Windows Versus Linux Hosting

Windows Versus Linux Hosting
February 25th, 2008

Author: Mitch Keeler

As you may know (or possibly you do not) Lunarpages offers both Windows and Linux hosting. Now where some people often get confused is why do I need one or the other? Which is best and why should I use it. Hopefully I can help set some of the misconceptions straight.

Where do the Differences End?

With Windows hosting, the server’s operating system is one of the flavors of Windows. Yes, the same people who make Windows XP, Windows Vista and so on. Now with Linux hosting accounts (at Lunarpages, that would be your Basic and Business hosting plans) they use a Linux-based operating system.

One question I hear often is, “Since my computer runs Windows, do I have to have a Windows hosting plan?”. The answer is, “No”. What the server uses as its operating system and what you use on your own computer are two totally different things and do not have to be the same.

The big difference between the two is that they just have different ways of doing things. They also support different scripts, server technologies and so on. It is always good to have competition, so with both of these different flavors of hosting around they both are fighting with each other trying to top the other. As they offer new and more exciting features the users are the big winners.

What is Right for my Web Site?

As you can see, one is not really better than the other. They just provide two different ways of doing things. Think of it as making your sandwich with toast or with regular ol’ white bread. They may taste a little different, but when you get down to it they both get the job done.