How to Run WordPress on VPS Hosting: The 2025 Performance Guide 

Key highlights 

• VPS hosting offers better speed, security and scalability. Host WordPress on VPS for dedicated resources and improved performance. 
• VPS is ideal for growing WordPress websites, high-traffic eCommerce stores, developers and businesses needing better security. 
• Best security practices for VPS hosting, including firewalls, malware protection and regular backups. 
• Bluehost VPS hosting provides an excellent balance of performance, security and scalability for WordPress users. 
• Performance optimization tips, including caching, image compression and database tuning. 

Introduction 

Is your WordPress site slowing down, facing security risks or struggling with traffic spikes? If so, shared hosting might no longer be enough. That’s where VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting comes in. It offers faster speeds, better security and greater control. 

Unlike shared hosting, VPS provides dedicated resources like CPU, RAM and storage, ensuring better performance and stability. Whether you run a blog, eCommerce store or business site, VPS hosting allows you to customize server settings and scale as you grow. 

In this guide, you’ll learn how to set up, optimize and manage WordPress on a VPS in 2025 — boosting performance, enhancing security and future-proofing your site. Let’s dive in! 

What is VPS hosting and why it matters for WordPress in 2025?

Think of VPS like owning a condo instead of renting an apartment—you get full control without managing the whole building. VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting bridges the gap between shared hosting and dedicated servers. 

It provides a dedicated portion of server resources like CPU, RAM and storage without the high cost of a fully dedicated server. Unlike shared hosting, where multiple websites compete for resources, VPS ensures better performance, security and scalability. 

Why VPS hosting matters for WordPress in 2025? 

As websites grow and demand more power, shared hosting often falls short. VPS hosting is essential for WordPress users in 2025 due to: 

• Improved performance: Faster loading times and reduced downtime with dedicated resources. 
• Enhanced security: Isolated environments minimize risks from other websites on the same server. 
• Greater control: Ability to configure server settings, install custom software and optimize WordPress performance. 
• Scalability: Easily upgrade resources as your site grows without moving to a new hosting provider. 

Whether you run a high-traffic blog, an eCommerce store or a business website, VPS hosting gives you the flexibility and reliability needed to keep your WordPress site running smoothly in 2025. 

Also read: What Is VPS Hosting? Everything You Need to Know! 

Who should consider hosting WordPress on a VPS? 

If you’re running a WordPress site and need more power, flexibility and security than shared hosting can offer, a Virtual Private Server (VPS) could be the right choice.  

Here’s who should consider hosting WordPress on a VPS: 

1. Growing websites and blogs 

As your website gains traffic, shared hosting may struggle to keep up. A VPS provides dedicated resources, ensuring faster load times and better performance. This is ideal for content-heavy blogs, news sites or any growing website that requires reliable performance and scalability. 

2. High-traffic eCommerce stores 

If you run an online store, performance and security are crucial. When you install WordPress on VPS, your store can handle high traffic loads and process payments securely.  

This ensures a seamless user experience for your customers. VPS hosting enables custom configurations such as dedicated PHP settings, memory limits and NGINX tuning—helping optimize your store’s speed and reliability. 

3. Developers and agencies needing customization 

A VPS is an excellent choice for developers and agencies managing multiple WordPress projects. Setting up WordPress on a VPS server allows you to customize configurations, install advanced tools and create staging environments. This flexibility makes it easier to test, deploy and optimize websites for clients. 

4. Businesses seeking better security and isolation 

For businesses handling sensitive data, VPS hosting enhances security with dedicated resources and better isolation. You can configure custom firewalls, run malware scans, and enforce strict access controls—all of which add layers of security not available with shared hosting. 

By choosing a VPS, you get more control over your hosting environment while improving performance and security.  

What are the key benefits of running WordPress on VPS hosting?

Hosting WordPress on a VPS offers greater control, performance and security compared to shared hosting. Whether you’re managing a growing website or an eCommerce store, setting up WordPress on a VPS server can provide the power and flexibility you need.  

Here are the key benefits: 

1. Superior performance and speed  

One of the biggest advantages of hosting WordPress on a VPS is the improved performance. Since a VPS provides dedicated resources, your website runs faster, even during traffic spikes. When you install WordPress on VPS, you avoid the slowdowns often experienced on shared hosting, ensuring a smooth user experience. This is especially important for businesses that rely on fast load times to improve SEO rankings and conversion rates. 

2. Enhanced security  

Security is a top priority for any website, and when you host WordPress on a VPS, you get better protection than shared hosting. With isolated server environments, your site is not affected by vulnerabilities from other users. Setting up WordPress on a VPS server allows you to implement advanced security measures to protect sensitive data. 

3. Full root access and server customization  

Unlike shared hosting, a VPS gives you full root access, meaning you have complete control over server configurations. Developers can optimize servers, install custom apps and fine-tune performance with WordPress on a VPS. This flexibility is ideal for businesses that need specific software or development environments tailored to their needs. 

