Dedicated servers offer unparalleled performance, security, and scalability, making them the go-to choice for businesses with demanding applications or high-traffic websites. But not all dedicated servers are the same. One of the decisions you’ll make is whether to go with a managed or unmanaged dedicated server.
While both provide you with your own physical server, the difference lies in who manages and maintains it. In this article, we’ll explain the pros and cons of each approach, and why more and more tech-savvy teams are choosing unmanaged dedicated server hosting for maximum control, cost-efficiency, and customization.
What is a Managed Dedicated Server?
A managed dedicated server is a hosting solution where the provider takes responsibility for most or all of the server’s operations. This typically includes:
- Initial setup and server provisioning
- Operating system installation and updates
- Security configurations and patch management
- Monitoring and incident response
- Backup and recovery support
In essence, it’s a “hands-off” solution for companies that want the power of a dedicated server without the burden of managing it. Managed servers are often bundled with full support, which means if something goes wrong or if a configuration is needed, the provider’s technical team handles it on your behalf.
For businesses without an internal IT team—or for those that simply prefer to focus on their core activities—managed hosting offers peace of mind and convenience. But it comes at a cost: both financially and in terms of flexibility.
What is an Unmanaged Dedicated Server?
By contrast, an unmanaged dedicated server is all about control. The provider supplies the physical server and the network connection, but everything else is up to you. You choose and install the operating system, configure your software, implement your own security protocols, and handle maintenance and troubleshooting.
This approach is perfect for developers, system administrators, and companies with technical knowledge. If you want to fine-tune your server’s performance, use custom software stacks, or set up complex configurations without relying on someone else, unmanaged server hosting is the right choice.
At NovoServe, we specialize in unmanaged dedicated servers—and that’s an important distinction. Many hosting companies focus primarily on managed solutions, offering unmanaged as an afterthought. But at NovoServe, we’ve built our infrastructure, processes, and support specifically for users who prefer—or require—full control of their hosting environment.
Key Differences Between Managed and Unmanaged Server Hosting
To help you decide between managed and unmanaged hosting, let’s compare them across several key areas.
Control and Flexibility
Managed servers offer limited flexibility. Providers often restrict root access or limit what can be installed or modified. With unmanaged hosting, you have total freedom to run any operating system, configure any application, and customize the server to your exact needs. That’s ideal for running advanced workloads, optimizing for performance, or adhering to strict security protocols.
Cost
There’s no way around it: managed hosting costs more. You're paying for the provider's time, support, and expertise. With unmanaged hosting, you save significantly because you’re handling everything in-house. This makes it an excellent choice for startups, tech companies, and developers who prefer to allocate their budget toward performance rather than services they don’t need.
Responsibility
Managed hosting shifts responsibility to the provider. If something breaks, they fix it. Unmanaged hosting puts you in the driver’s seat—you’re responsible for updates, patches, and security. But for many, that’s not a drawback—it’s a benefit. You know exactly what’s running, when it’s updated, and how it’s configured.
Support
Here's where NovoServe stands out. Many unmanaged providers offer little to no support beyond hardware replacement or basic network access. At NovoServe, we take a different approach. Even though our servers are unmanaged, we offer 24/7 technical and customer support. That means you’re never truly on your own. Whether it’s a hardware issue, a connectivity question, or emergency intervention, we’re just a call, ticket, or live chat away.
Use Cases for Each Hosting Type
Managed hosting is ideal for businesses without IT staff. It’s also suitable for simple deployments where advanced customizations aren’t necessary.
Unmanaged hosting, however, is best for those who demand high-performance, complete server control, and minimal restrictions. Use cases include:
- Hosting control panels like cPanel or Plesk
- Game servers
- Custom VPN solutions
- Private cloud infrastructure
- AI model training or GPU-accelerated tasks
- High-traffic applications that require server-level tuning
If you need to control everything from kernel versions to file system types, unmanaged dedicated server hosting is the answer.
NovoServe is a Leading Unmanaged Server Provider
NovoServe is not just another provider of unmanaged servers—we are specialists. We focus on what we the best: our unmanaged dedicated server solutions. Our infrastructure is designed to support performance-critical workloads across industries, and our team is experienced in helping businesses deploy custom environments quickly and reliably.
We offer powerful configurations, including AMD EPYC and Intel Xeon CPUs, fast NVMe storage, and unmetered bandwidth up to 50Gbps. Our data centers in Europe and the United States offer low latency and high availability for global operations. And unlike many unmanaged providers, we’re available 24/7 to support your success.
Choosing NovoServe means getting the best of both worlds: the flexibility of unmanaged hosting, backed by expert support when you need it.
Managed or UnManaged Dedicated Servers?
The choice between managed and unmanaged dedicated servers comes down to your specific needs, technical ability, and budget. If you want a fully managed experience, a managed server might be the right choice. But if you value control, performance, and cost-efficiency, an unmanaged dedicated server offers a compelling advantage.
Ready to Get Started with Unmanaged Hosting?
Explore our full range of unmanaged dedicated servers in our server webshop or contact our team to discuss your ideal setup. We’ll help you choose the right configuration—and support you every step of the way.
