Virtual Private Server Hosting

Every so often, a hosting company appears that offers users a choice between a Windows-based VPS or a Linux-based VPS. Since most computer users are more familiar with Windows than they are with Linux, it can be pretty tempting to pick a Windows VPS over a Linux one. The thing is, there's more to choosing a server's operating system than just picking what you're the most comfortable with using. Different operating systems can offer a different end user experience, which is part of the reason why Linux is the most popular choice of operating system for a VPS.
 
One big reason why Linux is often preferable to Windows is its pricepoint. Windows is commercial software, Linux is open source. This means that it's free to use, which is usually reflected in how hosting companies price their VPS packages. Windows comes with a licensing fee (usually in the area of $15 per month) that most hosting companies tack on to the cost of their virtual servers. If you want to avoid having to pay this licensing fee on top of your regular VPS rate, then you should choose a Linux based VPS instead.
 
Another big reason is that Linux is open source, so it's easy for people to download and tinker with. A lot of the web's most popular applications, like content management platforms like Joomla and Drupal, are open source. These open source applications are usually created and tested in a Linux environment- using things like cPanel, a Linux-based control panel. So, if you want to be able to use some of the most popular content development and management programs out there, you're better off choosing a Linux-based VPS, with cPanel.
 
Server reliability is a huge factor when it comes to choosing the right VPS. Nobody wants to pay for a service they aren't getting, which is pretty much what happens when users have to put up with excessive server downtimes. Linux servers are generally regarded as being more stable and reliable than Windows servers. The very nature of Windows (particularly the way that the operating system updates itself) means that it isn't going to be able to give you the same kind of server uptime as Linux. 
 
Lastly, cPanel is pretty much the industry standard for a control panel. Like Joomla and Drupal above, it's a Linux application. The Windows equivalent is Plesk, and isn't really as widely used. If you want to be able to work with this control panel, as well as use and develop applications or addons that work with it, you should pick a Linux VPS instead of a Windows one. 
 
There are a couple instances where it makes more sense to choose a Windows-based VPS, but they don't come up that often. For the majority of people shopping around for a good VPS, a Linux operating system is the way to go. If you're concerned about reliability, price, and being able to have access to the same content development programs used by sites like The Guggenheim Museum's website, Linux is your best bet.