Practical guidance for choosing your VPS operating system, organised by what you’re actually trying to run. Last updated May 2026.
How to read this article
Most "Linux vs Windows VPS" articles are organised by operating system: here is what Linux does well, here is what Windows does well, you decide. This one is organised the other way round. You arrive with a workload in mind — WordPress, .NET, Node.js, a database, a game server — and we tell you which VPS operating system to choose for that specific workload, with a one-line exception that says when our recommendation might not apply.
Each workload section ends with a Verdict (the recommendation) and an If… clause (the exception). If the workload’s exception doesn’t apply to you, the verdict applies.
For broader context on why Linux dominates server operating systems generally — Linux runs on 61% of public web servers, 100% of TOP500 supercomputers, and the majority of cloud VM workloads — please see our companion piece on server OS market share.
The core principle: default to Linux, override only with reason
Of the eight workloads covered in this article, six recommend Linux VPS unambiguously, one recommends "either with caveats" (Microsoft SQL Server), and one splits into two paths depending on which management software you use. The pattern is consistent because it reflects a real underlying fact: most modern server software is built Linux-first, with Windows support added later, ranging from "full parity" to "minimum-viable port."
The conditions that genuinely require Windows VPS are narrower than most readers assume. They are essentially three:
- Legacy .NET Framework applications. Specifically the older .NET Framework 4.x (not modern .NET 10+). These applications require Windows Server and IIS, full stop. Modern .NET 10+ applications run on either Windows or Linux.
- Active Directory-integrated workloads. Applications that authenticate against on-premises Active Directory and require deep Windows integration.
- Specific Windows-only software. A small set of management panels (most commonly WindowsGSM for game servers), certain enterprise applications, and a handful of legacy database, accounting, or ERP tools.
Outside these three cases, Linux VPS is the operationally and economically correct choice. The rest of this article walks through the major VPS workloads and confirms which case yours falls under.
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A word on Websouls. Websouls VPS plans are Linux-based. For workloads in this article that recommend Windows VPS, our Windows option is available on the Dedicated Server tier with Windows Server licensing as an add-on. The workload analysis below applies regardless of provider; we have not adjusted the verdicts to favour our product mix. |
Workload 1: WordPress and PHP-based CMSs
WordPress runs more than 40% of websites globally, and PHP-based content management systems collectively (WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento, OctoberCMS, OpenCart) dominate the shared-hosting and VPS-hosting markets. If you are running a WordPress site, you are running a PHP application; this section applies.
PHP itself is cross-platform. The PHP project releases binaries for Windows alongside Linux, and PHP runs perfectly well on either operating system. But the production ecosystem is overwhelmingly Linux. The four leading web servers used to serve PHP applications — Nginx, Cloudflare, Apache, and LiteSpeed — are all Linux-native. Microsoft IIS, the only mainstream Windows web server, accounts for 3.3% of public web servers and has been declining for years.
Which PHP version
As of May 2026, PHP 8.5 is the current stable release (released November 20, 2025), and PHP 8.4 is the recommended production version. PHP 8.3 receives active bug fixes through December 2026 and security updates until December 2027. PHP 8.2 is in security-only support until December 2026. WordPress itself recommends PHP 8.3 or later. The official PHP support schedule and version policies are available at php.net.
Which web server: OpenLiteSpeed, LiteSpeed Enterprise, or Nginx?
For WordPress specifically, the web server choice matters more than the PHP version. Three credible options exist on Linux:
- OpenLiteSpeed is the free, open-source web server from LiteSpeed Technologies. It includes the LSCache plugin for WordPress, which is one of the most performant WordPress caching plugins available. For most WordPress installations—personal sites, small business websites, and mid-traffic blogs—OpenLiteSpeed with LSCache is the right default choice.
- LiteSpeed Web Server Enterprise is the commercial version, with vendor support, the full LSCache feature set, and broader configuration options. Choose Enterprise when you have a high-traffic WordPress site where licensing costs are justified by performance and support requirements.
- Nginx is the conservative alternative—widely supported across distributions, well documented, and one of the most widely deployed web servers globally. Choose Nginx if you want maximum portability across hosting providers and do not need WordPress-specific caching.
Websouls offers LSCache integration with both OpenLiteSpeed and LiteSpeed Enterprise on its hosting plans, which is unusual: most providers offer LSCache only on the paid LiteSpeed tier. For more on web server software market share, see our companion piece on server OS market share.
