TermSquad vs a DIY VPS

SHORT ANSWER

Should I use TermSquad or a DIY VPS for AI agents?

A VPS gives you a Linux server. TermSquad gives your AI agents an always-on cloud computer with the Web Terminal, persistent sessions, orchestration, shared memory and managed platform already built around the workflow.

Key takeaways

• A DIY VPS gives you a flexible Linux foundation and full responsibility for setting it up.
• TermSquad packages the computer, access, persistence, agent freedom, collaboration, memory and managed operations around long-running agent work.
• Both approaches leave your repositories, application code and additional software under your control.
• The choice is between operating the infrastructure yourself and starting with a managed computer built for the agent workflow.

At a glance

Capability	TermSquad	DIY VPS
Always-on Linux computer	Built in	Yes
Web Terminal	Built in	Configure yourself
Persistent agent sessions	Built in	Configure yourself
Any Agent / BYOS / BYOK	Built in	Configure yourself
Remote SSH access	Built in	Configure yourself
Squad orchestration	Built in	Build/integrate yourself
Shared agent memory	Built in	Build/integrate yourself
Backup / restore / reset	Managed	Operate yourself
Agent workload protection	Built in	Configure yourself
Security / updates	Managed	Maintain yourself

What a VPS gives you

A VPS gives you a Linux computer with provider-level control over the operating system, network configuration and installed software. It can be a strong choice when you already have infrastructure automation, enjoy server administration or need provider options that a managed product does not expose.

What you still need to configure for agent workflows

The Linux machine is only the starting point for long-running agent work. With a DIY VPS, you typically configure the access and workflow layers yourself:

• browser terminal access if you want to work without a local SSH setup;
• SSH users, keys, hostnames and security policy;
• persistent sessions that survive a laptop or browser disconnect;
• the agent CLIs, subscriptions, API keys and environment setup;
• orchestration, concurrency controls and shared project memory;
• backups, restore, reset, security updates and machine health practices.

The exact work depends on your preferred stack. A DIY VPS can support these workflows, but you build and operate the pieces yourself.

What TermSquad adds

TermSquad starts with the always-on cloud computer and puts the agent workflow around it. The Web Terminal and compatible remote SSH access make the computer reachable; Persistent Agent Sessions keep work available after disconnects; Any Agent keeps the tooling open; Squad and Squad Memory support collaboration and durable project context; managed lifecycle and workload protection cover the platform underneath.

Explore the details in Fully Managed, Built for Agent Workloads, Persistent Agent Sessions, Squad and Squad Memory.

When a DIY VPS may still be the right choice

Choose a DIY VPS when you want to own the infrastructure setup end to end, need a provider or operating-system configuration outside TermSquad’s managed surface, or already maintain the automation and security practices required for your workloads.

When TermSquad is the better fit

Choose TermSquad when your priority is giving AI agents a persistent computer rather than operating a server. You can start from the browser or a compatible remote SSH tool, use the agents and credentials you already have, leave sessions running, coordinate work and return to shared context without assembling those layers yourself.

What you own in either setup

You own the repositories, application code, agent configuration, project data and additional software you install. TermSquad manages the computer foundation and platform lifecycle; it does not replace the work that runs inside your environment.

Pricing and next step

TermSquad plans are monthly cloud-computer plans with the current prices and verified resources shown on the pricing page. If you want to compare the complete feature set before choosing, start with the TermSquad features hub.

Start your computer →

Frequently asked questions

Is TermSquad just a VPS with a different interface?

TermSquad uses a Linux cloud computer, but the product includes the access, persistent sessions, agent freedom, orchestration, shared memory and managed lifecycle around that computer. The distinction is the workflow and operational responsibility, not a claim that a DIY VPS cannot run Linux tools.

Can a DIY VPS support the same agent workflow?

It can, if you configure and maintain the required terminal, session, agent, orchestration, memory, backup and security layers. TermSquad provides those product surfaces as part of the managed computer experience.

Do I lose control of my environment with TermSquad?

No. Your repositories, files, tooling, agent credentials and application processes remain in your TermSquad Computer. TermSquad manages the underlying computer and platform baseline so you do not have to operate that infrastructure yourself.

Which should I choose for overnight or concurrent agent work?

Choose a DIY VPS if you want to build and operate the infrastructure for those workloads. Choose TermSquad if you want persistent sessions, agent workload protection and a managed computer ready for long-running work; see the plans for the current options.

Keep reading

Running AI coding agents remotelyProduct

Give your agents their own cloud computer.

TermSquad gives them an always-on remote Linux cloud computer with Web Terminal and SSH access.

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