4. Scalability for business growth  

As your website grows, you need a hosting solution that can scale with your business. With a VPS, you can scale resources CPU, RAM and storage without causing any downtime. Hosting WordPress on a VPS ensures your site stays fast and responsive as it grows. By choosing VPS hosting, you get a powerful, flexible and secure environment for your WordPress site.  

Also read: VPS Security Tips and Best Practices to Secure your Server 

Step-by-step guide: setting up WordPress on a VPS in 2025 

Setting up WordPress on a VPS offers greater control, better performance and enhanced security compared to shared hosting. If you’re ready to scale your website, follow this step-by-step guide to get started with hosting WordPress on a VPS seamlessly. 

Step 1 – Choose the right VPS hosting plan 

Before setting up WordPress, selecting the right WordPress VPS hosting plan is crucial to ensure optimal performance. 

Factors to consider (RAM, Bandwidth, Control Panel)

When choosing a VPS plan, keep these factors in mind:

• RAM & CPU: Determines your website’s ability to handle traffic spikes and resource-intensive applications. 
• Bandwidth: Essential for high-traffic websites and media-heavy content. 
• Storage type: SSD storage offers faster speeds compared to traditional HDDs. 
• Control panel: Opt for a user-friendly control panel like cPanel for easy server management. 
• Managed vs. Unmanaged VPS: Managed VPS is ideal for those who prefer expert support, while unmanaged VPS allows full control but requires technical knowledge. 

How does Bluehost’s VPS hosting boosts performance and give you full control? 

At Bluehost, we provide scalable and high-performance VPS hosting designed to meet your growing website needs. Our VPS plans include: 

• Root access for complete control over your hosting environment. 
• Integrated cPanel for easy server and website management. 
• Free SSL and domain name for security and branding. 
• 24/7 expert support to assist with setup and maintenance. 

Step 1 – Set up your VPS environment 

• Install a control panel: Bluehost offers cPanel for simplified site management. 
• Set up a web server: Choose LAMP (Apache) or LEMP (Nginx) for WordPress. 

bash 

CopyEdit 

sudo apt update && sudo apt install apache2 mysql-server php php-mysql -y

Step 2 – Install WordPress on your VPS 

Bluehost now offers pre-installed WordPress on VPS plans, eliminating the need for manual setup. Simply log in to your account, access your VPS and start customizing your site instantly. 

Manual installation

For those using an unmanaged VPS: 

1. Download WordPress: 

bash 

CopyEdit 

wget https://wordpress.org/latest.tar.gz
 

2. Create a database: 

bash 

CopyEdit 

mysql -u root -p 
CREATE DATABASE wordpress_db;
 

3. Update wp-config.php: Add database details. 

Step 3 – Configure domain & SSL 

• Point your domain: Update DNS with your VPS IP. 
• Secure with free SSL: Bluehost provides free SSL, or install Let’s Encrypt: 

bash 

CopyEdit 

sudo certbot --apache -d [your_domain].com

By following these steps, you can successfully set up WordPress on a VPS server in 2025. With Bluehost’s VPS hosting, you get expert support, performance optimization and a secure environment to scale your website. 

How to optimize WordPress performance on a VPS? 

Running WordPress on a VPS offers enhanced performance, but optimizing your setup ensures even faster load times and stability. Here’s how to maximize your VPS-hosted WordPress site’s speed, security and reliability. 

1. Speed optimization tools 

When hosting WordPress on a VPS, speed optimization plays a crucial role in delivering a seamless user experience. Here are some essential tools to enhance your site’s performance: 

• Caching plugins: Tools like WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache and LiteSpeed Cache help reduce server load and improve page speed. 
• CDN (Content Delivery Network): Services like Cloudflare and BunnyCDN distribute content across multiple servers to ensure faster loading times. 
• Image optimization: Plugins such as Smush and ShortPixel automatically compress images without sacrificing quality. 
• Minification tools: Auto optimize and Fast Velocity Minify remove unnecessary code from CSS, JavaScript and HTML files to enhance speed. 

2. VPS resource monitoring 

Efficient VPS resource monitoring ensures that your WordPress site runs smoothly without consuming excessive server resources. Some key tools and practices include: 

• Server monitoring tools: Use applications like New Relic and Netdata to track CPU usage, RAM consumption and disk space. 
• Database query monitoring: Query Monitor helps identify slow database queries affecting performance. 
• Process management: Linux commands help manage processes that may be consuming excessive resources. 
• Real-time alerts: Set up email or SMS notifications to get instant alerts on server health. 

3. Database optimization 

A well-optimized database speeds up WordPress queries and enhances VPS efficiency. Consider these optimization strategies: 

• Database cleanup plugins: WP-Optimize and Advanced Database Cleaner remove unnecessary data, such as revisions, spam comments and expired transients. 
• Indexing and query optimization: Optimize database indexes and queries to speed up retrieval times. 
• Automated database maintenance: Schedule regular database optimizations via cPanel to keep your database performing at its best. 
• Switch to InnoDB: If using MySQL, switch from MyISAM to InnoDB for better performance and reliability. 

Optimizing your WordPress performance on a VPS requires a combination of speed enhancements, resource monitoring and database optimizations. By implementing these strategies, you can ensure a faster, more efficient and highly responsive website for your users. 

