Choosing the right VPS setup doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require understanding how your intended use impacts the environment you choose. This VPS Hosting Advice guide has been designed to help you make informed decisions across every stage. From selecting the right operating system and control panel, through to sizing resources, running specific applications, and planning migrations from your existing platform.
Whether you’re hosting websites on cPanel, Plesk, or Hestia, deploying a Windows-based application, running a forex trading system, or setting up a remote desktop for work from home, each use case has different requirements. We break these down in simple terms so you can match your VPS configuration to your real-world needs, ensuring performance, reliability, and scalability from day one.
You’ll also find guidance on migrating from platforms like cPanel, Plesk, and Hestia, along with options for fully managed migrations if you prefer a hands-off approach. For those unsure where to start, we cover the fundamentals of Linux and Windows environments, helping you understand which platform is best suited to your application.
If at any point you’re unsure, our team is here to help. VPSBlocks is built around delivering practical, real-world infrastructure solutions for Australian businesses, IT Professionals, developers, and agencies alike. This guide is here to point you in the right direction.
Getting started with VPSBlocks is simple and flexible. Begin by exploring our VPS Hosting Advice sections to understand the best configuration for your needs. Whether you need a server that’s Linux or Windows based, uses or doesn’t use a hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk, Hestia etc), application hosting or a Desktop as a Service for teams to work from home; VPSBlocks can help you with these different use cases.
Once you’re ready, head to the Pricing page, choose your preferred operating system, and customise your server with the exact CPU, RAM, and storage you require.
If you’re unsure at any stage, our team can guide you through the process (contactable by phone, live chat or email), recommend the right setup, and ensure your environment is built to perform from day one. Once your order is placed, your VPS is rapidly provisioned and ready for deployment, so you can get up and running without delay.
Most websites today run best on a Linux-based VPS, combined with a control panel such as cPanel, Plesk, or HestiaCP. This setup provides a reliable, flexible environment that supports popular platforms like WordPress, Magento, and other PHP-based applications, while giving you an easy way to manage domains, email, databases, and security from a single interface.
If you prefer a simpler, more hands-off approach without managing the server yourself, our Cloudlets platform is a great alternative. It allows you to deploy and scale websites without worrying about the underlying infrastructure, making it ideal for those who want performance without the operational overhead.
For applications built on Microsoft technologies such as ASP.NET or ASP.NET Core, a Windows Server VPS is required. This ensures full compatibility with IIS, Microsoft SQL Server, and the broader Windows ecosystem, giving you the right foundation for running modern .NET-based websites and applications.
We do have multiple options when it comes to selecting your service. If you know what you are looking for, you can build your own server or alternatively, you can choose from our of our prebuilt plans.
If you are planning on reselling our hosting services and setup a shared hosting environment to provide services to your clients, we do offer a white label hosting solution which may suit you better. Check out our Reseller Hosting page as it will give you an overview of the offering we have for resellers like yourself.
A Windows VPS can be used as a fully functional remote desktop, allowing you or your team to access a consistent working environment from anywhere. By default, Windows Server includes licensing for up to two simultaneous Remote Desktop users for administrative access. If you need additional users, Remote Desktop Services (RDS) licences can be added to support multi-user environments, making it ideal for small teams or shared workspaces.
This setup is commonly used for business applications, accounting software, or centralised access to tools and data without relying on individual local machines. If you are looking for a lower-cost alternative for lighter workloads, an Ubuntu Desktop environment can also be deployed, providing a graphical interface with remote access while keeping resource usage and licensing costs down.
Running a forex trading system on a VPS requires a stable, always-on Windows environment to ensure your trading platform continues operating without interruption. We recommend deploying a Windows Server VPS (2016, 2019, 2022, or 2025), which provides full compatibility with trading platforms such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). You can choose to have MT5 pre-installed, or simply connect via Remote Desktop and install your preferred platform directly from your broker.
Once your trading software is running, it will continue to operate even after you disconnect from the VPS, allowing your strategies, expert advisors, and automated trades to run 24/7. VPSBlocks infrastructure is designed for consistent performance and low latency, helping ensure your trading environment remains responsive and reliable at all times.
