Side by side
Who helps you
RootManageA team, with tickets, so help does not depend on one person being free.
A freelancerOne person. Very good while they are available, slower or silent when they are ill, travelling or busy with another client.
Watching the server
RootManageAgents report health, uptime and security to a dashboard you can open, with alerts.
A freelancerDepends on what they set up. Many freelancers react when you report a problem.
Cost
RootManageFixed monthly prices in rupees on the pricing page, with GST invoices.
A freelancerOften cheaper for small one-off jobs. Hourly or per-job prices that differ by person.
A problem at night
RootManageTickets are answered by the team, and emergency cleanup has a fixed price.
A freelancerDepends on the person. Ask what they do outside working hours.
Knowledge kept for you
RootManageA work log shows every task, cause and fix, and it stays with your account.
A freelancerKnowledge can sit in one person's head. A good freelancer writes notes, so ask for them.
Access to your server
RootManageAccess is limited to what the work needs, and you can see the tasks done.
A freelancerYou decide who holds the keys. Make sure access is removed when the work ends.
Backups and updates
RootManageBackups and patching are part of the managed plans.
A freelancerDone if you ask and pay for it. Check that restores are tested.
Many servers
RootManagePlans cover one server, five servers or a whole fleet, on any provider.
A freelancerWorks for a few servers. More servers means more of one person's time.
Who should choose what
A freelancer may be enough if…
- You have one small site and rarely need changes.
- A trusted person already knows your setup.
- You need a single project, not ongoing care.
Choose RootManage if…
- Your site earns money and downtime costs you.
- You do not want to depend on one person.
- You want clear prices, a work log and reports.
- You run several servers or sites.
Questions to ask before you choose
Ask these of anyone you are thinking of hiring, including us. Get the answers in writing.
- 1
What happens if you are ill or on holiday for a week?
- 2
Who watches the server between your visits?
- 3
How are backups taken, and when did you last test a restore?
- 4
Which accounts and keys do you hold, and how is access removed after the job?
- 5
Will I get a written note of every change you make?
- 6
What is the price for an emergency at night or on a holiday?
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my freelancer and also use RootManage?
Yes. Many customers keep a developer for the website code and use RootManage for the server: updates, backups, monitoring and security.
Is a managed service always more expensive than a freelancer?
Not always. A one-time job with a freelancer can cost less. Ongoing care with watching, backups and quick help is where a fixed monthly plan is usually easier to plan for.
What if my freelancer already set up my server?
We can take over. We check the setup first, tell you what we find, and only then start managing it.
Does managed support work for dedicated servers and cloud servers?
Yes. We look after VPS, dedicated, cloud and cPanel servers at any provider, Linux or Windows.
What if I only need help once?
For a one-off job such as a hacked site or a move to a new server, we have a fixed-price emergency cleanup and a migration service. You do not need a monthly plan for those.
Related pages
Plans and prices
Fixed monthly plans in rupees for one server, five servers or a whole fleet.
Server migration
Move a site or server safely, with a backup first and testing before the switch.
Hacked? Malware cleanup
A one-time fixed-price cleanup, with a written report.
Everything we manage
Operating systems, control panels, databases, CMS and more.
This comparison describes common arrangements, not any one person or company. Details differ, so always ask what is covered in writing.