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Handybox vs a VPS vs hiring a freelancer

Three ways to get apps like a status page, a password manager or automations running for your business, and what each one asks of you.

Side by side

What	A server you run yourself	A freelancer	Handybox
Who sets up each app	You, by following guides	The freelancer, when they’re available	Your helper, when you ask
What you need to know	Servers, the command line, web addresses, security	Enough to brief and check their work	How to say what you want
Updates	You, every month, for every app	Their time, when you book it	Included
Backups	You set them up and check they work	Whatever you agree with them	Every night, checked, included
When something breaks at 2 am	You read the logs	You wait until they reply	Ask your helper; our team watches every box
Before risky changes	Up to you	Up to them	A restore point every time, and removing an app waits for your yes
What you pay	Server rent, plus your time	Their hours, plus the server	One monthly price, from $19
Who has the keys	You	You and the freelancer	You message your helper; nobody logs in to your box

Which one

you enjoy running servers and have the time to keep them updated and backed up.

you need custom software built, rather than well-known apps set up and looked after.

you want the apps without the chores, and someone to ask when something feels wrong.