Testing Background & Methodology

Alright folks, here we go again with another deep dive into VPS performance! Today I'm putting two popular providers through their paces - BandwagonHost and Vultr. Been getting tons of requests for this comparison, so let's see what these guys are actually made of.

For this testing round, I spun up mid-tier instances from both providers and ran them through my standard battery of tests. Nothing fancy, just real-world performance metrics that actually matter when you're trying to get work done.

Raw Performance Data 📊

BandwagonHost Los Angeles DC Test Results

=== GEEKBENCH 6 RESULTS ===
System Information:
  Operating System: Ubuntu 20.04.6 LTS
  Processor: Intel Xeon E5-2690 v4 @ 2.60GHz
  Memory: 2048 MB
  Location: Los Angeles, CA (Quadranet)
  IP Address: 198.35.26.96
  ASN: AS8100 QuadraNet Enterprises LLC

Single-Core Score: 1,147
Multi-Core Score: 2,284

=== NETWORK PERFORMANCE (iperf3) ===
Testing download speeds from multiple locations:
[ ID] Interval           Transfer     Bitrate
[  5]   0.00-10.00  sec  1.09 GBytes   936 Mbits/sec  sender
[  5]   0.00-10.04  sec  1.09 GBytes   931 Mbits/sec  receiver

US East (New York):      845 Mbits/sec
US West (Los Angeles):   936 Mbits/sec  
Europe (London):         234 Mbits/sec
Asia (Singapore):        167 Mbits/sec

=== DISK I/O PERFORMANCE (sysbench) ===
sysbench 1.0.20 fileio test:
File operations:
    reads/s:                      2,847.63
    writes/s:                     1,898.42
    fsyncs/s:                     6,071.84

Throughput:
    read, MiB/s:                  44.49
    written, MiB/s:               29.66

Latency (ms):
         min:                     0.01
         avg:                     0.31
         max:                     45.67
         95th percentile:         0.58

Vultr New Jersey DC Test Results

=== GEEKBENCH 6 RESULTS ===
System Information:
  Operating System: Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS
  Processor: Intel Xeon E-2286G @ 4.00GHz
  Memory: 2048 MB
  Location: New Jersey, US (Choopa)
  IP Address: 207.246.112.143
  ASN: AS20473 The Constant Company LLC

Single-Core Score: 1,523
Multi-Core Score: 3,847

=== NETWORK PERFORMANCE (iperf3) ===
Testing download speeds from multiple locations:
[ ID] Interval           Transfer     Bitrate
[  5]   0.00-10.00  sec  1.18 GBytes  1015 Mbits/sec  sender
[  5]   0.00-10.04  sec  1.18 GBytes  1011 Mbits/sec  receiver

US East (New York):     1015 Mbits/sec
US West (Los Angeles):   678 Mbits/sec
Europe (London):         512 Mbits/sec
Asia (Singapore):        289 Mbits/sec

=== DISK I/O PERFORMANCE (sysbench) ===
sysbench 1.0.20 fileio test:
File operations:
    reads/s:                      4,234.91
    writes/s:                     2,823.27
    fsyncs/s:                     9,025.43

Throughput:
    read, MiB/s:                  66.17
    written, MiB/s:               44.11

Latency (ms):
         min:                     0.01
         avg:                     0.19
         max:                     28.34
         95th percentile:         0.33

Provider Overview: What You Need to Know

About BandwagonHost 🏢

BandwagonHost has been around the block since 2012 and honestly, they've built quite a reputation in the budget VPS space. They're part of IT7 Networks, and what I really appreciate about them is their no-nonsense approach to hosting.

Key features that make them stand out:

• KiwiVM Control Panel - Custom panel that's actually pretty slick
• Multiple datacenter options with free migration
• RAID-10 SSD storage on premium hardware
• Weekly backups included (though limited)
• Strong focus on China connectivity routes

About Vultr 🌐

Vultr is the poster child of modern cloud computing - they've been aggressively expanding since 2014 and now have 32+ global locations. What sets them apart is their developer-friendly approach and honest pricing model.

