How to choose between Windows Hosting and Linux Hosting?
In this era of computerization where there are hundreds and thousands of hosting companies both offering windows web hosting and linux web hosting plans, one gets confused as to how to choose between Windows Hosting and Linux Hosting. Usually as for cost is concerned Windows plans are more expensive as their Microsoft imposes license costs. Keeping this fact in mind question emerges as when one needs Windows hosting and when Linux hosting will work.
Almost with 95% of personal computers Windows operating systems are found. With this it's easy for Microsoft to attract more users towards it for choosing windows web hosting. However that toll is just 20% or even less in case of web server world. This is according to the latest web server survey. By selecting a Linux hosting plan, one finds him in a good company.
Features to be asked about for using Windows Hosting: 1.Some technologies like .NET including ASP.net are not available on Linux platforms therefore if one is having a website which is built with Microsoft .NET technologies then it is mandatory for him to choose a windows web hosting plan. In fact, in case one requires ASP without .NET features then most Linux hosting plans do not offer support for it.
2. As for database requirement is concerned; Access Databases are only available with a Windows hosting plan and not with Linux Operating system.
3. MSSQL is an enterprise class database offered by Microsoft. So if one needs an enterprise class database there are some alternatives that are able to run on a Linux platform but if the requirement is specific for Microsoft's MSSQL database, then just a Windows hosting plan can serve the purpose.
4.In case one is using Microsoft's Share point services like some of the Share point features found in FrontPage 2003, then definitely a Windows Hosting plan is the choice.
Advantages for choosing Linux Hosting: Most of the services that are required for running an enterprise class website are available on Linux based systems and that too absolutely free. On Internet, behind some of the most traffic intensive sites, Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP are being used together to provide the infrastructure. Scripts like PHP runs better on a Linux server than in comparison to Windows server. Therefore in this case Linux can only serve the purpose.
As for cost in concerned generally Linux hosting plans are at least 20% cheaper than Windows hosting plans therefore if the feature is not mandatory as specified above one can opt for Linux hosting which would be a better option. In case of Microsoft specific technologies, Windows hosting plans are considered as best choice but for everything else, Linux hosting plans will be fruitful. With cost criterion too Linux hosting is considered as the right choice