What’s the best OS for a VPS?

Choosing the right Operating System (OS) for your Virtual Private Server (VPS) is very important. It has a direct impact on a lot of things, including your VPS configuration, customization you can perform, applications you use, and your VPS performance. The OS is the basic interface to interact with the server and different operating systems interact differently.

So you must find the best OS for your VPS needs to get the most out of your server. In this article, we are discussing the factors to consider when choosing an OS for your VPS. We’ll also share some of the most popular VPS operating systems, their advantages, disadvantages, and use cases.

Let’s begin.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an OS for a VPS

Choosing an OS for your VPS is not a straightforward process. You will find the two most commonly-used operating systems in the market – Windows and Linux. Keeping that in mind, consider these important factors to get the best VPS for your website:

1. Performance and Resource Utilization

Your website performance is dependent on the operating system you utilize. A fast and stable server has a positive impact on the loading time, user experience, and website uptime.

The performances of Windows and Linux OS differ significantly because of the server resources they consume. While Windows has a Graphical User Interface (GUI), Linux utilizes Command Line Interface (CLI). Thus, the former eats up a lot of your server resources and negatively impacts your website performance, especially when the server is performing multiple tasks.

On the other hand, Linux OS consumes fewer resources as it uses CLI. It is faster and much more stable than Windows. Additionally, Linux helps in maintaining higher website uptime as it requires fewer system restarts after performing an update.

2. Security Features and Updates

Your operating system must be secure enough to protect your VPS against DDoS attacks and other security threats. Linux is an open-source software, unlike Windows. A whole lot of experts scan it for bugs and flaws constantly. So Linux users quickly identify all the backdoors and fix issues promptly.

Contrarily, a small team of experts watch over Windows and might not get to know about any new bugs as soon as they arise. Because of the above security features, Linux is the preferred choice of IT professionals.
Talking about the OS updates, you will receive regular Windows updates that are tested in advance by Microsoft experts. But Linux depends on its developer community for updates since it is an open-source software.

3. Community and Support

The support available with your OS is vital to solve any VPS issues you might face. Microsoft provides world-class support with its Windows system. It comes at a premium price but your problems are resolved quickly to prevent or minimize the server downtime.

Since Linux is open source, you’ll have to rely on community support to get answers to your queries. Unlike Windows support, it is available free of cost. However, you might not get a quick reply or there could be a situation where no one can answer your specific question.

4. Customization and Flexibility

The possibility to customize your server is an important consideration when choosing an OS for your VPS. Windows offers less flexibility than Linux. It poses several limitations in choosing your Content Management System (CMS) and site management tools.

Linux, on the other hand, offers more customization options because of its open-source nature, use of CLI, and package managers. So you will have more flexibility in choosing your preferred Content Management System (CMS) and other tools for your website when using Linux OS.

5. Compatibility with Applications and Services

If you are planning to use specific applications and services, it is important to know whether they are compatible with your VPS operating system. Windows OS is mainly compatible with Windows-based technologies along with popular languages. You will be mostly confined to the Microsoft ecosystem.

Linux allows you to go beyond Microsoft applications and services. It is compatible with a lot of open-source software. Also, Linux can handle Windows apps by using a compatibility layer like Wine. Thus, it is possible to utilize Linux OS for both Windows and non-Windows apps and services.

Popular Operating Systems for VPS

As mentioned above, Linux and Windows are the two most popular operating systems for VPS. Let’s get an overview of them below:

1. Linux-based OS

A Linux-based OS is built over a Linux kernel that handles Input/Output (I/O) requests and system memory. All tools for software package management, user administration, and file management are a part of the OS. You will find a wide variety of Linux distributions in the market today. The most popular ones are:

a. Ubuntu

Ubuntu is the most widely used Linux distro because of its scalability, security, and flexibility. It is capable of supporting scale-out computing and managing large clusters. Since it is open source, it is possible to add up to 100 nodes for free to your Ubuntu server.

Its latest version can run on top architectures, including s390x, ARM, Power, and x86. Additionally, it carries some powerful built-in software like Inktank Ceph and Apache Hadoop.
Ubuntu OS is available in both free and paid versions. The free one doesn’t include 24/7 support and extended security measures. You will have to rely on the community to find solutions to your problems.

b. CentOS

CentOS expands to the Community Enterprise Operating System. It is derived from Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and specially designed to support DirectAdmin or cPanel installation. But most of the distribution versions have been discontinued now and reached their End Of Life (EOL). So you must keep this in mind when choosing CentOS for your VPS.

c. FreeBSD

FreeBSD is a flexible OS with its initial version released in 1993. It offers superior performance, advanced networking features, and better security than other Linux distros. Because of its
powerful features and excellent performance, many top companies, including Nokia, IBM, and Netflix use it today.

d. Debian

Debian is one of the earliest Linux kernel-based operating systems introduced in 1993. It is a highly secure and stable OS because of which many government organizations, educational institutions, and businesses use it. Debian utilizes a unified packaging system and has an online repository carrying over 51,000 packages.

e. Fedora

Initially released in 2003, Fedora was developed as a Red Hat Linux continuation. It has a wide range of features, centralized support, and a faster release pattern. Fedora is a beginner-friendly Linux distro that also offers flexibility.
The OS is popular among professional Linux users because of its live mode tools feature. The Fedora package contains a KVM hypervisor that allows you to carry out powerful operations with ease.

