If you’ve ever tried to choose the “right” hosting solution, you’ve probably run into terms like shared hosting, VPS (Virtual Private Servers), VPC (Virtual Private Cloud), and server colocation, and found yourself wondering what any of them actually mean, let alone which one your business needs. The good news? At Smartt, we offer all four, and more importantly, we help you choose (and evolve) the right one over time, without locking you into decisions you’re not ready to make. They also come packaged into our various FlexHours programs. So whether you’re hosting a WordPress site, running ERP software, or centralizing workloads across multiple branches, there’s a Smartt-hosting option built to scale with you.

Here’s a breakdown of each option, how they differ, and how our FlexHours make the whole process easier:

Shared Hosting: Simple, Scalable, and Cost-Effective

For businesses with basic needs that want to get online fast, without worrying about servers or technical configuration, Smartt’s Shared Hosting is a solid starting point. You share a server environment with other businesses, but your files and apps are secure and isolated. Smartt’s plans are optimized for different use cases, whether you’re hosting a CMS like WordPress, running a corporate site, or managing ecommerce transactions.

Perfect for: Small and medium businesses, marketing websites, blogs, and local ecommerce stores.

VPS (Virtual Private Server): More Control Without the Complexity

Need more power or customization than shared hosting allows? Smartt’s Virtual Private Servers (VPS) give you dedicated resources in a virtualized environment, complete with your own public IP address and firewall. You can install your own software, configure your own services, and isolate your environment completely from other clients. High-Availability add-on options are also available as part of the service.

Our VPS platform is built on OpenStack and hosted in Smartt’s enterprise-grade data centre, giving you better reliability and security than low-cost, overseas alternatives. Plus, you get optional Canadian data residency, local support, and real-time monitoring, which can all be managed under your FlexHours if you want us to help maintain it.

Perfect for: Businesses running custom apps, machine learning, or ecommerce platforms that require more flexibility.

VPC (Virtual Private Cloud): Hybrid Cloud, Done Right

When your workloads are critical, complex, or distributed across multiple locations, Smartt’s Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) delivers enterprise-grade performance and security. You get your own isolated cloud environment with a 100% uptime service guarantee to interconnect multiple branches, vendors, or apps. 

Think of it as your own private data centre network, minus the hardware headache. We handle the infrastructure. You control the network, segmentation, and policies. It’s ideal for integrating cloud and on-prem systems, or setting up remote desktops and secure file-sharing between offices.

Perfect for: Multi-site businesses, remote teams, hybrid environments, or anyone who wants private cloud infrastructure without managing physical servers.

Colocation: Your Hardware, Our Data Centre

Already own your own servers but don’t want to deal with power, cooling, or security? Smartt offers Colocation Services that give your physical hardware a home inside our professionally managed data centre. We provide redundant power, climate control, physical access control, and multi-homed internet transit.

This option is great for companies with compliance requirements, custom hardware setups, or large-scale data processing needs. You stay in control of your equipment, we just give it the secure environment it needs to run 24/7.

Perfect for: Organizations that need full control of their infrastructure, or have existing hardware investments they want to protect.

Not Sure Which One to Choose? FlexHours Has You Covered

Here’s where Smartt really shines: with our FlexHours plans, you don’t have to figure everything out upfront.

Each FlexHours package includes a curated mix of hosting, cybersecurity, cloud services, and IT support. You can start with Shared Hosting and grow into VPS as your needs change. And we’ll guide you the whole way—with proactive monitoring, backups, and helpdesk support included. All FlexHour packages includes premium Shared Hosting and at least 1 VPS.In other words, you only pay a monthly fixed rate—with room to grow when you need it. So instead of worrying about the tech jargon or overcommitting on infrastructure, you get a tailored hosting plan backed by a real team.

At the end of the day, your hosting shouldn’t be a mystery or a limitation. Whether you’re just launching a website or migrating a multi-site application stack, Smartt gives you the flexibility to scale, the performance to compete, and the peace of mind to focus on your business.

Want help deciding which option fits your needs? Talk to Smartt and let’s build something scalable, secure, and smart, together!