What Is a VPS? A Plain Definition

A VPS (virtual private server) is a server of your own that runs on a larger physical machine shared with other customers. You get a fixed share of processor, memory and disk, your own operating system and root access, so you can install whatever you need. It sits between web hosting, where the provider runs the server for you, and renting a whole physical machine.

How it works

The provider splits one physical machine into many isolated servers. Each one has its own CPU and memory allowance, its own disk and its own network ports, and one customer's server cannot see another's files or processes. You sign in as root, install software with the package manager, and run whatever services you like.

Some providers build each VPS as a full virtual machine with its own kernel; others build it as a system container that shares the host's kernel. From the inside both look like an ordinary server. The difference shows up at the edges: a container cannot load its own kernel modules or run another operating system's kernel.

With root comes responsibility. The provider keeps the hardware and the network running; updates, security settings and backups of what you install are yours to manage.

When to use it

• You want to self-host an app, such as n8n, Nextcloud, Gitea or Uptime Kuma, and keep its data on a server you control.
• You run a database, an API, a background worker or a CI runner that has to stay up all the time.
• You use Docker or Docker Compose and want a machine to run the stack on.
• You need software, ports or settings that web hosting does not allow.

When not to use it

• You only need a website and would rather not look after a server. Managed web hosting runs the server for you.
• You want a site without writing code. An AI website builder builds and hosts it from a description.
• You need your own kernel, kernel modules or Windows. VeloxaHost servers are containers, and virtual machines are not available in US East yet.

How it works on VeloxaHost

• Sizes and prices. From Veloxa Nano ($4 a month, $0.01 an hour) with 1 vCPU, 1 GB of RAM and 25 GB of disk, up to Veloxa 8 ($60 a month, $0.09 an hour) with 8 vCPU and 16 GB of RAM. Veloxa 16 is available on request. See all sizes.
• Billing. Each server is charged by the hour while it runs and never more than its size's monthly price in a calendar month: hourly billing.
• Region. Servers run in US East, in the Washington, DC area.
• Access. Root on Ubuntu 24.04 or another offered image, a browser terminal and serial console, and SSH on the first port of the server's shared IPv4 port block. Docker runs inside.
• Included tools. Snapshots, scheduled backups, a firewall per server, and live CPU and memory resizing. The disk size is set when you create the server.
• Billing has to be active. The free trial does not cover servers with a VPS size; Pay as you go or a paid hosting plan does.

FAQ

Is a VPS the same as a dedicated server?

No. A dedicated server is a whole physical machine for one customer. A VPS is an isolated share of one, which is why it costs less and can be created in seconds.

Do I get root access on a VeloxaHost VPS?

Yes. Every size comes with root, from the browser terminal or over SSH.

Can I run Docker on it?

Yes. Docker and Docker Compose run inside a VeloxaHost server.

Can I change the size later?

You can resize CPU and memory on a running server without a reboot. The disk keeps the size it was created with, so pick the disk you need up front.

Where are the servers?

In one region today: US East (veloxa-us-east-1), in the Washington, DC area.