{"id":29970,"date":"2021-09-19T15:00:03","date_gmt":"2021-09-19T13:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/?p=29970"},"modified":"2021-09-20T12:43:48","modified_gmt":"2021-09-20T10:43:48","slug":"linux-or-windowshosting-for-wordpress-website","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/linux-or-windowshosting-for-wordpress-website\/","title":{"rendered":"Linux or Windows Hosting &#8211; Which Is Better for Your WordPress Website?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/how-to-choose-wordpress-hosting-provider\/\">choosing hosting providers<\/a> for your website, you\u2019ll often notice that the advice articles you can find online focus on the different types of servers and which package costs how much. That\u2019s important stuff, of course, but the decision whether to use shared or managed hosting or VPS or dedicated isn\u2019t the only one you\u2019ll have to make.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;28px&#8221;][vc_column_text]You\u2019ll also need to choose between Linux and Windows. Just like when choosing the operating system for your computer, you\u2019ll soon notice that both have flaws and strong points in terms of hosting. In this article, we\u2019ll try to figure out what they are, what use cases they are best applied to, and which one is better for WordPress hosting.<br \/>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;28px&#8221;][vc_column_text]In this article, you\u2019ll read:<br \/>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;22px&#8221;]<ul class=\"qodef-unordered-list-item qodef-toc\">\n    <li>\n\t        <div class=\"qodef-ul-title-holder\">\n            <span class=\"qodef-ul-title-content\"><a href=\"#how-good-is-linux\">How Good Is Linux as a Server Operating System<\/a><\/span>        <\/div>\n            <\/li>\n<\/ul>[vc_empty_space height=&#8221;5px&#8221;]<ul class=\"qodef-unordered-list-item qodef-toc\">\n    <li>\n\t        <div class=\"qodef-ul-title-holder\">\n            <span class=\"qodef-ul-title-content\"><a href=\"#what-about-windows\">What About Windows?<\/a><\/span>        <\/div>\n            <\/li>\n<\/ul>[vc_empty_space height=&#8221;5px&#8221;]<ul class=\"qodef-unordered-list-item qodef-toc\">\n    <li>\n\t        <div class=\"qodef-ul-title-holder\">\n            <span class=\"qodef-ul-title-content\"><a href=\"#which-one-is-better-for-wordpress\">Which One Is Better for WordPress?<\/a><\/span>        <\/div>\n            <\/li>\n<\/ul>[vc_empty_space height=&#8221;5px&#8221;]<ul class=\"qodef-unordered-list-item qodef-toc\">\n    <li>\n\t        <div class=\"qodef-ul-title-holder\">\n            <span class=\"qodef-ul-title-content\"><a href=\"#switch-from-windows-to-linux\">Can You Switch from Windows to Linux?<\/a><\/span>        <\/div>\n            <\/li>\n<\/ul>[vc_empty_space height=&#8221;80px&#8221;][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=&#8221;new-top-picks-banner&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;80px&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"qodef-h4\"><a id=\"how-good-is-linux\"><\/a>How Good Is Linux as a Server Operating System?<\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;21px&#8221;]<div class=\"qodef-single-image-holder    \">\n    <div class=\"qodef-si-inner\" >\n                                    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"969\" height=\"554\" src=\"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/How-Good-Is-Linux-as-a-Server-Operating-System.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"How Good Is Linux as a Server Operating System\" srcset=\"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/How-Good-Is-Linux-as-a-Server-Operating-System.jpg 969w, https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/How-Good-Is-Linux-as-a-Server-Operating-System-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/How-Good-Is-Linux-as-a-Server-Operating-System-768x439.jpg 768w, https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/How-Good-Is-Linux-as-a-Server-Operating-System-620x354.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 969px) 100vw, 969px\" \/>                        <\/div>\n<\/div>[vc_empty_space height=&#8221;38px&#8221;][vc_column_text]<strong>Linux is the open-source darling of people who don\u2019t want to spend tremendous amounts of money on software licensing, don\u2019t want to deal with viruses, and don\u2019t mind sacrificing a bit of their free time to get to a level of proficiency one needs to operate in Linux with ease.<\/strong> Linux might not be the operating system your average computer user would recognize, although chances are the same average computer user has been in contact with Linux more times than they were aware.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;72px&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"qodef-h5\">Linux Hosting Pros<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<strong>In general, Linux will be the more affordable, safer, and more secure option.<\/strong> This is mostly because it\u2019s not a proprietary product of a software giant and a huge target for miscreants of all kinds.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;28px&#8221;][vc_column_text]<strong>The operating system is also flexible, and its stability is legendary.<\/strong> Add to that the fact that it\u2019s not too demanding on the computer\u2019s resources, and you\u2019ve got yourself a very popular operating system that <strong>supports Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby, MySQL, cPanel<\/strong>, and many other languages, databases, and software solutions.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;72px&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"qodef-h5\">Linux Hosting Cons<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Linux, for all of its flexibility and stability, isn\u2019t the easiest operating system to use.<strong> Updating it can sometimes turn into a nightmare.<\/strong> Another notable problem with Linux is that <strong>certain software and hardware solutions aren\u2019t too keen on supporting a Linux port.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;68px&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"qodef-h4\"><a id=\"what-about-windows\"><\/a>What About Windows?<\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;21px&#8221;]<div class=\"qodef-single-image-holder    \">\n    <div class=\"qodef-si-inner\" >\n                                    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"969\" height=\"555\" src=\"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/What-About-Windows.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"What About Windows\" srcset=\"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/What-About-Windows.jpg 969w, https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/What-About-Windows-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/What-About-Windows-768x440.jpg 768w, https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/What-About-Windows-620x355.