KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is a Linux virtualization technology that turns a physical server into multiple isolated virtual machines (VMs). Each VM runs its own operating system (Linux or Windows) with full virtualization and strong isolation.
Definitions
- VPS (Virtual Private Server): A virtual machine with dedicated virtual resources (vCPU, RAM, storage) on a shared physical host. Other customers share the same hardware, but your VM is isolated and has guaranteed allocations.
- VDS (Virtual Dedicated Server): A virtual machine with dedicated resources closer to a single-tenant feel. Typically includes dedicated or pinned CPU cores, reserved RAM, and often higher I/O limits—behaving more like a small dedicated server while still being virtual.
How KVM Works (in simple terms)
KVM uses CPU hardware virtualization (Intel VT-x / AMD-V) to provide each VM its own kernel and virtual hardware (CPU, memory, disk, NIC). That means you can run different kernels and OS versions independently, with strong security boundaries.
VPS vs. VDS: Key Differences
| Aspect | KVM VPS | KVM VDS |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dedicated vCPUs (shared physical cores) | Pinned or dedicated cores for more consistent performance |
| RAM | Guaranteed RAM allocation | Exclusive RAM reservation (no contention) |
| Disk I/O | Good I/O with fair-share limits | Higher and more consistent I/O limits |
| Use Case | Websites, apps, small databases, staging | Heavier workloads, high concurrency, latency-sensitive apps |
| Price | More budget-friendly | Higher cost for dedicated-like performance |
Why Choose KVM?
- Full virtualization: Run Linux or Windows with custom kernels.
- Isolation & security: Each VM has its own kernel and userspace.
- Consistency: Predictable performance compared to container-only solutions.
- Flexibility: Custom ISO, cloud-init, snapshots (when available).
Typical Use Cases
- Web hosting (Nginx/Apache), application servers, and APIs
- Databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis) and message brokers
- Game servers and real-time services
- Dev/CI environments, Docker hosts, and microservices
- Windows remote desktop or specialized software
When to pick VPS vs. VDS
- Choose KVM VPS if you need reliable, isolated compute for general workloads at a great price-performance ratio.
- Choose KVM VDS if your workloads are CPU- or I/O-intensive, require consistent low latency, or you want resource exclusivity similar to a dedicated server.
Quick FAQ
Q: Can I run Docker or custom kernels?
A: Yes. KVM provides full virtualization, so Docker and custom kernels are supported inside your VM.
Q: Is VDS “bare metal”?
A: No. VDS is still virtualized, but with dedicated/pinned resources that behave closer to a small dedicated server.
Q: Can I upgrade later?
A: Yes. You can usually scale from VPS to higher tiers or move to VDS for more consistent performance.
Note: Plans, features, and limits vary by provider and region. For exact specifications (CPU model, storage type, bandwidth, locations), please check the plan details on our platform.