VPS: 11 projects you can start with a virtual private server

Do you have an idea for an online project that needs more resources and better performance than even the best web hosting can offer? If the answer is yes, there’s a good chance that VPS hosting is the solution you need. A VPS (short for Virtual Private Server) gives you dedicated resources, full control, and the flexibility to install the software you need for your project. 

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at 11 exciting projects that require a VPS. We’ll also cover what you should consider when choosing VPS hosting. 

What a VPS can be used for 

A VPS is a great choice if you need more resources and better performance than you typically get with shared hosting. With VPS hosting, you get your own dedicated portion of a powerful server, with dedicated resources and the freedom to configure everything as you like, without being affected by other users. Another advantage of a VPS is that it’s significantly cheaper than a dedicated server. 

With a VPS, you can host demanding websites, run your own applications, and set up private networks. In other words, it’s a solution that opens up many opportunities for more ambitious projects that require extra high performance. Let’s take a closer look at 11 possibilities.  

11 things you can use a VPS for 

1. Set up a game server

If you love gaming and exploring virtual worlds, you can create your own game server with a VPS and play with your friends and others online without relying on third-party servers.  

What exactly is a game server? It acts as a hub for everything happening in the game. It processes characters’ movements, actions, and game mechanics in real time. The game server ensures that all players have the same experience within the game’s universe. 

When you run your own game server, you have full control over the game settings, mods, and participants. This is a big advantage if you play Minecraft, Counter-Strike, Valheim, or other multiplayer games. 

A VPS provides the performance and stability needed to ensure all players have a great experience, without lagging, stuttering, or freezing mid-game. 

2. Run a high-traffic website

If your website or blog receives so much traffic that standard web hosting no longer provides enough capacity, it might be time to consider a VPS.

With shared web hosting, you share resources with other users, which can make your website slow or unstable during peak traffic times. That won’t happen with a VPS. Here, you get dedicated resources that provide the capacity needed to run large websites with many visitors. 

3. Set up a private email server

Do you want full control over your emails? With a VPS, you can create your own private email server. This gives you more privacy and freedom than popular email services like Google and Microsoft offer. You decide how your emails are stored, protected, and managed. 

A private email server is a great solution if you run a business that handles sensitive information—or if you simply want an email setup with more privacy. 

4. Start a large online shop

If you’re looking to run a large online shop with thousands of products, a VPS provides the performance and security required to ensure a smooth shopping experience with fast page loading, so your customers never get impatient. This increases your chances of retaining existing customers and encourages new customers to return. 

A VPS also gives you the freedom to set up your shop exactly as you want, whereas traditional ecommerce platforms often come with more restrictions. 

5. Create a sandbox

A VPS functions as an isolated and controlled environment, making it an excellent choice for setting up a sandbox. 

A sandbox is a test environment where you can experiment with code, test new software, run files, and try out changes in programmes before implementing them on your website, app, or other platform. For example, if you’re considering integrating a new payment solution in your online shop, you can simulate important customer actions—such as adding items to the basket, applying discount codes, and completing payments—inside your sandbox. This way, you can ensure everything works correctly before rolling out the new solution. 

6.  Set up your own VPN connection

A VPN (virtual private network) encrypts your internet connection, keeping your data private and secure online. This means that neither your internet provider nor unauthorised parties can track your activities or see your IP address, even if you’re on a public network. 

With a VPS, you can host your own VPN instead of relying on a third-party service. This gives you full control over privacy and security, as well as direct access to the internet without others monitoring which websites you visit. 

In the UK, using a VPN is completely legal for protecting your online privacy. However, it’s obviously not legal if used for unlawful activities such as illegal file sharing. 

7.  Store images in your own cloud

Do you have a large number of images, videos, or other media files that take up a lot of space? Then you can create your own personal cloud for secure file storage. 

A VPS-powered cloud offers more storage space and the freedom to share your files however you like. If you’re a photographer or designer, a VPS cloud is an ideal solution because it gives you a dedicated space for storing and sharing files with clients without limitations. 

