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Ubuntu Linux vs Windows Server comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 19, 2025

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
6.8
Ubuntu Linux is free, extends older equipment lifespan, and efficiently manages tasks, offering significant cost savings over licensed systems.
Sentiment score
6.2
Windows Server enhances efficiency and cost-effectiveness with stability, reducing dependency, operating expenses, and time/resource usage by 10-20%.
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
6.4
Ubuntu users typically rely on community resources for support, with paid users satisfied by responsive customer service.
Sentiment score
6.4
Customers appreciate easy setup and positive support but note issues with response times and expertise for complex problems.
They responded well, understood that the issue was not on my end, and provided a patch within two days.
The community around Ubuntu Linux is beneficial, providing answers to questions and assisting with issues.
Ubuntu Linux has a comprehensive knowledge base for self-help.
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 is scalable and adaptable, effectively supporting various deployment sizes with proper hardware and technical expertise.
Sentiment score
7.9
Windows Server offers scalable expansion, supporting diverse user bases and enterprises, with integration capability for effective business adaptability.
In a server environment, it can seamlessly adapt to increased customer demand.
Any Linux is scalable in terms of capacity, and on a day-to-day basis, we use scalability options with the help of Kubernetes clusters.
So far, I do not have any issues related to security in Ubuntu Linux.
I've worked in companies with 20,000 to 100,000 users, and it scales beautifully without issues.
It's definitely scalable.
The solution is used extensively in our organization, and we have plans to increase the usage.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.8
Ubuntu Linux is praised for stability, especially LTS versions, despite occasional concerns with specific environments or newer hardware.
Sentiment score
7.6
Windows Server is praised for stability and reliability, though some users report security concerns and occasional compatibility issues from updates.
The system has been completely stable, which makes it deserve a perfect score.
Ubuntu Linux is extremely stable and maintains uptime effectively.
Ubuntu Linux is generally stable, though there can be occasional issues with new hardware integration.
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 Linux needs better Windows compatibility, user-friendliness, robust tools, support, and marketing to improve integration and reach.
Windows Server needs better performance alignment, security enhancements, clearer documentation, integration, UI simplification, and improved technical support.
There is a push towards integrating AI into software for various purposes like video and sound processing.
Stability issues occur when integrating new components due to physical or technical challenges.
Unlike CentOS, Ubuntu Linux lacks an easily accessible inbuilt repository where dependencies or packages are easily found.
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.
Windows Server needs to improve its speed and stability.
 

Setup Cost

Ubuntu Linux is an open-source, cost-effective operating system favored by enterprises, with minimal setup costs and optional paid support.
Windows Server pricing is seen as complex and expensive, but offers flexible licensing options based on business needs.
For an enterprise-wide scalable operating system with professional services, you can select Ubuntu Linux at a reasonable price.
The setup cost is free.
Ubuntu Linux is open-source, leading to cost savings through its free availability.
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 provides security, performance, customization, and ease of use, making it ideal for beginners and enterprises.
Windows Server excels in feature integration, performance, and ease of use, enhancing enterprise application management and interoperability.
Ubuntu Linux's open-source nature supports community contributions, bolstering its development and support ecosystem.
Ubuntu Linux supports remote troubleshooting via SSH, allowing connection from anywhere, which is beneficial for troubleshooting server issues.
In terms of security, I am satisfied with Ubuntu Linux and I can rely on its security features more than I can with Windows.
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
7.6
Number of Reviews
150
Ranking in other categories
OpenStack (1st)
Windows Server
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
5th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
194
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category, the mindshare of Ubuntu Linux is 11.5%, down from 18.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Windows Server is 10.0%, up from 8.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Operating Systems (OS) for Business Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Ubuntu Linux11.5%
Windows Server10.0%
Other78.5%
Operating Systems (OS) for Business
 

Featured Reviews

Salim Ahmed - PeerSpot reviewer
Has supported secure application hosting and reliable server management
I find the GUI to be good in Ubuntu Linux, and I appreciate the open SSH. The fact that it is free since it is open and open-source is why I appreciate it and feel it is secured. We have multiple different kinds of support related to Ubuntu Linux, including official support and other options. I am currently using laptops, desktops, and servers, and Ubuntu Linux supports all these devices. If I need it for Raspberry Pi or something similar, I can download another Linux distribution. Ubuntu Linux is scalable, especially for servers. We prefer using Ubuntu Linux Servers rather than Windows. The biggest advantage of Ubuntu Linux for me is that it is open-source, secured, and scalable.
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.
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
13%
Comms Service Provider
10%
University
10%
Educational Organization
8%
Computer Software Company
12%
Comms Service Provider
10%
University
8%
Financial Services Firm
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business84
Midsize Enterprise21
Large Enterprise52
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business78
Midsize Enterprise41
Large Enterprise87
 

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?
My experience with the pricing for Ubuntu Linux is that I always use the free version, so I never paid for any installations or support.
What needs improvement with Windows Server?
I don't have experience with Windows Server containers and Kubernetes for deploying cloud-native applications. I cannot provide specific improvements for Windows Server because I don't have extensi...
What is your primary use case for Windows Server?
At the office, the main use case for Windows Server involves different functions, for example, file server or firewall and the IIS server, Microsoft Internet Server, Internet Information Services. ...
 

Also Known As

Ubuntu
No data 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: September 2025.
872,029 professionals have used our research since 2012.