Cloud Hosting vs. Web Hosting

Introduction

Online businesses highly rely on their online presence. Any business type or size needs to ensure the optimized performance and scalability of its website or application. The demands from the website’s hosting infrastructure are higher than ever before due to the same reasons. Thus, businesses need to focus on the careful selection of the hosting type for their platform. Therefore, the debate or comparison of cloud hosting vs web hosting has grown to be extremely significant because your website’s performance, security, and scalability depend on the choice between the two. Each option from a server with standard web hosting to cloud-based architectures offers distinct benefits and challenges.

This blog explains the difference between web hosting and cloud hosting. It covers these two hosting approaches’ definitions, types, features, pros and cons, side-by-side comparisons, and more.

What is Cloud Hosting?

Here’s the overview of cloud hosting and also know how it works:

Cloud hosting includes an interconnected network of servers; also called virtual servers on one physical server. This network is based on the virtualization technology that is used to transform the CPU cores, RAM, storage, and other physical server resources into flexible and scalable virtual resources for your website or app.

So, how does it work? Cloud hosting does not tie your website or application to one server rather it allocates resources across a cluster of cloud or virtual servers.

This approach offers several advantages of cloud hosting.

First, it enables high scalability i.e. you can use the resources for your website or application as per its demand and adjust them accordingly. Second, it distributes data across a multiple network of servers globally and improves reliability. Also, it ensures faster response times for users accessing your website from different locations.

Cloud hosting providers offer different components such as virtualized CPUs (vCPU), hypervisors for managing virtual machines, virtualized advanced cloud storage solutions and memory, network configurations that optimize data transfer and accessibility, etc.

Cloud hosting offers load balancers that further maintain optimal performance by distributing workloads efficiently across the server cluster.

Related: What Is Cloud Hosting? How It Works and Its Benefits

Types of Cloud Hosting Platforms

You have several cloud hosting options divided as per the different needs that it would fulfil for your website or application:

Public Cloud

This type offers cost-efficiency and scalability. Cloud hosting providers or third-party providers offer this type of solution and it is accessible through the internet. They are ideal for applications or websites that have varying resource demands and global accessibility requirements.

Private Cloud

This cloud hosting option involves dedicated cloud infrastructure for a single business. It gives more control, security, and customization options. These are some of the pros of cloud hosting with private cloud. It is suitable for businesses with strict data privacy or regulatory compliance needs.

Hybrid Cloud

If you want the combining aspects and pros of public and private clouds, this is the suitable type for you. Hybrid cloud environments allow businesses to maintain sensitive data on a private cloud and include the scalability of public cloud resources for less critical workloads.

Multi-cloud strategy is one more type of cloud hosting that can be used. It is to obtain services from multiple cloud providers to avoid vendor lock-in. Also, it offers great performance optimization and disaster recovery capabilities. Businesses can get selected services from various hosting providers for their specific website or app requirements.

Related: Public Cloud vs. Private Cloud vs. Hybrid Cloud

Cloud Computing Models

Understanding the cloud computing models is important so that you can choose the right IT infrastructure to meet your business needs. Below are the unique pros and uses of each model:

IaaS

You can rent the hardware with basic development blocks for cloud and IT in this type of service. It gives complete control over the hardware running your application i.e. servers, VMs, storage, networks, and operating systems. It is basically an instant computing infrastructure managed over the Internet.

PaaS

This cloud service model offers a ready-to-use development environment. You need not manage the infrastructure i.e. operating systems and web servers so it simplifies application creation. The developers can focus on writing and executing high-quality code for customized applications. You also get the scalability and feature additions.

SaaS

This model offers a complete product and the service provider manages the same. It is hosted online and available via subscription or purchase. Users don’t need to worry about maintenance or infrastructure at all. They just need to know how to use the software effectively.

Why Use Cloud Hosting?