VPSBlocks is focused on delivering stable, business-grade hosting for websites, applications, and production workloads. As part of this, we do not support gaming servers or gaming-related services, including clan websites or platforms that are commonly targeted by high-frequency or large-scale DDoS activity.
Our infrastructure is specifically designed to provide consistent performance, uptime, and reliability for business use cases, and restricting gaming workloads helps us maintain that standard for all customers. If you are looking to run a game server, we recommend choosing a provider that specialises in gaming environments and real-time server hosting.
Linux-based VPS environments are highly efficient and can run on relatively small amounts of resources, making them ideal for development, testing, and lightweight workloads. For basic use cases such as small websites, staging environments, or simple applications, a low-resource configuration can perform very well due to Linux’s minimal overhead.
As your workload grows, resources should be scaled to match the application requirements. For example, database-driven applications, high-traffic websites, or services like MySQL or MariaDB will benefit from additional RAM and CPU to maintain performance and responsiveness. Modern deployments commonly start with a balanced configuration and scale as needed, ensuring your environment remains efficient while delivering consistent performance under load.
You can run Linux on something as small as 1 core and 512MB of RAM or more. Visit our Linux VPS Plans page to find out more about deploying a Linux VPS and it’s various applications.
Windows Server environments typically require more resources than Linux due to the graphical interface and background services. For modern deployments (Windows Server 2016 through to 2025), we recommend starting with at least 2–4GB of RAM for light workloads, with higher allocations for production use to ensure smooth performance and stability. Running multiple applications or services will require additional RAM and CPU to avoid bottlenecks.
For more demanding workloads, resource planning becomes critical. Microsoft SQL Server environments commonly start from 4–8GB of RAM and multiple CPU cores depending on database size and usage, while larger applications or multi-user environments will scale beyond that. Modern best practice is to allocate resources based on actual workload requirements and scale as needed, ensuring your Windows VPS delivers consistent performance as demand grows.
Visit our Windows VPS Plans page to find out more about deploying a Linux VPS and it’s various applications.
When hosting websites on a VPS, the resources you need will depend on how many sites you’re running and how demanding they are. For a small number of low to moderate traffic websites, a Linux VPS with a control panel such as cPanel, Plesk, or HestiaCP can run comfortably on a modest configuration. This is ideal for business websites, portfolios, or small application deployments.
If you plan to host multiple websites, resell hosting, or run higher traffic environments, you should allocate additional CPU and RAM to maintain performance and account isolation. Control panels like cPanel and Plesk (on both Linux and Windows) introduce some overhead but provide powerful management tools, while HestiaCP offers a lighter-weight alternative.
For Windows-based web hosting using Plesk or IIS, slightly higher baseline resources are recommended to account for the operating system and services. As your environment grows, resources can be scaled at any time, ensuring your hosting platform continues to perform reliably as demand increases.
If you are not sure as to what you need exactly to host your website, our team is here to help you choose what would be best suited for your needs. You can reach out to us via Live Chat, Phone or e-mail.
Running a forex trading system on a VPS requires a reliable Windows Server environment to ensure your platform operates continuously without interruption. Modern deployments should use Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, or 2025, providing full compatibility with trading platforms such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5).
For most trading setups, a VPS with at least 2–4GB of RAM and multiple CPU cores is recommended to ensure smooth execution of charts, indicators, and automated trading strategies (Expert Advisors). More advanced setups running multiple terminals or accounts may require higher resources to maintain responsiveness.
You can choose to deploy a clean Windows environment and install your preferred trading platform, or opt for a pre-configured MT5 setup to get started quickly. As your trading requirements grow, resources can be scaled to ensure consistent performance and low latency for your trading activities.
Using a VPS as a remote desktop or Desktop as a Service solution is an excellent option for businesses and individuals needing secure, reliable access to their work environment from anywhere. It’s particularly well suited as a Work From Home solution, allowing users to connect to the same desktop, applications, and files regardless of their location or device.
For modern Windows Server environments (2016 through to 2025), a single-user setup typically starts from 2–4GB of RAM, while multi-user environments using Remote Desktop Services (RDS) will require additional CPU and memory to ensure each user has a smooth, responsive experience. Workloads such as accounting software, office applications, and browser-based tools will influence the overall requirements, so environments should be sized accordingly and scaled as needed.
