Web hosting has been inundated by numerous choices in the past few years. The once mighty Windows-based hosting has seen a lot of competition from other hosting platforms such as Linux. In this post, we’ll take a look at the main differences between Windows and Linux-based hosting options, and what kind of websites are suited for either of the two.

1. Cost

Windows is more expensive to use as a hosting platform than Linux because of the open source nature of Linux. This means that many individuals and non-profit companies work together to come up with extensions and editions to the Linux hosting platform, and then freely distribute these concepts. Windows exists to provide products to commercial entities, which is why they charge these corporations to be able to host their sites on its platform. Additionally, Windows uses more resources compared to Linux, leading to its high cost.

2. Security

Another thing that may influence the choice of a website administrator to host on a particular platform is the safety that is expected from it. Windows bears the brunt of repeated hacker attacks due to its popularity. For Linux, the fact that it is distributed openly makes it more secure. However, it is worth noting that Linux is not immune to attacks, and the security of a site is mostly dependent on the website administrator and your web hosting company.

3. Customizability

Linux is more customizable due to its open source nature. There is a wide array of Linux applications and software that are developed in response to the needs of different individuals at a much faster and larger scale than Windows. This makes the Linux hosting platform more appealing to individuals who thrive on dynamism. Windows, on the other hand has a more rigid and unchanging infrastructure, which may come off as a plus as it guarantees reliability over longer periods of time.

4. Performance

Linux is able to handle numerous hosting processes running at the same time. Windows tends to get more unstable when a load is added to it, making it prone to crashes. This makes it possible for Linux to get more from a server, making websites that run on this platform more responsible and flexible.

5. Server Access

The way you retrieve information between the two servers is vastly difference. For instance, Telnet or SSH access is only available on Linux servers. This is a process that allows you to access files directly from a web server without having to download them first on your hard disk. Dedicated severs running Microsoft Windows on the other hand make it possible to run a remote desktop protocol, which may not be available for Linux-based hosting servers.

Windows hosting is more preferred for e-commerce sites and websites that feature dynamic web applications. On the other hand, Linux-based hosting is perfect for simple blogs or sites that do not need Windows-based applications. At the end of the day, there is no good or bad hosting service, since this largely depends on your needs as an individual or corporation. Be sure to speak to an experienced web hosting company so you’re able to make the best long-term decisions.

David Kendall is a freelance tech writer and SEO enthusiast. He understands the importance web hosting has on a sites search engine rank. He enjoys sharing his insights on various blogs. Learn more about WhoIsHostingThis, home to hundreds of reviews on the most popular webhosts.