Blog · Comparison
PaaS vs VPS: which should you choose?
Choose a VPS if you need full control of the server; choose a PaaS if you want to ship apps without running one. A VPS is cheaper per CPU but costs your time in patching, TLS, and deploys; a PaaS includes that work.
- VPS = a virtual machine you administer
- PaaS = a platform that runs your app
- VPS wins on control and raw price
- PaaS wins on time and built-in safety
Definitions
What is a VPS, and what is a PaaS?
A VPS is a rented virtual server; a PaaS is a managed platform for running apps.
A VPS (virtual private server) is a virtual machine on shared hardware. You get root access and an operating system, then install and maintain everything else.
A PaaS (platform as a service) hides the server. You connect your code; the platform builds it, runs it, adds HTTPS, and scales it.
Compare
How do a PaaS and a VPS compare?
Seven differences that decide it.
| Managed platformPaaS | Virtual serverVPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Server admin | Handled by the platform | You patch and secure it |
| Deploys | Git push | Scripts, SSH, or CI |
| HTTPS | Automatic | You install and renew |
| Scaling | Add instances in the dashboard or automatically | Resize or add servers |
| Root access | No | Yes |
| Price per CPU | Higher | Lower |
| Time per month | Minutes | Hours |
Example
Example: one API on a VPS vs a PaaS
Same app, very different to-do list.
- VPS: create a server, add a firewall, create a user
- VPS: install Node.js, Nginx, and Certbot
- VPS: write a systemd unit and a deploy script
- VPS: patch the OS and watch certificate renewals monthly
- PaaS: connect the GitHub repo
- PaaS: push, and it's live with HTTPS
- vps
- setup + scripts · hours
- paas
- connect repo · minutes
- upkeep vps
- patches · certs · backups
- upkeep paas
- handled by the platform
Decide
Should you use a VPS or a PaaS?
Decide by what you'd rather spend: money or time.
Pick a PaaS if…
- You want to ship features, not maintain servers
- You deploy from GitHub and want previews and rollbacks
- Nobody on the team wants to be on call for the OS
Pick a VPS if…
- You need root access or custom system software
- You deploy over SSH by design
- Your workload is steady and you have ops time to spare
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to related searches.
Is a VPS good for beginners?
It's a good way to learn Linux, but it's more work to run in production. Beginners who mainly want to ship an app usually move faster on a PaaS.
Can I move from a VPS to a PaaS later?
Yes. Push the app to GitHub, move environment variables and the database, and switch DNS. Apps that read config from environment variables move easily.
Is a PaaS secure?
A good PaaS isolates each app, issues HTTPS automatically, and patches the host for you. You still secure your code, dependencies, and secrets.
Why is a PaaS more expensive than a VPS?
Because the price includes work a VPS leaves to you: builds, TLS, isolation, scaling, and server maintenance.
Next step
Put it into practice.
Deploy an app from GitHub on Runex and get a live HTTPS URL. Free to start.