2. Windows Server

A Windows server uses Microsoft solutions for website and database management. With a user-friendly interface, Windows makes it super simple to manage all hosting-related tasks. Additionally, Microsoft ensures to offer top-quality technical support whenever you’re stuck.

A Windows OS comes with hybrid capabilities with Azure, multi-layer security, and a flexible app platform. It carries secured-core capabilities that provide secured connectivity and protects against advanced security threats.
However, please note that Windows Server tends to consume more RAM memory compared to Linux distributations for web hosting purposes. So, if you are going with Windows server make sure you choose a memory-optimized virtual server.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Each OS

After having an overview of different operating systems, let’s look at their pros and cons below:

Pros of Ubuntu

● Ubuntu has a large community of people supporting and contributing to its development.

● You’ll find extensive documentation related to this Linux distro.

● Contributors frequently perform updates to Ubuntu and remove all identified bugs.

● Ubuntu offers excellent security for your server.

● You will have access to over 40,000 applications in the Ubuntu software center.

Cons of Ubuntu

● Some Ubuntu users experience compatibility issues between their hardware and the operating system even after satisfying all the hardware requirements.

● It doesn’t offer an easy-to-understand user interface.

● You won’t get the maximum customization capability with this Linux distro.

● People face installation issues with Ubuntu.

Pros of CentOS

● It is considered to be a replica of RHEL and compatible with almost all Red Hat software.

● It is a highly stable and secure operating system.
● You can easily customize it to suit your VPS needs.
● It supports cPanel and DirectAdmin control panels.

Cons of CentOS

● CentOS has been discontinued and its support will also be discontinued in 2024.

● You will have lesser documentation for this OS.
● It has a very small community, so finding help might become a difficult task.

● It is not a beginner-friendly solution and will require some initial learning.

Pros of FreeBSD

● It is a monolithic OS with a logical structure.

● FreeBSD performs extremely well on all hardware, whether new or old.

● All its code is present in a single repository containing the kernel and the supported drivers.

● It is a stable OS protected from hacking and malware attacks.

● It is easy to isolate processes, applications, and users with Jails and ZFS.

Cons of FreeBSD

● It might cause issues with driver installation on some devices.

● The OS has very limited developer support.

● It is not a beginner-friendly OS and demands time for learning.

Pros of Debian OS

● It has a package management system that provides you with access to 51,000 packages from its online repository.

● It is a highly customizable VPS solution.

● You will receive good support from the mature and vast Debian community.

● It is highly secure and, therefore, trusted by government organizations and educational institutions.

● Debian supports many architectures, including Intel x86, Intel 64, AMD 64, ARM, 64-bit IBM S/390, and more.

Cons of Debian OS

● Its official documentation lacks in a few areas.

● The bug and issue tracker of the operating system is outdated and needs improvement.

● Developers do not release any major updates frequently.

Pros of Fedora OS

● It contains multiple innovative features and the latest software versions for containerization and virtualization.
● It comes with a lot of applications and advanced tools for your VPS that allow the development of tailored solutions.
● Fedora is extremely secure with an extensive virus protection system.

● It is beginner-friendly with an easy-to-understand interface.
● It provides live-mode tools for Linux experts.
● Fedora supports multiple architectures, including ARMv7 and aarch64.

Cons of Fedora

● It is compatible only with new hardware, so you cannot use it on old servers

. ● Setting up Fedora requires ample time since it is a very slow process.

● All major Fedora updates require a server reboot.

Pros of Windows OS

● Windows OS helps in the efficient handling of some applications like MS-SQL, ASP.NET, and MS Access.
● It comes with a Graphical User Interface which makes it extremely easy to understand and work with.
● You will receive excellent technical support with a Windows server.
● Unlike Linux distros, Windows does not require a Secure Shell protocol. It provides a hassle-free way to manage server operations.
● Windows OS is highly scalable. You can easily scale up or scale down the server resources when need be.
● The availability of the remote desktop feature makes it easy to access a VPS remotely.

● It carries a built-in SSL certificate and VPN for server protection.

Cons OF Windows OS

● Unlike Linux distributions, the Windows OS has a license fee attached to it. You might also have to shell out additional money for some Windows applications.
● Windows has pushed many functions to PowerShell which were originally available in GUI.
● It consumes much more server resources than Linux distros.