If you’re looking for a lighter, more cost-effective option for basic tasks, an Ubuntu Desktop environment can also be deployed, offering a graphical interface with lower resource requirements while still delivering a consistent remote working experience.
For most modern websites and applications, a Linux-based operating system is the best choice. AlmaLinux, CloudLinux, and Ubuntu are all widely used, stable, and actively maintained, making them ideal for hosting HTML and PHP websites, CMS platforms like WordPress and Magento, and database-driven applications using MySQL or MariaDB. These operating systems are efficient, secure, and well supported across a wide range of hosting environments.
AlmaLinux and CloudLinux are commonly used with control panels such as cPanel and Plesk, providing a familiar and powerful interface for managing websites, email, and server settings. CloudLinux adds additional features such as resource isolation through LVE, which is particularly useful for hosting multiple websites or reseller environments. Ubuntu is also a popular choice and works well with Plesk or lighter control panels like HestiaCP, offering flexibility for both managed and more hands-on deployments.
If you’re unsure which option is right for you, the decision generally comes down to how you plan to use your VPS and which control panel or management style you prefer. Our team can help guide you toward the best operating system based on your application, performance needs, and level of server management experience.
A Windows Server VPS is the right choice when your application stack relies on Microsoft technologies. This includes websites and applications built with ASP.NET or .NET Core, as well as environments that require IIS, Microsoft SQL Server, or tight integration with other Microsoft services. Windows Server (2016 through to 2025) provides a familiar interface and a stable, enterprise-grade platform for running these workloads in production.
For web hosting, Plesk is the preferred control panel on Windows, offering a powerful and easy-to-use interface for managing websites, domains, email, and databases. It supports both Windows and Linux environments, making it a flexible option if you manage a mix of technologies.
If your project depends on the Microsoft ecosystem, choosing a Windows VPS ensures full compatibility and long-term support. As with all VPSBlocks services, resources can be scaled as your requirements grow, giving you the flexibility to start with what you need and expand over time.
In addition to the more commonly selected options, there are other operating systems available that are typically chosen by experienced users with specific requirements. Distributions such as Debian are widely respected for their stability, security, and minimal overhead, making them a strong choice for custom server environments, development stacks, and applications where full control is required.
Ubuntu also fits into this category for more hands-on deployments, particularly when users want flexibility outside of a traditional control panel setup. These operating systems are ideal if you are comfortable managing services, packages, and security at the command line, or if your application requires a tailored environment.
If you’re unsure whether one of these options is right for you, it’s often best to start with a more commonly supported configuration such as AlmaLinux, CloudLinux, or Ubuntu with a control panel. However, for developers and advanced users, these operating systems provide a powerful and highly customisable foundation for almost any workload.
If you’re looking for a high-performance hosting environment without the added cost of commercial control panel licensing, HestiaCP is an excellent option. It’s a lightweight yet powerful control panel that is particularly well suited for hosting CMS platforms such as WordPress, Magento, and other PHP-based applications. With NGINX, Apache, caching, email, DNS, FTP, and database management all included, Hestia provides everything you need to run a modern hosting environment efficiently.
HestiaCP is designed to use system resources effectively, making it ideal for smaller VPS configurations while still delivering strong performance. It runs best on Ubuntu, which provides a stable and well-supported foundation for this type of deployment. This combination is popular with developers, agencies, and users who want greater control over their hosting environment without the overhead of heavier control panels.
We offer HestiaCP installation and setup as part of our VPS provisioning services, ensuring your server is configured correctly, secured, and ready for production use. If you want a fast, cost-effective alternative to cPanel or Plesk, HestiaCP is a great choice for running modern websites and applications.
Check out our HestiaCP VPS Plans page to get started.
cPanel remains one of the most popular and widely used control panels for hosting websites, offering a familiar and user-friendly interface for managing domains, email, databases, and server settings. It’s a strong choice for running CMS platforms such as WordPress and Magento, particularly when combined with a properly configured VPS environment.
