When choosing a VPS hosting plan, most people focus on RAM, bandwidth, or price — but one of the most critical elements lies under the hood: the virtualization technology powering your server. At LunarVPS, we offer both KVM and OpenVZ VPS options — because no single approach fits all users.

If you’re serious about performance, control, or running high-risk or resource-hungry projects, it’s essential to understand how KVM vs. OpenVZ works — and which one suits your goals best.

What Is VPS Virtualization?

Virtualization is the technology that splits a physical server into multiple virtual servers — giving each user isolated access to compute resources. The two most widely used platforms in VPS hosting today are:

Both are built on Linux but serve very different use cases. Let’s break down how they compare.

KVM VPS Hosting: Full Virtualization & Total Control

KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is a full virtualization solution where each VPS runs its own independent kernel, like a separate physical machine.

Key Advantages of KVM:

  • True isolation – your resources aren’t shared with others
  • Custom OS support – install Linux, Windows, BSD, or custom kernels
  • Root-level control – perfect for advanced configurations
  • High performance under load – best for real-time apps, game servers, crypto, and proxies
  • Better security – isolated memory and kernel access

With LunarVPS, our KVM plans are SSD-powered, use RAID-10 storage, and offer 1Gbps+ unmetered bandwidth, making them ideal for clients who need raw power with privacy — especially those deploying offshore or adult content.

OpenVZ VPS Hosting: Lightweight & Budget-Friendly

OpenVZ uses container-based virtualization where multiple users share the same kernel. It’s more like a partitioned shared server, but with better resource control.

Key Advantages of OpenVZ:

  • Lower cost – perfect for startups, learners, and basic sites
  • Faster deployment – launch in seconds with preloaded OS templates
  • Efficient resource usage – no kernel overhead
  • Simpler upgrades – scale CPU or RAM as needed

However, since OpenVZ containers share a host kernel, you can’t install custom operating systems or perform kernel-level tasks. It’s best for lightweight web hosting, blogs, development environments, or email servers that don’t require deep system access.

KVM vs. OpenVZ – Side-by-Side Comparison

FeatureKVMOpenVZ
Virtualization TypeFull (Hardware-level)Container (OS-level)
Custom OS Support✅ Yes❌ No
Root Access✅ Full✅ Limited
Kernel Control✅ Yes❌ Shared Host Kernel
Performance🔥 High⚡ Medium
Resource Isolation✅ Strong⚠️ Shared under stress
Best ForAdvanced users, apps, crypto, proxiesBasic sites, blogs, dev tests
PriceCheck HereCheck Here

Which Should You Choose?

If you’re hosting:

  • Crypto apps, VPNs, or Tor nodes
  • Adult content, high-traffic affiliate landing pages
  • Gaming, scraping, or file hosting

Go with a KVM VPS — it gives you isolation, root control, and long-term performance.

If you’re testing a small site, launching a WordPress blog, or just need a cheap offshore server for light usage — OpenVZ VPS is a great starting point.

LunarVPS offers both options across our Netherlands and Switzerland data centers, with the ability to upgrade anytime as your project grows.

Final Thoughts – Choose the Tech That Matches Your Ambition

Your hosting infrastructure isn’t just a technical detail — it defines what you can build, how fast it runs, and how safe your data stays.

Explore VPS Hosting Plans on LunarVPS

Pick the virtualization tech that suits your mission — KVM for control, OpenVZ for simplicity, and both backed by offshore privacy, anonymous payments, and 24/7 support.