--- title: "Windows Server or Linux VPS: which should you choose? | StreetHosting" description: "Compare Windows Server and Linux on a VPS by resource use, cost, access method, compatible software and learning curve, with advice for each type of project." url: "https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps" type: "page" language: "en-US" --- VPS · 3 min · Beginner Published on Jul 22, 2026 · Updated on Jul 22, 2026 # Windows Server or Linux on a VPS Your choice of operating system decides how much you pay, how much memory is left over and how you manage the machine. Here is when each one makes sense. By [Equipe StreetHosting](https://streethosting.com.br/en/autores#equipe-streethosting) · StreetHosting infrastructure and support team [Windows and RDP](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/windows) [Linux administration](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/linux) [Costs, plans and billing](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/costs) Summarize with: [](https://chat.openai.com/?q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fwindows-server-vs-linux-vps.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. "ChatGPT") [](https://claude.ai/new?q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fwindows-server-vs-linux-vps.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. 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"Perplexity") Share: [](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=Windows%20Server%20or%20Linux%20VPS%3A%20which%20should%20you%20choose%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fwindows-server-vs-linux-vps "Share on X") [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fwindows-server-vs-linux-vps "Share on Facebook") [](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fwindows-server-vs-linux-vps "Share on LinkedIn") [](https://wa.me/?text=Windows%20Server%20or%20Linux%20VPS%3A%20which%20should%20you%20choose%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fwindows-server-vs-linux-vps "Share on WhatsApp") For agents: Copy as Markdown [.md](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps.md) [Previous How to reinstall Windows on a VPS from the control panel](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps) [Next How much RAM, CPU and disk a Windows VPS needs](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/how-much-ram-does-a-windows-vps-need) In this guide 6 sections * [Quick summary](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps#resumo) * [Side-by-side comparison](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps#comparativo) * [When to choose Windows](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps#quando-windows) * [When to choose Linux](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps#quando-linux) * [Impact on cost](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps#custo) * [Next steps](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps#proximos-passos) Quick answer Choose **Windows Server** when the program you are going to run only exists for Windows or needs a graphical interface to operate. Choose **Linux** when the goal is to host background services such as websites, APIs, bots and databases, because it uses less memory and needs no license. You connect with RDP on Windows and with SSH on Linux. ## Quick summary[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps#resumo) The right question is not which system is better, but what you are going to run on the machine. The same VPS plan delivers very different experiences depending on the operating system, because the baseline resource use of each one is very different. If you need to see a window on screen to operate something, pick Windows. If the software runs on its own and answers requests, pick Linux. That simple rule is right in most cases. ## Side-by-side comparison[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps#comparativo) | Criterion | Windows Server | Linux | | ------------------- | ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | | Access method | RDP, with a desktop | SSH, from the command line | | Baseline memory use | High | Low | | License | May cost extra | No license cost | | Graphical interface | Built in and always present | Optional and rarely used | | Exclusive programs | Windows-only software | Mature server ecosystem | | Learning curve | Familiar to most people | You have to learn the terminal | | Automation | Good, through system scripts | Excellent, it is the standard in the field | ## When to choose Windows[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps#quando-windows) * The program you need to run only exists for Windows and has no equivalent. * You need to watch it run, click through windows or interact with an interface. * Your team has no time or interest in learning Linux administration. * You want a remote desktop, on 24 hours a day, to use as if it were a computer somewhere else. * Your workflow depends on office tools or legacy systems that require Windows. If you choose Windows, size the machine with room to spare. A tight plan that would run fine on Linux often stutters on Windows because of the system's baseline resource use. ## When to choose Linux[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps#quando-linux) * You are going to host websites, APIs, databases or bots. * The goal is to run continuous services with nobody watching the screen. * You want the most free resources for the same price. * Automation, scripts and reproducibility are part of your workflow. * You would rather not deal with operating system licensing. To pick a distribution, the comparison is in [Ubuntu or Debian for a VPS](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/ubuntu-vs-debian-for-vps). ## Impact on cost[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps#custo) A Windows VPS tends to cost more for two reasons combined: the system license, when it is charged separately, and the need for a plan with more memory to do the same work. Do the math on the total, not just the plan line. * Confirm whether the Windows Server license is included in the plan * Add up the cost of the larger plan that Windows requires in practice * Factor in the team time spent on each environment * Check whether the software really requires Windows or it is just a preference If only part of the project requires Windows, a mix works well: a cheap Linux VPS for the continuous services and a smaller Windows VPS just for the program that needs an interface. ## Next steps[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps#proximos-passos) 1. Went with Windows: follow [how to create a Windows VPS with RDP access](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/create-windows-vps-rdp). 2. Want to size it first: see [how many resources a Windows VPS needs](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/how-much-ram-does-a-windows-vps-need). 3. Went with Linux: start with [accessing your VPS for the first time over SSH](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time). To compare machines, see the [VPS plans](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps). In this guide * [Quick summary](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps#resumo) * [Side-by-side comparison](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps#comparativo) * [When to choose Windows](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps#quando-windows) * [When to choose Linux](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps#quando-linux) * [Impact on cost](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps#custo) * [Next steps](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps#proximos-passos) ## Frequently asked questions Is Windows Server on a VPS slower than Linux? On the same hardware, Windows has a much higher baseline memory use because it keeps the graphical interface loaded. That leaves fewer free resources for your applications, which in practice means less headroom. Can I run my Windows program inside Linux? Sometimes, with compatibility layers, but on a server that usually brings instability and headaches. If the program is built for Windows and has to run unattended, the safe route is to use Windows Server. Do I need to know Linux to use a Linux VPS? You do need to learn the command line basics. There is a learning curve, but it is short for common tasks and pays off in saved resources and licensing costs on projects that run in the background. Can I change my mind later? Yes. The control panel lets you reinstall the VPS with another operating system whenever you want, but the switch formats the disk. Plan the migration and take a backup before you switch. Next step See VPS plans Root VPS in Brazil with NVMe and Anti-DDoS. [See VPS plans](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps) [See Ryzen VPS Ryzen 9 9950X VPS in São Paulo with root access, NVMe and gamer Anti-DDoS.](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps/ryzen) [See Xeon VPS Xeon VPS for steady workloads, automation and long-running projects.](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps/xeon) ## Related guides [VPS Beginner How to create a Windows VPS with RDP access From the approved order to the first Windows screen open on your own computer. Learn how to install Windows Server on the VPS from the control panel and get your RDP login details. 4 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/create-windows-vps-rdp) [VPS Beginner How much RAM, CPU and disk a Windows VPS needs The cheapest plan usually disappoints on Windows. Here is what the system really consumes and how much is left for your applications at each size. 4 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/how-much-ram-does-a-windows-vps-need) [VPS Beginner Ubuntu vs Debian for a VPS: which to choose in 2026 Ubuntu and Debian are both great choices for a VPS. The best one depends on your experience, your project and whether you value stability or convenience more. 2 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/ubuntu-vs-debian-for-vps) [← Back to the Guide Center](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides)