| The differences between Linux and Microsoft | | | | Web Hosting. |
| Web hosting begin with the operating system the | | | | License |
| Web server is running. The Microsoft Web server | | | | Linux and Apache have an open-source license. |
| runs on a version of the Windows operating | | | | Windows and IIS are proprietary products |
| system, while the Linux Web server runs on one | | | | licensed by Microsoft. |
| of the Linux distributions. | | | | Cost |
| Web Server Software | | | | If you are building your own Web server, Linux |
| Windows Web servers use the Microsoft IIS Web | | | | hosting is less expensive than Microsoft hosting as |
| server software. Linux Web servers use the | | | | Linux and Apache are free to download and use. |
| Apache HTTP (Web) server software. | | | | Most Web hosting companies offer comparable |
| Technology Supported | | | | prices for either platform |
| Both platforms support applications and languages | | | | Performance |
| such as PHP, mySQL, POP3 and Python. Microsoft | | | | Linux servers generally perform slightly faster |
| proprietary applications such as Access, | | | | than Windows servers. But most users will not |
| Frontpage, Active Server Pages (ASP) and Visual | | | | notice a performance difference between the |
| Basic Scripts are only supported by Microsoft | | | | servers. |