Linux vs Windows VPS is a choice you make before anything else, because it decides how you log in, how much memory you need, what you pay each month and which software will run at all. Neither is better in general. Linux is the default for web servers, containers and most open-source stacks; Windows is the answer when your software only exists for Windows or your team works in a graphical desktop. This article compares the two on cost, access, resources and use cases, then gives a straightforward recommendation.
If you have not chosen a location yet, the VPS locations guide covers all 14 Cloudj countries. The operating system and the location are separate choices, but the OS list can differ by location, so check the console for yours.
Linux vs Windows VPS: the comparison table
| Linux VPS | Windows VPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Images on Cloudj | Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, CentOS | Windows (check versions in the console) |
| Licence | No licence fee for these distributions | Monthly licence fee, shown in the console before you deploy |
| Login | SSH with keys and/or a root password | Password login, usually over Remote Desktop (RDP) |
| Client to connect | Any SSH client | Remote Desktop client |
| Practical RAM floor | 1 GB is workable for light services | Plan for 2 GB minimum, 4 GB is more comfortable |
| Disk needs | A few GB for the base system | Tens of GB for the base system and updates |
| Administration | Command line, scripts, config files | Graphical desktop, PowerShell |
| Typical workloads | Web servers, Docker, databases, bots, VPN | .NET Framework apps, Windows-only tools, trading terminals, desktop apps |
Cost: the licence and the hardware it needs
The first cost difference is direct. Windows servers include a monthly licence fee on top of the server price. Cloudj shows that fee in the console before you deploy, so there is no surprise on the bill, but it is a real recurring cost. The Linux distributions offered (Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux and CentOS) carry no licence fee.
The second cost difference is indirect: Windows needs more hardware. Microsoft lists 2 GB of RAM as the minimum for Windows Server with the Desktop Experience and 32 GB as the minimum disk space, and in practice a desktop session with a browser and one application feels much better with 4 GB. A Linux server running Nginx and a small app can live on the smallest 1 vCPU, 1 GB plan. So a Windows workload often lands on a larger plan as well as paying the licence.
To compare real numbers, see live prices on the pricing page and choose the OS in the console, which shows the total before you deploy. Billing works the same way for both: pay by the hour from your balance, or prepay 1, 3, 6 or 12 months. The trade-offs between those two models are covered in hourly vs monthly VPS billing.
Access: SSH keys versus a password
Linux
On a Cloudj Linux server you can log in with an SSH key, a generated root password (visible on the server page), or both. Keys are the safer option, and you can disable password login once your key works. A first login looks like this:
ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IPThe SSH key setup guide walks through creating and installing a key, and the new VPS security checklist covers the next steps.
Windows
Windows servers on Cloudj use password login. You connect with a Remote Desktop client: built into Windows as Remote Desktop Connection, and available for macOS, iOS and Android as the Windows App from Microsoft. Because the login is a password exposed to the internet, use a long random password, keep Windows updated, and restrict the RDP port in the firewall to the IP addresses you connect from where possible. The step-by-step is in connecting to a Windows VPS over RDP.
Use cases: what each one is good at
Pick Linux for
- Websites and APIs on Nginx, Apache, Node.js, Python, PHP or Go.
- Containers with Docker and Docker Compose.
- Databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL and Redis.
- Bots, scrapers, cron jobs and automation tools.
- VPN servers like WireGuard, and reverse proxies.
Almost every open-source server tool is written for Linux first, and most tutorials assume it. Linux also uses fewer resources, so more of the plan goes to your application.
Pick Windows for
- Software that only runs on Windows, such as some accounting packages, older .NET Framework applications or vendor tools.
- Trading platforms and terminals that are Windows desktop applications.
- A remote desktop for a team member who needs a full graphical environment in another country.
- Testing websites or software in a real Windows environment.
Location-specific Windows guides are available for Windows VPS in the UK and Windows VPS in Singapore.
Mixed cases
You do not have to pick one OS for everything. A common pattern is a Linux server for the website and database, plus a Windows server only for the one tool that requires it. Modern .NET runs well on Linux, so check whether your application really needs Windows before paying for a licence. If you only need a Windows environment occasionally, an hourly server you delete afterwards can be cheaper than a monthly term; just remember that hourly servers are charged until deleted, even when stopped.
Once a server is set up the way you like, you can save it as a custom image and deploy copies later.
When a VPS is not the right tool
If you only need to host a small site and do not want to manage an operating system at all, shared hosting may be enough; see VPS vs shared hosting. If your workload needs a whole physical machine, read VPS vs dedicated server.
Verdict
- Choose Linux if you run web servers, containers, databases, bots or any open-source stack, you are comfortable with the command line, or you want the smallest plans and no licence fee.
- Choose Windows if your software only runs on Windows, you need a graphical desktop on the server, or your team works in Windows tools and Remote Desktop.
When in doubt, start with Linux. Switch to Windows only for the software that genuinely requires it.
FAQ
Is a Windows VPS more expensive than Linux?
Usually, yes. Windows includes a monthly licence fee shown in the console before you deploy, and it typically needs more RAM and disk than Linux, which can mean a larger plan.
Can I use an SSH key on a Windows VPS?
Cloudj Windows servers use password login. Use a long random password, keep updates current and restrict Remote Desktop access in the firewall.
What is the smallest plan for each OS?
Linux runs comfortably on the smallest 1 vCPU, 1 GB plan for light services. For Windows, plan for at least 2 GB of RAM and enough disk for the system, and check in the console which plans are offered with Windows in your location.
Are all operating systems available in every location?
The OS list can differ by location. Check the list for your chosen location in the console before you deploy.
Deploy with the right OS
Pick the operating system that matches your software, then choose a location and size in the Cloudj console. The console shows the full price, including any Windows licence fee, before you deploy, and you can compare plans on the pricing page.