Managed vs. Unmanaged Web Hosting – Key Differences & Considerations

One of the most important components of every Internet-based business is hosting. It’s crucial to pick the proper provider to give your website strong foundations, such as the capacity to handle traffic surges and avoid downtime.

In addition to a host’s servers’ technical competence, factors like supplementary services and the kind of customer assistance they provide are also crucial. It’s reasonable to assume that a good host will relieve you of a significant portion of the stress of hosting, but a terrible host, or even a reasonably poor choice in hosting package, can significantly hinder the operation of your site. 

The first decision you must make when choosing a web hosting plan is select between managed and unmanaged web hosting. So, let’s clarify the difference between these two types of services to facilitate your choice.

What Is Managed Web Hosting?

The server hardware alone is the most fundamental component of a hosting package, but there are other parts as well. A functioning operating system and several types of website-running software are often installed on the server. Additionally, hosting providers could provide a range of services, including automatic backups, virus detection and removal, monitoring, safety sweeps, and more.

The word “managed hosting” refers to these extra capabilities as management solutions, and this is where the “managed” portion of the term comes into play. In its simplest form, managed hosting only relates to a hosting package that includes a variety of extra features or services.

The host handles everything, so you don’t have to worry about putting these features or services in place yourself. As a result, it is not only easier to use (since you don’t require as much technical expertise), but it also spares you time and enables you to concentrate on maintaining and expanding your website.

One popular solution in this regard is managed hosting for WordPress. However, you can also find managed VPS, managed cloud hosting, or managed dedicated servers.

Services Included With Managed Web Hosting

Despite costing more than unmanaged hosting, managed hosting has a number of advantages that may help you save both time and money. A completely managed service functions more like an extension of your company than an outside provider. It should be able to help with the creation of websites, updating the operating system, applying security patches, and customizing servers.

Here are the most common services you can expect in a managed hosting plan (hint: the following is just a portion of the features you can expect):

• Website Migration & Backups –  While backups may seem like an afterthought, if you don’t regularly back up your website, you run the danger of losing it entirely or, at the very least, wasting days of effort. Daily database and website backups are performed automatically via managed services. Strive for seven days or more than when checking the service’s retention policies for old backups, so you may roll back to an earlier version if necessary. A reputable managed service also will assist you with moving your website to its server. Your site or database might malfunction and end up losing all of your valuable client information.
• Round-The-Clock Support – Increased support is arguably the most significant service managed hosting provides. It may be quite comforting to have a group of experienced, technically savvy individuals on hand to assist through live chat, mail, or cell phone at any time. Furthermore, it can reduce the amount of time your internal staff must spend managing the more routine daily tasks associated with maintaining a site, allowing them to do more crucial tasks.
• Security – Online firms should constantly prioritize security since a security breach can ruin your company’s reputation. The majority of the tasks required in maintaining the security of your website, including software updates, vulnerability patches, and alerting you to any security risks in your code, may be handled by a managed hosting provider.
• Installation and Upkeep – Managed hosting makes it considerably simpler to install and run applications with unique requirements since the provider may modify the server to suit your specific requirements.

Pros and Cons of Managed Web Hosting

Pros:

• The maintenance chores are handled for you.
• The majority of CMS and security upgrades are handled automatically.
• You may get dedicated customer assistance to help you with any problems you might have.
• Freedom without having to worry about organizing every aspect of your website.

Cons:

• It’s more expensive than unmanaged web hosting.
• You frequently don’t have complete root access to the server hosting your website.
• A managed hosting package is not for you if you like more control over everything.

What Is Unmanaged Web Hosting?

A hosting package with no (or few) extra services is known as unmanaged hosting. You might, for instance, just get a server with an OS system installed, implying that you will subsequently be responsible for installing any required software.

The hosting business itself doesn’t offer any services or administer your server, which is why it’s referred to as “unmanaged.” You’ll have to take the initiative if you want things done.

Pros and Cons of Unmanaged Web Hosting

Pros:

• Your server provides full root access. You can customize it however you see fit.
• More freedom to decide how to handle security and backups.
• Unmanaged hosting packages cost substantially less.

Cons:

• You are in charge of all maintenance duties, including website changes for the CMS and core.
• Backups, website optimization, and security are all solely your responsibility.

The Bottom Line: Which Plan is Better For You?

You may choose the hosting option that is best for you now that you know more about managed vs. unmanaged hosting and how they both work. Again, all hosting options have some wonderful benefits; all you have to do is choose what you really want and how much involvement you want. Both choices are logical; it just varies on what you’re after.