Have you ever been curious about whether containers like LXC or Docker are faster than a normal VPS? I have used both, and you can be surprised by the difference there can be. Let me put this in a way I would say to a friend.
Containers, such as LXC or Docker, share the host operating systems but keep the containers' applications separated from each other. This keeps the applications lightweight and nearly instantaneous in start time when compared to a VPS.
Have you priced and attempted using multiple apps in a VPS? If so, it can become sluggish when using the app or running multiple apps.
• VPS: Uses more RAM and CPU because each VPS has its own operating system.
• Containers: Use less memory and start applications much more quickly because the OS is a host.
I have seen five Docker containers and nearly all of them use hardly any CPU. Conversely, five VPS servers can slow your machine quickly.
Disk Space
Containers also take less disk space. A Docker app can be a couple hundred MBs, while a VPS setup may utilize a couple GBs.
However, if you need deep kernel or OS changes, a VPS is better because containers run on the host system.
• Use containers if you want fast, light, and easy-to-scale apps.
• Use VPS if you want to control the OS.
I, personally, use both. My critical apps run on the VPS, my testing apps run in containers. That way, I get the best of both worlds as they say.
The trick with either is not just speed, but how you use them. Experiment with both and find out what fits your use case. It just may be enjoyable to see containers start in seconds; It's not as enjoyable to see VPS boot more slowly in the background.
What Are The Differences?
A VPS gives you a complete virtual server with its own operating system. You can think of it as renting a complete, furnished apartment. Here the room and furnishings are set up and ready to go.Containers, such as LXC or Docker, share the host operating systems but keep the containers' applications separated from each other. This keeps the applications lightweight and nearly instantaneous in start time when compared to a VPS.
Have you priced and attempted using multiple apps in a VPS? If so, it can become sluggish when using the app or running multiple apps.
Resource Usage
Memory and CPU Usage• VPS: Uses more RAM and CPU because each VPS has its own operating system.
• Containers: Use less memory and start applications much more quickly because the OS is a host.
I have seen five Docker containers and nearly all of them use hardly any CPU. Conversely, five VPS servers can slow your machine quickly.
Disk Space
Containers also take less disk space. A Docker app can be a couple hundred MBs, while a VPS setup may utilize a couple GBs.
Real Performance
Running a bunch of apps on a VPS could be slower. Containers are a faster I/O and networking process with near-native speed.However, if you need deep kernel or OS changes, a VPS is better because containers run on the host system.
Ease of Use
Containers are easy to create, copy, and move between servers. I enjoy spinning up new Docker containers to test without touching my main VPS. A VPS setup offers more control, but it's not as easy to scale or clone.Conclusion
Which is better?• Use containers if you want fast, light, and easy-to-scale apps.
• Use VPS if you want to control the OS.
I, personally, use both. My critical apps run on the VPS, my testing apps run in containers. That way, I get the best of both worlds as they say.
The trick with either is not just speed, but how you use them. Experiment with both and find out what fits your use case. It just may be enjoyable to see containers start in seconds; It's not as enjoyable to see VPS boot more slowly in the background.
