Choosing the Right Hosting Solution
If your business uses Sage 50, 100, or 300, moving your accounting software to the cloud offers remote access, scalability, and better security. However, there are several ways to achieve these benefits—cloud hosting and virtual private servers (VPS) being two common options. While both solutions involve moving your software off on-premise infrastructure, they differ in setup, management, and user experience.
This article explores the differences between cloud hosting and VPS to help you decide which option makes the most sense for hosting your Sage Accounting software.
What is a Virtual Private Server (VPS)?
A VPS is a virtual machine running on a physical server, with dedicated resources assigned to your business. Think of it as “your own private slice” of a shared server, isolated from other users. While this isolation provides more control over the system configuration, VPS hosting also requires more IT management on your end.
Key features of VPS hosting:
- Control and flexibility: You can customize the server environment, including software updates and security settings.
- Isolated environment: Your VPS resources are independent of other users on the same physical server.
- Manual maintenance: Your team is responsible for managing updates, backups, and troubleshooting.
- Single-user access: Only one user session can typically access Sage at a time unless additional configurations are made.
VPS hosting is ideal for businesses that need full control over their environment—but it comes at the cost of greater IT complexity.
What is Cloud Hosting?
Cloud hosting delivers your Sage software through a virtual desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) environment, accessible from any device with an internet connection. Instead of managing an isolated server, your business uses cloud infrastructure that’s fully managed by the hosting provider. Cloud hosting offers simplified access and management, especially for multi-user teams that need to access Sage simultaneously.
Key features of cloud hosting:
- Multi-user access: Multiple users can log into the same Sage environment at the same time, supporting real-time collaboration.
- Fully managed environment: The hosting provider handles updates, security, and backups.
- Anytime, anywhere access: Users can log in from desktops, tablets, or smartphones, without needing a VPN.
- Scalable resources: Add or remove users and resources as your business grows, without complex configurations.
Cloud hosting is ideal for businesses looking for easy access, multi-user collaboration, and reduced IT overhead.
Comparing VPS and Cloud Hosting for Sage Accounting
| Feature | VPS | Cloud Hosting |
| IT Management | Managed in-house or by IT consultants | Fully managed by the hosting provider |
| User Access | Typically single-user at a time | Multi-user, real-time collaboration |
| Scalability | Limited, requires manual configuration | Easily scalable, based on business needs |
| Security & Backups | Requires manual setup | Automated security and backups |
| Accessibility | Requires VPN or RDP | Accessible from any device, no VPN needed |
| Cost Structure | Predictable, but with high IT overhead | Subscription-based with low IT costs |
As this table shows, VPS hosting offers control but demands more management, while cloud hosting provides flexibility, ease of use, and multi-user access with fewer maintenance requirements.
Which Option is Better for Your Business?
If your Sage Accounting software is primarily used by a single user or a small team with IT expertise, VPS hosting may work for your needs. However, VPS requires manual updates, troubleshooting, and complex configurations—making it less ideal for businesses looking to reduce IT costs and simplify access.
On the other hand, cloud hosting offers significant advantages for businesses that require multi-user access, scalability, and anytime access from any device. The ability to outsource IT management and ensure built-in security and backups makes cloud hosting the better choice for most small and medium-sized businesses.
Go Cloud with Concero
If your business relies on Sage 50, 100, or 300, cloud hosting can provide secure, multi-user access from any device without the complexity of managing a VPS. With fully managed infrastructure, your team can focus on business, not IT.
Get a free trial of Concero Cloud Desktop today and experience how easy it is to move Sage Accounting to the cloud. Opt-in to our newsletter for more insights on cloud solutions tailored to Canadian businesses.