Plus, with a VPS, you get fast access to your files and avoid third-party tracking or image compression. 

8. Create a forum or wiki

Dreaming of starting an online community where users can share knowledge, ask questions, or collaborate? With a VPS, you can host your own forum or build a wiki, where you have full control over content, user access, and settings. 

A forum is a space where people with shared interests or professions can discuss anything and everything—whether it’s a gaming console, a book series, or a technical field that requires expert advice. 

A wiki is a website where large amounts of information on one or more topics can be shared, edited, and organised—like having your own private Wikipedia. 

If the idea of setting up a forum or wiki appeals to you, a VPS is a great choice. And why not combine both? That way, you get both a discussion hub and a wiki where members can dive into detailed articles on the topics being discussed. 

9.  Manage multiple websites at once

If you are a freelance web developer or have an agency where you are responsible for several clients’ websites, a VPS can make your life easier. Instead of managing several separate hosting accounts, you can host all the websites on one VPS. This improves security, performance and scalability for your individual clients.  

The same applies, of course, if you want to run several websites in parallel. On your VPS, you can, for example, create a blog, run a separate company website or experiment with other projects that require high performance, without affecting the loading time of the individual projects. 

10. Set up a VoIP server

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. In short, it is a technology that allows you to make phone calls over the Internet instead of using a regular phone line. With a VPS, you can set up your own VoIP server.  

The advantage of this is that it makes it both easier and cheaper to call customers and business partners. VoIP is used for customer service, cross-border communication and as a cheaper alternative to a private telephone subscription, among other things. 

11. Build a chatbot

Chatbots are widely used for customer service, upselling, and automating processes. AI chatbots require significant resources to respond quickly. A VPS provides the performance and flexibility needed to build a chatbot for your website, online shop, or app. 

Whether your goal is to automate customer service, streamline workflows, or simply experiment with AI, a VPS gives you the reliability, control, and power needed to develop and run an effective chatbot. 

Choose the right VPS for your project 

There are major differences between the plans available from various VPS hosting providers. That’s why there are several factors you should consider when selecting the perfect VPS plan for your project: 

• CPU and RAM: More demanding projects such as game servers, chatbots, and VoIP servers require a large amount of processing power. 
• Bandwidth: Websites with high traffic and many media files need high bandwidth to ensure pages always load quickly and smoothly. 
• Storage: If you want to run a large online shop or create your own cloud, look for a VPS provider that offers SSD storage with plenty of space for your files. 

Self-managed or managed VPS 

When choosing VPS hosting, you typically have the option of either a self-managed VPS or a managed VPS. But what’s the difference? 

Self-managed VPS 

With this option, as the name suggests, you are responsible for setting up, managing, and maintaining your virtual server. In most cases, you receive a server with only your preferred operating system pre-installed – usually Linux or Windows. Everything else is up to you. 

The biggest advantage of a self-managed VPS is that you have full control and the freedom to configure your server exactly as you want. It is also the most affordable VPS solution. However, if you choose a self-managed VPS for your project, keep in mind that it requires a solid amount of technical know-how and a considerable amount of time to configure and maintain a virtual server. 

Managed VPS

With a managed VPS, your hosting provider takes care of most of the technical tasks related to the operation and maintenance of your virtual server, such as: 

• Setup and configuration 
• Security updates and patches 
• Backup and recovery 
• Performance monitoring 

Additionally, you often get access to more extensive technical support when you opt for a managed VPS. 

Choose a self-managed VPS if you want full control over your server’s configuration and have the necessary technical expertise. 

Choose a managed VPS if you prefer to avoid the technical workload, save time, and have a secure and reliable server that is maintained for you. 

Kickstart your dream project with a VPS 

A VPS is a versatile hosting solution and a great choice if you have big ambitions and are considering launching a bigger online project that requires high performance.  

VPS hosting is also a natural next step if your existing website or online shop has outgrown standard web hosting. With a VPS, you get dedicated resources at a reasonable price and plenty of freedom to experiment and turn your biggest ideas into reality.