Windows Server vs Linux Server: Pros, Cons & Best Uses

If you want to set up a new IT foundation or grow your IT foundation business, it is necessary to choose the right server which definitely affects various factors of your business. Currently, Windows and Linux are the two best operating systems for servers. Both solve different types of problems with their features. Windows server is very easy to use and provides compatibility with various software like Microsoft software and on the other hand Linux server comes with its low cost and flexibility as well as features like open source. Today in this article we are providing you complete information about Windows server vs Linux server. Along with this, we will discuss their features, advantages, disadvantages and various use cases in detail and consider which one is suitable for your business.

Overview of Windows Server and Linux Server

Here we are describing the main features of Windows Server and Linux Server along with a brief definition so that it becomes easier to compare these two and you can understand the difference between them better.

What is Windows Server?

Windows Server is an easy-to-use server operating system offered by Microsoft that belongs to the Windows family of various Microsoft products. It is highly preferred in enterprise environments due to its excellent compatibility with various Microsoft programs. In these servers, you get features like Active Directory (AD), a directory service, and SQL Server. Due to the GUI based interface, it is very easy to use for users who are used to Windows systems. Windows Server 2022 and Windows Server 2019 versions are currently the most popular versions that offer you Linux server-like security as well as cloud capabilities for storage.

What is Linux Server?

Linux server is known for its low cost, high level of flexibility and great security. This server system is famous for its stability and usability. You can make any changes in this operating system according to your application. In this server, you get some distributions like Ubuntu Server, CentOS and Red Hat Environment. There are different versions of Linux which provide convenience to different types of users. Linux server is very much preferred by various organizations for development work like game development, operating system development, application development, which requires a reliable web hosting platform. The popularity of Linux server is due to providing intuitive, fast and supported platform.

Windows Server vs Linux Server: Which Offers Better Performance?

1. linux Server vs windows Server Cost and Licensing Comparison

Windows Server operating system is not available for free. Users have to pay a price to use it. Its price can be more or less, depending on the version used with it and its type. It is a great option for businesses that use multiple versions like Microsoft Office that require an effective support system. Also, Linux Server which is available for free to all users, you do not have to pay any money to use it, but some versions used with it ask for a minimum price. Linux Server becomes a great cheap operating system for new start-up’s and small businesses due to its low price.

linux server vs windows
Importance: Linux Server which is available for free to all users, which makes it a better option for low budget and new businesses. Windows Server which offers a combination of many productive software like Microsoft which is suitable for businesses that perform many productive tasks.

2. linux versus windows server Operating System Differences

Windows Server Operating System is a type of Graphical User Interface which can be easily run and understood by new users. You do not need any kind of technical knowledge to run it. Even common users can run it easily. Whereas Linux Server uses Character Interface (CLI) more than Graphical Interface, due to which new users face difficulties in running and learning it because you need technical knowledge to run it but it has such cutting edge features which are not available in any other operating system.

linux server vs windows server
Implication: If we think about the installation and use cases of Linux Server, then Windows Server is better for this purpose which new users can easily run and learn but for experienced IT employees doing production work, Linux operating system is still a better option.

3. Windows Server vs Linux Server Security Features Comparison

The most important thing in choosing or building any kind of server is the security feature available in it. Windows server provides many security features like Windows defender but still it has some vulnerabilities. For complete security you may have to use external security software. Whereas Linux server is known for its strict and best security feature. It is able to provide stability and security for a long time. This operating system does not allow users to access the protected files easily and being open source, the problems that occur in it are quickly detected and resolved. But it is important to update both the servers regularly and set them up properly to get better security.

linux server vs windows
Impact: Linux server is the best choice for those users who demand long-term security and very less down time. Also, Windows server is a better choice for those users who want to actively deal with security issues to use different types of applications.

4. Linux vs Windows Server Performance

Linux is best suited for long-term applications like web servers and databases due to its great stability. You can easily use it with older hardware that demands very few and limited resources while Windows Server offers better performance in enterprise applications. In this we get the feature designed for networks using Microsoft resources but to run it you need the latest and highest level of resources. Yes, you can run the older version using old and limited resources but it may have issues like security and instability.

linux vs windows server
Impact: Linux is a great choice for new start-up’s and small businesses due to its great performance and low resource usage. Windows Server may be better for organizations that need enterprise-level or application-specific, high resource, software.

