Plans on a price page look alike. The differences are in the details, and they decide whether your site is fast and stays up. Use these ten questions with every host you consider.
1. Is it KVM?
KVM gives your server its own kernel and real isolation. You can run any Linux version and install what you like. Our Cloud VPS plans are KVM virtual servers.
2. What kind of storage?
NVMe SSD is much faster than older SATA disks and helps databases and busy sites. Ask for the storage type, not just the size. Our plans use NVMe SSD.
3. Are the resources really yours?
Ask whether CPU and memory are guaranteed or shared. An oversold host is slow when its neighbours are busy. A short trial shows this better than any promise.
4. How much bandwidth, and what happens at the limit?
Look for the monthly transfer in the plan and the rule if you pass it. Our plans include 1 TB of transfer a month.
5. Do you get full root access?
Without root you cannot install your own software or secure the server properly. Every AtoZNode Cloud VPS comes with full root access.
6. How do backups work?
Find out whether backups are included, how often they run, where they are kept and how you restore. In every case keep your own copy somewhere else too. Here is how to back up a VPS with restic.
7. What is the renewal price?
Compare the price after the first period. A low introductory price that jumps at renewal is a common trick. Ask for the renewal price in writing.
8. How do you pay, and what is the invoice like?
Check that you can pay in rupees by a method you use, such as UPI, and that you get a GST invoice in your company name. See how paying by UPI works.
9. How good is the support?
Send a real question before you buy and see how fast and how well they answer. Ask about hours and the way to reach them. The answer you get now is the answer you will get later.
10. What are the refund and cancellation rules?
Read the policy before you pay. Look for what is refunded, in what period, and how to cancel. Ours is on the refund and cancellation policy page.
Score your shortlist
Give each host a mark for every question and compare the totals. If two hosts tie, choose the one with better support and the clearer renewal price. When you are ready to see ours, open the Cloud VPS plans. Still deciding between a VPS and a whole server? Read VPS or dedicated server.