onionvps

Choosing & sizing

How do I choose a VPS provider?

Short answer

Check five things: virtualisation type (KVM, not OpenVZ), whether cores are dedicated, which jurisdiction the server sits in, what identity data the provider collects, and what happens when someone complains about you. Price is the easiest thing to compare and the least likely to matter after the first month.

Virtualisation type is the single most common hidden difference. If the provider does not state KVM explicitly, assume container-based virtualisation with oversold memory.

The second question almost nobody asks before signing up is the abuse policy. Providers vary enormously in whether an automated complaint results in a forwarded email, a warning, or an immediate suspension with your data inaccessible. Read that page before you read the pricing page.

  • Is it KVM? If unstated, assume it is not.
  • Are the vCPUs dedicated or shared, and does the provider define the term?
  • Which country is the hardware in, and which legal system does that imply?
  • What identity information is required, and what is retained?
  • What is the published response to abuse complaints and legal demands?
  • Is there an out-of-band console, or does a firewall mistake mean a support ticket?

See also: OpenVZ · KVM

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