(Credit: PCMag; Linux/Microsoft)
As I highlight in our web hosting reviews, there are many elements to consider before building a website, including price, bandwidth, storage, and software compatibility. However, one of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing between Linux and Windows Server as the server's operating system (OS). For most people, Linux is the common server choice; Windows Server is for server admins and companies that need Microsoft's services. The average blogger won't notice significant differences across OSes when writing a hot take, but the stakes are higher for businesses with specific backend needs. If you're on the fence about the OS that'll power your site, here's what you need to know to make an informed decision.
Server Operating System Basics
Not all web hosting services, or their service tiers, offer a choice between Linux and Windows Server. For example, if you choose a shared hosting plan, you’re likely stuck with whatever OS the web host uses by default—typically Linux. Generally, you must sign up for the more expensive, more robust virtual private server (VPS) or dedicated hosting plans to find a Windows Server option. Editors' Choice award-winning web hosts, such as AccuWeb, GoDaddy, and Ionos, offer Windows-based servers, but many do not.
Please note that your choice of a Linux- or Windows-based server does not hinge on your PC's OS. If you own a Windows PC, you can use Linux servers just fine, and vice versa. It’s the same situation with macOS. Server OSes are on websites' backends, meaning it doesn't matter how you connect to them from the user side.
With that out of the way, there are compelling reasons to choose either Linux or Windows as the foundation for your website. Let's explore them.
What You Should Expect to Pay
Linux is a free, open-source OS that comes in many flavors. Windows Server, on the other hand, is proprietary software owned by Microsoft, so web hosting services license it from Redmond and pass those additional fees directly on to users. For example, you can snag Ionos' Linux VPS plans at a shockingly cheap $2-per-month introductory rate, but switching to a Windows Server plan bumps the price to $17 per month.
That price premium can blend into the background on the most expensive, dedicated hosting services, but that extra cash per month can add up in the lower and mid-tier VPS markets. If you’re looking to save money, it’s best to go with Linux. That said, you may feel the extra cost is necessary if you plan to leverage Windows Server-specific features.
Know the Software You Want to Use
Your choice of server OS dictates your development ecosystem. For example, WordPress is far easier to install and use on Linux servers, as it's powered by PHP and MySQL. On the other hand, WordPress natively supports Windows environments using Internet Information Services (IIS), but the vast majority of plug-ins and themes are built, tested, and optimized for Linux. The popular server backend, cPanel, which you may be familiar with if you’ve built a website, runs on Linux, too. In addition, Linux hosting usually offers easier access to site-creation tools, such as the Apache HTTP web server, the Python and Perl programming languages, and the Node.js JavaScript environment.
(Credit: Ubuntu)Historically, Windows Servers ran services created and maintained by Microsoft. If you built web apps using Microsoft tools, a Windows Server was your only option. Today, things are a little more flexible, depending on whether you're using legacy or modern frameworks.
- Classic ASP.NET: If you are maintaining an older enterprise application built on the traditional .NET Framework (like MVC 5 or WebForms), you are strictly locked into a Windows Server environment.
- Modern ASP.NET Core: If you're building a new application using modern .NET (.NET 6 through .NET 10), the framework is open-source and cross-platform. This means it runs natively on Linux (via Apache or Nginx) and can even deliver better performance and lower hosting costs. Despite the unfortunate naming, don't think of modern .NET as Windows-exclusive tech.
However, other legacy Microsoft tools, such as C#, Microsoft Access, and SharePoint, still favor or require a Windows Server environment. Likewise, if your stack relies on open-source tools like cPanel, Node.js, Python, or WordPress, Linux remains the vastly superior and native choice for those systems.
Container-Based Web Hosting
Containerization is another factor that significantly influences your server environment. Modern web infrastructure heavily relies on containerization, which packages an application and everything it needs to run into a single, isolated software unit. Cron jobs and scheduled tasks are the ultimate poster child for containerization.
(Credit: Microsoft)Modern .NET apps can be easily containerized, whereas legacy frameworks like MVC 5 and WebForms are much harder to containerize. And because Linux runs lightweight containers and has no licensing fees compared with Windows' larger, licensed containers, the open-source OS is the industry standard for applets and microservices—even when using a cross-platform .NET application.
In short: If you’re just starting your web hosting journey, you'd do well to stick with Linux. Windows Server is a good option for experienced developers and large organizations.
Security and Management Differences
For overall stability, Linux is the elder statesman. It’s been used as a web server foundation for a long time, and its open-source nature means that many talented people contribute to it. Compared with Windows Server, Linux handles more functions without issue and requires reboots much less often. That’s because Linux doesn't have memory leaks like Windows Server and only needs to reboot when there's a kernel update.
Microsoft has narrowed this gap a bit with Windows Server 2025's Hotpatching feature. For servers enrolled via Azure Arc, monthly security fixes can now be applied directly to running memory without restarting the OS. However, this doesn't fully match Linux's flexibility. Windows still requires a mandatory reboot once every quarter to apply a new update baseline, and non-security patches or driver updates force an immediate restart. For mission-critical environments aiming for maximum uptime without structured maintenance windows, Linux still holds the architectural edge.
If you're collecting financial information or other mission-critical data via your website, security should be a top priority. Fortunately, Linux’s open-source nature means a massive global community constantly finds and fixes vulnerabilities, with enterprise distributions pushing security patches out incredibly quickly. However, if your compliance team requires formalized documentation, predictable patch cycles, or direct corporate liability and live technical support, Windows Server provides a centralized ecosystem backed entirely by Microsoft.
Regarding management, Linux is traditionally managed via a Command Line Interface (CLI) using SSH. Although this offers incredible speed and automation capabilities, it comes with a steeper learning curve for beginners. Windows Server, by contrast, includes the familiar Windows Graphical User Interface (GUI) and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), making it more user-friendly for administrators who prefer visual menus to text commands. That said, Windows Server 2025 now ships with the native WinGet command-line package manager to streamline automated software deployment.
Which Should You Choose?
Should you go with Linux? Should you go with Windows Server? There are no one-size-fits-all answers, as the decision is based on your website needs, but here are some final pointers.
- If you're creating a blog, you'll do just fine with a Linux-based server. In fact, that will probably be your only option with a low-cost web hosting tier. If it's good enough for Facebook and Google, it’s probably good enough for your site.
- If you’re part of a large organization or plan to use Microsoft-specific services, such as Exchange or SharePoint, you should seek out Windows Server. Plus, Windows Server is far simpler for green server admins to maintain.
Mike Williams contributed to this guide.