Cloud hosting is a modern and advanced solution. It offers compelling benefits that traditional hosting models cannot. You can easily scale resources and ensure optimal performance during high traffic fluctuations. Thus, downtime or performance degradation is minimal. It is also cost-efficient, reliable, and secure, and offers user-friendly and easy hosting control panels. Other features include pay-as-you-go pricing models, minimized risk of downtime due to server failures or maintenance as multiple clouds are the backups, infrastructure, and tools to support your digital growth effectively, etc.

What is Web Hosting?

Let us now compare cloud hosting vs web hosting with the overview of web hosting:

The web hosting provider allocates the space on a physical server on which your app’s or website’s files are stored and made accessible over the internet.

As discussed, cloud hosting uses a network of servers interconnected to each other. Whereas, web hosting technologies typically use a single server located at a physical data center.

The hosting providers offer the essential hardware, software, and network infrastructure to support your website or application. They ensure it remains operational and accessible online. Also, they include custom storage and other resources to meet your needs.

Related: What is Web Hosting?

Essential Features of Web Hosting

The above definitions of web hosting explain its basics. Now, let us have an idea about several key features tailored for hosting websites. It includes the optimization of a single server to store and process HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files. These web files form the backbone of websites. Moreover, traditional web hosting services generally offer computing resources and other features as per the fixed pricing plans as per your custom demands. Whereas, cloud hosting offers a pay-as-you-go model. Furthermore, web hosting technologies offer different types of hosting. Let us discuss them in brief:

Common Types of Web Hosting

Shared Hosting

Shared hosting is a traditional web hosting type. When multiple websites share resources on a single server such as CPU, memory, and storage is called Shared hosting. It is most cost-effective. However, it can give slower performance and reduced security compared to cloud hosting. It is the best option for personal blogs and small businesses that do not have complex data needs.

Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting

In this web hosting type, a shared physical server has a virtual machine that delivers dedicated server resources. It offers better uptime and security than shared hosting because resources are not shared. If businesses need more control over server resources and security, they may opt for VPS.

Dedicated Hosting

Dedicated hosting means an exclusive allocation of an entire physical server for a single website or application. This option offers maximum control and customization of the server configuration. It is highly suitable for high-traffic websites or applications to get optimal performance. Also, it can provide custom and specialized security and compliance. However, it is more expensive and requires high technical maintenance and management.

Pros and Cons of Cloud Hosting

Cloud hosting vs web hosting comparison becomes easy when we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both. Let us cover the pros and cons of cloud hosting first in this section.

Pros of Cloud Hosting

• Uptime Guarantee

Cloud hosting providers can assure you of higher uptime compared to traditional web hosting services as the resources are pooled from multiple virtual servers.

• Cost-Efficient

It can be more cost-effective for high-traffic websites or applications or the ones with fluctuating traffic. This is because it offers high scalability as well as your custom demands fulfilment.

• Security

Cloud hosting comes with managed security settings and configurations from the cloud hosting providers. Thus, it reduces the burden on users to secure their instances.

• High Scalability

One of the primary advantages of cloud hosting is that businesses can scale the server resources flexibly as per their demands. They can increase or decrease them as per their usage to avoid the need for upfront investment in excess capacity.

Cloud hosting providers simplify website and application hosting by managing technical complexities internally i.e. even for non-technical users it is very easy. Traditional web hosting service resources are prepaid but cloud hosting is a pay-as-you-go model that prevents unexpected cost overruns.

Cons of Cloud Hosting

• Costs

Cloud hosting can prove to be expensive if you have consistently low traffic. In such a case, it is difficult to get value from the advanced cloud storage solutions and infrastructure. For simpler websites, its complexities and costs may surpass its advantages. Moreover, scaling up can involve downtime and additional costs for reallocation of the resources.

• Customization

Configuration of hosting environments can be less flexible and thus it can fulfil limited custom application needs. Similarly, cloud hosting providers manage the security so it can be risky for your website or app if the provider’s security measures fail.

Related: What is Cloud Computing?

