Knownhost VPS Review: My 12-Year Journey (2011-2023)

Peter posted this on November 30, 2024

knownhost vps review 12 years of use real

For 12 straight years, I used a KnownHost is here to handle all of your web hosting needs! With packages ranging from Shared Hosting to Virtual Private servers, KnownHost can handle any website small or large. Our experienced 24/7/365 Server Management staff takes the worry out of web hosting! Contact one of our sales associates today! for both my business and personal websites. This comprehensive Knownhost VPS review shares my actual experience with their service from October 2011 to October 2023. Unlike many reviews you’ll find online, this comes from over a decade of real usage.

 

My Journey with Knownhost

My first interaction with Knownhost was on October 11, 2011. Looking back at my records, my first support ticket was answered within 3 hours – a sign of the quality service I would experience over the next decade. I officially signed up for my first VPS plan three days later.

Why I Switched to Knownhost

Support issues drove me away from my previous hosting provider (let’s just say they have a reptile mascot and leave it at that). This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as Knownhost’s support would prove to be one of their strongest assets over the years.

Support Experience

One year into using Knownhost VPS, in October 2012, I faced serious security issues. At that time, my knowledge of server maintenance and management was limited, so I had to hire a server management company for hardening. However, as my business grew, we developed these skills in-house and didn’t need external support anymore.

Key support highlights:

  • Average ticket response time: Under 30 minutes (impressive considering I’m in GMT timezone and they’re in US Central time)
  • In-house support team (not outsourced)
  • Highly knowledgeable support agents
  • Complete issue resolution

Minor criticism: I’ve encountered a few newer support operators who could be somewhat condescending, but I’ve always addressed this directly.

VPS Plans and Pricing

Knownhost offers three main types of VPS hosting:

1. Unmanaged VPS

  • Entry plan starts at $5/month (1GB RAM)
  • Entry Plus at $10/month
  • Higher tiers available at $20+
  • Perfect for those who can manage their own servers
  • Available in both US and European data centers

2. Managed VPS

  • Basic server starts at $43.25/month
  • 4GB RAM, 75GB disk space
  • Ideal for running multiple reseller accounts or agency websites
  • Includes comprehensive management support

3. NVME VPS

  • Premium option starting at $47.25/month for the managed option
  • Has both managed and unmanaged options
  • Faster than standard SSD hosting
  • Perfect for speed-critical applications
  • Comes with cPanel or DirectAdmin

All plans include add-on options for:

  • LiteSpeed
  • SolusVM
  • JetBackup
  • Imunify
  • MailChannels

Pros and Cons

Pros

  1. Exceptional uptime (barely any downtime in 12 years)
  2. Robust security, especially on managed plans
  3. Knowledgeable support team
  4. Most issues resolved on first contact
  5. Stable and reliable service

Cons

  1. Higher pricing compared to competitors
  2. Limited data centers (Amsterdam, US East Coast, US West Coast)
  3. Restricted payment options (bank transfers, PayPal, Stripe)
  4. Some newer support staff need more training in customer service

Current Status

As of October 2023, I’ve scaled down from VPS to reseller accounts for my personal websites. This wasn’t due to any issues with Knownhost but rather because I stopped actively promoting my web hosting business.

Third-Party Knownhost VPS Reviews

My Recommendation

If you value peace of mind and reliability over finding the absolute cheapest option, Knownhost is an excellent choice. Their slightly higher pricing is justified by the quality of service, especially their support and uptime reliability.

However, I encourage you to:

  1. Read recent reviews on HostAdvice and TrustPilot
  2. Consider your specific needs and budget
  3. Compare with other providers if price is a major factor

For my part, after 12 years of experience, I still recommend Knownhost to clients and continue to use their services, albeit in a different capacity.

[Get a special discount through my affiliate link]

Last updated: November 2024


Disclaimer: This review is based on my personal experience from 2011 to 2023. While I do have an affiliate relationship with Knownhost, this Knownhost VPS review reflects my honest, unbiased opinion formed over 12 years of actual usage.

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