Windows vs linux web hosting?

What is the difference between the two? And which is better for a website?

Depends on your skill set... if you've been knocking out asp or .net applications, Windows. For everyone else, Apache (cheaper, more support, more ready to load/modify apps, etc.)

Linux is far more reliable... I wouldn't use windows unless I had to.

First off, Foghorn is right.

But speaking as someone with a PHP site, using a windows box and reading here about people using Linux; Windows seems pretty restrictive in what it allows you to do.

On top of that Internet Information Services 6 is overcomplicated and wasn't built with SEO in mind.

If I was given the choice I would opt for a Linux box and learn how to use it from scratch rather than use a windows one again.

Someone could earn some decent money by designing an SEO panel to replace\plug-in IIS.

My website is on asp. But you are right, Linux is cheaper than Windows. So, can I still go with Linux rater than Windows. i don't want to spend more money on hosting.

No, if you're using asp it has to be deployed from a Windows server.

Another benefit of using Apache is that you have more choice of scripting languages and tons of open source applications like blogs and content management systems.

I have used windows before for development but after moving over to LAMP (Linux/Apache/MySQL/PHP) I have found that it can do everything I want and then some. I would not use windows again.

Thanks all. I got my website hosted on Linux.



I know Foghorn, you suggested Windows because Im using asp. You are right about that. But I just could not afford it...so for now its on Linux. If I have problems in future will change it then. Thanks for your help.

I have been using windows for PHP and open source apps for a long time with no problems. The only problems are permissions and apps that need htaccess. everything that can be done with htaccess can be done through IIS Control panel. and permissions can be set using your acl manager. Rewrites can be done through IISREWRITE.

Of course my webhost has top notch support. It could definately be a problem if I didnt have the help that I do from the host.

When I have a choice, i use apache unless the application is ASP, however it is possible to do everything you can with Apache on a windows box, just takes more effort.;