Differences Between Windows and Linux Web Hosting

If you are planning to launch a website, you will need to decide on a web host and a suitable package. And with so many options out there, both in terms of the number of hosts and the types of packages, this can be quite perplexing.

Below we answer one common question: What is the difference between Linux and Windows web hosting?

Types of Web Hosting

Web hosting generally comes in two flavors: Windows and Linux. In deciding which is better for your website, it is important to know the differences between the two, as well as their relative benefits and limitations.

Windows Web Hosting

Windows hosting is a good option for people who are familiar with Microsoft technologies, as this is a MS product and easily integrates with other MS products.

Windows hosting supports various popular frameworks such as ColdFusion and ASP.net., as well as SQL databases.

Linux Web Hosting

Even more widespread than Windows, Linux hosting is one of the most common web hosting options available today. The main reason for its popularity is that it is very affordable. As a result, a majority of new businesses opt for Linux hosting in order to minimize start-up costs.

Linux supports popular languages such as PHP, Perl, and Ruby on Rails, and serves MySQL databases.

The Cost Factor

The biggest difference between Windows and Linux web hosting is cost. Linux services are much lower-priced than Windows services. This is due to the fact that many Windows technologies are licensed, which drives up costs.

Additionally, if you opt for Windows, your added costs will not stop at hosting fees. In addition, it is likely that your will pay more to have your website developed. Why? Most open source or free programs are written in PHP and developed for a Linux platform. This means that by opting for Windows hosting, you will miss out on the opportunity to use hundreds of free applications. Instead, you will have to pay your developer to build your applications from scratch.

In the end, it is probably best if you opt for Linux hosting. However, it is important to consult the professional who will be developing your site. Most likely, they will have a preference as to which host you select and what plan you acquire. Additionally, your web professional will have a better idea of what resources your website will need to run effectively.