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In the web hosting industry there are two main flavors -Windows web hosting and Linux web hosting, with the latter being the less expensive. Many people choose Linux web hosting based solely on the economical price, however there is much more to the comparison between the two.

If you want to make the most informed decision then you should consider the pros and cons of  both hosting solutions, but before you do that you have to understand what these two types of web hosting entail. Both Windows and Linux web hosting bear their names because the web server itself is run on either Windows or Linux. Just about every type of hosting account is offered with both Windows and Linux servers available. A quick comparison of plan pricing should show that Linux web hosting is generally cheaper than Windows web hosting; the following information should help you understand why.

Supply, Demand and Brand

The most obvious reason for the price difference is the overall popularity of Windows. Meanwhile, a lot of average consumers have never even heard of Linux. This popularity alone allows web hosting companies to charge more for Windows web hosting. Since more people trust the Windows name it is easier for web hosting providers to sell Windows-based hosting accounts for a higher price. On the other hand, trying to sell someone a Linux web hosting plan when they have never even heard of Linux is notably more difficult. The situation is actually deeper than just the power of the Windows name however.

Server Maintenance

Ironically Linux web server are more reliable than Windows web servers. This is great for the customer, but it results in added service cost for the web hosting company. This means the web hosting company has to account for the added cost of keeping the Windows servers running smoothly. Since the web hosting company has to hire and pay staff to maintain the integrity of the Windows servers, this cost is then transferred to the end customer. One of the reasons why Linux web servers are more reliable is because they have to run less software to complete the same functions.

Microsoft Applications

Another reason why Windows web hosting is more expensive is because of the compatibility that windows has with third-party Microsoft Applications. Many business need a web server that can run Microsoft applications, and a Linux server will simply not accomplish this. The web hosting providers recognize this absolute need for Windows web servers and capitalize on it by charging more for Windows web hosting solutions. The reason why there are more applications for Windows web servers once again ties into the fact that Windows is a more popular platform, for both end users and developers. For this reason more server applications are designed for Windows, and thus the need for Windows goes up. These tactics have been used by the Microsoft corporation to create a corner on the computer technology industry for years.

Choosing the right web hosting plan for you can be difficult at times, especially if you are not sure what each plan entails. With so many different types of web hosting plans, it seems as if there is an endless sea of web hosting solutions to choose from. The main differences between web hosting solutions is the amount of server resources that are allocated to you, as well as how much total control over the server you have. Aside from limits, there are also basic differences in the visual and functional aspects of the server environment. When referring to web hosting solutions that use certain operating systems, there are some key fundamental differences that should be weighed before making your decision. The most common forms of web hosting are Windows and Unix based web hosting plans.

Cost

The first thing most people look for when shopping for a hosting solution is cost. When comparing Unix and Windows based web hosting solutions, Unix is most definitely the cheaper option. This is because there are free Unix operating systems available, like Linux. Windows server software is nowhere near free, so therefore the overall cost of Windows web hosting is higher.

Software

Since Windows is manufactured by a Microsoft, a Windows based web server is guaranteed to be compatible with all Microsoft software such as VBScript and Microsoft Access. Unix web hosting does not provide compatibility with Microsoft software, which means it is not a viable solution for websites that require the usage of Microsoft applications.

Reliability

Although both Unix and Windows web hosting are considered to be reliable, Unix based web servers generally experience less downtime and therefore are slightly more reliable than Windows based web server. However, the actual reliability of a web hosting service will ultimately be determined by the competence of the web hosting company itself.

Support

When an error occurs in a Windows based web sever due to Microsoft software, the only people that can usually fix the bug in the software is Microsoft. Unix on the other hand is an open source software, which means that anyone with the skill can write code for it and repair any bugs for it within a very short time.

The Final Decision

Before you make the final decision, you need to consider the above comparison, and think about what feature s you’re going o be enabling on your website. If you will need to have Microsoft software on your website, then you can definitely rule out Unix web hosting. If you are not concerned with the type of software, but instead would like to have your own custom solutions made and enjoy more server uptime, then you may want to consider Unix web hosting. You’ll also want to consider the price of each hosting plan. If you;re on a strict budget and Microsoft software is not a concern for you, then you may want to consider a Unix web hosting plan. In the end the final decision is up to you, and should be based on the knowledge you have acquired here and the needs of your website.

Searching for web hosting companies will return a variety of results, displaying the various types of web hosting plans available. You may have done this before and encountered a few Linux web hosting plans. I am sure most of your are familiar with the Linux operating system, but for those of you who are not, Linux is the leading alternative to the Windows operating system, and is used by many companies around the world. Developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991, Linux is a Unix-like operating system that was originally meant to replace the Minux operating system. Linux is considered an open source operating system, as each user receives a source code with their copy of the operating system. Linux comes in different “flavors” such as RedHat and Ubuntu.

LAMP

All Linux web hosting plans include the LAMP software bundle. LAMP stands for Linux-Apache-MySQL-PHP/Perl/Python. Apache is a widely used open-source, multi-platform web server. Most Linux hosting plans use Apache servers. MySQL is a database that provides multiple users access to several online databases that are used to comprise the data of a website or network of websites. Any webmaster trying to utilize advanced website design of any kind will need a database of some sort.

PHP/Perl/Python

PHP/Perl/Python are all programming languages used in the production of advanced web applications. Almost all Linux web hosting solutions support PHP, while Perl and Python are not fully supported by all web hosting service providers. In fact, few web hosting companies actually provide support for the Perl and Python languages.

Linux Hosting Vs Windows Hosting

Without knowing the difference it can be a difficult decision to choose between Windows and Linux -based web hosting. The fact is, there is no major visual difference between the two on the surface, and most average users would not even notice the difference at first glance. However, there are some fundamental differences between the two that could affect your ultimate decision. For example, if you’re planning on using any Microsoft applications and programming tools likes Visual C++, Frontpage, or ASP.Net, then you may want to consider Windows-based web hosting.

Security and Performance

As far as security is concerned, Linux web hosting is considered to be safer than Windows-based web hosting. Therefore users can expect greater reliability and more uptime when using a Linux  hosting service. Linux servers can also run for a very long time without the need for a reboot, whereas Windows servers need to reboot after almost every upgrade.  Performance-wise Windows and Linux are neck and neck and there is no considerable difference.

Price

The most noticeable difference between the two for the average consumer is price. Linux web hosting is generally cheaper than Windows web hosting. If you are looking for a cheap deal on web hosting combined with reliability then you should consider Linux web hosting. If you absolutely need Microsoft application functionality, then perhaps Windows-based web hosting would be best for you.