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 969px) 100vw, 969px\" \/>                        <\/div>\n<\/div>[vc_empty_space height=&#8221;38px&#8221;][vc_column_text]We all know that Windows dominates the personal computer operating systems market. While that makes it a household name of a magnitude that Linux will hardly ever achieve, it doesn\u2019t make it any easier, better, or more intuitive operating system for your website\u2019s server \u2013 even though it manages to check some of those features off the list. <strong>Windows is simple, and it\u2019s built to appeal to the consumer \u2013 it has that in common with its desktop versions.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;72px&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"qodef-h5\">Windows Hosting Pros<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<strong>Windows is a novice-friendly operating system that benefits greatly from the familiar graphical user interface if you opt for it during the installation.<\/strong> Given that it\u2019s such a popular operating system, you can expect to always have access to the latest drivers for the hardware it uses, just as you can expect it to be compatible with a wide range of software solutions.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;28px&#8221;][vc_column_text]As for the scripting languages it uses, <strong>ASP.NET is the big draw to Windows, as are MSSQL and Microsoft Access databases. Windows relies on Plesk instead of cPanel for administration, and it supports .NET applications.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;72px&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"qodef-h5\">Windows Hosting Cons<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<strong>Windows isn\u2019t cheap.<\/strong> Licensing costs money and having more users on a server won\u2019t help you split the bill into smaller chunks. <strong>Windows is an enormous target for bad actors who would threaten a website\u2019s security and try to infect it with malware, spyware, or ransomware.<\/strong> Add to it a lack of transparency, plenty of room for user mistakes, and a constant hunger for resources, and you\u2019ve got yourself a flawed but interesting operating system for your server.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;68px&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"qodef-h4\"><a id=\"which-one-is-better-for-wordpress\"><\/a>Which One Is Better for WordPress?<\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;21px&#8221;]<div class=\"qodef-single-image-holder    \">\n    <div class=\"qodef-si-inner\" >\n                                    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"969\" height=\"554\" src=\"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Which-One-Is-Better-for-WordPress.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Which One Is Better for WordPress\" srcset=\"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Which-One-Is-Better-for-WordPress.jpg 969w, https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Which-One-Is-Better-for-WordPress-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Which-One-Is-Better-for-WordPress-768x439.jpg 768w, https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Which-One-Is-Better-for-WordPress-620x354.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 969px) 100vw, 969px\" \/>                        <\/div>\n<\/div>[vc_empty_space height=&#8221;38px&#8221;][vc_column_text]<strong>Overall, if you plan to have a WordPress website, it would be better to look for a server that runs on Linux.<\/strong> It\u2019s more stable, reliable, and cheaper, and that would be enough to convince many website owners that Linux is the better choice. <strong>Linux machines can run for years, literally, without even having to be restarted.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;28px&#8221;][vc_column_text]Those aren\u2019t the only reasons to use Linux for WordPress, though \u2013 there\u2019s also the fact that Linux has an edge over Windows when it comes to running PHP easily, without third-party helpers. That\u2019s a big one. <strong>The market share of Linux should speak for itself \u2013 it runs roughly three-quarters of worldwide servers.<\/strong> So both in terms of what is better for WordPress, and what is a better option overall, Linux seems to have an edge. Up to a certain point.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;28px&#8221;][vc_column_text]<strong>In some cases, you might want to use one of the options that are Windows-exclusive, such as ASP.NET support, MSSQL, .NET applications, or Plesk as the administration tool.<\/strong> If that\u2019s the case, you\u2019ll have no other option than to seek out Windows hosting.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;68px&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"qodef-h4\"><a id=\"switch-from-windows-to-linux\"><\/a>Can You Switch from Windows to Linux?<\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Unless you\u2019re running a dedicated server, you cannot request a change of software that\u2019s used to run your server. <strong>If you want to switch from Windows to Linux, or vice versa, you\u2019ll have to switch whole services.<\/strong> Your hosting provider might be able to take care of that for you.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;28px&#8221;][vc_column_text]<strong>You should keep in mind, however, that certain things work on Windows that don\u2019t work on Linux and the other way around.<\/strong> So before you decide to change from one server operating system to the other, you should first be sure that your website is compatible with your future server operating system.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;68px&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"qodef-h4\">Let\u2019s Wrap It Up!<\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Linux and Windows are two great operating systems that have a lot going for them. They\u2019ve also split the market fairly reasonably \u2013 while Windows dominates the personal computer market, Linux is the most widely used operating system for servers. This means that, when you\u2019re hosting your WordPress website, mathematically you\u2019re more likely to end up on a Linux server and be all the better for it. Still, if at any point you decide to move your website to a Windows server, you might be able to do it as long as there are no compatibility issues.<br \/>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wondering whether to choose Linux or Windows hosting for your new WordPress website? One of them is usually a better choice &#8211; we&#8217;ll show you which one!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9295,"featured_media":29980,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[59,4,13],"class_list":["post-29970","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-resources","tag-hosting","tag-tips","tag-wordpress"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29970","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9295"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29970"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29970\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29970"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29970"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qodeinteractive.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29970"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}