Use Cases and Best Fit for Each OS

Since we know the pros and cons of each operating system now, let’s discuss which one is the best fit for different use purposes:

1. Web Hosting and Content Management Systems (CMS)

Linux is the preferred choice for web hosting and CMS. It offers much more features than Windows, so developers tend to use it for their website projects.

We also recommend using a Linux OS like Debian for a stable server. It is very reliable yet simple to use. Also, Debian works on most types of hardware. You can quickly deploy a server with Debian and get started with hosting your site.

2. Development and Programming

Out of Linux and Windows, the former is more versatile and faster than the latter. Linux is capable of compiling a lot of programming languages much faster than the Windows OS. You will notice a big difference in the code compiling speed even if you run Linux on a VM over a machine running Windows.

We recommend using Ubuntu for development and programming operations. It has an in-built Snap Store that will allow you to find and install new applications according to your programming needs.

3. Database Management

Prefer Windows for database management as it is super-easy to install, configure, and troubleshoot. Going with a Microsoft product like MS SQL will result in full compatibility between your OS and database system. However, Windows also goes pretty well with Oracle and MySQL too.

4. Gaming Servers

Both Windows and Linux are ideal choices for gaming servers. Your OS selection fully depends on the game you are developing.

Windows is a good option for beginners because of its Graphical User Interface and easy setup. If your game has Windows-only dependencies or needs third-party software compatible with Windows, it is better to choose this OS.

Linux is suitable for experienced users because of its complex nature. It is more stable, flexible, and secure, and can be optimized for performance. Java-based games like Minecraft run more efficiently on Linux as the OS can handle CPU-intensive processes quite well.

You can also utilize several community-supported apps in Linux, including gaming server management tools. Ubuntu, Debian, and CentOS are all great choices.

5. Business Applications

Linux is the best OS for business applications since it is reliable, versatile, and secure. It can handle even the most demanding business application needs. Additionally, it results in huge cost savings since it has no licensing fees. You can go with any of the Linux distros listed above.

6. Media and Streaming Services

Though most people prefer using Windows for media and streaming services, we recommend Linux for such use cases. It offers more stability, security, and a bigger resource library for finding different streaming software. Moreover, Linux consumes lower server resources than Windows. And when Netflix uses FreeBSD, it must be the best for such services!

Tips for OS Installation and Setup on a VPS

By now, you must have finalized the OS you’ll use for your VPS. Before you install it, check out the useful tips below:

1. Manual Installation

Manual installation involves several steps where you will be installing your OS from the control panel after purchasing a VPS with the necessary resources. You are responsible for searching the OS documentation on installation packages and installing the operating system.

2. Using a Preconfigured VPS Image

Using a pre-configured VPS image saves you time since the host itself configures a server as per your needs. Here your VPS is ready with its operating system as soon as you receive it.

3. Initial Configuration Steps

Performing initial configuration steps are important to successfully deploy a server without any issues. Ensure to access the server via SSH in Terminal or PowerShell to establish a secure connection. Though it’s good to work as a root user, we recommend creating a new user with superuser permissions as it helps you proceed with caution.

4. Security Best Practices

Always keep your server updated as all security patches are installed in the updates. Also, consider changing the default SSH port to prevent hackers from accessing your VPS. We also recommend creating an authentication mechanism by generating SSH keys. It will help you avoid any targeted hacking attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which OS is best for beginners?
Windows is, undoubtedly, the best OS for beginners because it is GUI-based.

2. Can I switch between OS on my VPS?
Yes, most VPS providers allow switching between OS on your VPS. But some hosts do not support such a change, so if you plan to change your OS in the future, choose a company that allows switching between different operating systems.

3. How often should I update my OS?

Update your OS at least once a month. Additionally, perform an update when your OS adds new features or undergoes significant improvement. An OS update also becomes essential when some performance issues or critical security problems are fixed.

4. Does the OS affect VPS pricing?

Yes, the OS does affect your VPS pricing. Linux is an open-source OS available free of cost while Windows is a licensed product from Microsoft. So a Windows VPS will be costlier than a Linux VPS.

5. Are there any OS-specific limitations for VPS?

Yes, the OS you choose will directly impact the performance of your VPS. It will also decide the applications you install and functions you can carry out on your server. That is why it is very important to choose the right OS for a VPS depending on your current needs.

Conclusion

You must remember that each operating system consumes a different amount of server resources. They vary in terms of flexibility, security, support, and stability they offer. Also, you need to look for the OS compatibility with the apps you are planning to utilize.

The best operating system for a VPS is different for different hosting needs. We recommend starting with an OS from the ones mentioned above based on their pros. If it doesn’t work for you, experiment with others and stick with the one that best suits your particular requirements.