What is the difference between cloud hosting and shared hosting?

Cloud hosting offers more benefits and flexibility whereas Shared hosting comes cheaper

Keywords: Cloud hosting, Shared hosting, Knowledgebase, KB

We would make comparison between cloud hosting and shared hosting. These terms have many things in common you should be able to judge how they are similar and what is the point of difference.
1. Cloud hosting and shared hosting plans are economic in nature. The biggest difference between two is that cloud hosting uses a cluster of servers called “clouds”. On the other hand, in shared hosting one server is used. In both cases, consumer pays according their usage. Shared hosting is generally cheaper than cloud hosting. But in cloud hosting you can get more options.
2. Cloud hosting permits you to use a wide range of technologies, file formats and web tools as clouds are formed from multiple servers. But on the other hand, you will not get this much of variety in shared hosting.
3. Cloud hosting and shared hosting handle traffic differently. With cloud hosting, traffic is easy to handle because network of servers are working for the consistency of your site. And in case of shared hosting, it might happen that you would not be able to control the traffic and web activities. The brighter side of this is that you can keep your cost control but drawback is that your site temporarily loses its functionality.

Source: http://www.go4hosting.com/knowledgebase.php?action=displayarticle&id=361 as of 28 Feb 2012 at 20:34 IST