Managed vs Self-Managed Hosting
What’s the difference?
Managed Hosting
With managed hosting, your hosting provider will look after maintenance, administration, and management tasks like carrying out updates, installing security software or monitoring performance. Managed hosting often comes with extra features too like malware detection and removal, uptime monitoring and automated hourly backups. You also get access to trained technicians 24/7 so you get the help you need, when you need it.
Self-Managed Hosting
Self-managed hosting includes the basic tools you need, and all admin tasks fall to you. Your plan will include rack space, the networking infrastructure required to access your server online and the physical server hardware. Most companies offer technical support, but it will be limited with unmanaged hosting. However, at Simply, we offer remote hands for even self-managed customers as our support engineers are based in our primary UK data centre.
Why choose Managed Hosting
The good...
Valuable support
With managed hosting you can rely on a team of support engineers to be available when you need them.
Save time
Save precious time as our hosting engineers take care of many admin and maintenance tasks associated with your server.
Less worry
Rest easy as all updates are taken care of and your site will run smoothly. Your hosting provider will also pay close attention to traffic and any suspicious activity to ensure your site is secure and can handle any spikes.
The bad...
Limited control
You may not have as much control or access to tools as you would like as your hosting provider manages everything. Your provider will make all decisions, and control when software and hardware are installed.
Less independence
If you need a piece of hardware or software installed immediately, it may not always be possible. First you will need to make a request and then your provider will need to assign it to the next available time slot or engineer.
Price
Full management of VPS servers can increase costs. This increase can be negated by the time saved by no longer having to carry out management tasks, but it remains a key consideration when choosing your hosting plan.
Why choose Self-Managed hosting?
The good...
Freedom
You will have root access so you can control every aspect of your dedicated server or VPS. You can make any customisation you require, from installing software to granting user access.
Price
Its cheaper to choose an unmanaged VPS or dedicated server as your hosting provider does not manage your service. We offer an extensive range of self-managed VPS and dedicated servers.
Security
You can customise and adjust the security levels protecting your data to suit your business needs and your industry.
The bad...
Technical expertise
With unmanaged or self-managed hosting, you need to be technically trained to manage a server or things can go very wrong.
Add-on costs
If you want to add any extra features like performance monitoring or automated backups, you will usually have to pay extra for them.
Time invested
Managing and maintaining a VPS or dedicated server is time consuming. That time can be banked if you go with a managed hosting package instead.
Go Managed or Self-Managed?
If you’re still not sure which hosting is the best fit for your business, please get in touch. Our specialist team are happy to discuss your requirements to find the right solution for your business. 0333 247 0222 or drop us a message on Live chat.