02 Dec Linux Web Hosting: Why Choose a VPS
When it comes to choosing the infrastructure for a new web project, one of the first technical decisions to face concerns the server’s operating system. Although several options exist, for over two decades one choice has dominated the market unchallenged: Linux. Approximately 80% of all websites on the Internet run on Linux servers, and there’s a very specific reason. Stability, security, flexibility, and a boundless software ecosystem make it the ideal foundation for almost every type of web application.
But what exactly does “Linux web hosting” mean? And why, to fully leverage its power, is a Linux VPS (Virtual Private Server) almost always the superior choice compared to shared hosting?
As a provider specialized in Linux-based VPS solutions, we at Servereasy want to guide you through this world. In this article, we’ll explore the concrete advantages that a Linux VPS offers, analyze the most popular distributions we make available, and help you understand which configuration is perfect for launching or growing your online project.
The goal is simple: to give you the awareness that choosing a Linux VPS is not just a technical decision, but a strategic investment in performance, security, and the freedom to evolve your site without limits.
The 5 Key Advantages of a Linux VPS for Your Hosting
Choosing a Linux VPS is not just a matter of technical preference. It means embracing a philosophy based on stability, security, and freedom. Let’s look at the concrete advantages this choice brings to your project.
1. Legendary Stability and Reliability
Linux systems are famous for their incredible stability. Unlike other operating systems that require frequent reboots for updates or to resolve slowdowns, Linux servers can remain active for years without interruption. This reliability translates directly into greater uptime for your website. For an online business, less downtime means more trust from users and better SEO performance.
2. Robust and Bulletproof Security
Linux was designed from scratch with a multi-user security model. Granular management of permissions on files and processes makes it extremely difficult for a user or application to compromise the entire system. The open-source nature also allows a global community of thousands of developers to identify and fix vulnerabilities in record time. With a Linux VPS, you have full control over firewalls (such as iptables or UFW), can configure advanced security policies, and isolate services to reduce the attack surface.
3. Flexibility and Total Control
With a Linux VPS, you have full root access. This means you’re not limited by your hosting provider’s choices. You can:
- Install any software or programming language (PHP, Python, Node.js, Ruby, Go).
- Compile specific modules to optimize performance (e.g., Nginx with Brotli).
- Configure and optimize every single parameter of your web server (Apache, Nginx), database (MySQL, PostgreSQL), and PHP.
- Schedule your cron jobs to automate tasks.
This freedom is unthinkable on shared hosting and allows you to tailor the server environment to your application.
4. Boundless and Free Software Ecosystem
The greatest advantage of Linux is its immense open-source software ecosystem. Almost every tool, application, or service you might need for your website is available for free. Web servers (Apache, Nginx), databases (MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL), programming languages, caching systems (Redis, Memcached), control panels (such as HestiaCP or Webmin): everything is at your disposal without licensing costs. This drastically reduces the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) of your infrastructure.
5. Optimal Performance and Lightness
Linux systems are known for being extremely lightweight and efficient. Not having a graphical interface (in most server configurations), all machine resources (CPU and RAM) are dedicated to running your web application. This translates into lower response times and the ability to handle a greater number of concurrent visitors with the same hardware. Combining a Linux VPS with our AMD EPYC CPUs and NVMe storage, you get an infrastructure with exceptional performance.
Performance, security, and total control starting from just €5/month. Choose your distribution and activate it in 5 minutes.
Discover Our Linux VPS
Which Linux Distribution to Choose for Your VPS?
