A VPS (Virtual Private Server) is one of the most versatile hosting products available. With root access, your own IP address, and guaranteed resources, you can run virtually anything you want. Here are ten popular use cases.
1. Game servers
Run one or more game servers: Minecraft, FiveM, Rust, ARK, Valheim, Terraria, or any other game. With a VPS, you have full control over configuration, mods, and plugins. Install a panel like Pterodactyl for easy management.
2. Web server
Host your own websites, web applications, or APIs. Install Nginx or Apache, a database, and you are ready. Ideal for WordPress, Laravel, Django, or Node.js projects that need more than shared hosting offers.
3. Discord bot hosting
Keep your Discord bot online 24/7. A VPS runs around the clock, so your bot is always reachable. Python, Node.js, Java: any programming language works. With a small VPS plan (1-2 GB RAM), you can easily run multiple bots.
4. VPN server
Set up your own VPN with WireGuard or OpenVPN. Faster, cheaper, and more private than commercial VPN services. You decide what data gets logged (nothing, if you want) and you have a static IP address.
5. Development environment
A VPS as a remote development server. SSH in from VS Code, install your tools, and work on your projects from anywhere. No powerful laptop needed, everything runs on the server.
6. Media server
Run Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby to stream your media to all your devices. Combine it with Sonarr, Radarr, and a torrent client for automated media management.
7. Mail server
Host your own email with Mailcow, iRedMail, or Modoboa. Full control over your mailboxes, aliases, and spam filtering. Technically challenging to set up properly, though.
8. Automation and cron jobs
Run scripts that perform tasks regularly: web scraping, data analysis, backups, monitoring, social media posting. A VPS runs 24/7, perfect for scheduled tasks.
9. Proxy or reverse proxy
Use a VPS as a reverse proxy (Nginx, Caddy, Traefik) to route traffic to multiple servers or services. Or set up a forward proxy for anonymous browsing or geo-restricted content.
10. Database server
Run a dedicated database (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis) for your applications. A separate database server improves performance and makes scaling easier.
Which VPS plan do you need?
| Use case | Recommended RAM |
|---|---|
| Discord bot, VPN, cron jobs | 1-2 GB |
| Small website, dev environment | 2-4 GB |
| Game servers, web application | 4-8 GB |
| Multiple game servers, media server | 8-16 GB |
| Reselling, heavy databases | 16-32 GB |
Is a VPS difficult to manage?
Basic Linux knowledge is sufficient for most use cases. Our knowledge base helps you get started with step-by-step guides for securing and setting up your VPS.
Can I run multiple things on a VPS at once?
Yes, that is one of the advantages. A VPS with 8 GB RAM can easily run a website, a Discord bot, and a game server simultaneously. Use Docker to keep everything neatly separated.
What if my VPS is not powerful enough?
At HostValues, you can upgrade to a larger plan at any time without data loss. Your server is briefly restarted with the new resources.
Check out VPS hosting at HostValues starting at 4.99 EUR per month.
