Being a webmaster is only getting easier and easier with time. Novice webmasters who are trying to decide which web hosting service they should go with have a wide array of options in terms of products and services, as well as packages combining the two. Most web hosts will allow you to choose between a Linux or a Windows host — this leads to newcomers without advanced knowledge and skills in the field of web hosting and design finding themselves in a dilemma. This poses the question: should you choose a Linux virtual Server, or opt for Windows hosting?

Servers are not Desktops

People new to web design and development often are led to believe that the Operating systems that desktops typically run on are a deciding factor for the choice of a corresponding operating system for a host. For example, people running a Windows OS on their computers might think that Windows web hosting will be a good choice. However, there is simply no correlation between a desktop operating system and a server operating system.

In fact, the kind of operating system that your web host uses does not have anything to do with the operating system on the computer that you are using. One is not more or less compatible than the other – all operating systems will work correctly with one another. The operating system chosen for the web host is completely independent from the computer that you use to connect to the host.

For example, if you are planning on creating websites with your server, you can do this through online editors such as KompoZer and Dreamweaver. This all is interacted with through your computer’s Internet browser, regardless of the operating system running on the host. This also means that the interface will be the same everywhere you access your website tools, no matter what kind of computer and operating system you are currently using. This means that no matter your choice of operating system, a lot of how things look to you will likely remain the same across both platforms.

Choosing an Operating System

Choosing an operating system shouldn’t have to be a troublesome decision; it all comes down to what you plan on doing with your server. Choosing between Linux or Windows only comes down to the software needs that you may have.

If you require software or tools that are only available on Windows, and that software has no alternative present on Linux (Microsoft Access, for example), then that should be the one and only case where Windows would be a reasonable choice of operating system.

This is unlike Linux, which is the be-all and end-all solution for a server operating system. Almost all software available today runs on it, and even if some software does not run on it, it is not impossible to ‘port’ or make that software run on Linux. Even some of Microsoft’s exclusive software for Windows such as Microsoft SQL Server and .NET now both have support for Linux. Linux also has unparalleled stability, customization, flexibility, among other things such as security. If you plan on using MySQL, WordPress, PHP, or combinations of the software mentioned, then a Linux virtual server will be a solid place to start, offering more power and resources when compared to a Linux shared host.
However, if you plan on using your server for very simple needs, such as a personal blog, a server for recording data sent to it, or a simple API server for an app you’re making, then a Linux shared hosting plan instead of a virtual server should be more than sufficient for your needs.

It’s becoming easier and easier to create new websites and tools using a server – but the dilemma for operating system choice is, unfortunately, something that will be around for a little longer. Hopefully, this article has helped you determine the kind of operating system you need running on your server.

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