Web sites that are hosted on UNIX and Windows servers can be accessed universally. The difference between the two operating system lies in terms of the software they provide to server data. Windows can always provide better software services for all purposes. In terms of reliability, UNIX is just a few steps ahead since it is known to be extremely stable and does run for years without rebooting. However, Windows can manage to meet the requirements of modern websites far better than UNIX.

Windows is used where Microsoft products are into application like, MS Access databases, ASP for delivering dynamic content, and Vb Script for site enhancements. UNIX is not devised to accommodate the mentioned technologies. Therefore those who are in need of these technologies will ultimately have to depend on Windows. Moreover what UNIX provides, is already there with Windows.

They both have their pros and cons.

For example, with *nix you have modrewrite and more advanced directory/file permissions (chmod) which Windows does not by default. Windows does have file and directory permissions but not as easily set as chmod using an FTP client. However, there are IIS add-ons to achieve both modrewrite and chmod functions but they can be costly when added to the cost of the already expensive Windows Server OS.

With Windows you have applications such as Sharepoint and Access databases which *nix does not. Also, the programming languages that are specific to Microsoft are definitely a developer selling point.

Windows servers have come a long way in the past 5 years or so and are quite comparable to *nix servers in matters of reliability, so choosing between the two is really a matter of which programming platforms you prefer and not so much of which is more stable.

Plexihost got the point, in fact, choosing Unix or Windows host depends upon your requirements. If you are using Microsoft based technologies than surely you need to go for windows host otherwise you may go for Unix. Reliability is not more an issue with windows too, since many security solutions do exists and firewalls like applications from 3rd party family can be an extra advantage for windows based host for value added functionality.

In common observation, open source technology based websites are found to be hosted on Unix/Linux hosts. But, windows hosts were never left behind to accommodate open source based websites.

They both have their pros and cons. Choosing Unix or Windows host depends upon your requirements

Yeah its depends on your requirement but Unix has greater built-in security and permissions features than Windows.

Like was said earlier, this depends entirely on your requirements. Both can be secured and stable.

Yeap, its totally depends upon your website requirements. If you want to use php/mysql then linux and if asp then windows is better options. Also linux is cheaper than windows.

Linux is more secure and reliable, we have linux servers over 500 days. I have never seen that with windows.

Yep that is true LINUX and only LINUX!

I guess as Plexihost said, it depends on the programming platform you prefer.