5. Software Compatibility

In terms of software compatibility, Windows Server is a better option as you get a wide range of supported software like Microsoft Office, it also includes .NET Framework and SQL Server. Also, you can download and run any software or application from the internet. It is a better option for businesses and users who are already working in a Microsoft environment. In Linux Server, we get less support with external software. It can be a great option in situations where organizations want to use open source technology that provides exceptional performance for web servers like Apache and Nginx. It supports most programming languages, so it is in great demand among developers.

windows vs linux server
Impact: Windows is a better option for companies that need maximum software support and have to adhere to compliance issues, while Linux may be suitable for those who are looking for flexibility and useful in the range of resources developed by user communities

6. Ease of Management and Support

For those users and business companies who don’t want to deal with command lines and technical matters and are looking for a pre-organized system, Windows Server is a great choice. Moreover, Linux Server is completely based on command line which may create some issues to use for new users but still it provides better management and customization capabilities. In Linux Server you get a set of resources with free support whereas with Windows Server it is paid and professionally supported by Microsoft.

linux server vs windows
Importance: Windows is also a better choice for those businesses and users who don’t need to make frequent changes to their system and Linux can be a better choice for those businesses who are looking for a highly customized and flexible environment.

7. Integration with Business Software

With Windows Server we get a lot of integrated software, which has support for many software, in this we get good compatibility with Active Directory, Office 365 and Azure, so it is a better choice for businesses that are already working with Microsoft. In Linux Server we get a lot of flexibility and freedom to change anything which provides a lot of flexibility for companies that do not want to work in a limited and standardized environment. With Linux you can change your server according to your needs.

linux servers vs windows servers
Importance: Small businesses can easily adopt Windows Server because of the Microsoft tools available in Windows. Linux can be a better choice for businesses that need a highly customized environment or those who want to try something new.

Related: Linux vs Windows: The Ultimate 2024 Comparison Guide

Windows server vs linux server pros and cons

We have here summarized some of the pros and cons of Windows Server and Linux Server together to make it easier for you to make a quick decision.

Windows server pros and cons

We have covered the main features and drawbacks of Windows Server here so that you can know its advantages and disadvantages in few words.

Pros:

1. Windows has a graphical user interface which makes it easy to use.
2. Windows provides tight integration with Microsoft products like Active Directory and Microsoft SQL Server.
3. It comes with support for a wide range of software which makes it easy for you to perform any task.

Cons:

1. To use Windows Server, you need to pay a high cost of license.
2. To perform more demanding tasks, you need high-end hardware which is available at a high price.
3. Risk of being attacked by viruses and hackers, you may have to use external software for complete protection.

Advantages and Disadvantages of linux

We have covered the main features and drawbacks of linux Server here so that you can know its advantages and disadvantages in few words.

Pros:

1. Excellent choice for new businesses as it is open source and available at a very low cost.
2. Great features for stability Ability to run on a variety of hardware environments.
3. Excellent security features and very low resource requirements.
4. Linux offers extensive configuration opportunities that allow customization to suit the needs of a particular service.

Cons:

1. Can be difficult for new users need technical knowledge to operate it.
2. Less support for some computer programs that require the Windows operating system.
3. In-house support is likely to involve more technical expertise than support generated from other communities.

Real-life applications and examples and benchmarking.

These use cases will show how each type of server can meet certain business requirements with its advantages and disadvantages.

Windows Server: Windows Server is a better choice for those businesses and users who are already working with Microsoft products or want to use a stable and pre-installed environment. It is good for all those organizations that need other Microsoft products and its support services.

Linux Server: This can be a great choice for those who are looking for an affordable solution with flexibility and great performance in the field of web hosting and production. If you are starting a new business or are a small businessman, then Linux Server is the right choice for you.

Big financial companies can use Windows Server as those companies have more tasks related to information and calculation and SQL Server provides compatibility with other Microsoft Office products to manage the information and calculation firm.

A web development company can use Linux servers that offer compatibility with Apache or Nginx to effectively host websites and web applications with the ability to adjust the server.

Conclusion

Windows Server vs Linux Server both have their own features that cater to different kinds of requirements, but to choose one of them, it is important to evaluate your requirement. Windows Server is a better choice for users and organizations who want to easily connect with Microsoft software products and are thinking of using a pre-configured environment, while Linux Server is a great choice for all kinds of developers who prefer an operating system that they can modify according to their wishes. So, before choosing one of the servers, you must evaluate your business requirements.