Short answer
Choose self-managed if you or your developer are comfortable with Linux or Windows server administration: you get full control and the lowest price. Choose managed if you want our team to handle setup, updates, security and monitoring so you can focus on your website or app. Every Hostnali VPS is self-managed by default; add management at checkout.
The difference
| Self-managed | Managed | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system updates | You | Our team |
| Security hardening and firewall | You | Our team |
| Monitoring | You | Our team |
| Software setup (web server, control panel) | You | Our team, on request |
| Root access | Yes | Yes, when you want it |
| Price | Plan price | Plan price plus management |
Self-managed suits you if
- You’re a developer or work with one, and you’re at home with SSH and the command line.
- You want to install and configure everything yourself (Docker, n8n, custom stacks).
- You want the lowest monthly cost.
Managed suits you if
- The server runs your business (website, ERP, email) and nobody in-house looks after servers.
- You’d rather open a ticket than search error messages late at night.
- You want updates and security patches applied for you.
Backups
Either way, backups aren’t included on a VPS by default: add them at checkout. Whoever manages the server, keep backups switched on.
How to order
Choose a plan on VPS hosting for self-managed (our VPS plans run in international data centres), or see managed VPS, where the management service is preselected. Need more power? Managed dedicated servers work the same way. The setup fee is waived on yearly plans.