Unmanaged hosting is a hosting plan where the provider gives you the server (or VPS) and network, but you handle the technical setup, updates, security, and troubleshooting yourself.
Think of it like renting an empty office: you get the space and utilities, but you are responsible for everything inside. With unmanaged hosting, you usually get root or admin access and a basic starting point (often an operating system), then it is on you to install and maintain the web stack (like NGINX/Apache, PHP, databases), configure firewalls, handle backups, monitor performance, and respond when something breaks. Most unmanaged plans include help for hardware and network issues, but not for your website, WordPress, plugins, malware cleanup, email deliverability, or speed tuning.
Managed vs unmanaged at a glance
| Unmanaged hosting | Managed hosting |
|---|---|
| You handle OS and server updates | Your host handles server updates |
| You set up security hardening and malware response | Your host provides active security help |
| You configure backups and restores | Your host runs backups and helps with restores |
| You monitor uptime, CPU, memory, disk, and logs | Your host monitors and responds to issues |
| Support is limited to infrastructure | Support often covers server and app basics |
What you are responsible for on unmanaged hosting
- Server setup (web server, PHP, database, SSL/TLS)
- Security patches, firewall rules, and access control
- Backups, restore testing, and disaster recovery steps
- Performance tuning, caching, and capacity planning
- Monitoring and alerting, plus on-call response
- Fixing outages caused by misconfigurations or updates
Unmanaged hosting can be a solid choice if you have an in-house IT person, a developer who is comfortable with Linux server admin, or a clear reason to control every layer of the stack. It is often cheaper on paper, but the real cost shows up in staff time, slower fixes, and higher risk when something goes wrong.
For many Orlando businesses (dental, medical, law, home services) the website is the front desk after hours. If a form stops working or the site goes down during a busy season, you can lose calls and booked appointments. If you would rather have a team handle the server work so you can stay focused on running the business, our WordPress web hosting is built for that.
One practical tip before you pick unmanaged: confirm who controls the domain and hosting logins, and keep access documented so you are never locked out during an emergency. Our FAQ on who owns the domain, hosting account, and website files breaks down what to ask for.