To achieve the best performance, your cPanel server should be optimised for modern workloads, including web server tuning, caching, and database configuration. Once your VPS is provisioned, you can easily migrate existing websites using WHM’s built-in Transfer Tool, which securely copies accounts, files, databases, and email from another cPanel server with minimal effort.
We provide optional cPanel setup and optimisation as part of our VPS services, ensuring your environment is configured for speed, security, and reliability from the start. Whether you’re managing a single site or multiple client accounts, cPanel on VPSBlocks gives you a scalable and proven platform to host and grow your websites.
Check out our cPanel VPS Plans page to get started.
Plesk is a powerful and flexible control panel that supports both Linux and Windows environments, making it an excellent choice for hosting a wide range of websites and applications. It provides an intuitive interface for managing domains, email, databases, and security, while also offering strong support for modern CMS platforms such as WordPress and Magento.
One of Plesk’s key advantages is its versatility, allowing you to manage both PHP-based and Microsoft-based applications from a single platform. It also includes built-in tools for performance optimisation, security hardening, and automated updates, helping you maintain a stable and secure hosting environment with minimal effort.
Whether you are running a single website or managing multiple client projects, Plesk on VPSBlocks delivers a scalable, easy-to-manage solution. Our team can assist with setup and optimisation to ensure your server is configured correctly and ready to perform from day one.
Check out our Plesk VPS Plans page to get started.
If your current website or hosting environment is running on cPanel, migrating to VPSBlocks is straightforward and low risk. We recommend selecting our Initial cPanel Setup service when ordering, where our engineers prepare your server with a secure, optimised configuration including firewall setup, performance tuning, and correctly configured name servers. This ensures your new environment is ready for production from day one.
Our platform supports modern operating systems such as AlmaLinux, CloudLinux, and Ubuntu with cPanel, all fully licensed and maintained to current standards. Once your VPS is provisioned, migrations can be completed quickly using the built-in cPanel Transfer Tool within WHM, allowing you to securely copy accounts, databases, emails, and configurations directly from your existing server.
Alternatively, full account backups can be restored manually if preferred. Whether you’re moving a single website or an entire hosting environment, our team can assist throughout the process to ensure a smooth transition with minimal downtime and no disruption to your customers.
If you know what your requirements are already for your new cPanel VPS, we recommend that you check out our cPanel VPS Plans page or our pricing page first.
If you are not technically minded or prefer we manage this for you completely and would like to learn how to proceed, please visit our Migration Service page.
If your existing environment is running on Plesk, migrating to VPSBlocks is simple and well supported across both Linux and Windows platforms. We recommend starting with a properly configured VPS, where our team can prepare the server with the latest Plesk version, security hardening, and performance optimisation so your new environment is ready for production use.
Plesk includes built-in migration tools that allow you to transfer websites, domains, databases, mailboxes, and configurations directly from your current server. Whether you are moving from another Plesk instance, a different control panel, or a standalone server, the process can be handled efficiently with minimal downtime.
Our team can assist with planning and executing the migration to ensure compatibility, correct configuration, and a smooth cutover. Whether you are hosting a single site or managing multiple clients, VPSBlocks provides a stable, scalable platform to support your Plesk environment as it grows.
If you know what your requirements are already for your new Plesk VPS, we recommend that you check out our Plesk VPS Plans page or our pricing page first.
If you are not technically minded or prefer we manage this for you completely and would like to learn how to proceed, please visit our Migration Service page.
If your current hosting environment is running on HestiaCP, moving to VPSBlocks is a straightforward process with minimal disruption when planned correctly. We can deploy a fresh Hestia-based VPS, fully prepared with security hardening, performance tuning, and best-practice configuration so your new environment is ready to host your websites from day one.
Migrations can be completed by transferring website files, databases, email accounts, and DNS configurations from your existing server to the new VPS. Whether you are managing a single site or multiple projects, our team can assist with the migration to ensure everything is correctly configured and operating as expected after the move.
If you know what your requirements are already for your new Hestia VPS, we recommend that you check out our Hestia VPS Plans page or our pricing page first.
If you are not technically minded or prefer we manage this for you completely and would like to learn how to proceed, please visit our Migration Service page.
