Background
Recently, I started setting up my own blog and needed a cloud server to host it. While there are some free hosting options available, the experience is usually far from ideal. Loading even simple search results can take forever, wasting both time and patience. Free services often route your traffic through someone else’s servers, which raises security concerns and leaves you feeling uneasy. Here, I’d like to share some of my personal experiences with choosing a VPS. I won’t be recommending specific products, as I’m still fairly new to this, but these tips should help guide others in their selection process.
Buying a VPS
In most cases, the terms cloud host, cloud server, and virtual host are used interchangeably. Essentially, they all refer to a computer that can run 24/7 reliably and comes with a public IP. VPS (Virtual Private Server) usually refers to small-scale cloud servers suitable for individuals or small businesses. Compared to larger cloud servers, VPS typically offers fewer resources but comes at a more affordable price, albeit with some trade-offs in performance.
1. Avoid new or little-known providers
VPS services have a relatively low entry barrier—sometimes even one person can run a VPS business. While these small providers may offer lower prices, their after-sales service is often unreliable, and the risk of the provider shutting down or disappearing is high. I’ve personally experienced this before.
2. Don’t chase the lowest price
Low cost often comes at the expense of quality. Providers that offer extremely cheap plans are usually small businesses with limited support. Opting for mid-range pricing is generally safer and reduces the risk of service interruptions.
3. Choose providers that allow IP replacement
During setups like SSR (ShadowsocksR), your IP may get blocked by the Great Firewall (GFW). Providers that allow users to change IPs themselves are much more convenient. Some providers require contacting support and paying extra for a new IP, which can be challenging if you’re not confident in English.
4. Consider payment methods
While most overseas VPS providers support PayPal, only a few support Alipay. PayPal has the advantage of dispute resolution in case of after-sales issues, but its use is limited in China. Alipay is more accessible and convenient for domestic users, especially if you choose reputable providers with strong support, where after-sales issues are less likely to occur.
5. Look for test IP availability
Some established providers offer test IPs so users can try the server before purchasing. If you don’t see a test IP on the website, it’s worth asking the provider. Reliable providers generally offer this feature.
Precautions
It’s important to remember that service providers can potentially collect all of your online activity, including IP addresses, visited domains, timestamps, and even plain-text HTTP credentials. Some malicious providers might sell this data on black markets. Many people assume their information isn’t valuable, but personal data has significant commercial value and can be tracked and exploited.
For example, if you register a gambling site account through a proxy, you might later see gambling-related ads on other platforms. Whether these ads come from the proxy provider or the platform itself is uncertain, but it illustrates that even seemingly “worthless” privacy can be targeted by malicious actors.
In short, privacy risks are ever-present, especially in untrusted networks. Be particularly wary of “free” proxy providers that claim no ads—they often carry high risks of privacy leaks. The saying “there’s no free lunch” holds true; free services can sometimes be the most dangerous.
Even with paid proxy services, caution is still needed, especially with smaller providers who might disappear overnight. Many of these gray-market providers are connected to illicit activities and misuse their privileges. If privacy and security are important to you, it’s better to use reputable VPS providers—either from major domestic or international companies—or well-known cloud providers with robust security measures. Properly used, these services typically offer much higher reliability and minimal risk.