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SUSE Linux Enterprise 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

SUSE Linux Enterprise
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
7th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
32
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
7.1
Number of Reviews
192
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category, the mindshare of SUSE Linux Enterprise is 7.0%, down from 8.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Windows Server is 9.2%, up from 8.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Operating Systems (OS) for Business
 

Featured Reviews

Naveen Venugopal - PeerSpot reviewer
Efficient IT management with crucial automatic updates but needs developer-friendly configuration
Sometimes it is a bit of work for developers to change the configurations. Some kernels will not fit with some packages, and this aspect could be improved. Furthermore, the system's rigidity when updating packages and services needs improvement. Additionally, there should be more loosely bound functionalities to improve developer experience.
Jai Prakash Sharma - PeerSpot reviewer
Efficient Management Achieved with Internal Resources and Reliable Technical Support
Maintenance of Windows Server varies by organization, but for us, it's not very difficult as we have in-house resources managing these tasks. However, it can become a bit tricky when we want to see a collated view of our security posture. Regarding AI integrations with Windows Server, Copilot adoption is progressing, though I have only experienced it on endpoints and not on the server side. We operate significant workloads on AI, but we consume those primarily on Linux rather than Windows Server. I don't have much experience regarding integration capabilities in Windows Server for AI workloads, so I may not be the right person to provide insights on that. Overall, I am quite happy with my experience using Windows Server. I don't have many constraints or concerns, so I would rate it eight out of ten.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"SUSE Linux's most valuable feature is the documentation - there is a lot of documentation about how to create custom servers."
"I like how the tool handles kernel modules and upgrades - we rarely have issues after upgrades, unlike with other Linux distributions like Oracle Linux or Ubuntu. The kernel module management is excellent. Changes made in one version typically work the same in other versions too, which isn't always the case with other distributions. There's also lots of information and community support available if you run into any problems, both on the official website and in forums and user groups. I know many people who use it specifically, so it's easy to get independent support if needed. I've been working with the tool for a long time, since 2003, before they became SUSE Linux Enterprise. It's always been one of the most admin-friendly Linux versions."
"It's easy to set up."
"The most valuable feature of the solution is the installation part...We don't face any issues related to the operating system or application."
"Linux is easy to use. You have more control on a Unix system."
"Some of the functionalities I like the most are the security features. This includes security restrictions on specific folders and secure communication for SFTP. These features are more secure and reliable. The tool also makes compliance possible."
"SUSE Linux Enterprise is stable."
"The product's initial setup phase was easy."
"Several years of improvements have been made to the software itself."
"I like that the solution is reliable."
"The stability of the Windows Server is good."
"Microsoft is a trusted brand and I enjoy working with it."
"There are a lot of features. Active Directory is most valuable."
"The solution is invaluable, we need it for file and emails servers."
"The tool supports many applications."
"We like the ease of use, stability and performance of Windows Server."
 

Cons

"We previously had trouble integrating Autodesk with the SUSE Manager, but the issue was resolved."
"I would like to see better functionality for interacting with cloud-based systems."
"The quality of support offered by SUSE Linux Enterprise is not that great, making it an area where improvements are required."
"They should probably just make clustering a bit simpler and also provide more descriptive log files for cluster services."
"I have not been overly impressed with their technical support."
"They should improve their educational portal."
"We have had trouble integrating Autodesk with the SUSE manager."
"Red Hat has more packages that are available than SUSE does. I'd love to see more projects based on SUSE."
"There should be the ability to add other databases to be installed and configured instead of going to other virtual machines. They should be better integrated so they are all in one place."
"One area that needs improvement is the management console."
"Stability-wise, there is room for improvement."
"The solution could be more secure."
"While the solution is stable, it could be more so."
"Sometimes the performance goes down, which might be due to the stability zone or network issues. It can also depend on our network."
"The solution would be better by implementing more security and integration."
"The price of Microsoft products has become expensive over the last two years."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The platform is affordable."
"The license we pay is for Oracle. We make use of the community edition."
"The product's licensing options align well with the evolving landscape of Linux variants."
"Anyone can use Linux because it is open-source."
"I have to pay for a license in order to get support."
"As far as licensing goes, there is nothing unusual here. The price and model have worked fine for my organization."
"There is a free tier and a paid support tier. If you do not need support, then the solution is free to use. If you need support then there is an option for that as well."
"The tool is expensive compared to Red Hat. I rate its pricing a nine out of ten."
"My company has an enterprise agreement with Microsoft. I feel that the price of the product is okay."
"The software costs are dependent on what CAL requirements you have."
"We have an enterprise agreement."
"It's expensive, but we have a need for it and have to purchase it."
"Windows Server's whole licensing model is complex because if you have, for example, Microsoft Office and end-user applications installed on a server with a remote desktop, then the licensing can be complex. If the model could be simplified it would be better."
"We had to purchase the solution and also the licenses to go on each computer system."
"There could be a one-time cost for Windows Server and not every month. It is a huge amount for the companies to pay yearly."
"We pay yearly for a license. If you ask any vendor they will tell you that it could be cheaper."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
15%
Manufacturing Company
12%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Government
8%
Computer Software Company
13%
Government
9%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Comms Service Provider
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about SUSE Linux Enterprise?
The initial setup is simple and takes five minutes for deployment and if you have automation in place, it will take four minutes.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SUSE Linux Enterprise?
I used the open-source version, so there were no setup costs.
What needs improvement with SUSE Linux Enterprise?
The software management side was a bit difficult, especially compared to Ubuntu. The software manager was different, making it challenging to install certain applications. Additionally, I encounter...
What needs improvement with Windows Server?
It's difficult to see improvements when using it daily. They improved compatibility with other platforms, such as Linux. One improvement I was thinking about some years ago was the ability to manag...
What is your primary use case for Windows Server?
I administer Windows Server. We have Windows 10 and are migrating to Windows 11 under my organization. The people who work with me are handling the migration right now. We have several servers, mos...
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Air India, Akademicki Szpital Kliniczny (ASK), Allone, Altran, Apollo, ARCHIVA, Asia Innovatory Management School, ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GmbH, AutoData Norge AS, Baldor Electric, Business Connexion, CASIO, Ciclum Farma, Delta Lloyd, Edumate , HPE,  SAP SE,  Lenovo, BMW, T-Systems, UCX, Turners & Growers, Shenzhen Development Bank, Bosch Group, JK Tyres & Industries, IOCL, European Space Agency, Daimler AG, China Minsheng Banking Corp, Café Coffee Day, Unisys,  Petrochina Company Ltd, Fitch Ratings, ABeam Consulting Co Ltd, Tyro Payments, Rackspace, Pacific Textiles, ...
Rakuten, Rackspace, Tyco
Find out what your peers are saying about SUSE Linux Enterprise vs. Windows Server and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.
856,873 professionals have used our research since 2012.