Guide to Purchasing Self-Managed VPS Hosting with Bluehost

Bluehost now offers Self-Managed VPS hosting, giving users complete control with full root access, dedicated resources, and extensive customization options—all at an affordable cost. This service allows you to install applications and software of your choice and adjust performance settings to meet your specific needs. Enjoy a clean-slate hosting environment without the added costs of unnecessary server management!

Our Self-Managed VPS hosting plans are perfect for tech-savvy users who enjoy taking control of their own hosting servers. While these VPS plans come with a more hands-on approach and less direct support, you'll have the flexibility to customize your experience to fit your unique hosting needs. If you're comfortable managing your own server, this option is a great way to get powerful hosting at a more affordable price!

We offer the following Self-Managed VPS hosting plans:

• NVMe 2
• NVMe 4
• NVMe 8
• NVMe 16

For the features and prices of each VPS plan, check out the Bluehost Self-Managed VPS Hosting Plans Comparison article.

• How to Purchase a Self-Managed VPS Hosting
• Summary

How to Purchase a Self-Managed VPS Hosting Plan

Here are the steps to purchasing Self-Managed VPS hosting.

• Purchase Self-Managed VPS Hosting
• Post-Purchase

Purchase Self-Managed VPS Hosting

1. In your browser, go to https://www.bluehost.com/vps-hosting.
2. Click the Choose Plan button under your preferred VPS hosting plan.

   
    

3. On the Choose your domain name page, you can either register a new domain or use an existing one, and then add Domain Privacy + Protection. You can also choose your domain at a later time if you prefer.

   
    

4. On the Cart page, you can configure your server to fit your needs in the following section:
   1. Hardware: You can switch to a different Self-Managed VPS plan in this section

      
       

   2. Software (Optional):
      • Plain OS:

        
         

        • AlmaLinux: A free, open-source Linux distribution designed to be a stable and community-driven alternative to CentOS, ideal for enterprise use.
          Available Versions: 8,9, and 10
        • Debian: One of the oldest and most stable Linux distributions, known for its reliability and vast software repository, great for servers and desktops.
          Available Versions: 12 and 13
        • Rocky Linux: Created as a community-driven successor to CentOS, focusing on stability and compatibility for enterprise environments.
          Available Versions: 8, 9, and 10
        • CentOS: A free, enterprise-class Linux distribution initially derived from Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), widely used in servers; now shifted focus to CentOS Stream.
          Available Versions: 9 and 10
        • Fedora: A cutting-edge Linux distribution sponsored by Red Hat, known for incorporating the latest features and technologies, popular among developers and tech enthusiasts.
          Available Versions: 41, 42, and 43
        • Ubuntu: A user-friendly and popular Linux distribution based on Debian, great for beginners and widely used on desktops, servers, and cloud environments.
          Available Versions: 22.04, 24.04, 25.04, and 25.10
      • OS Wth Panel: Add up to 100 cPanel accounts to your server at an additional cost.

        
         

      • Application:

        
         

        • n8n: An easy-to-use, open-source workflow automation tool that lets you connect apps and services to automate tasks without coding.
        • WordPress: A popular content management system (CMS) used for building websites and blogs, known for its flexibility and large plugin ecosystem.
        • LAMP Stack: A classic web development stack comprising Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP — perfect for hosting dynamic websites and web apps.
        • OpenClaw: A Kubernetes-native platform that helps manage SaaS application lifecycles, focusing on automation and efficiency.
        • Portainer: A simple and intuitive management UI for Docker and Kubernetes environments, making container deployment and monitoring easier.
        • LEMP Stack: Similar to LAMP, but replaces Apache with Nginx — stands for Linux, Nginx, MySQL, and PHP — widely used for high-performance web hosting.
   3. Add-Ons:
      • Premium Support: Provides you with priority access to our expert team, ensuring faster responses and personalized help whenever you need them. 

        
         

5. Select your preferred billing term and view your Order Summary. Click the Continue to Checkout button to proceed.

   
    

6. Do the following on the Checkout page:
   1. Create an Account: To get started, you’ll need to create your Bluehost account. You can do this easily by using your email address or by connecting with your Google, Apple, or GitHub account — whichever you prefer!

      
       

   2. Enter Your Billing Information

      
       

7. In the Shopping Cart section, adjust the terms as needed. Click Submit Payment to complete the purchase.

   
    

Post-Purchase

After you complete your purchase, your Self-Managed VPS hosting will begin provisioning. You can locate your new VPS hosting in the Hosting tab of your Bluehost Portal.

Under the Hosting tab, you will see the disk storage and server status of your Self-Managed VPS hosting right away. You will also have the following functionalities:

• Disk Storage: Displays the available and used space on your Self-Managed VPS, helping you keep track of your data and files.
• Server Status: Displays the current condition of your server, indicating whether it’s running smoothly or needs attention.
• IP Address: Lists the unique Internet address assigned to your server, which you use to access your server remotely.
• Server Image: Shows the operating system and key applications currently installed on your Self-Managed VPS.
• Start Server: Powers up your server if it’s turned off, making it ready to use.
• Reboot Server: Restarts your server to refresh the system without turning it off completely.
• Power Off Server: Safely shuts down your server, stopping all running processes.
• Launch Console: Opens a direct control window to your Self-Managed VPS,  letting you manage it as if you were physically at the machine.

Click the View Details link for more details about your Self-Managed VPS hosting.

• Data center
• Feature to reset the root password

  

Summary