What makes Vultr attractive:

• Global infrastructure with consistent performance
• High-frequency compute options available
• Block storage and object storage add-ons
• Hourly billing with predictable pricing
• API-first approach for automation

Performance Analysis: The Numbers Don't Lie 📈

CPU Performance Breakdown

Looking at these Geekbench scores, there's a clear winner here. Vultr's newer Intel Xeon E-2286G absolutely demolishes BandwagonHost's older E5-2690 v4:

This performance gap is significant and you'll definitely feel it in CPU-intensive tasks. The newer architecture really shows here.

Network Performance Deep Dive

Network performance is where things get... interesting. Both providers delivered solid bandwidth, but the geographical performance varies quite a bit:

BandwagonHost Network Analysis:

• Excellent US West Coast performance (936 Mbits/sec)
• Decent US East speeds (845 Mbits/sec)
• European performance is... meh (234 Mbits/sec)
• Asia connectivity is surprisingly weak for a China-focused provider (167 Mbits/sec)

Vultr Network Analysis:

• Outstanding US East performance (1015 Mbits/sec)
• Good cross-country speeds (678 Mbits/sec to West Coast)
• Much better European connectivity (512 Mbits/sec)
• Stronger Asia performance (289 Mbits/sec)

Storage I/O: The Real Performance Test

Disk performance is where everyday usage really shows, and again Vultr pulls ahead:

The consistency is impressive - Vultr's storage is nearly 50% faster across all metrics. That's the difference between NVMe SSDs and traditional SATA SSDs right there.

Use Case Scenarios: Which VPS for What? 🎯

BandwagonHost is Perfect For:

• Budget-conscious users who need basic performance
• China-focused applications (despite our test results)
• Simple web hosting and development
• Users who prefer predictable, simple pricing
• Long-term projects where stability matters more than raw speed

Vultr Excels At:

• High-performance applications requiring CPU power
• Global applications needing consistent worldwide performance
• Development environments with frequent scaling needs
• Database-heavy applications (thanks to superior I/O)
• Modern cloud-native architectures

Pricing Reality Check 💰

Let's talk money, because that's what everyone really cares about:

Vultr is genuinely cheaper across the board, which is... kinda shocking given their superior performance. BandwagonHost's pricing feels a bit outdated honestly.

FAQ Section 🤔

Q: Which provider has better uptime?

A: Both providers maintain 99.9%+ uptime in my experience. Vultr's global infrastructure gives them a slight edge for redundancy, but BandwagonHost has been rock-solid for years.

Q: Is BandwagonHost still good for China connectivity?

A: Yes, but only if you specifically purchase their CN2 routes. The standard routes we tested were actually underwhelming for Asia connectivity.

Q: Does Vultr charge for bandwidth overages?

A: Nope! Vultr includes generous bandwidth allocations and doesn't charge overages - they just throttle you, which is way more predictable than surprise bills.

Q: Which control panel is better?

A: This is purely personal preference. BandwagonHost's KiwiVM is simple and focused. Vultr's panel is more feature-rich but can feel overwhelming for beginners.

Q: Can I migrate between datacenters easily?

A: BandwagonHost offers free datacenter migration, which is pretty cool. Vultr requires you to deploy new instances and migrate manually.

Q: What about backup solutions?

A: BandwagonHost includes weekly backups (limited storage). Vultr charges $1/month for automated backups, but they're more comprehensive.

Q: Which is better for WordPress hosting?

A: Vultr wins here due to superior disk I/O performance. WordPress database operations will be noticeably snappier.

Q: Do either support IPv6?

A: Yes, both providers offer IPv6 support at no additional cost.

Q: What about customer support quality?

A: Vultr has 24/7 ticket support with generally faster response times. BandwagonHost support is... adequate, but not spectacular.

Q: Which provider is more reliable long-term?

A: Both have solid track records. Vultr's rapid growth and funding make them feel more future-proof, but BandwagonHost has been consistently stable for over a decade.