Pros and Cons of Traditional Hosting

Traditional web hosting services also have distinct advantages and disadvantages compared to cloud hosting solutions. So, let us get into the comparison of web hosting vs cloud hosting through below pros and cons:

Pros of Traditional Hosting

• It is more cost effective than cloud hosting. This is more true for smaller-scale websites.
• The setup process is simple and easy; best for non-technical users or those who are new to the hosting.
• You can upgrade easily with the growth of your website or application.
• Its cost-effectiveness makes it affordable to host multiple domains under one account.

Traditional web hosting allocates the resources as per your hosting plan. Thus, it offers fixed resources as per that plan. Also, it is a suitable option if you have pre-defined predictable workloads and do not need dynamic scaling. It works on upfront pre-defined cost savings as compared to the variable pay-as-you-go costs of cloud hosting.

Cons of Traditional Hosting

• It is easy to upgrade but the scalability of resources may need downtime during those upgrades.
• The performance of your website may be affected if there are high traffic loads as there are resource limitations.
• The user or the hosting provider needs to ensure that security measures and backups are optimal. It may increase vulnerability to cyber threats in the case of a lack of proper monitoring and settings.

Difference Between Web Hosting and Cloud Hosting

We have covered the definitions of web hosting and cloud hosting, their types, and pros and cons too. Now, let us summarise Cloud Hosting Vs Web Hosting through the below overview with the different aspects:

Web Hosting vs. Cloud Hosting with Cantech

Web Hosting at Cantech

Web Hosting services is suitable for small to medium-sized websites with moderate traffic. Cantech offers several web hosting plans that are available with premium features, such as:

• 99.97% Uptime – We work to ensure your website is always available with minimal downtime.
• 24/7 Support – Get expert technical support around the clock for immediate resolution of any issues.
• Free SSL Certificates – Get the best security for your website and protect user data.
• Weekly Backups – Get regular backups to safeguard your website data.

Cloud Hosting at Cantech

Websites with high traffic or fluctuating resource demands should consider cloud hosting options. Cantech’s cloud hosting services stand out due to their instant scaling and load balancing for high-performance guarantees. We provide custom RAM options with unlimited storage space, bandwidth, emails, and databases as per your business type. We include Varnish Caching in all our plans. Moreover, you can ensure easy resource management with user-friendly and latest cPanel options. This hosting type also offers proactive 24/7 support.

Cantech offers affordable pricing options for both web and cloud hosting. Our dedicated hosting options include more advanced features and custom options as per your website or app needs.

Conclusion

This blog on cloud hosting vs web hosting comparison with their respective explanations would help you make an informed decision. You need to make the right choice between cloud hosting and web hosting as it is important to meet your business’s unique requirements. The right hosting infrastructure can offer cost-effectiveness, reliability, scalability, and best performance. Cantech’s comprehensive hosting solutions ensure that you receive the best possible service to make your website or application effective and affordable. Discuss with us, we can help you make the right choice.

Web Hosting vs Cloud Hosting FAQs

Which Is Better: Cloud Hosting VS Shared Hosting?

Cloud hosting is reliable and can withstand high traffic compared to shared hosting. It offers scalability and high performance. Thus, it can be a superior choice. However, if you have a small or personal website, shared hosting is an ideal option. It is cost-effective.

Is Cloud Hosting One of the Types of Web Hosting?

Yes, cloud hosting is a web hosting type but it uses scalable cloud infrastructure rather than a fixed physical server like in traditional web hosting.

What Is the Difference Between a Web Server and a Cloud Server?

A web server uses a single physical server’s resources to host the sites. Whereas, a cloud server distributes computing resources using a network of servers that are based on virtualization technology.

Which one to choose between Cloud Hosting and Web Hosting?

The choice between cloud hosting and web hosting depends on your business’s needs for scalability, performance, and budget. Web hosting is suitable for simpler needs and cloud hosting gives flexibility and scalability for fluctuating and growing business requirements.