Linux vs Windows Server

Updated March 4, 2023

Difference Between Linux and Windows Server

Linux vs Windows Servers is two of the important web-hosting services in the Software Operation Industry. Linux is basically an open-source software operating system that builds around the Linux kernel. It is a combination in a form called a Linux distribution for both desktop and server use. The main function of Linux OS is to manage software resources and their artifacts. Windows Server is basically a Microsoft product and is a brand name for a group of server operating systems. It is a set of operating systems developed by Microsoft, and the basic architecture is layered into user mode and kernel mode.

Linux

Linux is mainly centered around the Linux kernel. Linus Torvalds initially develops it in the year 1991. The main function of Linux OS is to manage software resources and their artifacts.

Basic features

1. It provides multi-user capability support.
2. One of the main features of Linux is its portability
3. It has the capability to handle many instances and tasks at a single point in time. This multitasking feature provides another layer of importance from the end-user perspective
4. It provides good community support for the end-user and also towards its maintenance and new implemented versions.
5. It provides 3 layers (Authentication, Authorization, and Encryption) security framework approach.

Pros

1. It is open-sourced and thus freely available
2. It is very secured and less prone to any cyber threats
3. It supports multitasking functionality
4. It also provides administrative from the system admin support perspective.

Cons

1. It’s not that user-friendly when compared to that of windows servers
2. From the gaming and entertainment support perspective, it’s less compatible than that of windows servers
3. It normally doesn’t have that much support from the driver creation and storage management perspective
4. From a technical support perspective, it is also a little bit on a lesser side than that of windows support

Windows Server

The releases of different versions are generally supported by Microsoft for 10 years, including 5 years of main support and 5 years of extended support. Windows Server is basically a Microsoft product and is a brand name for a group of server operating systems.

Pros

1. It is user-friendly and based on a graphical user interphase approach
2. It provides support to a large number of third-party applications
3. It provides long-term and extensive support to all the versions
4. It follows an easily customizable approach from the end-user perspective
5. System updates are easily installable compared to its competitors

Cons

1. It is not freely available and involved in a high-cost licensing approach.
2. It is vulnerable to security threats and cyber crimes
3. It is not a favorable option from the multi-user perspective.
4. It is also prone to user-made errors and malware.

Head To Head Comparison Between Linux and Windows Server (Infographics)

Below is the top 6 difference between Linux vs Windows Servers

Key differences between Linux and Windows Server

Both performances are popular choices in the market; let us discuss some of the major.

1. Linux is an open-source software operating system that builds around the Linux kernel, whereas Windows Server is a Microsoft product and is a brand name for a group of server operating systems.
2. Windows Servers are more user-friendly than that of Linux
3. Windows Servers provide long-term and extensive customer support whereas Linux also provides tech support to its users, but that is much lesser that of windows
4. Linux provides 3 layers of security approach and very secured to malware and cyber threats, whereas Windows servers are more prone to security threats and cyber crimes
5. From the gaming and entertainment perspective, windows servers are a more favorable option than that of Linux
6. Linux servers and software can be more easily modified than that of windows servers
7. From the end-user and customization perspective, windows servers provide more features than that of Linux

Linux vs Windows Server Comparison Table

The primary comparison is discussed below:

The basis of comparison	Linux	Windows Server
Definition	Linux is basically an open-source software operating systems that build around the Linux kernel.	Windows Server is basically a Microsoft product and is a brand name for a group of server operating systems.
Architecture	In the case of Linux, it is a combination in a form called as a Linux distribution for both desktop and server use. It is mainly centered around the Linux kernel.	In the case of windows server, it is a set of operating systems developed by Microsoft and the basic architecture is layered into user mode and kernel mode.
Cost-Effectiveness	Being an open-sourced product, Linux is easily available to the public and provides free licenses to the end-users; it only needs to pay for the installation and maintenance support.	In the case of a windows server, a user has to buy the licenses for usage purposes.
Mode of Operation	Linux is mainly based on command line mode of operation	Windows Servers use graphic user interphase to implement the operations
Security	In Linux, since users normally don’t have access to the core system settings, the violations and security gaps can be corrected quickly.	In the case of the Windows server, being a more user interactive server, it is prone to user errors. Thus, from a security perspective, Linux would be a better choice.
Support	There is also a lot of community support for Linux and its users. However, it is lesser than that of windows servers.	Although it is costly, they provide a larger range of community and paid support. Normally all the server versions  use to provide long-term customer support.

Conclusion

After comparing market share over a range of factors, it can be concluded that these are two major web-hosting services for application development, but at the same point in time, each one has its own pros and cons. So, before choosing any one of them, developers should learn and analyze different aspects of both systems. Thus, based on the type of project need, time of work, and other discussed aspects, any of these two should be selected to reach the desired goal.

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