> The full list of articles is in [llms.txt](https://docs.f3cloud.com/llms.txt). Every page has a Markdown version: add .md to its address. This page as Markdown: [https://docs.f3cloud.com/en/vps/cloud-server-types/vps-hosting.md](https://docs.f3cloud.com/en/vps/cloud-server-types/vps-hosting.md).
# What a VPS is in plain words and how it differs from hosting
What a VPS (VDS) is in simple terms. How a KVM virtual server works, which resources are guaranteed, how it differs from ordinary hosting, what tasks it suits and which plan to choose.
A **VPS** (Virtual Private Server), also known as a **VDS** (Virtual Dedicated Server), is a virtual server that runs inside a powerful physical server but behaves like a separate computer. It has its own processor cores, RAM, disk, IP address and full root access. You choose the operating system yourself and install any programs you like.
***
## How a VPS works
A physical server in a data centre is divided into several isolated virtual machines by a **hypervisor**. We use **KVM**, which is full hardware virtualisation where every VPS has its own operating system kernel. In practice, this gives you three things.
* you can install Linux or Windows on the VPS, change kernel settings and run Docker;
* your neighbours on the physical server can't see your files and processes;
* the memory and disk space are reserved for your server and are not “lent” to others.
> **VPS and VDS are the same thing.**
>
> In the past, VDS meant servers with full virtualisation and VPS meant container-based ones (for example, OpenVZ). Today both words most often mean the same thing. All our servers run on KVM, which means full isolation.
***
## What you get with a VPS at F3 Cloud
* **Processor** – AMD Ryzen 9 5950X on the DE-RZ9 plans and AMD Ryzen 3000 on DE-Promo.
* **Guaranteed CPU share** – each vCPU gets at least **25%** of a physical core's power, and at least **10%** on DE-Promo.
* **Disks** – NVMe.
* **Network** – a port of up to **1 Gbit/s** and **32 TB** of traffic per month on the DE-RZ9 plans, and up to **125 Mbit/s** and **1 TB** on DE-Promo.
* **Addresses** – IPv4 and a dedicated **IPv6 /64** subnet for every server.
* **Location** – servers in Germany, the network is connected in Frankfurt through the TornadoDC FRA1 data centre with DDoS protection.
* **Launch** – usually within **2 minutes** of payment.
* **Management** – OS reinstallation, a browser console and password changes right from the client area.
***
## VPS plans
On the DE-RZ9 plans, resources grow evenly, with 2 GB of memory and 30 GB of NVMe for every core.
| Plan | vCPU | RAM | NVMe | Port | Traffic |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| DE-Promo | 1 | 1 GB | 10 GB | 125 Mbit/s | 1 TB |
| DE-RZ9-1 | 1 | 2 GB | 30 GB | 1 Gbit/s | 32 TB |
| DE-RZ9-2 | 2 | 4 GB | 60 GB | 1 Gbit/s | 32 TB |
| DE-RZ9-3 | 3 | 6 GB | 90 GB | 1 Gbit/s | 32 TB |
| DE-RZ9-4 | 4 | 8 GB | 120 GB | 1 Gbit/s | 32 TB |
| DE-RZ9-6 | 6 | 12 GB | 180 GB | 1 Gbit/s | 32 TB |
| DE-RZ9-8 | 8 | 16 GB | 240 GB | 1 Gbit/s | 32 TB |
| DE-RZ9-16 | 16 | 32 GB | 480 GB | 1 Gbit/s | 32 TB |
Current prices are always on [our website](https://f3cloud.com/en?ref=docs).
