Linux VPS vs. Windows VPS: A Comprehensive Comparison

Windows comes with several premium features while Linux is open source, and therefore puts users in control, free of charge.

The server can be said to be the software that deals with the tasks of the hardware. The hardware often ranges from a single host-computer that is connected to an internal network to a high-tech arrangement of external hardware services that rely heavily on the cloud.

So, which operating system will you go for to power your server: Linux or Windows? Your choice should depend on your business requirements, your IT expertise, as well as the software that you want to load.

It could also, in some cases, even determine the type of provider you should work with.

Some of the advantages of the Windows server operating system and the Linux operating system are as follows:

The Windows server premium package is professionally designed by Microsoft and comes with several compelling benefits. As stated earlier, Linux is free to use by anyone since it is an open-sourced package. It is also less supported and not as community-developed as Windows server OS.

you pay for your service in order to use the Windows server operating system, you will receive much better support which is available via Microsoft and its resellers.

If you make use of Windows apps, software and services like Office, Outlook, Excel, etc. it will automatically be integrated with Windows server immediately. It makes a lot of sense to use these applications, services, and software on a native platform for seamless operation.

Another benefit of using the Windows server operating system is that if you run a database backend based primarily on Microsoft SQL, it will not run at all on a Linux server.

The only way the database backend will run on a Linux server is if you make use of a Windows emulator. And to do this, you may have to purchase an original copy of Windows as well as the database software separately.

Windows server is user-friendly, i.e. easy to set up and is usually considered a complete solution. If, for instance, you want remote desktop access that comes with a graphical user interface, Windows offers this incredible service without the need for command-line programming which is a necessary requirement if you were using Linux.

ASP (Active Server Page) and ASP.Net are scripting frameworks that many businesses use from time to time. An Active Server Page is a webpage that comes with small embedded scripts or programs.

The web pages and scripts developed from these programs will only run seamlessly on a Windows server. This happens because the Microsoft server swiftly processes these scripts or embedded programs before the page loads for users. This feat is not possible if you make use of a Linux server.

The most crucial factor that you should take note of right away is that Linux is an IT infrastructure platform and open-source OS that allows distributions such as Fedora, CentOS, and Ubuntu.

Coders can readily change its source code as well as update the way the software operates or functions users can as well go to the source to fix bugs, edit features, and so on.

The fact that Linux is an open-source platform makes it free to use by anyone. What is required of the web host is payment for technical support to install as well as for the maintenance of the program if it is needed.

Business Server providers, for instance, don’t need to put across extra costs to the customer. But then, with Windows servers, the organization must pay for a periodic use license as well as the operating system.

Linux has tremendous and instant compatibility with other open-source software products, thereby providing a quick interface with incredibly smooth adoption. Linux users may be able to run Windows programs or software, but they have no choice than to buy interface software as well as pay for Windows licensing.

Linux servers and the apps they usually run make use of fewer computer resources since they are originally designed to run lean. One cool bonus is that programmers can easily modify Linux servers and software in a hurry and without necessarily rebooting the system.

This is not possible when using Windows servers or within the environment. Windows servers have an annoying tendency to slow down under intense multi-database tasking with an incredibly higher risk or crashing.

Linux has another incredible advantage over Windows, and that is in the area of security.

Although no operating system is totally immune to malware attacks and hacking, Linux, despite being open-source and with a less developed community for maintenance and overall support, is a low-profile target. Windows run most of the software around the world today, and since hackers focus more on Microsoft servers, Linux tends to be shoved out of sight.

Users should expect to pay much more to get access to the exact features and applications they need. You should also be aware that your existing database software will work only on a MySQL server. If you also have remote computing in mind for the future, make sure you ask more questions about remote desktop access.

If, on the other hand, you are interested only in Linux, all you will need is a host to ease your access to most of the standard Linux tools such as MySQL, PHP, etc. Search for advanced features such as the ability to make use of time-scheduling jobs, etc.

When it comes to deciding between Linux and Windows, you need to understand all the pros and cons of each operating system along with how well they fit into your hosting and business needs.

It is also possible to work across platforms with both operating systems, but this convenience does not come without a cost. You will be required to pay for the application and software licenses if you need to run Windows on Linux.

Once you have made up your mind on which operating system to go for, seek out a reputable provider who will be able to accommodate all your needs, based primarily on your business needs and models.