In terms of website server operating systems, the two most popular platforms are Microsoft Windows and Linux. The debate over which is better rages on, but for most developers and website administrators, there is no clear winner. Rather, it’s a matter of tastes, technical background and specific software support. The main differences between Windows website servers and Linux website servers are outlined below.

Licensing

Microsoft Windows Server software is distributed under a proprietary license, meaning you have to pay for the software. Meanwhile, Linux is open source, meaning that there are no licensing fees. Of course, this doesn’t mean that Linux is free. Linux itself is not an operating system—rather, it is a kernel on which platforms are based. Whereas Microsoft Windows Server is a singular, replete platform, Linux comes in numerous distributions (“distros”). The two most popular are Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server—neither of which are free.

There are free Linux website server distributions, but most of these lack the support and features of the commercial distributions. Because of this, most businesses and enterprises shy away, since they may be less secure or reliable.

Web Applications and Server Side Scripting

This is usually the gamechanger when deciding whether to choose Windows or Linux. Each platform supports a different set of web applications and server side scripting. For example, Linux runs Apache, PHP and MySQL while Microsoft supports ASP.net, Sharepoint, Exchange Servers and other proprietary Microsoft web applications and languages. Choosing which server works for your business depends on the expertise of your staff and the types of software you want to run.

Security

This is another sticking point for most businesses and another debate that remains ongoing between the Linux and Windows camps. Linux proponents points to the fact that most viruses and malicious software targets Microsoft software. This is perhaps because Microsoft commands a vastly bigger market share, when considering client machines and server machines combined. In this way, Linux servers are thought to be more secure. Microsoft supporters detract this notion by stating that open source invites more opportunities for hackers to exploit loopholes. For example, Microsoft does no release its source code for its software, meaning that programmers and hackers won’t have as intimate a knowledge of how it works as they might for a Linux distribution.

Best of Both Worlds?

There is currently no consensus on which server platform is best, and there likely never will be. In fact, many are forgoing the entire argument and running both Windows and Linux servers. This is possible even with a single website server machine, since virtualized servers allow you to run separate platforms on the same machine. There are a number of pros and cons for each platform as well as some overlap in terms of software support and other technical issues.

Choosing the best website server platform for you is a matter of your technical expertise, background and needs. Consider your situation and resources before making an investment in either a Linux or Windows website server.