Most hosting is sold to people who want a website without touching a terminal. Developers want the opposite: shell access, version control, a safe place to test, and the freedom to run the language and tools a project actually needs. The marketing pages rarely make it clear which plans offer that.
This guide covers the features that matter when you write code for a living or as a serious hobby, how to choose between shared, VPS, cloud and platform hosting, and how to check a plan before you pay for it.
The developer features worth checking first
Before comparing prices, confirm a plan includes the basics. If any of these is missing, the rest of the features list matters much less.
- SSH access. A secure shell lets you run commands on the server, manage files quickly and use tools like rsync. Check whether it is included on the entry plan or only on higher tiers, and whether key-based login is supported.
- Git support. At minimum, Git should be installed on the server so you can pull from a repository. Better hosts offer built-in deployment from GitHub, GitLab or Bitbucket.
- Staging environments. A copy of your site where you can test changes before they go live. One-click staging that can be pushed to production saves a lot of manual work.
- Command-line tools. Composer for PHP, npm for JavaScript, and WP-CLI for WordPress are the ones most people reach for. Without them, routine tasks take much longer.
- Cron jobs and logs. You will want scheduled tasks and access to error and access logs when something breaks.
Runtimes and languages: does the host run your stack?
Traditional shared hosting is built around PHP and MySQL or MariaDB, which is why it works so well for WordPress. If that is your stack, check that you can choose the PHP version per site and that current supported versions are available.
For anything else, look carefully:
- Node.js, Python and Ruby: some shared hosts support these through a control panel app manager, but often with limits on long-running processes and ports. A VPS or platform service is usually smoother.
- Databases: MySQL or MariaDB is standard. PostgreSQL, Redis or MongoDB are less common on shared plans and may need a VPS or a managed database service.
- Containers: if your workflow uses Docker, you need root access on a VPS or a cloud platform that runs containers directly. Shared hosting will not run them.
A quick way to avoid surprises is to write down your exact stack (language version, database, background workers, caching) and ask pre-sales support whether each item is supported on the plan you are considering.
Shared, VPS, cloud or platform: choosing the right model
The biggest decision is how much of the server you want to manage. Each model trades convenience for control in a different way.
| Model | What you control | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared hosting | Files, databases, some settings | PHP sites, WordPress, client brochure sites | No root access, process limits |
| Managed VPS | Most settings, with the host maintaining the OS | Agencies, heavier PHP apps, custom stacks | Support boundaries for custom software |
| Unmanaged VPS or cloud server | Everything, including the operating system | Custom apps, containers, learning server admin | You handle security patches and backups |
| Platform as a service | Your code and configuration | Apps you want to deploy from Git without server admin | Costs can rise with usage, less low-level control |
When shared hosting is enough
If you build WordPress or other PHP sites, shared hosting with SSH, Git and staging covers a lot of real work. Many developers keep client sites on a mainstream host such as Hostinger and reserve VPS or cloud servers for projects that need more.
Traditional cPanel-style hosts like HostGator are also familiar territory for freelancers who manage many small sites, since the control panel, file manager and database tools work the same way across accounts. Check which tier includes SSH before you buy.
When to move to a VPS or cloud server
Move up when you need root access, a runtime the shared plan does not support, background workers, or guaranteed CPU and memory. Cloud providers such as DigitalOcean are popular with developers because you can create a virtual server in minutes, choose your operating system and scale resources as needed.
Hosts like InterServer offer VPS plans alongside traditional web hosting, which can suit people who want both under one account.
Managed vs unmanaged: be honest about your time
An unmanaged server is the most flexible option and often the cheapest per unit of resources. It also makes you the system administrator. That means applying operating system updates, configuring the firewall, setting up backups, monitoring disk space and reacting when something goes down at night.
For learning, side projects and teams with operations experience, that is fine. For client work where downtime damages your reputation, a managed plan, or a platform that handles the server layer, is often worth paying more for. A useful test: if you would not notice a failed backup for a week, you probably want someone else managing the server.
A sensible deployment workflow
Whatever host you use, a repeatable workflow prevents most production mistakes. A simple version looks like this:
- Keep all code in a Git repository, with secrets in environment variables rather than committed files.
- Develop locally, using a tool that mirrors your server's language and database versions.
- Push to a staging site and test there, including database migrations.
- Deploy to production from the repository, either through the host's Git integration, a CI pipeline or a deploy script over SSH.
- Keep a quick rollback path, such as the previous release or a recent backup, ready to restore.
Check that your host makes each step practical. If staging is a paid add-on or Git deployment is not available, you will end up copying files by hand, which is where errors creep in.
Performance, security and the costs people forget
Developers usually care about measurable performance. Look for clear resource figures (CPU cores, memory, storage type, bandwidth or transfer allowance) rather than vague words like "unlimited". Choose a data centre near your users and check whether you can add a CDN easily.
On security, expect SSH keys, two-factor authentication on the hosting account, free SSL certificates and automatic backups that you can restore yourself. On a VPS, you will set up much of this yourself, including a firewall and automatic security updates.
Costs can creep up in less obvious places:
- Renewal prices that are higher than the introductory rate.
- Paid add-ons for backups, staging, extra IP addresses or managed databases.
- Usage-based billing for bandwidth, storage or build minutes on cloud and platform services.
- Your own time spent maintaining an unmanaged server.
Introductory deals can still be good value, especially on longer terms. Our hosting deals collect current offers from developer-friendly providers in one place.
If you are comparing hosts that market themselves to developers, look at A2 Hosting alongside the cloud providers above, and compare what each includes at the same price point. Offers Galaxy checks codes before publishing, but always confirm the term and renewal price in the cart.
How to test a host before committing
Most hosts offer a money-back period, and that is the best time to find problems. In the first few days:
- Connect over SSH and confirm the tools you need are installed.
- Deploy a real project from Git, not just a test page.
- Create a staging copy and push a change to production.
- Restore a backup to see how long it takes.
- Ask support a technical question and judge the answer, not just the speed.
Choosing with confidence
Start from your stack and workflow, not from the price table. If you mainly build PHP and WordPress sites, a shared or managed plan with SSH, Git and staging will serve you well. If you need custom runtimes, containers or root access, a VPS or cloud server is the better fit, provided you have time to manage it. Test properly during the refund window, and you will know quickly whether a host suits the way you work.
