What is Webspace? An explanation by hosttest

The term Webspace dates back to the early days of the Internet and refers to storage space for data that resides on a server and is permanently accessible to the owner via the Internet. There is a significant difference between Webspace and full web hosting. With Webspace, the user stores various data and can access them through multiple predefined methods. The owner is allowed to read, modify, and delete them simultaneously using multiple devices. However, the type of data is not relevant as they are usually not directly displayed in a browser.

Are there different types of Webspace?

Generally, the definition of Webspace only includes network-connected storage space. It does not provide an exact statement about the purpose or type of access - unlike web hosting. For this reason, various types and special forms of Webspace are distinguished, categorised based on their characteristic features:

• File Server: A "classic" file server is a standalone computer used exclusively as a network drive for specific data. Access is done through protocols like Samba, NFS, or FTP and usually requires a corresponding program - for example, a file manager or an FTP client.

• One-Click Hosting: Most One-Click Hosters (OCH) are designed for easy data exchange between multiple people. Files can be stored on a web space and conveniently downloaded via an automatically generated link. Most OCHs throttle the transmission speed for their visitors unless they use a paid "Premium" account.

• Platforms for (Software) Development: This web space serves as storage for source code and includes software for version control, such as Git or SVN. Through such a web space, numerous developers can work simultaneously on a project and exchange their changes with each other.

• Cloud Services: There is no universally binding definition for a "cloud" web space. Typically, it differs from other variants by offering multiple access methods such as Samba, a web interface, and FTP in parallel. Commercial cloud hosters also do not use individual servers but combine numerous computers into a distributed system - the cloud.

• Integrated Storage: A free web space offered exclusively to customers by many companies such as smartphone and tablet manufacturers, software developers, or internet corporations. It usually serves as a backup for personal data like photos, videos, contacts, or applications and their configurations, and is integrated into the operating system or a program.

In many cases, the transition from one variant to another is fluid or more than one definition applies to a web space. An example of this is offerings like those from Google or Microsoft, which are versatile in their use.

What is the difference between web space and web hosting?

The terms web space and web hosting are often used synonymously and refer to the same offerings. Essentially, web space is always a form of web hosting, but web hosting does not necessarily mean web space. This is because the term web hosting can also refer to a server that offers more performance and configuration options than a web space.

With web hosting, you always get an "enhanced" webspace for hosting websites. It includes limited storage space and at least one web server that utilizes it. Typically, web hosting includes additional services like PHP and access to at least one database via a MySQL or MariaDB server. With this combination, websites can be published and accessed by a browser. Web hosting can also utilise external sources, such as storing large files on an external webspace, reducing the required storage space and bandwidth of the web hosting to a minimum. Both are usually much cheaper with webspace compared to web hosting, making it excellent for cost optimisation. A common scenario is having a free webspace for downloads while the website is hosted on web hosting.

What features should a webspace comparison consider?

Ultimately, every storage space incurs real costs for the hosting provider. Unused and rarely accessed files by other visitors increase expenses without providing any financial benefit. Therefore, some hosts include a certain storage period for free webspace, after which the data is deleted without the possibility of recovery. In contrast, with paid webspace, all information is retained for the contractually agreed period without requiring access to it.

An important criterion in a webspace comparison, in addition to the duration of the retention period, is how much storage space a provider offers its customers. The amount of data often increases continuously - for example, due to the ever higher resolution of videos and photos. This is especially true if the webspace is intended as a secure backup for personal data. In this case, files are not updated but constantly expanded.

In many cases, it is difficult to estimate how much webspace will be needed over an extended period. Therefore, it is also important to consider the pricing structure and the ability to switch between different offers easily and without specific deadlines. With some providers, costs increase disproportionately once a certain amount of storage is reached, as larger files also mean increased data traffic and system load. In such cases, it may be beneficial to distribute the data across smaller webspace with different providers based on a personal organisation like file type.

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