If you want to host your website, then there are two types of operating system platforms available on which you may do the required task, and they are Windows and another one is Unix. Now the question arises: “Which one is better?” to host our website? It depends on your needs and the features, advantages and disadvantages of these operating systems, which you may consider before choosing one.
User-friendly: Windows hosting is very user-friendly, compared with UNIX hosting, as most people who use Windows as an Operating system on their computer said this. They said they use Windows anywhere in their home, workplaces, schools, and colleges. It allows you to point to the option and click on it to open, edit, delete, rename and many more. This Operating system is free, and its source code is well-documented and easily distributed. Most people have good experience with Windows; they don’t face any problems working with Windows, feel relaxed, and enjoy it. They say they would like to use this as their OS shortly. But if we talk about UNIX hosting, then the feedback from their users is somewhat different, as UNIX is a little bit complicated and does not have a friendly interface. Hence, users face a little difficulty and are unhappy using that.
Popular Microsoft tools such as MS FrontPage, MS Access and MS SQL are provided by Windows hosting, not by UNIX hosting. You are also provided with regular support and updates by Windows hosting; still, in the case of UNIX hosting, you may not benefit from regular help updating daily. Windows provides complete use of the programming ecosystems sponsored by Microsoft, such as Visual Basic Scripts and MS Index Server, to your web developers as they will develop your website with Microsoft tools like Visual Interdev and Microsoft Access. Still, UNIX hosting does not provide the same, as Microsoft does not give it. You may use some Microsoft technologies like Access, ASP or MS SQL with Windows hosting; for these technologies, you need Windows hosting server only, but UNIX hosting cannot be used with such Microsoft technologies. So, Windows hosting is suitable for those users who want to integrate different Microsoft applications into their Websites.
Cost: Windows hosting suffers from a few limitations. For example, it usually needs many system resources, such as a mighty machine, to run it. Most of its products are of Microsoft; thus, it involves additional investment for development tools, which is costly. Another negative point is that you will not get many free applications with it. Windows are always purchased, and their license is renewed continuously. Their plans are usually more expensive than UNIX-based plans. Plans UNIX mostly contain databases, free e-mail, community programs, MY SQL, etc, whereas Windows plans usually contain Microsoft software, which you must buy from the hosting company.
Security: Unix and Windows run programming languages like JAVA, PERL, and PHP. If the website uses active server pages or third-party applications (MS SQL 2000), hosting it on a Windows server is less risky and more secure than on a UNIX server. The most common disadvantage of using Windows hosting, which is known to everyone, is that it lacks server stability. It requires restart or reboot more frequently. So, regarding security, its server may be unsafe compared to UNIX hosting. UNIX hosting is usually more stable, performs faster and is more secure than Windows hosting.
Conclusion
If we discuss it from the point of view of individuals, then Windows hosting is a better option for them, as it is very user-friendly, which we have read above, compared to UNIX hosting. If you think from an e-commerce point of view, then you need to see the software packages before deciding on the hosting platform. It would be best to look at what companies offer before setting up. From the point of view of line business, both hosting platforms have their features, merits, and demerits. Thus, you must choose the hosting platform per your website’s needs.
