Linux vs. Windows Web Hosting, Does It Make A Difference?

One of the most confusing decisions someone new to web hosting will have to make is which platform their server should be on. There are a number of different choices out there but the main two are Linux and Windows web servers. There are also a lot of sources of information about hosting, but the majority of them are tainted by the author's biased personal opinion unfortunately confusing the issue. Having just put in some solid hours researching the topic I have come to the conclusion that in general it quite probably does not matter which server you use. For the majority of people it will be far more important to choose a really good web host than to worry about the server-type that they implement.

Microsoft developed and owns the Windows operating system. Linux is open source and generally free. This means it can often be more expensive to set up and run a Windows server. However, this fact doesn't really affect you unless you are actually setting up a server for yourself and if you're reading this article then I'm guessing that it's safe to assume you're not. This article is going to offer information for those trying to decide which hosting company to go with. The cost involved in running a server does not affect the cost of a web-hosting package as much as you may think. Despite the general opinion that Windows servers are more expensive to run, buying a Windows hosting package can often turn out to be just as cheap or even cheaper than an equivalent Linux hosting package.

Some people naturally assume that because their PC runs Windows they need to buy a Windows hosting package. This isn't true. Access to your web account will most likely be through FTP or a control panel and both servers support these methods. The main difference is that some of the FTP commands are slightly different between Linux and Windows and some FTP programs will be designed with one or the other in mind. This means you may occasionally find that when you try and get your FTP program to do something it returns an error message, but it won't happen very often.

Your choice of server platforms should be dictated by the use to which you intend to put it. The majority of web features run fine on both platforms including PHP, mySQL, POP3 etc. If you intend to create your site using ASP, FrontPage, the .NET environment, Windows Streaming Media, Access, MSSQL, or any of the other Microsoft proprietary technologies then you probably need to use a Windows host. There is limited support for a number of these technologies in Linux, but they can be expensive and are usually lacking in features. It is probably worth considering the fact that if you use server specific technologies and then change hosts you'll have a much harder time of it than if you use technologies that can be run on any system. Having it run generic technologies removes the need to focus on specifics and allows you to focus on the quality of service itself.

The reliability and stability of the different platforms have been the topic of many long arguments. The main reason that Windows is seen as being insecure is that it is the most widely used operating system for home PC's. People spend more time looking for flaws in the most common system. With Linux being the most common server type, it has a surprising number of successful hack attempts made on it. In the end the security of both platforms comes down to the competency of the system administrators. If you are security minded then you'll do better to make sure that the hosting company is reputable and highly skilled than to worry about the server they use.

In terms of performance there's not a huge difference between the two servers. Linux reportedly performs faster because Windows (as usual) attempts to offer an 'all in one' package instead of the extendable Linux implementation. You'll generally not notice a difference but if performance is of utmost importance to you then maybe this will influence your decision.

I've come to the conclusion that unless you are specifically using features that are unique to one platform or another your time will be much better spent looking for a really good quality host than a really good quality server. Developers are constantly improving both Linux and Windows so they should be fairly close in terms of features, security, and reliability for a long time. It's the people implementing them that you should be basing your decision on.

Daniel Punch
M6.Net Web Helpers
Daniel Punch is a writer working at M6.Net: 'The web-hosting company for humans.' M6.Net is working hard to help humanity experience the power and freedom to develop their own part of the Internet, to share their information and connect with anyone, anywhere, anytime.

---

Importance of Educated Choice While Choosing A Web Hosting Provider

There are many attributes that makes a web hosting provider... Read More

Demand Unlimited Auto-Responders with Your Hosting Accounting

AutoResponders are nifty scripts that run in your web server... Read More

Buyer Beware: Web Hosting, Registration, and Site Building All in One Package Nightmares

Starting out in any type of online marketing or Internet... Read More

Free Or Not Free -- Its Your Choice

The internet is one of the world's top sources of... Read More

Where to Get Cheap Web Hosting

First, to see if you can use cheap web hosting... Read More

Virtual Private Servers (VPS) Web Hosting

A Virtual Private Server (VPS), also referred to as Virtual... Read More

Web Hosting; Make Them Work for You

There are two main types of host providers. They are... Read More

CGI Web Hosting ? 3 Essential Scripts for Your Business

If there's one thing that people love it is a... Read More

Multiple Website Hosting - Subdomains are the Answer!

Many business owners find themselves in a quandary over the... Read More

The 14 Point Web Hosting Checklist

How To Select A Web Hosting CompanyWhen starting out, it... Read More

Web Hosts - Not All Are Created Equal

Many people think that all web hosts offer the same... Read More

Budget Web Hosting - Are They All Created Equal?

Choosing a budget web hosting company can be overwhelming. In... Read More

Web Hosting - How To Choose The Right Provider For You

Thousands of companies, tens of thousands of different plans and... Read More

Web Hosting: 4 Factors in Choosing a Hosting Company

When choosing a web hosting company there are a whole... Read More

Tips on Finding a Hosting Service for Your Business Website

There are so many hosting companies offering to host your... Read More

How To Choose The Best Web Host For You

Web Hosting is a service. Auto mechanics also provide a... Read More

Choosing the Perfect Deluxe Web Site Hosting Plan

If you are looking for a deluxe web site hosting... Read More

7 Key Points to Consider When Choosing a Web Host

With literally thousands of web hosting companies in the industry... Read More

Web Hosting in 2005 --- Finding the Niche and Cashing in!

Web Hosting in 2005 --- Finding the Niche and Cashing... Read More

Website Sitebuilders: Easy to use Website builders Come with a Price

Professional web designers don't come cheap. A good web designer... Read More

How To Choose A Reliable Web Host For Your Website

A client of mine paid for a solo advert to... Read More

Linux vs. Windows Web Hosting, Does It Make A Difference?

One of the most confusing decisions someone new to web... Read More

Business Web Hosting: Which is Right for You?

Business web hosting is what you need. You have a... Read More

Why Dedicated Hosting?

If you're reading this article, you might be interested in... Read More

Choosing Your Web Hosting Reseller Software

As a web host reseller, one of your most important... Read More

Low Cost Web Hosting Services ? Dont Forget About Uptime

Once you have your company's web site up and running,... Read More

In Search of Webhosting: First Understand the Industry

In search of a webhosting company for personal or small... Read More

Web Hosting: Shared or Dedicated - Which Should You Choose?

Before you begin your search for a web host you... Read More

Will All The $1.95 And Free Hosts Survive?

The main thing wrong today with trying to find a... Read More

Dedicated Web Hosting : The Executive Summary

What is Dedicated Web Hosting? Dedicated web hosting can alleviate... Read More

What to Look for in a Free Hosting Provider

The first thing that you must realize when looking for... Read More

How to Choose a Web Host - Frequently Asked Questions

In this article you'll be provided with helpful information about... Read More

Choosing a Hosting Service: A Checklist for Business Owners

For a website to appear on the Internet, you require... Read More