Which Linux distribution
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or AlmaLinux 9. Ubuntu has the largest community footprint, the most tutorials, and the longest free security update window (five years for LTS releases). AlmaLinux is the RHEL-compatible choice if your team has Red Hat operational experience or if you’re running cPanel (which requires AlmaLinux, Rocky, CloudLinux, or Ubuntu 22.04 LTS as of cPanel v134; Rocky Linux was removed from cPanel’s supported list in January 2026).
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Verdict: Linux VPS (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or AlmaLinux 9). For web server software: OpenLiteSpeed for most WordPress setups; LiteSpeed Enterprise where the licensing budget supports it; Nginx as the conservative alternative. If… the WordPress site is part of a Microsoft-centric IT environment with Active Directory integration, Windows VPS becomes acceptable but Linux is still preferred for performance. |
Workload 2: .NET applications and the Microsoft stack
This is the workload where the OS choice matters most, and where the conventional wisdom is most out of date. Many readers still believe .NET requires Windows. This was true in 2015. It has not been true since 2016, and the gap between perception and reality is now substantial.
Two .NETs, not one
There are effectively two .NETs running in production today.
Legacy .NET Framework (versions 4.x, with 4.8 the most common) is Windows-only. ASP.NET Web Forms applications, ASP.NET MVC applications built against .NET Framework rather than .NET Core, and applications using Windows-specific APIs all require Windows Server with IIS. There is no Linux path for these; they require Windows VPS or, in Websouls’ case, a Dedicated Server with Windows licensing.
Modern .NET (.NET 8, .NET 9, .NET 10) is fully cross-platform. Microsoft officially supports Linux deployment on Ubuntu, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Alpine Linux, and Debian. ASP.NET Core applications, Web APIs, Blazor Server applications, and gRPC services all run identically on Linux and Windows.
.NET 10 was released in November 2025 as the current Long Term Support release, supported through November 2028. .NET 8 is the previous LTS, supported through November 2026. .NET 9 is a Standard Term Support release, also supported through November 2026. Microsoft’s official .NET support policy is the authoritative reference.
Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server has supported Linux deployment since SQL Server 2017. SQL Server 2022 is supported on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8/9, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, and Ubuntu 20.04/22.04. SQL Server 2025, released in January 2026, expanded that support further. The core database engine performance is at parity between Linux and Windows; certain enterprise features (some Always On configurations, deeper Active Directory integration, specific clustering modes) work more smoothly on Windows. For most SME and mid-market SQL Server deployments, Linux is a viable production target. Most enterprise procurement still defaults to Windows out of operational familiarity rather than technical necessity.
When you genuinely need Windows VPS
After cutting through the legacy assumptions, the cases that genuinely require Windows Server are:
- Legacy .NET Framework 4.x applications (especially ASP.NET Web Forms and Windows Forms).
- Applications with deep IIS-specific dependencies (Windows authentication modules, certain URL rewrite configurations).
- Applications requiring on-premises Active Directory integration or specific Microsoft authentication patterns.
- Enterprise software that ships only with Windows installers (some accounting, ERP, and CAD tools).
Everything else — every ASP.NET Core application, every modern .NET 10+ Web API, every Blazor app — can run on Linux VPS, often with better performance and always with lower licensing cost.
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Verdict: Two paths. Windows VPS for legacy .NET Framework 4.x applications, IIS-specific workloads, and Active Directory-integrated systems. Linux VPS for modern .NET 10+ Core applications, including ASP.NET Core, Blazor, gRPC, and Web APIs. If… your team has only Windows operational experience and your application is modern .NET, Windows VPS remains a defensible choice; the convenience cost is real, but the Linux option is technically equivalent. At Websouls, Windows is available on Dedicated Server plans rather than VPS. |
Workload 3: Node.js and JavaScript backends
Node.js is the runtime that powers JavaScript on the server: Express APIs, NestJS applications, Next.js server-side rendering, real-time WebSocket services, GraphQL backends, and a great deal of modern mobile-app server infrastructure. Node.js used by 48.7% of developers in the 2025 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, making it the most-used web technology in the survey.
