RDP vs. Windows VPS vs. Linux VPS – Full Comparison

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As remote access technology becomes more prevalent in the business world as a result of recent surge in remote work, debate over which technical methods are best for it gains online traction. For some users, the variety of these methods can be perplexing. Many users remain baffled when terms like RDP, VPS, and their respective categories are mentioned.

So, in this guide, I will discuss the differences between RDP, Windows VPS, and Linux VPS in order to provide you with a better understanding and assist you in deciding which one to use for your remote access action.

1- What is RDP

RDP is a broad term that refers to two distinct concepts. The first is the RDP protocol. Microsoft created this protocol in the 1990s, and it is used to remotely connect to a computer from a local computer. Because of its security, excellent performance, and excellent compatibility with Windows, this protocol is widely used. RDP is used not only to refer to the connection protocol, but also to describe an RDP server. An RDP host is a Windows-powered server that allows remote access to itself via the RDP protocol. It has the ability to create a complete server for workplaces or project team members, with various roles, levels of access, and modifications.

Admin RDP vs Shared RDP

As far as RDP servers are concerned, there are two types of RDP servers. These are known as shared RDP and Admin RDP. The principal difference between these two servers lies in access level, dedicated resources, security level, and IP address used. Admin RDP ranks as the dominant option in all of these categories with its own admin-level access, dedicated resources, IP address, high-level security, etc. It can be bought and used to grant access to lower-level users as part of a shared RDP.

A shared RDP uses the access level and allocated resources that the admin RDP considers for it. It also uses the same IP address and lowers overall security. It is mostly used for basic tasks. 

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Want to learn more about the difference between RDP and Citrix? Then Cloudzy also has you covered with their article on the Citrix vs RDP comparison.

2- What is VPS

VPS differs from an RDP server mainly in the way it configures the server you connect to. Whereas in an RDP you can connect to another computer and still be part of an RDP connection and RDP server, with VPS, the hardware of your dedicated server is virtually allocated from a virtual machine (VM) that itself derives those resources from a central on-campus physical server. But here’s the catch, a VPS can also be an RDP server. But not all Windows VPS options are RDP. VPS servers are exclusively dedicated, meaning their hardware, IP address, and access level is exclusive to a single admin user, and cannot be divided into shared schemes. 

VPS concept

 Linux vs Windows

Linux Kernel-based distros and Windows are the two most popular OS options when it comes to VPS use. This has led to a lot of discussion on which of these options is truly better. Generally, a Linux VPS, with its code-based interface, emphasis on simplicity, and developer catering is used to host servers, perform technical tasks, manage websites, and create software and other online services. A Windows VPS however, with its dedicated GUI support is more suitable for graphical tasks such as forex trading. Nonetheless, it remains a viable option for daily tasks and even those tasks that Linux excels at.

3- RDP vs VPS Comparison

The question of which one of the RDP or VPS options is better can be complicated to answer. Generally, VPS is more diverse in the choice of OS, it has much more scalable resources, which makes it preferable for demanding tasks and hosting websites, and it also uses a more advanced resource allocation scheme to provide users with remote access and it can even be considered more secure which really means a lot since RDP is already quite secure itself.

An RDP server, on the other hand, provides other use cases absent in a VPS server. As already mentioned, resources in an RDP server can be broken down and used as smaller connection instances. This instantly makes an RDP server win over VPS when it comes to group projects and workplace servers. 

All in all, unless you are going to run a pure Windows to Windows remote access work operation, or if you need RDP for workplace partitioning of a server, then VPS is going to serve you a lot better.

4- Linux VPS vs Windows VPS vs RDP – Which One Should I Choose?

If you are a user with no prior experience in remote access, then blind probability measurement suggests that a Windows VPS, with its diverse coverage of different tasks and familiar OS, is the one for you. However, if you want to start a large server for your workplace, with a lot of active users, then obviously an Admin RDP is your best bet. If you want to host a website, get into coding, develop projects, and have to use cases that do not require a GUI, then a Linux VPS with its lightweight performance is invaluable and your best overall option. 

5- Conclusion

Getting into the remote access world can quickly get intimidating for a lot of new users. The terminology often comes in acronyms and the differences seem confusing. But with proper research, you can easily find your way around common mistakes often made by other users and find the remote access solution that’s right for you.

Daniel Odoh
Daniel Odoh
A technology writer and smartphone enthusiast with over 9 years of experience. With a deep understanding of the latest advancements in mobile technology, I deliver informative and engaging content on smartphone features, trends, and optimization. My expertise extends beyond smartphones to include software, hardware, and emerging technologies like AI and IoT, making me a versatile contributor to any tech-related publication.

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