Windows Based Hosting or Linux Based Hosting?
New website owners are always in a fix with the question of whether to go with Windows based hosting or Linux based hosting. Here are a few details to help you decide which one is best for your needs. The majority of the people think that if they’re using microsoft programming languages and applications with their website then they have to use Windows based hosting. But, in reality this should not be the case. Lots of people that use Windows as their operating system actually use Linux based hosting over Windows. Both Windows, as well as Linux, allow the use of MySql databases, PHP, and a lot more. Allthough it is a known fact that Linux has far superior management of memory and overall resources compared to Windows.
Windows based hosting is better for hosting files you created using Windows based tools. If you developed a web site in Windows FrontPage or the .NET environment, or any other Windows based software to develop your site, than you should consider Windows based hosting. If you did not use Windows based tools, then Linux based hosting is probably a better choice.
As far as security is concerned, there is really no difference between choosing Windows and choosing Linux, The difference lies in the hosting service provider you choose. Both operating systems are hackable. However, it is a general rule of thumb that Windows based hosting is more vulnerable to hacker’s attack than Linux based hosting. Anyways, if you are uncertain which to prefer, contact your hosting provider and don’t hesitate to tell them what exactly you plan to use their services for and what the details of your site are. A web host sales advisor or support technician will be best able to help you if he or she knows exactly what you plan to do with your hosting account.
Our personal recommendation would be to choose Linux hosting over Windows and to pick a web host that has been around for atleast 5 years. Mainly because webhosting companies come and go very often as the industry is extremely competitive. If we had to pick a specific webhosting company that meets this criteria, we would have to go with Hostgator. After all the very website you are viewing is hosted by none of than Hostgator.
