Web hosting services come in several types: shared hosting, VPS, dedicated servers, cloud, reseller hosting and more. They differ in who manages the server, how much of it you get, and what you pay. This page compares the main types in plain language and shows which ones Domain India offers, so you can pick the right starting point.
Shared hosting suits most business websites, WordPress sites and email at your domain. A VPS gives you a whole virtual server to manage yourself; a dedicated server gives you the physical machine. Reseller hosting lets you sell hosting to your own clients, and an app platform (PaaS) runs developers' code without server work. If this is your first website, start with shared hosting: you can move up later.
For the full beginner's guide (what hosting is, domain versus hosting, and every step from order to live website), read Hosting basics. This page focuses on comparing the types of hosting service.
1. The main types at a glance
| Type | What you get | Who manages the server | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared hosting | An account with a control panel on a server shared with other customers | The host | Business sites, WordPress, email at your domain |
| Windows hosting | Shared hosting on IIS with Plesk | The host | ASP.NET sites and MSSQL databases |
| Reseller hosting | Many hosting accounts you can sell under your own brand | The host runs the server; you manage your clients | Web designers and agencies |
| VPS | A virtual server with root access and dedicated resources | You, unless you buy management | Custom software, several apps, full control |
| Dedicated server | A whole physical server | You or the host, by agreement | Heavy workloads that need all of one machine |
| App platform (PaaS) | Your code deployed from Git, with a database | The host | Developers building apps and APIs |
| Website builder | A site built and hosted for you | The host | Owners who want no technical work |
Two other terms you will meet:
- Cloud hosting runs your site across a pool of servers so resources can grow on demand. It is usually billed by use and suits traffic that rises and falls sharply.
- Colocation means you own the server hardware and rent rack space, power and network in a data centre. It is for organisations with their own hardware and staff to run it.
2. Managed or self-managed?
This is the most important difference, and it matters more than raw specifications.
- Managed (shared hosting, builder, app platform): the host keeps the server, its security and its software running. You look after your website and its content. You cannot change server-wide settings.
- Self-managed (a VPS by default): you get root access and full control, and you are responsible for the operating system, updates, security and backups of your data.
If nobody in your team is comfortable running a Linux server, choose a managed type.
3. How to choose
Start small. Shared plans can be upgraded later without rebuilding your site; see Can I upgrade my web hosting package at any time?. For the shared-versus-VPS decision in detail, read VPS vs shared hosting.
4. What to look for in any hosting service
- The control panel you will use every day. Compare them in cPanel, DirectAdmin and Webuzo compared.
- Free SSL, so your site opens on
https://. - Backups, and how you restore them yourself.
- Email at your own domain, and the sending limits.
- Support channels and how quickly they answer.
- Renewal price and refund terms, not only the first-year price.
5. Where Domain India fits
Domain India offers these types. Domain India list prices on 19 September 2026, excluding 18% GST:
- Linux shared hosting with cPanel, DirectAdmin or Webuzo: DirectAdmin and Webuzo Starter from ₹100 a month, cPanel Starter ₹125 a month. The servers run Apache; our cPanel and DirectAdmin servers add CloudLinux account isolation and Imunify360 for every account. Backups are weekly with JetBackup 5 on cPanel and DirectAdmin. Jailed SSH access is available on every shared hosting plan (cPanel, DirectAdmin, Webuzo). It is off by default; ask support to enable it for your account.
- Windows hosting with Plesk, from ₹165 a month (ASP Starter).
- Reseller hosting with DirectAdmin, cPanel/WHM or Plesk.
- VPS, self-managed by default, with a choice of no panel, CyberPanel, Webuzo or DirectAdmin. cPanel is not offered on VPS.
- Dedicated servers; see the page for current options.
- App Platform for developers, from ₹100 a month.
- AI Website Builder, from ₹200 a month for the Starter plan.
Colocation is not part of our catalogue.
- 25 GB NVMe SSD Storage
- 50 GB Monthly Bandwidth
- 1 Website
- 10 Email Accounts
- 1 vCPU
- 2 GB DDR4 RAM
- 64 GB NVMe SSD Storage
- 2 TB Monthly Bandwidth
Support is 24/7 live chat, and tickets get a first response within 15 minutes; resolution time depends on the issue. There is no phone support. New shared and reseller hosting purchases can be refunded in full within 30 days; see the refund policy.
What are the main types of web hosting?
The main types are shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated servers, cloud hosting, reseller hosting, managed app platforms (PaaS) and website builders. They differ in how much of a server you get and who manages it.
Which type of hosting is best for a small business website?
Shared hosting with a control panel suits most small business and WordPress websites. It is the lowest-cost option, the server is managed for you, and it includes email at your domain and free SSL.
What is the difference between shared hosting and a VPS?
On shared hosting you get an account on a server the host manages, with a control panel. A VPS is a virtual server with root access and dedicated resources that you manage yourself, including updates and security.
Does Domain India offer cPanel on a VPS?
No. cPanel is available on Domain India shared and reseller hosting, but not on a VPS. A Domain India VPS can run with no panel, or with CyberPanel, Webuzo or DirectAdmin.
What is reseller hosting?
Reseller hosting lets you create and sell separate hosting accounts to your own clients under your brand, while the provider runs the server.
Can I change hosting type later?
Yes. You can upgrade a shared plan without rebuilding your site, and move to a VPS or another type when you outgrow it. Moving between types means migrating your files, databases and email.
Ready to choose? Compare shared hosting plans, read Hosting basics for the first steps, or open a support ticket if you are unsure which type fits.
Shared hosting with cPanel, DirectAdmin or Webuzo, free SSL and email at your domain, with room to grow into a VPS later.
See hosting plans