Why is Bluehost VPS hosting the best choice for WordPress growth? 

At Bluehost, we understand that selecting the right VPS hosting is key to scaling WordPress efficiently and maintaining performance. Our VPS solutions provide high-performance servers tailored to support your WordPress growth. 

Key features that make Bluehost stand out 

Our VPS hosting comes with several standout features: 

• Enhanced performance: Our VPS servers use SSD storage, ensuring faster data retrieval and site speed. 
• Root access: We give you full control over server configurations, allowing advanced users the flexibility to customize settings. 
• Scalability: We easily upgrade resources as your website traffic grows without downtime. 
• 24/7 expert support: Our team provides round-the-clock assistance to resolve technical issues promptly. 
• Dedicated resources: Unlike shared hosting, our VPS offers dedicated CPU and RAM for consistent performance. 

Bluehost tools that enhance VPS WordPress hosting

To maximize your WordPress site’s efficiency, we provide several powerful tools: 

• Pre-installed WordPress: Pre-installed WordPress on our VPS lets you start building your site instantly. 
• Staging environment: Test changes in a secure staging area before deploying them live. 
• cPanel integration: Manage domains, email, databases and other server settings with our user-friendly control panel. 
• Custom security tools: Built-in security measures, including SSL certificates, SiteLock and CodeGuard, help protect your site from threats. 
• Automated backups: Keep your data safe with daily or scheduled backups, ensuring seamless restoration when needed. 

By choosing Bluehost VPS hosting, you gain access to superior performance, security and scalability. Whether you’re optimizing speed, monitoring resources or enhancing security, we offer the tools and support you need to succeed. 

Ready to take your WordPress site to the next level? With Bluehost VPS hosting, you get blazing-fast performance, rock-solid security and room to grow—without the hassle.

From fine-tuning speed to locking down your site, we’ve got the tools and support to back you up every step of the way. Explore Our VPS Plans! 

When should you upgrade from Shared hosting to VPS? 

Upgrading from shared hosting to a VPS is a smart move when your website outgrows the limitations of shared resources. Here are key signs that indicate it’s time to switch: 

1. Traffic spikes causing crashes or slowdowns 

Shared hosting means you’re sharing server resources with multiple websites. As your traffic grows, your site may experience slow load times or even crash due to resource limitations. If your website frequently slows down during peak traffic hours or experiences downtime, it’s a strong sign that you need WordPress hosting for better stability and performance. 

2. Need better security 

If your website handles sensitive customer data or has been targeted by cyber threats, a VPS provides better isolation, firewall configurations and malware protection compared to shared hosting. 

3. Require more customization and control 

With a VPS, you get root access, allowing you to customize server settings, install advanced security tools and configure your hosting environment based on your needs—something you can’t do on shared hosting. 

4. Shared hosting limitations impacting plugin performance 

Many WordPress plugins, especially eCommerce, security and caching plugins, require significant server resources. If you’re noticing slow performance, failed plugin updates or compatibility issues, your shared hosting may not be powerful enough.  

Setting up WordPress on a VPS server allows you to allocate the necessary resources for smooth plugin functionality and better site performance. 

Also read: How to Upgrade VPS Hosting Plan 

How to seamlessly migrate to VPS? 

Once you decide to move to a VPS, a smooth migration process is essential to avoid downtime and data loss. 

Bluehost site migration support 

Bluehost offers expert migration support to help you transition from shared hosting to VPS without hassle. Our team can assist with transferring your website files, databases and configurations to ensure a seamless experience.  

If you’re unfamiliar with server management, Bluehost’s managed VPS plans can handle technical aspects like security updates, performance optimization and backups for you. 

Pre-migration optimization checklist 

Before migrating, it’s essential to optimize your site for a smooth transition. Here’s a checklist to follow: 

• Backup your website: Create a full backup of your WordPress site, including files and databases, to prevent data loss. 
• Review resource usage: Check CPU, RAM and disk usage on your shared hosting plan to determine the resources you’ll need on your VPS. 
• Update plugins and themes: Ensure all plugins and themes are up to date to prevent compatibility issues after migration. 
• Test on a staging site: Set up a staging environment to test your website on the VPS before making it live. 
• Configure security settings: Enhance security by setting up firewalls, malware scanning and SSL certificates on your new VPS server. 

Migrating to a VPS is a significant step toward improving your website’s performance and reliability. By installing WordPress on a VPS, you gain better speed, security and control, making it a worthwhile investment for long-term growth. 

Final thoughts 

Upgrading to VPS hosting is a strategic move for WordPress users seeking better speed, security and scalability. Whether you’re managing a high-traffic site, an eCommerce store or a growing business, VPS provides dedicated resources to enhance performance and reliability. By optimizing caching, monitoring server resources and securing your website, you ensure a seamless user experience. 

Bluehost VPS hosting simplifies WordPress management with pre-installed WordPress, integrated security tools and expert support. If your WordPress site is growing, your hosting should too. Switch to Bluehost VPS Hosting and experience unmatched power and performance.  

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