Hello,

I am currently trying out Upcloud's 3-day free trial and I am quite disappointed because their plan that is supposed to have 1GB RAM only has 907MB.
 To provide a comparison, Aruba offers a 1GB RAM VPS with 982M memory and Vultr offers 990M memory.

I'm not completely clear on why you feel that the providers are acting in a dishonest manner.

It's possible that the RAM allocation reserved for the kernel and other applications may not be visible when using 'free -m' or similar commands. This will vary based on the specific virtualization software utilized by each provider.

Yes, it can be quite frustrating when storage marketers use GB or TB instead of GiB or TiB because it can make it difficult to accurately compare storage capacities.

It's interesting to see how the units we use to measure digital storage have changed over time, and how we now need to be familiar with units like petabytes and exabytes. It really highlights how quickly technology is advancing and how much data we are generating and storing.

RAM overselling refers to a situation where neighboring virtual servers are allocated more RAM than is physically available on the server.

This is possible since not all virtual machines use the maximum amount of available resources. Providers oversell RAM to offer cheap VPS, but this can cause problems if overselling is too strong and there isn't enough memory for everyone. When some nodes need RAM for processes, but it's already physically absent, the page cache of unloaded server neighbors is often uploaded to disk, which results in slow website operation.

It's difficult to determine if a VPS is suffering from overselling, but there are scripts available to fill the page cache with files and monitor disk activity. RAM overselling is not a common occurrence but can happen based on the testing of two dozen low-cost KVM VPS.

It seems that Aruba and Vultr offer slightly higher memory for their 1GB RAM VPS plans compared to Upcloud. Remember that memory allocation can vary between different providers, and it's essential to consider other factors such as performance, reliability, and customer support when choosing a cloud provider.

When comparing different cloud providers, it's essential to consider several factors beyond just memory allocation. Here are a few additional factors you might want to consider:

1. Performance: Look into the performance benchmarks of the cloud provider. Consider factors such as CPU speed, disk speed, and network speed. These can significantly impact the overall performance of your applications.

2. Reliability: Check for the cloud provider's uptime guarantees and SLA (Service Level Agreement). Look for reviews or testimonials from other users to get an idea of the provider's reliability and how often they experience downtime.

3. Scalability: Consider whether the cloud provider offers easy scalability options. It's important to have the flexibility to scale up or down your resources based on the demands of your application.

4. Pricing: Compare the pricing structure of different providers to ensure that you are getting good value for your money. Take note of any additional charges for services like data transfer, storage, and snapshots.

5. Customer support: Look for a cloud provider with reliable customer support. Check their support channels, response times, and whether they offer 24/7 support.

6. Data centers and regions: Check the locations of the cloud provider's data centers. If your application has specific geographic requirements, make sure the provider offers data centers in the desired regions.

7. Security: Look into the security measures employed by the provider. Consider aspects such as data encryption, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and backup options. Ensure that the provider meets industry-standard security certifications.

8. Operating system and software support: Check if the provider supports the operating system and software stack that your application requires. It's crucial to ensure compatibility to avoid any issues with deployment or performance.

9. API and automation capabilities: If you require programmatic access to manage your resources, check if the provider offers a robust API and automation tools. This can be beneficial for automating deployments, scaling resources, and integrating with other systems.

10. User interface and ease of use: Evaluate the user interface and management console provided by the cloud provider. A user-friendly interface can make it easier to manage your infrastructure and monitor your resources effectively.