When you are trying to decide what web hosting company to go with you may see that one of the hosting companies is offering Unix web hosting and another is offering Windows web hosting. There will even be times when you can choose one or the other from the same web hosting company. So what are the differences between Unix and Windows and which should you be using?
First of all it is important to note that it does not matter which type of web hosting you decide to go with when creating your site as the actual code used to create your website is essentially the same. The differences between Unix and Windows are actually differences that are more behind closed doors if you will. Here are some major differences between the two:
•Software: This is the biggest difference between the two. Because Windows is a Microsoft product it will stand to reason that the Windows web hosting will run Microsoft software such as VBScript scripting languages and Microsoft Access databases. Unix on the other hand will not be compatible with these types of software. If your website will require specific Widows or Microsoft applications it will better for you to go with a Windows web hosting service.
•Reliability: While both Unix and Windows web hosting are indeed very reliable, Unix does hold the slight advantage in this category and tends to spend less time ‘down’.
•Cost: A Unix web host will use any of a number of ‘flavors’ of Unix like Linux or FreeBSD. These operating systems are free and help to keep costs down. Windows on the other hand sees their server software cost thousands of dollars and this can mean more money out of your pocket as well.
•Bug fixes: Because Unix is run on free servers that mean that anyone has access to the full source code. While that may not sound like a good thing, when it comes to getting a bug fixed it is indeed a good thing as many individuals spend a good deal of time writing new code for Unix to help make it better and fix bugs. Windows though is again owned by Microsoft and because of that only Microsoft people have access to the source code which leads you to rely solely on Microsoft to fix any problems that arise.
So which one is right for you?
Before you make your final decision on whether to go with Unix web hosting or Windows web hosting you first have to figure out what features you will be running on your website. If you are going to use a bunch of Microsoft applications and software then you will of course need to go with a Windows web hosting service. But if your website will not be utilizing those types of programs then going with a Unix web host is going to leave you with more options and more than likely a better price as well. So the correct answer to the questions it, it is all up to you and your website’s needs.
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