***
## What tasks a VPS is suitable for
Below are typical tasks and the plans we recommend starting with. The requirements are taken from our installation guides.
| Task | Plan to start with |
| --- | --- |
| A personal VPN or proxy on 3X-UI or Marzban | **DE-Promo**, for speeds up to 1 Gbit/s – **DE-RZ9-1** |
| A Telegram bot or a small script | **DE-Promo** or **DE-RZ9-1** |
| A website on WordPress or another CMS | **DE-RZ9-1**, for an online shop – **DE-RZ9-2** |
| Automation with n8n | **DE-RZ9-2** (needs at least 2 vCPU and 4 GB RAM) |
| The OpenClaw and Claude Code AI assistants | **DE-RZ9-2** (needs at least 4 GB RAM) |
| The Remnawave panel | **DE-RZ9-2** |
| Windows Server | From **DE-RZ9-2**, because Windows itself takes up part of the resources |
| A game server, for example Minecraft | **DE-RZ9-2** and up, depending on the number of players |
| Local AI models, for example DeepSeek | **DE-RZ9-16** |
If the resources are no longer enough, you can switch to a more powerful plan at any time, and your data and IP address stay in place.
Ready-made step-by-step guides are in the [VPN](https://docs.f3cloud.com/en/vpn-guide/setup-vless-xhttp.md), [software](https://docs.f3cloud.com/en/docker/n8n-installation.md) and [AI solutions](https://docs.f3cloud.com/en/ai/deepseek-installation.md) sections.
***
## How a VPS differs from ordinary hosting
On ordinary (shared) hosting, many websites live on one server with common settings, and you only have access to your own folder and control panel. That is convenient for a simple website but cramped for everything else.
| | Ordinary hosting | VPS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Access | Only the website folder and the panel | Full root access to the server |
| Programs | Only what the host has installed | Any, such as Docker, VPN, bots and databases |
| Resources | Shared with neighbours | Reserved for your server |
| Background processes | Usually not allowed | Run around the clock |
| Your own IP address | Usually shared | Your own IPv4 and IPv6 subnet |
| Who configures it | The host | You |
***
## How to tell that resources are running short
If the server has become slow to respond, run the four commands below on it.
```bash
# Average CPU load over 1, 5 and 15 minutes (the three numbers at the end of the line).
# If they are constantly higher than your number of vCPUs, the processor is not enough
uptime
# RAM. Look at the available column – how much memory
# is still free for programs. If it is close to zero, memory is running short
free -h
# Disk space. If more than 90% is used, it is time to clean up the disk or take a bigger plan
df -h /
# Which processes load the server the most. Press q to exit
top
```
If the load constantly hits the ceiling, move to a higher plan. And if even **DE-RZ9-16** is not enough, it is time to look at a [dedicated server](https://docs.f3cloud.com/en/vps/cloud-server-types/dedicated-server.md).
***
## What to know in advance
* We are responsible for the hardware and the network, while installing programs and [protecting the server](https://docs.f3cloud.com/en/vps/security.md) are up to you.
* You can't move to a lower plan, because a virtual server's disk can be enlarged but not shrunk.
* The SMTP mail ports are closed, and we don't restrict any other ports.
* You make backups yourself, and we explained how to do it in a [separate guide](https://docs.f3cloud.com/en/vps/security/backups.md).
***
## Frequently asked questions
How much RAM does a VPS need?
For a VPN, proxy or Telegram bot, 1–2 GB is enough.\
For a website on a CMS and most programs with a web interface, it is better to take 4 GB or more.\
Windows Server and heavy applications need 4 GB or more.
Can I increase VPS resources later?
Yes, you can move to a more powerful plan at any time, and your data and IP address are kept. But you can't move to a smaller plan, because the disk can't be shrunk.
Do I need administration experience?
Only the basics. To begin with, it is enough to be able to connect to a server over SSH and run commands by following a guide. Our knowledge base has step-by-step guides for the most popular tasks, starting with [connecting via Termius](https://docs.f3cloud.com/en/vps/termius-connection.md).
Which operating system should I choose?
If in doubt, choose **Ubuntu** or **Debian**, because our software installation guides are written for them. AlmaLinux, CentOS Stream, Oracle Linux and Windows are also available.
***
## Our resources
**Telegram channel:** [https://t.me/f3cloud_news](https://t.me/f3cloud_news)\
**F3 Cloud:** [https://f3cloud.com](https://f3cloud.com/en)