Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users

Ubuntu Linux vs Windows Server comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 7, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

ROI

Sentiment score
8.0
Ubuntu Linux offers cost savings, prolonged equipment lifespan, reliability, and efficiency, eliminating expensive licenses and enhancing operational stability.
Sentiment score
1.4
Windows Server boosts efficiency, stability, and system performance, offering business value despite challenges in quantifying financial benefits and ROI.
We're very competitive commercially and technically because of it.
We've seen value in Windows Server because the systems work smoothly without any problems.
Windows Server offers excellent value for money, particularly when compared to alternatives.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
6.6
Ubuntu users benefit from effective community support and forums, reducing the need for formal technical support.
Sentiment score
6.3
Customers experience mixed support from Windows Server, with some praising promptness and others noting delays and varying service quality.
Our in-house team can also solve most issues.
If you go through a partner who sells or supports Windows, the support could be around seven out of ten, because Windows relies on these partners for assistance.
Microsoft's technical support for Windows Server has been lacking, with rare responses even with premium support.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.1
Ubuntu Linux scales well across different organizations, supporting diverse infrastructures with appropriate hardware, open-source tools, and expert administration.
Sentiment score
8.2
Windows Server is praised for scalability and flexibility, efficiently supporting diverse environments despite some complex environment challenges.
I rate its scalability a ten out of ten.
It's definitely scalable.
The solution is used extensively in our organization, and we have plans to increase the usage.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.9
Ubuntu Linux is generally stable, especially LTS versions, but may encounter issues during upgrades or as a virtual machine.
Sentiment score
7.9
Windows Server is praised for stability and reliability improvements but faces challenges with updates, heavy load, and security concerns.
We have experienced no blue screens or crashes and often achieved an uptime of 2,000 to 3,000 days without any issues whatsoever.
Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.
The tool is stable.
 

Room For Improvement

Ubuntu users want better Windows compatibility, enhanced stability, user-friendly interface, improved gaming, and seamless integration with other systems.
Windows Server needs enhanced security, lower pricing, better integration, simplified management, intuitive UI, and improved performance and technical support.
Additionally, a more secure implementation would be good.
The solution should improve its stability.
From a security perspective, sometimes, malware attacks and hackers take advantage of the tool's vulnerabilities.
Deploying antivirus and firewall software on the server is advisable, but having an external firewall adds an extra layer of security.
 

Setup Cost

Ubuntu Linux offers a free, flexible operating system with optional paid support, ideal for cost-conscious enterprises managing servers in-house.
Windows Server licensing is complex and costly, with varying pricing models that often require detailed assessment and clearer structures.
The setup cost is free.
It is quite expensive.
Previously, a Windows Server with two processors cost around two 154 euros annually, but now it is estimated to be around 3,000 to 4,000 euros for the same configuration.
On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the most expensive, I rate it ten out of ten.
 

Valuable Features

Ubuntu Linux offers strong security, stability, and flexibility with a user-friendly interface, extensive support, and no licensing fees.
Windows Server offers robust features, scalability, and security with easy integration, enhancing performance and supporting diverse enterprise needs.
I find the terminal valuable for pasting some commands and using some software as well.
Windows Server is a stable and scalable solution.
The most valuable features of the solution stem from the fact that every Microsoft product is scalable, flexible, secure, and available on a certain budget.
The IP directory is the most valuable feature.
 

Categories and Ranking

Ubuntu Linux
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
2nd
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.7
Number of Reviews
139
Ranking in other categories
OpenStack (1st)
Windows Server
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
4th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.5
Number of Reviews
184
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2025, in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category, the mindshare of Ubuntu Linux is 16.8%, down from 23.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Windows Server is 9.6%, up from 8.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Operating Systems (OS) for Business
 

Featured Reviews

Kevin Haury - PeerSpot reviewer
Linux's advanced terminal empowers versatile usage and ongoing secure development
Initially, there was nothing complicated. It's easy since I have many years of experience with it. However, if I were a beginner with Linux, it could be completely disruptive compared to Windows. So, I would have to spend some time practicing with Linux to understand how it works and how I can accomplish the same tasks compared to Windows. Maybe one month, at least.
Sagar SampadMall - PeerSpot reviewer
User-friendly, resources available online to troubleshoot any issue
It's easy to manage core applications and deploy engineers. Windows engineers are more affordable than Linux or Unix engineers, so that's another advantage. So, the management costs are much lower for the Windows Server. Plus, troubleshooting is straightforward with readily available online resources, so we don't need to raise tickets or wait for help. We can easily search on Google and find the solution on the search engine. Windows Server is pretty mature already. They're doing a good job with it.
report
Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Operating Systems (OS) for Business solutions are best for your needs.
831,158 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
14%
University
10%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Educational Organization
9%
Computer Software Company
13%
Government
10%
Educational Organization
9%
Financial Services Firm
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

Which would you choose - Ubuntu Linux or Oracle Linux?
Ubunto Linux is a complete Linux operating system that is freely available with both community and professional support. This solution is suitable for both desktop and server use. It has a very app...
What do you like most about Ubuntu Linux?
It has a good support system for loading databases.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Ubuntu Linux?
Ubuntu Linux is open-source and free to use, which makes it cost-effective.
What needs improvement with Windows Server?
Sometimes the performance goes down, which might be due to the stability zone or network issues. It can also depend on our network.
What is your primary use case for Windows Server?
We are using Windows Server to connect our client software. We use it to access client systems and work on SQL databases.
 

Also Known As

Ubuntu
No data available
 

Learn More

Video not available
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Samsung, eBay, AT&T, Walmart, Cisco, Time Warner Cable, Bloomberg, Best Buy, Dell, Intel, Microsoft, Ericsson, Orange, Wells Fargo
Rakuten, Rackspace, Tyco
Find out what your peers are saying about Ubuntu Linux vs. Windows Server and other solutions. Updated: January 2025.
831,158 professionals have used our research since 2012.