Published: 05.06.2026
When you order hosting or a VPS, one of the first choices is the operating system. It decides which technologies run well, how much the plan costs and what tools you can use. For most websites the answer is simple, but there are clear cases where the other system is right.
Linux hosting in short
Linux is the most common system for web servers. It works with the classic LAMP and LEMP stacks: Linux, Apache or Nginx, MySQL or MariaDB, and PHP. It runs WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento and most open-source applications, as well as Python and Node.js projects. It is free software, so the plans are usually cheaper.
Windows hosting in short
Windows servers run Microsoft's technologies: ASP.NET, classic ASP, .NET applications and Microsoft SQL Server. They use the IIS web server. They can also run PHP and MySQL, but this is less common. Licences for Windows and SQL Server make plans more expensive.
Compare the two
- Price: Linux plans are cheaper because the system is free.
- Technologies: PHP, Python, Ruby and Node.js feel at home on Linux; ASP.NET and MSSQL feel at home on Windows.
- Resource use: Linux usually needs less memory and CPU for the same site.
- Management: Linux is managed by SSH and panels; Windows by Remote Desktop and graphical tools.
- Security: both are secure when updated and configured well. The risk comes from outdated software, not the brand.
- Case sensitivity: Linux file names are case-sensitive, Windows file names are not. This can break a site when it moves between them.
Which one should you choose?
Choose Linux if you use WordPress or another popular CMS, an online shop built on PHP, a Python or Node.js application, or if you simply want the best price and the widest choice of tools.
Choose Windows if your application is built on ASP.NET, needs Microsoft SQL Server, relies on Windows-only components, or if your team works only with Windows server tools.
What about control panels?
Linux plans offer many panels and a lot of freedom for command-line users. Windows plans have panels designed for IIS and for managing .NET sites. A panel is not a reason to choose the system, but check that your application works with it.
Migrating between systems
Moving a PHP site from Windows to Linux is usually easy, but check the file name case and the paths. Moving an ASP.NET application to Linux may need the modern cross-platform .NET runtime. Test on a copy before you change the production DNS.
On a VPS
The same logic applies to virtual servers. Linux distributions with long-term support are the standard for websites. Windows Server needs more memory, a licence and extra care with updates, but it is the right choice for Microsoft-based software.
Frequently asked questions
Can I run WordPress on Windows hosting? Yes, but it is less common and usually offers no advantage.
Is Linux hosting harder to use? Not with a control panel. You only need the command line for advanced tasks.
Does the system affect SEO? No. Search engines do not care about the server operating system; speed and reliability matter.
