The initial idea behind creating a VPS (Virtual Private Server) was to offer users the flexibility to choose an operating system on-demand regardless of the original one installed on their device. People use virtual private servers for different purposes, including gaming, trading, software development, virtualization, website hosting, setting up VPN servers, etc.
Depending on your specific needs, you can choose between two popular operating systems for a VPS: Windows or Linux.
What Is the Most Popular OS for A VPS?
Windows and Linux are both the most popular operating systems for a VPS. A virtual private server is basically an independent computer with dedicated hardware resources that allows you to install and use any applications or programs.
Windows is popular because it has a straightforward, simple user interface and is the best option for tech beginners. A lot of companies use Windows because it comes with excellent productive tools like Office 365.
Linux, on the other hand, is the go-to operating system for tech savvies. Because it is open-source, Linux offers a wider range of flexibility than Windows, which makes it the perfect option for software and game development.
Linux VPS Pros and Cons
Let’s start with the pros:
- As mentioned earlier, Linux is an open-source OS which is great if you know your way around coding and programming.
- Despite Windows, Linux is free, and you can install any application based on your needs.
- Linux is resource-friendly and operates well on low-end devices running on minimum hardware resources like 2 GB of RAM. This is the reason why Linux runs much faster than Windows.
- The customization features of Linux make it the most flexible operating system on the market. You can tweak Linux’s coding to suit your needs and preferences.
- Linux is significantly more secure than Windows because of its open-source infrastructure. Unlike Windows, which requires you to install all types of antivirus and firewall software, Linux takes care of the debugging and security updates on its own.
Now the cons:
- Linux is not for beginners. Although the interface is easy to use, figuring out the OS itself requires a bit of technical knowledge and effort.
- Linux is not compatible with Windows-based applications or programs.
- Although Linux is a great OS for developing games, it doesn’t support the most popular games because these games are mostly developed for Windows users.
Windows VPS Pros and Cons
Let’s start with the pros:
- Windows is the most user-friendly operating system and has a wide variety of applications to support day-to-day activities.
- Most popular games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Batman: Arkham City, and Lego Marvel Super Heroes are developed for Windows users.
- Windows releases regular driver updates and security patches that are essential for optimal performance.
- Windows has a simple and elegant user interface and comes with the Microsoft Office suite, an excellent tool for all-size businesses.
- Windows is compatible with most hardware and recognizes them upon plugging in.
Now the cons:
- Windows is not open-source, so you cannot change its coding in any way.
- Windows is not free and comes with expensive license fees.
- Windows is the go-to target for cybercriminals because of its popularity among users worldwide.
- Windows is a resource-hungry operating system and is not suitable for low-end devices.
- Some Windows applications come with yearly or monthly fees.
- Windows’s support team is not quick to respond, and if there are any bugs or issues in your OS that require immediate attention, you need to take matters into your hand or pay a fellow technician to figure things out.
Wrap Up
If you are used to simple and easy-to-use interfaces, Windows is probably the best option because it doesn’t require much manual interference. If you want a stable operating system for your daily activities and are also a gaming pro, go with Windows.
The most important drawbacks of Windows are its security issues, hefty license fees, and the fact that it is resource-hungry.
On the other hand, Linux is an open-source, free operating system that gives you the flexibility to customize your OS based on your needs. Linux works well with low-end devices and is extremely secure and fast.
The important drawbacks of Linux are that it doesn’t support Windows-based applications and it requires basic technical knowledge to work with.
Suppose your current OS is Windows, but you would like to use Linux’s customization features and overall functionality to scale your business. In that case, we suggest investing in the best Linux hosting VPS, which comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Test your Linux VPS and see how you like it.
