When it comes to choosing the best hosting option for your needs, it is important to note the difference between virtual private server interfaces running on popular operating systems. Although launching a virtual private server on Linux and Windows can be somehow similar, there are certainly some differences on either system. Here’s a rundown of some of the top pros and cons that you can face by choosing Linux or a Windows-based server:

Linux VPS

Linux is open source software and you can find this operating system anywhere for free. Linux based servers are known for their amazing ongoing performance and uptime. They’re fairly easy to adapt, but it may require a little more technical knowledge as the OS isn’t quite as intuitive as a Windows-based system.

Some of the top Linux pros:

• Its free and open source.
• Works well with PHP and other open-source applications.
• Lots of OS versions, including Debian, Ubuntu and more.
• Fantastic integration with cPanel.
• Less load on the servers with SSH access which grants greater control level.

There’s really only one major con of the Linux system:

• SSH management for Linux VPS isn’t as easy to work with as the Windows interface.

If you have the tech skills to manage a Linux-based system it can be an affordable VPS hosting option with lots of open source compatibility.

Windows VPS

Windows offers one of the most intuitive systems for reliable VPS hosting meaning that even someone with very little in the way of a tech background can get up and running after paying a licensing fee. Windows database server hosting and large Windows VPS are available in US, Europe, Asia and the rest of the world. It is a great OS as it offers fantastic integration with other Windows-based software and scripts.

Main Windows pros:

• Easy to manage with low IT skills. Great graphical interface similar to regular Windows XP.
• Full integration with Scripts from ASP or ASP.net.
• Ideal for fans of MS SQL databases.
• Massive amount of support and tutorials from Microsoft with regular security updates.

The main Windows cons include:

• More expensive to operate and buy licenses.
• Doesn’t have the same ease of integration with open source applications.
• Does not support cPanel.

If your business heavily relies on Microsoft-based products, a Windows-based VPS is probably one of the best options for you although it can be more expensive to run.