The Advantages of Linux and Windows Server

Normally, the server option for a website depends on the programming language used on the site. In case you use the programming languages such as PHP, MySQL, or Perl, the Linux server is the preferred choice. If you set up the site with ASP.Net language, the best choice is Windows server service.

If you need some interactive facilities like chat or searching database, you should not use Linux servers. In addition, the Linux platform network services will not be fully compatible with a number of applications on Windows. If you are using any Windows technologies such as Visual Basic to the server, the Windows platform is a forced choice.

Advantages of Linux Server:

1. Linux is an open source operating system and thus it does not need the high cost for licensing like other operating systems. You can freely download and use it. Normally, it only takes distribution costs by the host or owner.
2. A Linux website can easily be converted to the Windows website quickly. Beside that, the website can easily change or upgrade when the requirements of users increase.
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4. If programming languages such as PHP, MySQL, or Perl ... is required on your website, Linux server will be an effective, reliable and cheap solution. Unless the programming languages loaded are too much, this will be impossible to track.
5. Because most of Linux servers are more security than Windows servers so Linux server has become the more popular choice for web designers and programmers.
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Advantages of Windows Server:

1. These technologies .Net such as ASP.Net, VB.Net are suited to Windows platform. If your site is built on technology .Net of Microsoft, you will have to choose a Windows server.
2. If you need to use MSSQL database, the Windows server is the best option.
3. Access can only run on the Windows platform of Microsoft and thus, it will not show up on Linux servers. If your site needs this feature, you will have to use Windows server.
4. If you are using a number of Microsoft sharing services, Windows server is a reliable choice.

Windows servers usually cost more than Linux because of Microsoft's license required. Usually, the Linux server’s profit is more than Windows’ at least 20%.

In general, if you do not have any specific feature to the site such as database search, the Linux server is the best solution. In case you want to use some special technologies of Microsoft, the Windows server will be more favorable that the site needs to.

Link: The Advantages of Linux and Windows Server