Cancellation & Refunds (Sort Of) 📋

BandwagonHost Refund Policy

• No refunds after 30 days
• Pro-rated refunds available within first 30 days
• Account termination is immediate upon request
• Backup data not guaranteed after cancellation

Vultr Refund Policy

• No traditional refunds (credit-based system)
• Unused credit remains in account
• Hourly billing means you only pay for usage
• Instant cancellation available through control panel

Reality check: Neither provider offers traditional money-back guarantees, but Vultr's hourly billing model is more forgiving for testing purposes.

Real-World Usage Experience 🌟

Living with BandwagonHost

After running production workloads on BandwagonHost for 6+ months, here's what I've learned:

The Good:

• Predictable performance - it's not fast, but it's consistent
• Zero surprise bills - pricing is straightforward
• KiwiVM control panel is actually pretty intuitive once you get used to it
• Datacenter migration feature saved my bacon when I needed better routing

The Frustrating:

• Disk I/O bottlenecks become apparent with database-heavy apps
• Limited bandwidth on cheaper plans hits faster than expected
• Support response times can be... leisurely
• Older hardware shows its age in CPU-intensive tasks

Living with Vultr

Been running various projects on Vultr for 2+ years now, and here's the honest truth:

The Excellent:

• Consistent performance across all global locations I've tested
• API integration makes automation trivial
• Scaling up/down is genuinely seamless
• Support quality has improved dramatically over time

The Annoying:

• Control panel can feel overwhelming for simple tasks
• Add-on costs (backups, storage) add up quickly
• Network performance varies more than advertised between regions
• Instance provisioning occasionally fails during peak times

Performance Summary & Final Verdict 🏆

Performance Scorecard

Who Should Choose BandwagonHost? 🤷‍♂️

Honestly, BandwagonHost is getting harder to recommend in 2025. Their main advantages are:

• Simplicity for non-technical users
• Stable pricing without surprises
• Free datacenter migration
• Decent support for basic needs

Choose BandwagonHost if: You need simple, predictable hosting and don't require high performance.

Who Should Choose Vultr? 🚀

Vultr dominates in almost every category that matters:

• Superior performance across all metrics
• Better global infrastructure
• More competitive pricing
• Modern cloud features

Choose Vultr if: You want the best performance-per-dollar and plan to grow your infrastructure.

Interactive Elements 🎮

Quick Poll: Which factor matters most to you when choosing a VPS provider?

• [ ] Raw performance benchmarks
• [ ] Global network reach
• [ ] Pricing and value
• [ ] Customer support quality
• [ ] Control panel usability

Share your experience in the comments below! Have you used either of these providers? What was your experience like?

Final Thoughts: The Verdict is Clear

Look, I tried to find areas where BandwagonHost could compete, but Vultr just dominates this comparison. Better performance, lower prices, superior infrastructure - it's not even close.

BandwagonHost isn't bad - they're just... outdated. In 2025, there's really no compelling reason to choose them over Vultr unless you specifically need their China routing or prefer their simpler approach.

My recommendation: Go with Vultr unless you have very specific requirements that only BandwagonHost can meet.

This review is provided by VPSJudge - offering real-world VPS hosting reviews, benchmark tests, and expert comparisons to help you choose the right provider.

About the Author

Senior VPS Reviewer | Linux Architect | Network Infrastructure Consultant

Expertise:

• Global VPS Reviews: 10+ years experience, 500+ providers tested, comprehensive performance/network/I/O/cost analysis
• Linux Optimization: High-concurrency architectures, kernel tuning, KVM & containers (Docker/K8s)
• Network Solutions: CDN acceleration, TCP/IP stack optimization, DDoS mitigation, edge node deployment

Certifications: LPIC-3 · CCNP · AWS SAP · CKA

Key Projects:

• Global VPS Performance Map: Automated monitoring of 30+ country nodes with quarterly industry reports
• Million-concurrency Hybrid CDN: Reduced latency by 47%, saved $220K+/year in bandwidth costs
• Tech Columnist: Published 60+ in-depth articles on Phoronix and LowEndTalk

Questions about this comparison? Drop a comment below or reach out through our contact form. Always happy to dive deeper into the technical details!