If you’ve ever tried to run bots & automation scripts on a VPS, if you’ve ever struggled with running them on your own laptop, you know what I mean. On a local machine, as soon as your internet goes down, your battery runs out, your machine reboots, or you just close the lid, everything stops. For automation scripts that need to be running all the time, this is just not a reliable way of doing things, which is exactly why running bots & automation scripts on a VPS is the better solution.
This is where a VPS (Virtual Private Server) truly makes a difference.
A VPS provides your bots with a reliable, always-online platform that is always running 24/7, regardless of your own laptop. As soon as your bot is set up on a VPS, it continues to run in the background even when your laptop is switched off. This makes a VPS the best choice for long-running automation tasks, time-critical scripts, and performance-critical bots.
In this tutorial, you will learn how to set up and run bots or automation scripts on a VPS without any interruptions. We will take you through the process step by step, from setting up your VPS to running your scripts efficiently.
Why Use a VPS for Bots & Automation?
Using bots on a personal computer is a little like trying to use a coffee machine in a backpack; it’s possible for a short while. However, it’s clumsy, unreliable, and definitely not what the device is designed for in the long term. Personal computers are designed for everyday use, not for constant automation. A VPS, on the other hand, is designed for constant use and automation.
Here’s why a VPS is the better choice for bots and automation scripts:
1. True 24/7 Uptime
A VPS is always on and running. Your scripts will be running even if your laptop is turned off, restarted, or disconnected from the internet. This is especially important for applications such as trading bots, monitoring scripts, and scheduled automations, where even a few minutes of downtime can mean lost profits.
2. Dedicated & Consistent Resources
Unlike your local machine, a VPS doesn’t share resources with browsers, software updates, or power-saving modes. Your bots enjoy consistent access to CPU, RAM, and storage resources, resulting in smoother execution, less crashing, and better performance, especially for resource-intensive automation.
3. Remote Access from Anywhere
With a VPS, you’re not limited to working from one machine. You can access your VPS from anywhere in the world using SSH (for Linux) or RDP (for Windows) to start, stop, update, or monitor your bots. Whether you’re working from home, the office, or on the road, complete control is at your fingertips.
4. Easy Scalability as You Grow
Automation requirements change. One bot turns into five, scripts become more complex, and data grows. A VPS makes it easy to scale up CPU, RAM, or storage resources in minutes without having to purchase new hardware or change your entire environment.
5. Enhanced Security & Isolation
With a VPS, you get an isolated environment that keeps your scripts, login information, and data separate from your personal computer. This eliminates the dangers of malware, unintentional file deletion, or OS problems on your personal computer. You can further implement firewalls, SSH keys, and backups for enhanced security.
6. Enhanced Stability for Long-Running Tasks
Long-running scripts tend to fail on personal computers because of sleep mode, OS updates, or system restarts. A VPS is engineered to remain stable for several weeks or months, making it perfect for cron jobs, background workers, and continuous monitoring bots.
Pro Insight
Most of the developers and traders I have worked with migrated their trading bots from home computers to a VPS and noticed immediate benefits. Just removing downtime made a huge difference, no more missed trades, delayed trades, or scripts halting overnight. In automation, being up and running is not merely a matter of convenience but also affects the outcome.
Step 1: Choose the Right VPS for Your Bots
Not all VPS plans are the same. The best VPS for bots depends on:
- Type of bots/scripts:
- Lightweight tasks (simple scrapers, cron jobs) → 1–2 GB RAM is fine.
- Heavy bots (trading, ML scripts, multiple scrapers) → 4–8 GB RAM & SSD storage.
- Operating system:
- Linux VPS for Python, Node.js, and Bash scripts.
- Windows VPS for .NET, PowerShell, or GUI-based bots.
- Server location: Pick one close to your target platform (e.g., a US-based VPS for US social platforms, an India VPS for local apps).
At MainVPS, we provide Linux and Windows VPS hosting in India and the USA, optimized for automation and always-on workloads.
Step 2: Connect to Your VPS
- Linux VPS (SSH):
Open your terminal and run:ssh user@your_vps_ip - Windows VPS (RDP):
Use Remote Desktop Connection on your PC or Microsoft Remote Desktop on Mac.
Once logged in, you’re ready to set up your bot environment.
Step 3: Set Up the Environment for Your Bots
Depending on your bot’s language, install the necessary runtimes:
- Python bots:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install python3-pip -y - Node.js bots:
curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_18.x | sudo -E bash - sudo apt install -y nodejs - .NET or Windows bots:
Use the Windows VPS to install .NET Framework, MSSQL, or other dependencies via GUI.
Pro Insight: Always create a virtual environment (Python venv or Node.js project folder) to keep dependencies clean and organized.
Step 4: Keep Bots Running 24/7 (No Downtime)
This is where most people go wrong: they launch the script, close the terminal, and the bot stops. To prevent downtime, use one of these methods:
Linux VPS:
- tmux or screen (best for beginners)
- Start your bot inside a
tmuxsession. Even if you disconnect, it keeps running.
tmux new -s bot python3 mybot.pyDetach:Ctrl+b, d→ Bot keeps running. - Start your bot inside a
- systemd service (production-level)
Create a systemd service file so your bot auto-starts after reboot.[Unit] Description=My Bot [Service] ExecStart=/usr/bin/python3 /home/user/mybot.py Restart=always [Install] WantedBy=multi-user.target - PM2 (for Node.js)
npm install -g pm2 pm2 start mybot.js pm2 startup pm2 save
Windows VPS:
- Use Task Scheduler to run scripts on startup.
