Web Hosting Reviews & Ratings

February 11, 2011

Shared Web Hosting – Linux Versus Windows

Although the Windows operating system is more popular amongst home computer users, Linux has undoubtedly gained the favoritism of the web hosting industry. This is primarily because Linux is a free open source operating system, so it costs less for web hosting providers to install, maintain, and provide support. Shared web hosting is usually accepted as being the cheapest type of hosting available, and is therefore an ideal solution for novice webmasters that would like to begin their online endeavors with minimal risk and investment. Although Windows web hosting usually does not utilize the shared hosting environment, there are shared Windows hosting plans available. The following information should help you choose between the Linux and Windows operating systems when purchasing a shared web hosting plan.

Budgeting and Simplicity

Making sure your web hosting plan is suitable for a modest budget while also ensuring simplicity, as these are two of the most important aspects in choosing a plan for a novice webmaster. In terms of cost, Linux shared hosting is cheaper because the Linux operating system is open source, and hosting providers do not have to pay for a Linux license for each of their hosting customers. On the other hand, with a Windows shared hosting plan the hosting provider has to install Windows, and provide ongoing support by depending on Microsoft for updates and bug fixes. Although the Windows operating system is known for having a simplistic interface for home computer users, the Linux operating system actually simplifies website management because of the ongoing support that is provided.

Compatibility and Expandability

Linux is also compatible various types of programming languages, including but not limited to PHP, Perl, and MySQL, all of which are commonly used by web applications such as content management systems. The Linux operating system can also be expanded by the web hosting provider to include unique functionality for specific web hosting clients. It is important to note, however, that the shared hosting environment does not allow you to change the software configuration of the server, regardless of which type of operating system you are using. The Windows operating system cannot be expanded upon, however it does provide optimal compatibility with Microsoft-based applications and programming languages such as ASP (Active Server Pages) and Microsoft SharePoint.

Reliability and Stability

Although both operating systems are considered to be reliable, it is generally accepted that Linux is the more stable operating system. This is because any problems that occur within Linux can be fixed quickly by the technical support staff of your web hosting provider, while Windows errors must be corrected by Microsoft (and this can take months to occur in some cases). However, it is important to note that the shared hosting environment is among the most unreliable types of hosting available, and this is true regardless of whether you use Windows or Linux. If you want to ensure maximum stability for your websites and online business endeavors, then you may want to consider a stronger type of hosting environment, such as VPS (Virtual Private Server) or dedicated hosting.

Tags: windows,  linux,  Shared Hosting,  open source,  php,  Perl,  ASP