A VDS (Virtual Dedicated Server) is a part of a physical server, split off through virtualisation, whose resources are reserved for you alone. You get dedicated-server performance with the flexibility and price of a virtual server.
The CPU cores, RAM and disk of a VDS are not shared with any other customer. With full root (administrator) access, you set the server up exactly the way you want.
How does a VDS work?
A powerful physical server is divided into several independent servers by a virtualisation layer such as KVM. Each VDS has its own operating system, its own IP address and its own reserved quota of cores, RAM and disk.
KVM isolates servers at hardware level, so even when the server next to yours is under heavy load, it cannot touch your resources. That is why VDS performance is predictable: a guaranteed core is a core that is always available to you.
After setup you manage the server from a control panel: choose an operating system (Windows Server, or Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian and AlmaLinux), start, stop, reinstall and take snapshots.
VDS vs VPS: the differences
VDS and VPS run on the same technology. The difference lies in how many resources you get and the kind of workload each is designed for. A VPS is an affordable starting point for small and medium projects; a VDS is built for work that needs a lot of resources all the time.
| VDS | VPS | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Guaranteed cores, 2–20 cores | vCPU, 1–8 cores |
| RAM | 4–64 GB DDR4 | 2–32 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 80–540 GB NVMe SSD | 30–280 GB NVMe SSD |
| IPv4 | 1–8 addresses included, by plan | 1 address, more available |
| Traffic | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Best for | High traffic, databases, game servers, critical applications | Business websites, test environments, small applications |
| Starting price | 8.99 $/mo | 5.49 $/mo |
Figures are based on Plus Datacenter plans and monthly billing. For current prices see our VDS server and VPS server pages.
Who is a VDS for?
A VDS is the right choice for any project that uses a lot of resources constantly and cannot tolerate slowdowns. The most common uses are:
- High-traffic websites and online stores: shops whose pages must load fast even on sale days.
- Database servers: MySQL, PostgreSQL and Redis on isolated resources at NVMe speed.
- Game servers: multiplayer servers that need low latency benefit directly from guaranteed cores.
- Docker and application servers: container-based services, APIs and background jobs.
- Agencies and software companies: bringing several client projects together on one powerful server.
If your project is just starting and traffic is low, it is more economical to start with a VPS and move to a VDS as you grow.
What to look for when choosing a VDS
VDS plans look similar on paper; the details below make the difference.
- Are the cores really guaranteed? The word “vCPU” on its own does not tell you a core is reserved for you. Ask whether the cores are shared.
- Storage type: NVMe SSD is many times faster than a classic SATA SSD, and you will feel the difference immediately in database-heavy work.
- Traffic limits and port speed: plans with a monthly TB cap may charge for overage or throttle your speed. Look for unlimited traffic and a 1 Gbps port.
- DDoS protection: during an attack, traffic should be filtered rather than your server being taken offline (null-routed).
- Location: if your users are in Türkiye, the Middle East or south-eastern Europe, a server in Istanbul keeps latency low.
- Backups and snapshots: being able to take a snapshot and roll back with one click saves hours after a failed update.
- Renewal price: watch out for plans that are discounted in the first year and get more expensive on renewal.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, a VDS or a VPS?
There is no single right answer. For low-traffic sites and test environments a VPS is enough and costs less. For projects under constant load, where performance has to stay consistent, a VDS is the better choice.
Can I install Windows on a VDS?
Yes. You can install Windows Server or Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux from the panel with one click.
What is the difference between a VDS and a dedicated server?
With a dedicated server the whole machine is yours; with a VDS you use a reserved part of a machine. A VDS costs less, is delivered within minutes and is easy to upgrade.
Will I lose data when moving from a VPS to a VDS?
No. At Plus Datacenter migration is free: we move your sites, databases and files to the new server for you.
Do I get root access on a VDS?
Yes. With full root (administrator) access you can install any software and configure the server from scratch if you wish.
VDS in Istanbul, from 8.99 $/mo
Guaranteed Xeon Gold cores, NVMe SSD, unlimited traffic and free migration.