A virtual private server (VPS) is a great way to combine powerful server features with affordable pricing, and ixWebHosting has committed itself to offering consumers the right combination of power and price. The company offers six virtual private server (VPS) to its customers, split evenly between affordable Linux technology and industry-leading Windows Server setups. With more than a decade of experience in providing affordable, reliable, and advanced hosting solutions ixWebHosting’s virtual private server (VPS) products are the best way for web developers and small businesses to get online.

Three Linux Plans, Three Windows Plans, Six Great Options

Many companies compete on price by leaving the Windows Server operating system behind; Microsoft charges high fees for offering their operating system to consumers, and most budget-minded companies simply don’t want to pass that fee on to consumers. But ixWebHosting has taken the plunge, offering Windows Server hosting plans that charge only a small fee, rather than the much higher Windows Server premiums charged by their competition.

With the virtual private server (VPS) products offered by ixWebHosting, customers pay a simple $15 monthly surcharge for a Windows server. There is no difference in features between the Windows and Linux options, unlike some virtual private server (VPS) hosts, making this an even better option for the VPS shopper.

The company’s entry-level virtual private server (VPS) plan costs $29.95 per month for Linux customers, and $44.95 per month for those who prefer Windows Server. It comes with just one processor core backed by 384MB of RAM. Monthly data transfer is a whopping 500GB, and customers get access to 10GB of hard disk storage space for their files and data. Two dedicated IP addresses are included but, unfortunately, no web-based control panel comes with this package. It must be self-installed by the customer after purchase. That’s a significant letdown for many entry-level virtual private server (VPS) buyers.

The mid-range plan at ixWebHosting offers a virtual private server (VPS) equipped with a quad-core processor and 768MB of dedicated RAM. Monthly data transfer is tripled to 1.5TB, while the server’s storage space increases to a mighty 50GB. Two dedicated IP addresses are also included with this plan, and customers can choose between cPanel and Plesk during checkout. The control panel of choice will be pre-installed by ixWebHosting, unlike the lower-end virtual private server (VPS) plan. Customers can expect to pay $54.95 per month for this plan with Linux, and $69.95 for a Windows Server version.

Finally, the high-end virtual private server (VPS) plan at ixWebHosting packs the biggest punch. It’s got eight processor cores, backed by 2GB of RAM and a 100GB hard drive. 2TB of monthly data transfer is included with the plan, as are two dedicated IP addresses. CPanel and Plesk are also the standard control panel options for this plan, installed by ixWebHosting rather than the user. The plan clocks in at $89.95 per month for Linux users, while Windows Server customers will pay $104.95 for the same features.

No Firm Commitment to Uptime, but Certainly No Lack of Reliability

It has become customary for serious web hosting companies offering virtual private server (VPS) plans and other products to guarantee a certain amount of uptime. Typically, these guarantees range from 99 percent to 100 percent, and they’re a crucial part of the decision-making process for many customers. Unfortunately, ixWebHosting offers no such guarantee on its website. Instead, the company describes what it does to prevent downtime. That includes redundant power and broadband connections, as well as backup generators at its server facilities.

ixWebHosting does give its virtual private server (VPS) customers peace of mind by providing access to the company’s previous uptime and downtime data, and that data shows that ixWebHosting is a strong contender among the wider web hosting community. Its products are consistently online and available, even without this guarantee. However, without such a firm commitment to service in place, customers will find it hard to be reimbursed for any outages that do occur. That is a significant road block for many virtual private server (VPS) customers considering the company.

Customer Support is Robust at ixWebHosting

While it may not have an uptime guarantee, ixWebHosting does have a firm commitment to customer support and satisfaction. Customers can email all of the company’s individual departments directly, and they can contact the company via a toll-free number 24 hours per day. They can also use an online chat application to speak with ixWebHosting representatives about virtual private server (VPS) sales questions, support questions, or troubleshooting.

Support ticketing is offered via the company’s support website, and customers can access ixWebHosting via social networks using links provided in this same section of the company’s site. That’s a more comprehensive approach to customer support than many higher-priced companies currently offer.

Good for Confident Customers

The one thing holding ixWebHosting back is that the company simply refuses to put into writing how reliable its products should be, and what it will do if they fail to live up to that standard. The lack of an uptime guarantee may keep some customers away, but those who look at the company’s reliability data and feel confident in their products will have access to great support and affordable deals on virtual private server (VPS) hosting and other great services.