Today, Windows-based servers and Linux-based servers are two of the most widely preferred servers. Irrespective of whether you want to create a website for your ecommerce business or an online blog, you’ll have to decide between the two.
In this guide, we’ll take you through all the significant differences between Windows and Linux Hosting to help you make a decision.
- Meaning
In Linux Hosting, websites are hosted on servers that use the Linux operating system. Whereas, in Windows Hosting, the servers are run by the Windows operating system or its other variants.
- Licensing and cost
This difference is very straightforward. While Linux is open-source, Windows is sold by Microsoft. Meaning, WordPress Hosting companies or others running Windows servers need to pay for a license, the cost of which is then passed on to you, making Windows Hosting more expensive than Linux Hosting plans.
In contrast, as Linux is completely free and open-source, you’ll have to pay only for the services and hardware, making the overall cost economical.
- Technology
So far, technology is one of the most important differences between Windows and Linux Hosting.
- Linux supports most programming languages and uses custom software, while Windows majorly uses Microsoft software to run and manage data.
- Linux servers work on MySQL, while Windows servers use MSSQL. Also, Windows Hosting uses Microsoft ASP.NET as its main programming language. These aren’t very wide-spread technologies, and most beginner programmers will have to invest significant time to master them.
Therefore, from the technology point of view, Linux Hosting would be a better option as it is easy to use and involves lesser technicalities.
- Stability and security
Though hacking risks exist for Windows as well as Linux operating systems, Windows is generally more vulnerable to threats. Also, Linux is more stable and hardly needs a reboot.
As Windows can have issues dealing with multiple tasks, it may not be the right choice for business-critical applications.
- Speed
There are multiple reasons for Linux being generally faster than Windows. Firstly, Linux is lightweight as compared to Windows as lot of programs run in the background in Windows which eats up the RAM.
Secondly, in the Linux system, the file system is much more organized. Files are usually located in chunks which are pretty close to each other, making the read-write operations very fast. On the other hand, in Windows, files are all over the place.
Which hosting is best for WordPress: Windows or Linux?
When it comes to WordPress Hosting, Linux is a better operating system as WordPress runs on PHP, which is much harder to configure on Windows. The Microsoft Access database isn’t as robust as MySQL, and it may make your website slow.
Moreover, as there aren’t any licensing costs associated with Linux, you’ll be able to easily find affordable, managed WordPress Hosting that uses this operating system. Also, most popular web hosts provide an intuitive dashboard, making Linux even easier to use. Thus, Linux Shared Hosting plans are widely preferred by people.
Conclusion
Choosing the right operating system for your web hosting needs can be a crucial decision, especially if you are looking to set up a dedicated or VPS server. As some applications work only with specific operating systems, choosing the right one is key to achieving your goals.