What is the difference between Linux and Windows hosting?

[artijain1900]

Hello everyone,

What is the difference between Linux and Windows hosting?

[DelaMafia]

Think of Linux or Windows web hosting as the underpinnings of your website; while both offer the same basic function, their forms differ significantly. Consider the foundation of a home as an analogy: In the southern United States, concrete slabs are the preferred method, while in northern climates, a basement or crawl space or is common. Using a slab, concrete supports the weight of a home; using a basement, wood takes most of the load. Both are effective and achieve the same result, but with different methods.

The same is true with Linux and Windows. Here, the biggest difference is the core operating system (OS). Linux uses some form of the Linux kernel, which is typically free. Windows, meanwhile, comes with a licensing fee. You'll find a host of open-source Linux applications available on the web; Windows hosting has fewer apps to choose from, but all come from licensed providers.

There are also many minor differences — for example, all Linux files are case sensitive, but Windows files are not. This means “Server.exe” and “server.exe” are different files in a Linux deployment, but they are the same for Windows users. In addition, Linux uses control panels like cPanel or WHM, while Windows uses Plesk.

I hope that helps answer your question artijain1900