijitul offers managed Complete Hosting at £1 a day + VAT, which suits most small business websites. For sites that need more, dijitul quotes for VPS, managed VPS and dedicated servers. All are run by a UK company based in Mansfield that has been trading since 2006.

### Can I start on managed hosting and move to a VPS later?

Yes. Most websites can be moved to a larger server when they need it. A good host will migrate the files, databases and email for you and keep the same PHP version and settings, so the move is planned rather than rushed.

## Pricing and ordering

dijitul Complete Hosting is £1 a day + VAT (£365 a year + VAT). Order at https://clients.dijitul.uk/order?product=complete-hosting&ref=dijituldns&src=shared-vs-managed-vs-vps-vs-dedicated or call 01623 650333.