If you’d prefer a completely hands-off transition, our Managed Migration Service takes care of the entire process for you. Our experienced team will plan, migrate, and validate your websites, databases, and configurations to ensure everything is moved safely and performs as expected on your new VPSBlocks environment. This is ideal if you want to avoid downtime, reduce risk, or simply don’t have the time to manage the migration yourself.
To find out more about our Managed Migration Services please visit our Migration Services page and book a free consultation so we can discuss your requirements in detail.
Find clear answers to common questions about our services that may not be covered elsewhere on this page.
Yes, we offer managed offsite backup solutions that can be added during the order process or enabled at any time as your requirements evolve. Our backups are stored separately from your VPS environment to provide an additional layer of protection against data loss, hardware failure, or unexpected incidents.
Backups are securely transferred over our internal network to an offsite location, ensuring fast and reliable backup and restore performance. This allows you to quickly recover data when needed, while maintaining peace of mind that your critical systems and information are protected.
Yes, we offer fully managed backup services starting from $14.95 ex GST per month. This service takes the hassle out of managing your own backups by automatically handling scheduled backups, retention, and storage for your VPS.
Our managed backups are designed to provide reliable data protection and quick recovery options, giving you peace of mind that your websites, applications, and data are safe without needing to manually manage the process.
Your VPS needs a hostname to identify it on the network, and this is typically set using a domain name. This hostname is important for proper server operation, particularly for services like email, where reverse DNS (rDNS) must match a valid, publicly resolvable domain to ensure reliable delivery.
If you’re planning to host websites, it’s best to use your primary domain as the server hostname. If you don’t have a suitable domain or prefer not to use one, we can provide a free subdomain for your VPS so everything is configured correctly from the start.
All VPSBlocks infrastructure is hosted in our Australian data centre located in Melbourne. This ensures low latency, strong network performance, and compliance with local data requirements for Australian businesses.
Our team is also based locally, providing direct access to experienced support without relying on overseas call centres or outsourced providers. This means you get knowledgeable, responsive assistance from people who understand the infrastructure and your requirements.
Each VPS includes at least one dedicated IP address by default (with some configurations, such as cPanel VPS deployments, including additional IPs where required). Additional IP addresses can be requested; however, due to global IPv4 exhaustion and strict allocation policies, a valid technical justification must be provided.
In most modern hosting environments, multiple websites and SSL certificates can be hosted on a single IP address using SNI (Server Name Indication), which is fully supported across current operating systems and control panels. As a result, SSL is no longer considered a valid reason for requesting additional IPs.
Additional IPs are typically approved for specific use cases such as advanced networking, custom configurations, or application requirements. They are not permitted for use with anonymous proxies or services that violate acceptable use policies.
We accept all major credit cards and PayPal, providing a fast and convenient way to get started with your VPS. For customers who prefer alternative payment methods, direct deposit can also be arranged upon request.
If you have specific billing requirements or need assistance setting up a payment option, our team is happy to help.
We offer flexible billing options including monthly, half-yearly, and annual payment terms, allowing you to choose a plan that suits your budget and commitment level. Longer billing periods can provide greater value and pricing consistency over time.
All services are prepaid for the selected term, and we do not offer partial refunds for unused time. If your requirements change, you can adjust your services or renewal terms moving forward.
The minimum requirements for a cPanel VPS will depend on how many websites you plan to host, how much traffic they receive, and how resource-intensive those sites are. As a general starting point, we recommend a minimum of 4GB of RAM and at least 2 CPU cores for a basic production environment.
However, these are entry-level recommendations. If you are hosting larger websites, multiple accounts, or high-traffic applications, additional resources will be required to maintain performance and stability. Disk space should also be sized to accommodate both your website data and future growth.
For best results, it’s always advisable to provision slightly above the minimum requirements and scale as needed. This ensures your cPanel environment remains responsive, reliable, and capable of handling increased demand over time.
To see the pricing of our cPanel VPS servers or to build your own, we recommend you visit our cPanel VPS Page.
