Linux VPS Hosting vs Windows VPS Hosting: Which one should you choose for your enterprise?

Virtual Private Server or VPS refers to a virtual server that mimics a dedicated server but is installed on a computer serving multiple websites. VPS hosting offers each user an independent virtual environment wherein the user does not share server resources with others.

VPS hosting coalesces the benefits of shared and dedicated hosting. Compared to shared hosting, VPS offers better server performance, security, resources and customization. It is much more cost-effective than dedicated hosting.

VPS hosting offers two types of solutions depending on the operating system used: Linux-based VPS hosting and Windows-based VPS hosting.

Linux VPS uses an open-source operating system which means the software can be used, enhanced and redistributed freely. Windows VPS, on the contrary, uses proprietary software by Microsoft.

Both Linux and Windows VPS hosting have their pros and cons. Let us discuss how these two differ from each other.

Read More :  Difference between Windows VPS Hosting and Linux VPS Hosting

Performance

Linux OS is designed to be used with Secure Remote Login (SSH). Linus servers are known for their stability. In Linux, a regular reboot is not required even when the website experiences heavy traffic. Most of the configuration changes can be done without restarting the server.

In Windows, on the contrary, a reboot is needed after every patch. Windows servers can, therefore, face downtime when there are a lot of scheduled tasks for separate applications. Also, Windows-based VPS hosting is based on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and, therefore, needs more resources.

Control Panel

A control panel allows you to customize the settings and features on your website.

Most of the Linux VPS hosting plans offer cPanel. cPanel allows users to install several useful applications (e.g. WordPress and Drupal) in one click. Users can configure PHP, create and manage MySQL databases and get them updated automatically. This powerful control panel makes it easy for people with no coding knowledge to build websites and blogs.

Windows-based VPS offers Plesk which shares many benefits offered by cPanel. Plesk allows users to run the Windows version of Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP stack. Plesk supports Git, Docker and other security extensions.

Ease of Use

Ease of use depends a lot on your technical knowledge. Windows VPS uses a Graphical User Interface and, therefore, easy to use for beginners. Clients with sound technical knowledge find Linux quite user-friendly. However, it is not the best option for beginners.

Server Access

A good VPS hosting service lets you have adequate server access for better control over your website. Most of the Linux VPS hosting plans allow full server access. Linux offers File Transfer Protocol (FTP) as well as Secure Shell (SSH) access. On the other hand, Windows allows you to utilize FTP but not SSH.

Security

In view of the increasing incidence of cyber security breaches, choosing a plan that offers better protection against such threats becomes imperative. In Linux VPS hosting, editing privileges are limited to administrators only. Linux VPS hosting offers better security against spyware and malware.

Overall, Windows is also a safe option. In Windows, however, users are allowed to hide a file from the administrator’s view.

Compatibility

Linux VPS hosting is best-suited for open-source software such as PHP/Perl, ROR, Python, Java, CGI, SSH and FrontPage Extensions. Windows, on the other hand, is perfect for Windows-specific applications like MySQL, ASP Classic, ASP.net and MS Access.

So, if you are working on applications running on Python or a similar platform, Linux is the OS to go for. Windows is a suitable choice when you are working on PHP or asp.net.

Technical Assistance

As a website owner, you can face technical glitches at any point. Choosing a hosting plan that provides reliable technical support is, therefore, vital. Linux OS users get support from the open-source community. But then this support may not be as reliable. In Windows, all such issues are handled by their internal IT team.

Pricing

Linux is an open-source operating system which means its source code can be modified and distributed freely. Linux, of course, has certain paid distributions that are equipped with features to enhance server performance.

Windows, on the other hand, is a proprietary operating system owned by Microsoft. It involves a high licensing fee which is often included in the cost of the hosting plan. Plus, its servers perform specialized tasks and are priced accordingly. As a result, Linux-based servers cost significantly less than Windows-based ones.

Wrapping it up

Both Linux and Windows VPS have their positives and negatives. When it comes to choosing the right plan for your enterprise, everything boils down to the specific requirements of your business.

Looking for cheap Linux or Windows VPS hosting for your website? At Go4hosting, we offer the best VPS hosting as well as dedicated windows server hosting at the most competitive rates. For more information on dedicated windows server hosting, connect with our technical consultants today.