Linux vs windows hosting – Choosing between the Linux and Windows hosting service depends upon the technology you prefer to use with your hosting server. Both Linux and windows are popular among users for their distinct features. Statistics indicate that approximately 55.6% of the users use Linux hosting, whereas Windows hosting is the choice of 35%.
As both the options offer quality features, Linux vs windows hosting is quite problematic for some people, especially newbies. Indeed, choosing the right hosting provider for all the right reasons is all anyone can think of while setting up a website. Hence, we shall take a comparative overview of both the hosting services.
Cheap Linux hosting and windows hosting
Linux and Windows are the most widely used operating systems for web servers. As mentioned above, the website requirements decide the operating system for your server. For example, if you use ASP.net, Microsoft SQL Server, VBScript, or MS Access, the final choice will be windows hosting.
Whereas cheap Linux web hosting is the most preferred choice because it is affordable, Stable, and offers a variety of features. It supports Perl, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and CGI scripts via the access control panel.
Notably, suppose you use Microsoft Frontpage or extensions for your website design. In that case, you are not bound to one OS. Rather, you can still choose from both the Linux or Windows hosting as long as your hosting package offers support for Frontpage.
Here, we shall further look into the best choice for you by comparing the competing operating systems’ strengths and weaknesses. For example, we shall be looking into features such as stability, costs, and security to make it easy for you to decide.
Linux vs windows hosting
The open-source OS, Linux, has been a preferred choice of the users for a long time. Even if it has a basic Graphical User Interface comparable to the windows, configurations carry out with the command-line interface. Indeed, it would require you to know a lot of stuff.
However, getting the best web hosting provider will help you with most of the configurations. You won’t need to worry about the tech support from Linux and manage your website via the control panel.
Windows hosting is best suitable for powerful devices and large-scale websites that need strong and advanced programs to run. In comparison with Linux hosting, windows hosting is very user-friendly. However, you don’t get to interact with the OS directly anyways.
Here are some of the evident differences between a cheap Linux hosting and windows hosting.
1. Cost and Licensing
Cost is the most important factor on the grounds of differences because you get Linux from open-source whereas Windows hosting from a profit company. It simply means that the hosting companies pay for the license and pass that cost on to you in your Windows hosting package, making it a bit expensive.
With Linux, you will have to pay only for the services and hardware. However, the price difference won’t be too much, such as if the minimum cost for Linux is $2/month, Windows will cost you $4/month.
2. Development tools and control panel
Linux hosting with cPanel is considered the standard solution. cPanel is the most popular hosting management panel that facilitates the users allowing them to install various software via a simple user interface. Moreover, it offers ultimate ease of use via one-click installs for WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, phpBB, and Tiki Wiki applications.
With such ease, people with even basic skill levels can try creating websites, blogs, wiki pages, etc. Further, you will be able to manage MySQL database and PHP configuration with auto-updates that make the Linux win over Linux vs windows hosting.
On the contrary, with Windows hosting, you are bound to use Plesk (which can be used with Linux). Undoubtedly, it serves you various benefits that are the same as Cpanel, which you may use with the Windows version of Apache, MySQL, Linux, and PHP.
Notably, Plesk supports Git, Docker, and various other smart security extensions. On the other side, the unique tools a windows hosting server may offer you with Web Platform Installer (Web PI), IIS, MSSQL, ASP.NET, and Web PI help you install these components seamlessly.
3. Customizability
Linux leads the Linux vs windows hosting comparison here as well. Starters may not have any concerns regarding customizability. However, the pros who know how they can improve the efficiency of their servers consider customizability a significant factor considered while choosing a cheap Linux hosting.
Windows hosting serves you with a licensed Windows Server Datacenter version. In contrast, you get a customizability layer in Linux hosting. Hence, you can utilize various third-party open source applications to customize your experience, making getting Linux hosting with cPanel a better option for the operating system.
4. Security
Linux offers a limited number of built-in features and components. Consequently, it poses a lesser risk of being affected by bugs and vulnerabilities. Therefore, Linux is a more secure OS than Windows. However, both Linux and Windows are secure as long as they are set up properly.
On the other hand, if you configure insecure third-party applications and software on your server, you will be at high risk, irrespective of your chosen OS. Hence, the most important tip in this regard is that you choose a reliable hosting provider such as Navicosoft so that their experts help you get what suits you the best.
