# What is a VPS and where to get one

URL: https://docs.nolay.ru/en/start/vps/
Updated: 2026-09-23

> Which server to rent for Nolay, how to pick a plan and what to get from the hosting provider.

A VPS (virtual private server) is a virtual server in a hosting provider's data centre. It runs around the clock, has its own internet address, and you manage it like a regular Linux computer. Nolay runs your projects on it.

You rent the server, and the contract is between you and the provider. Nolay does not sell or resell servers, so you can pick any provider and switch at any time.

## Which server to pick

| Parameter | What to choose |
|---|---|
| OS | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. Ubuntu 22.04 and newer, Debian 12 and newer also work |
| CPU | x86_64 (usually called AMD64 or Intel), 1 vCPU or more |
| Memory | from 1 GB; 2 GB is better for Next.js builds and several projects |
| Disk | from 20 GB SSD or NVMe: project images take space |
| Address | a public IPv4, otherwise you need the [tunnel](/en/guides/tunnel/) |
| Access | root over SSH or a user with `sudo` |

The server should be clean: no other hosting panel (Coolify, Plesk, cPanel, ISPmanager) and no web server on ports 80 and 443. The installer checks this and stops if the ports are taken.

## Where to get one

Any provider that rents VPS with Ubuntu or Debian works: Hetzner, DigitalOcean, Timeweb Cloud, Selectel, REG.RU and others. We are not affiliated with any of them and get no commission. Compare the price of a 1 or 2 GB plan, a data centre close to your users and how fast the provider's support answers.

## How to order

1. Sign up with the provider and pick a VPS plan from the table above.
2. Choose the Ubuntu 24.04 system image. Skip images with panels or bundled “apps”.
3. If the provider offers to add an SSH key, add it: key login is safer than a password.
4. Once created, the provider shows the server IP address and the root password or user name. Save them.

## Check the access

On your computer, run this in a terminal with your server address:

```sh
ssh root@203.0.113.10
```

If the login works, you see the server's command prompt. On Windows, `ssh` is available in PowerShell and Windows Terminal.

## Next

Check the [server requirements](/en/start/requirements/) and go on to [connecting the server](/en/start/connect-server/).