Hosting guide
Managed vs Unmanaged hosting in the UK (2026 Guide)
Choosing between managed and unmanaged hosting is one of the most important infrastructure decisions a UK business can make. This guide explains the real differences, costs, risks, and use cases - without marketing hype.
Last updated: February 2026
Quick Summary
- Managed hosting is best for businesses that want stability, security, and a single point of contact.
- Unmanaged hosting suits experienced technical teams who want full control and lower base costs.
- Most SMEs benefit more from managed services than they expect.
What Is Managed Hosting?
Managed hosting means your provider is responsible for maintaining, securing and supporting your server environment to an agreed scope.
With managed hosting, you are not just renting hardware. You are paying for expertise, monitoring, maintenance, and ongoing support.
Typically included
- Initial server setup ad configuration
- Security hardening and firewalling
- Planned patching and updates
- Backup strategy guidance
- Incident investigation and recovery
- Performance and capacity advice
The exact scope varies by provider. Always ask what is included and what counts as project work.
What Is Unmanaged Hosting?
Unmanaged hosting provides you with infrastructure only. You are responsible for everything else.
Your provider suppliers the server, network, and basic access. Configuration, security, backups, and maintenance are entirely your responsibility.
Typically included
- Physical server or VPS
- Network connectivity
- Remote access (IPMI/iDRAC where available)
- Hardware replacement
Typically excluded
- Operating system management
- Security patching
- Backups
- Monitoring
- Disaster recovery
- Application support
Cost Comparison: The Real Picture
Unmanaged hosting often looks cheaper - until you factor in operational costs.
| Cost Area | Managed | Unmanaged |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Included | Internal time |
| Security | Included | Internal |
| Downtime Risk | Lower | Higher |
| Staff Cost | Low | High |
For most UK SMEs, internal labour quickly exceeds the price difference.
Security Considerations
Security is the most underestimated difference between managed and unmanaged hosting.
Unmanaged servers are frequently compromised due to delayed updates, weak SSH access, misconfigured firewalls, or outdated software.
Common unmanaged risks
- Unpatched vulnerabilities
- Weak authentication
- Exposed services
- No intrusion detection
- Incomplete backups
Managed provciders reduce these risks through routine maintenance and monitoring.
Availability and Reliability
Uptime depends as much on management as hardware.
Most outages are caused by configuration errors, failed updates, or neglected storage - not physical failures.
Managed services help prevent these through change control, monitoring, and experience.
Who Should Choose Managed Hosting?
Managed hosting is usually best for:
- SMEs without in-house sysadmins
- Agencies and SaaS platforms
- E-commerce businesses
- Professional service firms
- Any business where downtime costs money
If infrastructure is critical but not your core business, managed hosting is almost always the safer choice.
Who Should Choose Unmanaged Hosting?
Unmanaged hosting suits:
- Experiences sysadmins
- DevOps teams
- Technical startups
- Testing environments
- Cost-sensitive hobby project
If you cannot confidently secure, monitor, and recover a server yourself, unmanaged hosting is risky.
Common Myths
"Managed means no control"
False. You retain administrative access. Management provides support, not restrictions.
"Unmanaged is always cheaper"
False. Staff time and downtime often cost more.
"I can manage it later"
Delayed management usually starts after a serious incident.
Which Option Is Right For You?
Ask yourself:
- Who applies security updates?
- Who monitors availability?
- Who handles incidents?
- Who tests backups?
- Who documents changes?
If the honest answer is "no one", managed hosting is the safer choice.
How Volteric Can Help
Volteric provides both managed and unmanaged services, allowing customers to choose the level of support that fits their needs.
- Managed VPS and dedicated hosting
- Unmanaged dedicated servers
- System administration support
- Backup and recovery services