subject: Windows Hosting Or Linux Hosting - Which Is Right For You? [print this page] There are literally thousands of millions of web hosting providers out there. Many of these companies offer both Linux web hosting and Window hosting plans. Windows web hosting plans usually cost more because of the license costs imposed by Microsoft. Knowing this, how can you know when you need Windows hosting and when Linux hosting will work just as well or better? Keep reading this article to find out more.
Windows platform are found on something like 95% of all personmanymost new people looking for web hosting.
In the web server though the world, Windows based servers are behind less than 20% of all websites on the world wide web. By choosing a Linux hosting plan, you will find yourself in good company.
When do you have to use Windows Hosting?
Dot Net including ASP.net are not available on Linux hosting platforms. If you have a website built with Microsoft Dot NET technologies you will have to choose a Windows website hosting plan. In fact, if you need ASP without .NET features, most Linux hosting plans do not offer support for it.Access Database are available only with a Windows hosting platform. Access runs on a Microsoft platform and cannot run on a Linux Operating system.
MS-SQL is an enterprise standard database put out by Microsoft. If you need an enterprise class database there are some alternatives that run on a Linux platform but if you need Microsoft's MS-SQL database, a Windows hosting plan will have to be your choice.
If you are going to use Microsoft's Sharepoint services like some of the Sharepoint features found in Frontpage 2003, a Windows Website Hostings plan is your only choice.
What is the advantage to choosing Linux Hosting?
All the major features and services you need to have in an enterprise class website are available on Linux platforms for free. Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP are being used together to provide the infrastructure behind some of the most traffic intensive sites on the internet.
PHP works much better on a Linux Hosting server than on a Windows server. Having said that, unless you are putting a heavy load on your PHP scripts, this will not be noticable.
In general, Linux hosting plans are at least 20% cheaper than Windows hosting plans. If you don't need any of the features mentioned above, Linux hosting is a fine choice for your needs.
If you are looking for Microsoft technology then Windows hosting plans are usually your best bet. For everthing else, Linux hosting plans will usually do quite well. Many of web hosting provider provides both hosting platform but With the cost savings usually found with Linux hosting plans, Linux hosting is usually the right choice for you.
