It is important to consider numerous web hosting factors before you build a site, including bandwidth, storage, price, and OS compatibility. Perhaps the most significant technical decision you might make here is the choice between Linux and Windows VPS hosting server operating systems. Many customers regard Linux as the common web server option, whereas they find Windows best for server administrators and organizations that require Microsoft’s services. So, if you are in two minds regarding the OS to power your online site, then we will aid you in making an informed choice.
What To Consider When Deciding Between Windows And Linux
As said, you should think about many factors at the time of making this choice. Here, we will discuss some of those elements.
Your Budget
Linux is an open-source and free operating system available in several flavors. Therefore, web hosts should pay licensing-related fees to utilize Linux OS as part of their services. It is mainly used as part of shared web hosting solutions, but VPS Linux packages are also available with some top web hosts. Conversely, those companies should pay licensing charges to use Windows as their web hosting servers for customers. Maintaining Linux is easier as compared to other operating systems as it requires fewer manhours and less upkeep.
All of the above factors will play a part in determining web hosting package- or service-related prices. Usually, VPS plans are slightly more affordable as compared to Windows hosting packages. Therefore, if you wish to save funds, then it may be best to choose a Linux-based hosting service. Nevertheless, you might find the slightly extra cost to be essential in the event of planning to take advantage of Windows Server features.
Know Which Software You Wish To Utilize
Your OS choice will also depend on the software that you will utilize to build a site and update it. For instance, installing and using WordPress is easier on a Linux server since the database service MySQL and the scripting language PHP power it. The well-known server backend and site management tool cPanel runs on the Linux OS as well. Besides, with Linux-based hosting, you can easily access website-creation tools, like Apache, the JavaScript environment Node.JS, and programming languages such as Perl and Python.
On the other hand, Microsoft creates and maintains the services that a Windows-based server runs. In the event of developing web apps, you would like to utilize the .NET Framework available only on Microsoft Windows-based servers. If you intend to build a site with Microsoft’s SQL version, or ASP.NET, then you would require Windows servers, as well.
