Amazon Linux vs. Windows Server

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Amazon Linux
Score 7.3 out of 10
N/A
Amazon Linux 2 is a Linux operating system from Amazon Web Services (AWS). It provides a security-focused, stable, and high-performance execution environment to develop and run cloud applications. Amazon Linux 2 is provided at no additional charge. AWS provides ongoing security and maintenance updates for Amazon Linux 2.N/A
Windows Server
Score 8.2 out of 10
N/A
N/AN/A
Pricing
Amazon LinuxWindows Server
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Amazon LinuxWindows Server
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Amazon LinuxWindows Server
Considered Both Products
Amazon Linux

No answer on this topic

Windows Server
Chose Windows Server
More user friendly and Graphical user interface is extreme compared to linux
Best Alternatives
Amazon LinuxWindows Server
Small Businesses
Ubuntu
Ubuntu
Score 8.7 out of 10
Ubuntu
Ubuntu
Score 8.7 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Score 9.3 out of 10
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Score 9.3 out of 10
Enterprises
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Score 9.3 out of 10
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Score 9.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Amazon LinuxWindows Server
Likelihood to Recommend
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(63 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(6 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(7 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(1 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
5.5
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
6.4
(19 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(4 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(2 ratings)
Contract Terms and Pricing Model
-
(0 ratings)
4.5
(1 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
Professional Services
-
(0 ratings)
6.4
(1 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(1 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Amazon LinuxWindows Server
Likelihood to Recommend
Amazon AWS
we were having one scenario in which we have to install one application bundle to 7000 machines with Amazon Linux and it’s coming pre-installed with Amazon agent where we have installed and deployed the software very easily with system manager to the Amazon Linux. sometimes what it happens with SSM manager do not response and it goes off-line on Amazon Linux os frequently
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Microsoft
If you have one user or 1000's of users (especially using Windows), Windows Server is a no-brainer! The only reason I would suggest going with a Linux server is if you have old hardware (Windows Server is more process intensive than Linux). But, Linux is open-source, so anyone can publish updates/security updates, but on the flip side, malicious people also have full access to Linux's codebase allowing for much easier writing of exploitations/viruses/malware/ransomware.
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Pros
Amazon AWS
  • Security and kernel update
  • Repository management with Amazon Linux repo
  • Easy and convenient usage for beginners as well as professional guys.
  • Pre-installed with Amazon command line interface to interact with multiple services of AWS
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Microsoft
  • Easy to use due to its intuitive graphical user interface.
  • Very popular and makes integration easier.
  • Lots of software drivers available.
  • Has many functionalities such as Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, VPN, RDP, VDI server, etc.
  • Many patches and updates available. Maybe abit too much too often.
  • Cost effective and with budget.
  • Remote desktop feature simplifies remote access to this server.
  • It has a built in VPN and ssl certificate feature.
  • Event viewer is available for alerts, although it seems too cumbersome to go through the logs.
  • If you got too many Windows systems to manage, then SCCM is an option.
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Cons
Amazon AWS
  • There should be a graphical user interface because there is only command line interface available for this os
  • File transfer problem with other operating systems
  • Needs tools which should be pre-installed for network connectivity, checking like telnet etc.
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Microsoft
  • DHCP Server could be better - we use the router for DHCP Routing
  • Print Server - not a fan of using the server as a print server since you have to license it. Direct access to printers via IP addresses is a much more efficient way to go
  • Better backup program - we utilize a third-party program that gives us more flexibility when restoring individual files.
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Likelihood to Renew
Amazon AWS
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
I've carefully reviewed the servers and services currently running on Windows Server 2012, and given the opportunity would renew them as is going forward. There are two systems I currently have in place, one is a very large Linux implementation for a large ecommerce site, and one is a very large backup solution front ended by FTP servers running Linux. Neither are well suited for Windows, but the overall network infrastructure is and will be Windows Server for the foreseeable future.
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Usability
Amazon AWS
I have not found much issues with Amazon Linux when it comes to Compare operating systems as we can use basically everything on this Amazon machines and comes with rubber support AWS documentation on how to work with the Amazon Linux machine very minimal downtime or impact to operating system when it comes to crashing or rebooting due to some issues.
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Microsoft
There are simply too many different parts of Windows Server to make it a cohesive piece of software. While some of the newer features found in Windows Server 2012 and 2016 have nice UIs that are logically laid out, there are enough parts of the system that is still based on old code with clunky UIs and confusing options to make Windows Server a particularly user-friendly experience.
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Reliability and Availability
Amazon AWS
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
some times server hungs and user sessions were busy to connect
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Performance
Amazon AWS
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
need to improve the performance more
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Support Rating
Amazon AWS
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
Microsoft's support is hugely wide-ranging from articles online to having to contact them directly for the more serious issues. In recent years when I have contacted them directly, I have found the support o be excellent as I have found myself connected to very knowledgeable people in the field in which I needed the support. The online support available is vast and I tend to find most of the time that there is always someone out there who has had the same issue as me in the past and knows something about how to resolve it! This is the advantage of using industry standard and long-established systems such as Windows Server.
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In-Person Training
Amazon AWS
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
it was my senior who trained Windows Server features and i was satisfied
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Online Training
Amazon AWS
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
it was recorded session and useful
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Implementation Rating
Amazon AWS
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
Make sure that you have detailed processes in place for every server instance you plan to install/upgrade, if possible get the base OS loaded and Windows Updates applied ahead of time, and if using a VM take a snapshot prior to installing each role, as well as along the way.
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Alternatives Considered
Amazon AWS
Amazon Linux is very well suited when it comes to a very light operating system with all the features, high-performance in hardware congestion and good support from the Amazon. Others do have a support and good working features, but at lakhs a little bit when it compared with Amazon Linux in terms of performance and usage of the os.
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Microsoft
I didn't use any other system which gives the same functionality and I am not aware of any. The full integration between all components and especially the ability to integrate mail via Exchange or even via a hybrid setup with the Ofice365 cloud, including the ability to directly manage the cloud from the server, using Power Shell, is something I didn't see anywhere else.
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Contract Terms and Pricing Model
Amazon AWS
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
need to reduce a lot
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Scalability
Amazon AWS
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
yes i completely agree multi deployment
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Professional Services
Amazon AWS
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
i like the professional service but need to improve
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Return on Investment
Amazon AWS
  • Return of investment is much better than other operating system as we get robust Support along with OS license
  • When we compare cost of Amazon Linux with other Linux operating system, then we founded, it was much cheaper and efficient in performance as well as costing for Amazon machines
  • Software updates, deployment and tasks are very well handled with any hardware specifications, whether it is on very high higher specification or when it comes to low with huge workload
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Microsoft
  • Because of our Microsoft Campus Agreement, Windows products are fairly affordable for us and that has been a huge blessing. We are considering some Azure cloud options and some of that is covered under our Campus Agreement, making it a nice incentive to start migrating certain apps and functionality to the cloud
  • I don't have access to our budgets so I cannot give a good answer as far as the impact of ROI on our institution, but if your company can afford it, you cannot go wrong with Windows server. Not having to send your sys admins to Linux or Unix school alone is a big savings as well as not having to train your staff on using a Linux desktop instead of a Windows-based one.
  • The compatibility with end users of all varieties and platforms will definitely impact your ROI in a positive way. We have Apple users, Android, Windows, and even a few Linux end users on our campus and Windows server works quite well with all of them.
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