Linux vs Windows in case of web server

Websites need space to host data and run their scripts and applications. When comparing in web servers, a basic and immediate question must be answered first - which one should you choose: Windows or Linux? Both are popular. Both have been used in the hosting industry for long. Just because one is popular, of course, that does not mean its better. What are some positives and negatives of each option? In this article, we’ll discuss why you should care about which OS your server is using, and how to make the right decision between Linux and Windows hosting options.

Let’s compare them -

• Windows Server represents the proprietary side, and Linux represents the open source side.

• With Linux, you have more choice in open source software.

• Window server is very popular. Its market share is probably higher than the Linux server.

• Linux servers are sometimes considered more secure than Windows servers. They rarely need to be rebooted and most configuration changes can be accomplished without a restart. Windows servers, on the other hand, can get especially unstable when tasked with running multiple database, web, and file servers.

• You need to pay the license fee for windows. On the other hand, you can save over $500 per server on server software licensing. The more servers you have, the more you save with Linux.

• Windows has a notoriety for stability problems in the majority of its variants. On the other side, the system has evolved so much that it can continuously run for several months or even years without a crash - a downtime in service due to the crash of a server will spill huge loss of revenue for medium-to-large scale industries.

• Linux also benefits from being a Unix-based operating system. The rights management features found in Unix have proven to be a great strength for Linux servers.

• Many Windows options can be found through a user interface and the standardization of the software allows a beginner to find many answers to their problems online. If you are looking for simplicity, Windows is the way to go.

• Most Linux software can be easily deployed to many servers remotely via command-line tools, whereas Windows software often requires a GUI-based installer.

• Windows servers are commonly used in large corporate environments. They may also be used as a Sharepoint or Exchange server.

• With Linux, you can fully customize the OS to fit your special requirements. You cannot do the same with Windows.

• If you are working within the confines of a business with existing databases and Windows-based servers you will need to interact with, Windows could be your best choice.

• Linux inherently is a secure operating system with its roots from Unix - which a multi-user system.

• Windows, generally good for MSSQL, ASP .NET.

• Linux has fine-grained control of users, permissions for each and every aspect of an operating system.

• Windows is good for Admins who are comfortable with UI

• Linux has a variety of security modules such as SELinux which enforces Mandatory Access Control policies.

• Linux files are case-sensitive and Windows files are not.

• Linux distributions are made in a modular manner and enable controlling of services/servers-apps or even new installation of programs without a restart. On the other hand, Windows-based service installation needs restart most of the time, this might not be so acceptable in the server market.

• Windows servers offer web developers the use of Microsoft's programming environments such as Active Server Pages (ASP), Visual Basic Scripts, MS Index Server.

• Linux has been ported to several processor architectures and its support for a huge variety of peripheral devices out-of-the-box.

• With Windows server, you can develop a website using the familiar interface of Microsoft tools such as Visual InterDev, and Microsoft Access. With ASP users can develop a database-driven web site using Microsoft Access and Microsoft SQL as the database.

• Developing web applications using the .NET framework is much easier in a Windows-based environment.

• Linux is capable of running of lesser hardware configuration.

• Windows is much easier to configure and set up than Linux.

• There is no or lesser security on application level in Windows server.

 

The type of hosting service you choose exactly depends on what kind of technologies your website requires. If your website does not require any scripting support, you should choose Linux hosting because they are more economical. However, if your website needs scripting and database support, you should choose the Windows that supports the technologies you use. If you would like to start a blog with WordPress or set up an online forum using phpBB, then Linux hosting will be a great choice for you. However, if your website requires specific Microsoft technologies such as MSSQL, you are required to use Windows hosting. Hope you’ll have a better idea of which OS to choose for your project as well as which hosting company to choose and which features to look for. You can share your comments with us in the comment section. Thank you!