Comparison
RDP vs VPS: what's the difference?
RDP is the protocol you use to control a Windows computer remotely; a VPS is a virtual server in a data centre. They are not alternatives: you usually connect to a Windows VPS over RDP.
Short answer
RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) is how you connect; a VPS (virtual private server) is what you connect to. When hosting companies sell "an RDP" they almost always mean a Windows VPS with Remote Desktop switched on, sometimes with full Administrator rights and sometimes as a shared account with limited rights.
What RDP is
RDP is Microsoft's protocol for remote control of Windows. A client on your device (mstsc on Windows, Windows App on Mac and iOS, Remmina on Linux) sends your keyboard and mouse to the remote computer and shows you its screen. By default it listens on port 3389; see RDP port 3389 explained.
What a VPS is
A VPS is a virtual machine on a physical server in a data centre, with its own operating system, CPU, memory and storage allocation. A Windows VPS runs Windows Server; a Linux VPS runs Linux and is usually managed over SSH instead of RDP.
RDP vs VPS side by side
| RDP | VPS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A remote-control protocol | A virtual server | ||
| Where it lives | Client on your device plus a service on the server | In a data centre | ||
| Can exist without the other | Yes: you can RDP into an office PC | Yes: a Linux VPS may never use RDP | ||
| What you pay for | Nothing on its own | CPU | memory | storage and network |
| At RyzenRDP | How you connect | What you get: a Windows Server VPS |
Which one do you need?
If you want a Windows computer in a data centre that you can reach from anywhere, you need a Windows VPS, and you will use RDP to connect to it. If you only need to reach a PC you already own, RDP on its own is enough. Compare Windows VPS plans.
RDP vs VPS FAQ
Is a VPS the same as an RDP?
No. A VPS is a virtual server; RDP is the protocol used to control a Windows server remotely. A "Windows RDP" plan is usually a Windows VPS you reach over RDP.
What is an RDP server used for?
Running Windows software in a data centre around the clock: trading platforms, bots, game servers, development tools and office work you can reach from any device.
Is RDP a VPN?
No. A VPN connects your device to a network; RDP shows and controls one computer's desktop. Many companies use them together, connecting to the VPN first and then RDP into a server.
What is the difference between a shared RDP account and a private VPS?
A shared RDP account is a user login on a Windows server that other customers also use, usually without admin rights. A private VPS is your own virtual machine with Administrator access.
Do I need an RDP or a VPS?
To run Windows software in a data centre, you need a Windows VPS, and you connect to it with RDP. That is what a RyzenRDP plan is.
See Windows VPS plans
Your own Windows Server on AMD Ryzen or AMD EPYC, reached over RDP. From $14.99/mo.