What is an operating system?
An operating system is the main program that runs a computer. Your laptop may use Windows. A web hosting server also has one. Linux and Windows are the two common choices.
Linux hosting
Linux is free, open software. Most websites in the world run on it. Linux hosting works well with these tools:
- PHP, a language many websites use.
- MySQL, a popular database. A database is a place where a site stores its information.
- WordPress, Joomla, Magento and many other apps.
- cPanel, a control panel. A control panel is a dashboard for managing your hosting.
Windows hosting
Windows hosting runs on Windows Server. It works well with tools made by Microsoft:
- ASP.NET, a framework for building websites.
- MSSQL, the Microsoft database.
- IIS, the Windows web server program.
- Remote Desktop, which lets you see the server screen.
Main differences
| Point | Linux | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | PHP and WordPress sites | ASP.NET sites |
| Database | MySQL | MSSQL, sometimes MySQL |
| File names | Upper and lower case are different | Case does not matter |
| Panel | Often cPanel | Often Plesk or similar |
Your site looks the same to visitors on both. The difference is only behind the scenes.
Steps to choose
- Find out what your website is built with. Ask your developer if you are not sure.
- If it uses PHP, WordPress or MySQL, choose Linux hosting.
- If it uses ASP.NET, MSSQL or other Microsoft tools, choose Windows hosting.
- If you have a plain HTML site, either one works. Linux is the usual choice.
- Check which plans Hostvento offers for your pick. Ask support if you are not sure which fits.
Tip: You can run a PHP site on Windows and ASP.NET on Linux in some cases. It is usually easier to match the platform to the tools.
Quick recap
- Linux hosting suits PHP, WordPress and MySQL.
- Windows hosting suits ASP.NET and MSSQL.
- Visitors cannot tell the difference.
- Choose by the tools your website needs.