The minimum requirements for a Plesk VPS depend on whether you are running it on Linux or Windows, as well as how many websites or applications you plan to host. For a basic setup, we recommend starting with at least 2–4GB of RAM and 2 CPU cores to ensure the control panel and hosted services run smoothly.
For production environments, especially those hosting multiple websites, databases, or higher traffic applications, additional resources will be required. Windows-based Plesk environments typically need more RAM than Linux due to the operating system overhead.
As with any hosting platform, it’s best to size your VPS based on your actual workload and allow room for growth. VPSBlocks makes it easy to scale resources at any time, ensuring your Plesk environment continues to perform reliably as your needs increase.
To see the pricing of our Plesk VPS servers or to build your own, we recommend you visit our Plesk VPS Page.
HestiaCP is a lightweight control panel, making it an excellent option for running on lower-resource VPS environments. For basic use, such as hosting a small number of websites or development projects, a VPS with around 1–2GB of RAM and 1–2 CPU cores can perform well.
For production environments, particularly those running multiple websites, CMS platforms, or higher traffic workloads, we recommend starting with at least 2–4GB of RAM and additional CPU resources to ensure consistent performance. This allows room for web services, databases, email, and caching to operate efficiently.
As your hosting requirements grow, resources can be scaled to match demand. Hestia’s efficient design means you can achieve strong performance without the overhead of heavier control panels, making it a cost-effective and scalable solution.
To see the pricing of our Hestia VPS servers or to build your own, we recommend you visit our Hestia VPS Page.
The minimum requirements for a Windows VPS will depend on what you plan to run, but due to the overhead of the Windows Server operating system, higher baseline resources are recommended compared to Linux. For a basic setup or light workloads, we suggest starting with at least 2–4GB of RAM and 2 CPU cores to ensure the system runs smoothly.
For production environments, applications such as IIS web hosting, Microsoft SQL Server, Remote Desktop Services, or business software will typically require additional RAM and CPU to maintain performance and responsiveness. Multi-user environments or more demanding workloads should be provisioned with higher resources from the outset.
As with all VPSBlocks services, you can scale your resources at any time. Starting with a solid baseline and adjusting as your usage grows ensures your Windows VPS remains stable, responsive, and ready for production use.
Minimum requirements provided by software vendors are typically just enough to get the application running — not to run it efficiently in a real-world environment. When planning your VPS, you should treat these as a baseline and then factor in your actual usage, including the number of users, traffic levels, background services, and any additional software running on the server.
A good approach is to start by adding overhead for the operating system and control panel, then allow extra resources for performance and growth. For example, if an application recommends 2GB of RAM, a production-ready setup may require 3–4GB or more depending on usage. CPU requirements should also scale with workload, particularly for database-driven or high-traffic applications.
It’s always better to slightly over-provision initially to ensure stability and responsiveness, then monitor usage and adjust as needed. With VPSBlocks, resources can be scaled at any time, so you can start with a solid foundation and grow your environment as demand increases.
To put it in perspective, if you are told that a software application requires a minimum of 512MB of RAM, 1 CPU Core and 10GB of disk space. The real minimums will be those requirements + what your operating system and other software running on the server requires. If we looked at cPanel for example on AlmaLinux, the minimum would be the following:
AlmaLinux absolute minimum requirements:
1 x 1Ghz CPU Core
1.5GB of RAM
10GB of Hard Disk Space
cPanel absolute minimum requirements:
1 x 1.1Ghz CPU Core
2GB of RAM
20GB of Hard Disk Space
Total absolute minimum requirements (storing no websites at all):
2 x 1.1 Ghz CPU Cores
3.5GB of RAM
30GB of Hard Disk Space
Absolutely. You don’t need to be technical to get the right solution in place; that’s exactly what our team is here for. We can work with you to understand what you’ve been asked to set up, translate the requirements into a clear plan, and recommend the most suitable VPS or container-based solution for your needs.
Whether it’s choosing the right operating system, control panel, or platform such as Cloudlets for a simpler, managed approach, we’ll guide you through the options in plain English. If you prefer a completely hands-off experience, we can also handle the setup, configuration, and even migration for you.
Our goal is to make sure you get a solution that works properly from day one, without the stress of trying to figure it out yourself.
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