- Or install a bot manager tool (like AlwaysUp) to keep scripts running as services.
Step 5: Monitor and Optimize Performance
Bots can hog CPU, memory, or even crash without you noticing. To keep things smooth:
- Linux tools:
htop,journalctl,pm2 monit. - Windows tools: Task Manager, Event Viewer.
- Remote alerts: Use uptime monitoring tools like UptimeRobot or custom log alerts.
Pro Insight: I’ve seen bots slow down entire VPS servers because they had memory leaks. Setting up monitoring and restarts saved hours of downtime.
Step 6: Secure Your VPS
Bots often interact with APIs, credentials, or private data, so securing your VPS is critical.
- Use SSH keys instead of passwords (Linux).
- Enable firewall rules (allow only needed ports).
- Regularly apply security updates.
- Store API keys in environment variables, not plain code.
- Enable backups in case of crashes.
Step 7: Scale When Needed
As your bots grow, so will resource demands. Thankfully, VPS hosting is scalable:
- Upgrade RAM/CPU instantly.
- Add more storage for logs or large datasets.
- Run multiple VPS servers if you need load distribution.
A client running multiple Telegram bots scaled from a 2 GB VPS to an 8 GB one within weeks, no migration headaches.
Final Thoughts
One of the best ways to ensure that your automation scripts and bots are running with high performance, reliability, and scalability is by running them on a virtual server. The advantage of running your automation scripts on a virtual server compared to running them on a local computer is that you get 24/7 uptime, exclusive system resources, and a safe and isolated environment that can be scaled instantly depending on your needs. Whether you are running a small automation project or a mission-critical bot, a virtual server will ensure that your bots are always up and running without any downtime. While a small virtual server is sufficient for small projects, trading bots, web scrapers, and enterprise automation projects require more RAM, fast SSD storage, and adequate monitoring. For critical automation projects, setting up services or systemd ensures that your bots are always “always on” even after a reboot. If you are looking for a reliable hosting service, MainVPS provides Windows and Linux VPS hosting solutions specifically tailored for developers, businesses, and automation enthusiasts who want bots that never sleep.
FAQs:
Q1: Can I use multiple bots on the same VPS?
Yes, you can use multiple bots on the same VPS if your CPU, RAM, and storage can support it. For small scripts, one VPS can support multiple bots. For larger scripts, resource management is essential.
Q2: Which VPS operating system is better for bots, Linux or Windows?
Linux VPS is always the first preference for Python, Node.js, Bash, and most automation scripts because of performance and low overhead costs. Windows VPS is better if you are working on .NET, PowerShell, or bots that require a graphical interface.
Q3: Will my bots stop if I disconnect from SSH or RDP?
No, if your bots are configured properly. You can use tmux, screen, PM2, supervisor, or Windows Task Scheduler to ensure that your scripts keep running even after you disconnect from SSH or RDP.
Q4: Do I need a high-end VPS for bots?
Not really. Basic automation scripts will work just fine on a VPS with 1-2 GB RAM. More resource-hungry bots, like trading bots, AI bots, or scraping bots, will require more RAM, faster CPUs, and SSD storage.
Q5: Can I host web scraping bots on a VPS?
Yes. VPS hosting is a popular choice for web scraping. Just be sure to follow the website’s terms of service, limit your requests, and use proxies responsibly to prevent IP bans.
Q6: How can I ensure my bot restarts after a VPS reboot?
For Linux, you can use systemd, cron jobs, or process managers such as PM2. For Windows, Task Scheduler can be used to restart your bot automatically after a server reboot.
Q7: Is it safe to run bots on a VPS?
Yes, running bots on a VPS is much safer than running them on a home computer. You can add an extra layer of security by using SSH keys, firewalls, frequent updates, and running your bots in a segregated environment.
Q8: Can I track my bots on a VPS?
Yes, you can. You can track CPU, memory, disk space, and bot logs using the VPS tools or third-party tracking software. This will help you identify if your bots crash, leak memory, or are running inefficiently.
Q9: Which programming languages are best suited for VPS bots?
Python, Node.js, PHP, Go, and Java are all excellent choices and will perform very well in VPS-based bot environments. The choice depends on the type of bot you are building and your programming skills.
Q10: Is a VPS expensive for running bots?
Not at all. Entry-level VPS plans are affordable and sufficient for most bots. As your automation grows, you can easily upgrade your VPS without migrating to a new server.
Suggestions:
- https://mainvps.net/blog/cheap-dedicated-server-hosting-providers/
- https://mainvps.net/blog/linux-reseller-hosting/
- https://mainvps.net/blog/low-cost-windows-vps-hosting-in-india/
- https://mainvps.net/blog/vps-hosting-with-cpanel/
- https://mainvps.net/blog/mainvps-vs-bluehost-which-web-hosting-provider/
