What is Windows hosting?
Windows hosting is web hosting where the server runs the Microsoft Windows Server operating system. It is the required environment for applications built with Microsoft technologies, including ASP.NET, ASP.NET Core, Classic ASP, and Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL). For most websites that use PHP or WordPress, Windows hosting is not needed.
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Overview
The majority of web hosting runs on Linux, which is open-source and free, reducing hosting costs. Windows hosting requires a paid Windows Server license, which is why Windows hosting plans typically cost slightly more than equivalent Linux plans. The extra cost is only justified when your application specifically requires Windows Server.
Windows hosting uses Microsoft IIS (Internet Information Services) as its web server instead of Apache or Nginx. The control panel is often Plesk rather than cPanel. Both provide graphical interfaces for managing hosting accounts, email, databases, and domain settings, but they have different layouts.
If you are building a website with WordPress, PHP, Python, Ruby, or Node.js, Linux hosting is the appropriate choice. These technologies run natively on Linux and have stronger community support and tooling in Linux environments. Windows hosting for non-Microsoft-stack applications adds unnecessary cost and complexity.
For developers working with the .NET ecosystem (C#, ASP.NET, ASP.NET Core, Blazor), Windows hosting or Windows Server virtual machines are the traditional hosting environment. Note that ASP.NET Core is cross-platform and can run on Linux, which has led many .NET developers to use Linux hosting even for .NET applications.
What is ASP hosting?
ASP hosting runs Microsoft web application technology; the exact runtime determines which hosting you need.
Classic ASP generally needs Windows and IIS. ASP.NET Framework also depends on Windows, while modern ASP.NET Core can run on supported Linux or Windows environments.
Ask the developer for the runtime version, database, deployment method and background-job needs. Ordinary PHP/WordPress hosting is not automatically compatible, and a Windows label alone does not guarantee the required version.
Common questions
Do I need Windows hosting for WordPress?
No. WordPress runs best on Linux hosting. Linux is the standard hosting environment for PHP applications including WordPress. Windows hosting is not needed unless your application requires ASP.NET or MSSQL.
Is Windows hosting more expensive than Linux hosting?
Usually yes, by a small margin. Windows Server requires a paid license, while Linux is free. The difference is typically $2 to $5 per month depending on the provider and plan.
What is the best Windows hosting provider?
Winhost is a dedicated Windows hosting specialist. Large providers like A2 Hosting, SiteGround, and GoDaddy also offer Windows hosting plans. Microsoft Azure is the most feature-rich Windows cloud hosting environment, particularly for .NET applications.
What is ASP hosting?
ASP hosting runs Microsoft web application technology; the exact runtime determines which hosting you need.