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CentOS 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:
 

Categories and Ranking

CentOS
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
6th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.1
Number of Reviews
69
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Windows Server
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
4th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.0
Number of Reviews
188
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category, the mindshare of CentOS is 5.5%, down from 8.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Windows Server is 9.0%, up from 8.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Operating Systems (OS) for Business
 

Featured Reviews

Mahender Nirwan - PeerSpot reviewer
In-depth documentation available and command-line utility works well
One issue I recently faced, but I think it was due to my IT support guys, was that when the server storage gets full, the service crashes. It's very difficult to regain access and stability in that situation. That could be improved. So, the stability might be improved. But I don't think it's a CentOS-level issue. The system administrators need to come up with a solution for that, but I don't think it's CentOS's fault. I haven't done any research [R&D] on this issue. There's one thing for sure. We recently migrated from CentOS 7 to CentOS 9, and it was a bit difficult. For example, updating Windows is simple; you just download it, and it takes about 15-20 minutes. But that's not the case with migrating from CentOS 7 to 9. We had to back up the entire server, launch a new server, and then restore the backup to the new server. We couldn't directly migrate. I think that was a bit of a problem. The setup and updates are not that new in CentOS.
VIJAY RAGAVAN - PeerSpot reviewer
Facilitate fast deployment and seamless network management in global enterprise environments
Network configuration and management in Windows Server is very easy, providing fast deployment, plug and play capability, and simplified partition creation. This ease is crucial for us as we operate in analytical sciences with multiple laboratories. Additionally, backup work is facilitated by our own backup deployment managers, enhancing our management capabilities.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The solution is easy to troubleshoot."
"It has minimal updates compared to other distributions."
"We particularly like that we can remove the graphic user interface to minimize attack settings for the operating system."
"The vendor updates the tool regularly to solve vulnerabilities."
"The most valuable feature of CentOS is the speed and it is very easy to use."
"It helps us install and deploy our applications."
"I like how you can alternate certain things and minimize admin features on there and just let it run on specific scripts. It's nice. Even if I had to put it in a container, I'd still do it. I prefer Linux over Windows any day."
"It’s scalable."
"This product works well for the applications that we have hosted on it."
"The GUI is familiar. Anyone who doesn't know how to use a file server can be taught to use the product in a few minutes."
"Windows Server can be used for any kind of application. It is an operating system that supports enterprise applications. There is no application that doesn't go with Windows."
"The main feature of the solution is the ease of use."
"The most valuable features of Windows Server for us are scalability, hardware compatibility, and support for various hardware interfaces like communication boards."
"Windows Server is very useful and easy to install."
"We observe cost savings through virtualization and the use of Microsoft Cloud, which decreases running costs."
"The features that I have found most valuable are that it is quick with an easy installation and has good troubleshooting compared to Linux or any other operating system."
 

Cons

"The interface could be improved."
"If a proper GUI-based tool was connected remotely or on the machine, it could be a great addition to CentOS."
"The solution might be discontinued but I hope that IBM will continue to develop it and improve on the functionally and features."
"GUI could be merged and expansion simplified."
"We would like Red Hat to keep supporting the solution but they have decided to get rid of it and there isn't much we can do about it."
"Previous versions were unstable."
"CentOS is not easy."
"We occasionally have issues with software installation."
"Sometimes we are getting very quick support, sometimes it takes time."
"In the next release, I would like to see better pricing."
"The performance from time to time can be a bit suspect."
"The scalability could be better."
"The solution is not easy to use and could be simplified. Additionally, the solution could have better integration."
"The Windows server image was quite large and took some time to be installed."
"Windows Server could improve by improving technology modernization."
"The solution is old so it is not user friendly. I assume that he newer versions would be better than our current one."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"CentOS is an open source that is free of cost."
"CentOS is cheaper compared to Windows."
"The solution is open-source and does not have any costs or licensing fees."
"There are no licensing fees. CentOS is a free solution."
"It's freeware, so we can use it without worrying about licensing."
"It is open-source, which means it is a free product. It has a one-time deployment cost."
"The solution is open source so is free."
"CentOS is an expensive solution. There are other solutions that are rated at the top that are not expensive, such as Red Hat."
"Windows Server needs to be more flexible with the minimum requirements with the license and options. We are on an annual subscription to use the solution."
"Windows Server is expensive. We purchase its yearly license."
"My company has an enterprise agreement with Microsoft. I feel that the price of the product is okay."
"It could be cheaper. Its licensing is on a yearly basis."
"There is a license to use this solution and the price is reasonable."
"There is an annual license required for this solution."
"Our licensing fees are paid on a yearly basis."
"There is not a license required for this solution."
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Comparison Review

it_user281973 - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 24, 2017
It's improved our company's system environments that run Oracle databases.
Red Hat is mission critical to our environment Red Hat has improved the mission critical environments running Oracle databases, while CentOS has improved our web environment and MySQL. Oracle and SAP Environment and all HPC environments. 10 years No issues Very stable i don´t find any problem…
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
17%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Government
8%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Computer Software Company
13%
Government
9%
Financial Services Firm
9%
University
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

Which would you choose - RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux) or CentOS?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux is fantastic. It is an inexpensive solution that has excellent security, performance, and stability, and also lots of features. I specifically like that the solution has fe...
What do you like most about CentOS?
CentOS is very easy to use, and all the commands are user-friendly.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for CentOS?
I am not responsible for the setup cost in my company, so I am unsure about the cost of the license.
What needs improvement with Windows Server?
I think there is room for improvement in the stability of older versions. Additionally, Windows Server could be more power-efficient, especially for individuals doing labs or studies on personal co...
What is your primary use case for Windows Server?
Windows Server ( /products/windows-server-reviews ) is the operating system we run on our servers. We use it in the IT department, primarily as the OS for our servers.
 

Comparisons

 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
Rakuten, Rackspace, Tyco
Find out what your peers are saying about CentOS vs. Windows Server and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
849,600 professionals have used our research since 2012.