Before taking your website online, you have to decide on the type of web hosting plan you need. Particularly to decide whether you want user-friendly software or a more customisable system. Depending upon your requirement, you have to choose the hosting provider in India.
Most website owners, especially beginners, prefer shared hosting over other types of web hosting, like dedicated or VPS, for the ease and the cost-effectiveness it provides.
Besides the type of hosting plan, you also have to consider the operating systems of the servers, which usually come down to two options: Linux shared hosting, and Windows shared hosting.
So, what is the difference between them? Which OS is better for web hosting? Lets find it out in the blog!
Linux Vs Windows Shared Hosting: A Brief Overview
Deciding on a Linux or Windows operating system is one of the critical decisions to make when purchasing a web hosting plan.
With shared web hosting, most people prefer choosing Linux as their server. On the other hand, Windows server is used mainly by businesses and server administrators that require Microsoft services.
The main reason behind the popularity of Linux servers is that it is an open-source, free platform. It is also very easy to maintain and requires minimal maintenance. Windows server, on the other side, is owned by Microsoft. So, you need to pay to use it.
Also, note that the choice of Linux Vs Windows in a shared hosting plan does not depend on your PCs operating system. If you have a Windows PC, you can still buy Linux shared hosting, and vice-versa.
However, there are significant factors that must be considered at the time of choosing the right server for your web hosting needs.
Linux Vs. Windows Shared Hosting: Key Differences
Following are the significant points of difference between Linux and Windows shared hosting services:
- Suitable For: While Linux shared hosting is a popular choice for personal websites and small-sized businesses, Windows servers are intended for medium to large businesses with specific backend requirements.
- Security: Linux hosting plans come with plenty of security features and updates. On the other hand, security updates are comparatively less frequent in the case of Windows hosting plans.
- Control Panel: Windows shared hosting comes with a Plesk control panel, and Linux offers cPanel. While both are robust and reliable, Plesk has a slightly better user interface and organisation than cPanel.
- Ease of Use: Windows servers are easier to use than Linux. The latter comes with a CLI interface that takes time to learn and understand.
- Cost: Linux is an open-source platform. Hence it is free. But being a licensed product, Windows shared hosting plans come at a higher cost.
So, what should I Choose? a Linux or Windows Shared Hosting Provider?
Final Verdict
Both Linux and Windows shared hosting are good options. However, your choice should depend on various factors like your website type, size, purpose, budget, experience, and so on. We have discussed the main differences between both types of hosting services. Now it is your turn to make the right decision and choose the best shared hosting depending on your requirement.