Managing a VPS server, you know that as powerful and flexible as it is, it can also be daunting if you don’t have the right tools. It doesn’t have the user-friendly interface of a shared hosting service, nor that “handyman” that does everything for you.
But at the same time, this freedom is exactly what makes VPS so amazing: you can configure it exactly how you want, optimize every detail and ensure that it is as secure and efficient as necessary.
However, to take full advantage of a VPS without going crazy in the process, you need the right tools. These tools not only make your life easier but also help you avoid unnecessary headaches.
And in this article, you will learn about ten of them, you will learn why they are essential and how they can transform your experience as a server administrator.
1. Starting with the basics: SSH
SSH is the main gateway to your VPS. It is where you enter to do almost everything: install programs, configure services, solve problems. Without it, you’re pretty much in the dark.
If you’re using Windows, PuTTY is a classic, reliable and easy to use. On macOS and Linux, the terminal already comes with built-in SSH support, which makes things even easier.
But if you like a little more “luxury” in management, try MobaXterm. It offers tabs for multiple sessions, integrated file transfer and other useful tools. The key here is to feel comfortable and secure while browsing the heart of your VPS.
2. Real-time monitoring tools for VPS: htop
Have you ever opened that website or application that seemed slower than a turtle on a lazy day? That could be the server’s fault, and htop is the perfect tool to find out what’s going on.
It shows CPU load and memory usage, and also allows you to “kill” problematic processes with just one click.
The best part? Unlike top, which is kind of… crude, htop has a more user-friendly and colorful interface (yes, colors matter when you’re analyzing problems at 3 am).
It organizes everything clearly, which is a relief when your server is buzzing with so many things running at the same time.
3. Graphical ease: Webmin
Not everyone likes to live on the command line. And that’s okay! That’s why tools like Webmin, cPanel and Plesk exist.
They provide a graphical interface that turns complex tasks into something as simple as clicking a few buttons.
Do you want to create a new email account? Configure a database? Monitor resource usage? These panels do all of this and more, saving you time and energy.
Of course, they have a cost (or, in the case of Webmin, some limitations because it’s free), but it’s often worth it for the convenience.
4. Firewall: UFW
The security of a server is something you can’t ignore, under any circumstances. UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) is a tool that lives up to its name: it simplifies firewall configuration on Linux.
Do you want to block a suspicious IP? Allow access only on certain ports? Doing all of this is so easy that it almost seems like magic.
Now, if you’re the type who likes to dive into the details, iptables offers even more granular control.
But for most people, UFW will solve 99% of problems and, best of all, without giving you a headache.
5. Automatic backup: Don’t rely on luck, use rsync
It seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people neglect backups. And then, when something goes wrong (spoiler: it will), they don’t know what to do.
Rsync is a fantastic tool for creating incremental backups, that is, it only copies what has changed since the last backup. It saves time and, more importantly, bandwidth.
Combine rsync with a cron scheduler, and voila: you have a backup system that works automatically, without the need for manual intervention. So you can sleep easy knowing that your data is safe.
6. Log analysis with GoAccess
Logs are like the “black boxes” of your VPS. They record everything that happens on the server, from legitimate access to hacking attempts.
But let’s face it, no one wants to spend hours analyzing endless text files, right? GoAccess turns this boring task into something visual and, surprisingly, even fun.
It creates real-time reports, with graphs and tables that show, for example, where access to your site is coming from, which pages are most visited and even what errors are occurring.
An indispensable tool for anyone who takes server administration seriously.
7. Database management with phpMyAdmin
If your VPS hosts a website or web application, chances are it uses a database. And managing this from the command line can be a real exercise in patience.
That’s where phpMyAdmin comes in, a web panel that simplifies tasks such as creating tables, running queries and making backups.
It’s useful for those who are not very familiar with SQL, but even the most experienced can benefit from the practical interface. After all, why complicate things when you can solve everything with a few clicks?
8. Containerization tools for VPS with Docker
The concept of containers is revolutionizing the IT world, and tools like Docker are at the heart of this change.
With it, you can package your applications and their dependencies in a single container, ensuring that everything works exactly as expected, regardless of the environment.
The truth is that managing multiple applications on a server has always been a complicated task. Imagine this: you have a PHP website running beautifully, but then you need to install a Node.js application on the same server.
On paper, everything should work, but in practice, the environments start to clash. Library versions don’t match, one installation interferes with another, and what seemed simple turns into chaos.
This is where Docker comes in as the hero of the story. It takes each application, packages everything it needs to run (libraries, dependencies, configurations) and puts it in an isolated container.
The result? Nothing interferes with anything, and each application runs as if it were the only one on the server.
In the context of a VPS, this makes a huge difference. Think of your server as a limited space — you have no resources to spare.
While a traditional virtual machine requires a complete operating system for each application, Docker shares the system kernel, using much less memory and CPU.
And what’s more: it makes your life easier when it comes to scaling. Do you need to handle more traffic on your website? Instead of configuring everything again, you can simply replicate the container in seconds and distribute the load.
Oh, and let’s not forget portability. With Docker, you create your application on your local computer, package everything in a container, and it runs exactly the same on the VPS. No surprises, no drama.
9. SSL Certificates with Let’s Encrypt
If you’re not using HTTPS on your website or application yet, stop everything and fix that right now. Let’s Encrypt is a fantastic initiative that offers free and easy-to-configure SSL certificates.
With the help of Certbot, you can install and renew these certificates automatically, without any complications.
In addition to protecting your users’ data, using HTTPS improves your website’s ranking in search engines and gives more confidence to those who access it.
10. File Transfer tools for VPS with SFTP
Last but not least, there’s file transfer. For this, tools like FileZilla and WinSCP are indispensable.
They offer a user-friendly interface for uploading and downloading files from your VPS, all via SFTP (a secure version of FTP).
The best part is that they work with that classic “drag and drop” scheme. Simple, but incredibly effective.
Bottom line
With the right tools, you can turn complex tasks like managing your VPS into something as simple as pressing a button.
More importantly, these tools allow you to take full advantage of your VPS’s potential, whether it’s hosting websites, running applications, or even experimenting with new projects.
Ultimately, the key is to familiarize yourself with these tools and adapt them to your needs. After all, a well-managed VPS works better, lasts longer, and gives you fewer problems.
