# Getting started

> New to DataPasa? Create an account, confirm your email and order your first VPS in a few minutes with these step by step instructions.

First time here? DataPasa rents out KVM virtual machines on NVMe disks, along with ready to play [game servers](https://datapasa.com/wiki/game-servers). Both are ordered from [cloud.datapasa.com](https://cloud.datapasa.com) and paid for hourly.

## From zero to a running server

1. **Register and confirm your email.** Ordering stays locked until the confirmation link is opened.
2. **Add funds.** The smallest top-up is $5, and [billing](https://datapasa.com/wiki/billing) explains how it gets spent.
3. **Pick a plan and an operating system.** The server appears in your panel, and you can [log in over SSH](https://datapasa.com/wiki/server-management/connect-via-ssh).

## Not sure what to buy?

Two articles help before you spend anything. [VPS vs VDS vs dedicated](https://datapasa.com/wiki/getting-started/vps-vs-vds-vs-dedicated) clears up the terms hosting companies use, and [how much RAM you need](https://datapasa.com/wiki/getting-started/how-much-ram-does-my-vps-need) maps common workloads to plans. Since charges are hourly, testing a small plan first costs very little.

## Articles in this section

- [How to create a DataPasa account](https://datapasa.com/wiki/getting-started/create-an-account): Sign up for DataPasa Cloud, confirm your email address and secure your login with a passkey before you order your first VPS or game server.
- [How to buy a VPS (VDS) at DataPasa](https://datapasa.com/wiki/getting-started/how-to-buy-a-vps): Order a virtual server at DataPasa step by step. Choose a location, plan and operating system, pay by the hour from your balance and connect in minutes.
- [How much RAM does my VPS need? A practical guide](https://datapasa.com/wiki/getting-started/how-much-ram-does-my-vps-need): A practical RAM sizing table for common VPS workloads, from websites and Docker apps to blockchain nodes, mapped to DataPasa plans, with usage tips.
- [VPS vs VDS vs dedicated server explained simply](https://datapasa.com/wiki/getting-started/vps-vs-vds-vs-dedicated): What VPS, VDS and dedicated servers are, how KVM virtualization works and which one to choose for your project. Plain language and practical examples.