We offer a wide range of Linux distributions, each with its own peculiarities. The choice depends on your needs, your level of experience, and the software you intend to use. Here’s an overview of the most popular ones.
| Distribution | Main Features | Ideal For | Experience Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Server | Extremely popular, extensive documentation, long-term support (LTS), large software repository. | Beginners and experts, general web development, Node.js and Python applications. It’s the most common and versatile choice. | Beginner / Intermediate |
| Debian | Famous for its legendary stability, slower release cycle, immense software repository. The foundation of Ubuntu. | Mission-critical production servers where stability is the absolute priority. Environments that don’t require the very latest package versions. | Intermediate / Advanced |
| CentOS / AlmaLinux | Derived from Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), widely used in corporate environments, support for panels like cPanel/Plesk. | Enterprise environments, traditional web hosting with cPanel, applications requiring RHEL certification. | Intermediate / Advanced |
| Arch Linux | “Keep It Simple” philosophy, rolling release (always updated), very high customization, excellent documentation (ArchWiki). | Expert users who want to build a minimal system from scratch and always have the latest software. Not recommended for critical production servers unless you’re an expert. | Advanced |
For most users, we recommend starting with Ubuntu Server LTS. Its enormous popularity means that almost every problem you might encounter has already been solved and documented online. It’s the easiest way to get a powerful and flexible Linux hosting environment.
Conclusions: Your Project Deserves the Freedom of Linux
Choosing Linux web hosting on a VPS infrastructure is not simply one of many options, but the industry standard choice for a reason. It offers you an unbeatable combination of performance, security, stability, and control, all at an extremely low cost thanks to the open-source ecosystem.
Whether you’re launching a blog, an e-commerce site, a SaaS application, or a corporate website, a Linux VPS provides you with the solid and flexible foundation you need to grow without limits. With our Cloud VPS plans, you can have all this on cutting-edge infrastructure, with latest-generation hardware, DDoS protection, automatic backups, and the support of a team of Italian experts by your side.
Choose the Linux VPS plan that’s right for you and get it online in less than 5 minutes. The power and flexibility of Linux await you.
Configure Your Linux VPS
What is the difference between Linux shared hosting and a Linux VPS?
The fundamental difference is resource isolation. On shared hosting, resources (CPU, RAM) are shared with hundreds of other sites, and you have no control over the system. On a Linux VPS, you have a portion of the server with guaranteed resources dedicated only to you, and you have full root access to install and configure any software. A VPS offers stable performance, greater security, and total control.
Can I install a graphical control panel on my Linux VPS?
Absolutely yes. Although Linux servers are primarily managed via command line to maximize performance, you can easily install free control panels such as HestiaCP or Webmin, or purchase licenses for commercial panels like Plesk and cPanel (the latter requires an RHEL-based distribution like AlmaLinux). This allows you to manage your server through an intuitive web interface.
Which Linux distribution do you recommend for a beginner?
For those new to server management, we definitely recommend Ubuntu Server LTS. It has a gentler learning curve, a huge support community, and a boundless amount of guides and tutorials available online. It’s the most versatile and supported choice to start with a Linux VPS.
Is it possible to change Linux distribution after activating the VPS?
Yes, with our Cloud VPS you have maximum flexibility. You can reinstall your server at any time by choosing a new distribution from our control panel. Keep in mind that this operation will erase all data on the server, so it’s essential to perform a complete backup before proceeding.
Is a Linux VPS suitable for hosting Windows sites or .NET-based applications?
No. A Linux VPS is designed to run Linux-native software. For applications based on Microsoft technology such as ASP.NET, .NET Core, or MSSQL databases, you need a VPS with Windows Server operating system. We currently offer exclusively VPS with Linux operating system.
How do I update software on my Linux VPS?
Having root access means you’re responsible for managing and updating software. Each distribution has its own package manager (e.g., apt for Debian/Ubuntu, dnf for AlmaLinux). Regularly running updates is a simple command-line operation and essential for security. If you prefer not to deal with this, you can consider our optional Managed assistance service.
Why is Linux considered more secure than other operating systems for web hosting?
Linux security comes from several factors: a granular permissions model that isolates users and services, less malware prevalence compared to other systems, and especially its open-source nature. Having open source code allows thousands of security experts worldwide to constantly analyze it, discovering and resolving vulnerabilities much more quickly.
Do you offer support for software configuration on my Linux VPS?
Our 24/7 technical support covers all aspects related to hardware and network infrastructure. We don’t offer direct support for software configuration within your operating system, as you have full control and management freedom. However, if you choose our optional Managed assistance service, our system administrators will take care of software management and optimization for you.