Node.js is cross-platform. The Node.js project releases binaries for Linux, Windows, macOS, and several BSD variants. But the production deployment pattern is almost entirely Linux. The reasons are historical and operational: the Node.js ecosystem, its package manager (npm), and the typical containerised deployment patterns (Docker images, Kubernetes orchestration) all assume Linux.
Which Node.js version
As of May 2026, Node.js 24 is the current Active LTS, supported until April 2028. Node.js 22 is in Maintenance LTS, supported until April 2027. Node.js 26 (released May 2026) is the current non-LTS release and enters LTS in October 2026. From Node.js 27 onwards, the project moves to an annual release cadence with every release becoming LTS, and the odd/even distinction ends. The Node.js release schedule is the canonical reference.
For production deployment, use the current Active LTS (Node.js 24 today) unless you have a specific dependency requirement. Maintenance LTS is acceptable for existing applications during migration windows; current non-LTS releases are for development and testing.
Which Linux distribution
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is the default choice. The Node.js project provides official Ubuntu packages, the Docker base images are built on Ubuntu or Debian variants, and the broader npm ecosystem assumes a Debian-family environment. Debian 12 is a fine alternative if you prefer minimalism. AlmaLinux works but you’ll occasionally encounter Ubuntu-specific guidance in tutorials.
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Verdict: Linux VPS (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS), running Node.js 24 (current Active LTS). Node.js is Linux-native in production. If… your team has only Windows operational experience, Windows VPS works but offers no advantage and adds licensing cost; we recommend against it for Node.js unless team-skill considerations override. |
Workload 4: Python applications
Python web applications (Django, Flask, FastAPI), data-engineering pipelines, scheduled jobs, and AI/ML inference workloads all share the same operational pattern: production Python is Linux production. The Python language runs on Windows, and you can develop on Windows comfortably (often using Windows Subsystem for Linux), but the deployment expectation is Linux.
Python 3.13 is the current stable release. Python 3.12 is in active support. Python 3.11 is in security-only support. Python 3.10 reaches end-of-life in October 2026. Django 5.2 LTS, Flask, and FastAPI all support Python 3.10 and later.
Web applications: Django, Flask, FastAPI
All three frameworks assume Linux deployment. The standard production pattern is: Nginx (reverse proxy), Gunicorn or uWSGI (application server), Python application, PostgreSQL or MySQL (database). This is sometimes called the "LEMP+Python" stack or just "the Python web stack." It runs on Linux VPS comfortably from 1 GB RAM upwards depending on application complexity.
AI/ML inference and CUDA workloads
Python is the dominant language for AI/ML inference workloads. If your application uses PyTorch, TensorFlow, or any framework requiring NVIDIA CUDA, the OS choice becomes more specific. NVIDIA officially supports CUDA on Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04 LTS, RHEL/Rocky/AlmaLinux 8/9, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15, and Debian 12. Ubuntu is the most widely-tested target for ML practitioners; the majority of CUDA tutorials, community packages, and benchmarks assume Ubuntu.
For VPS-class AI/ML workloads (small inference deployments, RAG applications, small fine-tuning runs on cloud GPUs accessed via VPS), choose Ubuntu 24.04 LTS specifically. Larger production AI workloads typically need GPU-equipped Dedicated Servers rather than VPS, but the OS choice remains the same.
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Verdict: Linux VPS (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or Debian 12). Python deployment patterns assume Linux; Windows works for development but not as a production target. If… your workload involves NVIDIA CUDA (AI/ML inference), Ubuntu 24.04 LTS specifically is the best-supported and most-tested choice. |
Workload 5: Containers, Docker, and Kubernetes
Docker is Linux-native. Containers share the host operating system’s kernel; a Linux container needs a Linux kernel to run, and a Windows container needs a Windows kernel to run. You cannot run a Linux container on a pure Windows host without an intermediate Linux environment, and you cannot run a Windows container on a Linux host. This is the most consequential single fact about containers.
On Linux VPS, Docker Engine runs natively and containers execute at near-native performance. On Windows, Docker Desktop runs via Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2), which spins up a lightweight Linux virtual machine inside Windows; Linux containers then run inside that VM. Performance is good but not native, and the typical Linux developer experience is smoother.
Windows containers exist and have legitimate use cases — specifically, containerising legacy .NET Framework applications or other Windows-native services for orchestration purposes — but they are a small share of the global container ecosystem. Docker reports that 71.1% of developers used Docker in the 2025 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, the vast majority of those on Linux.
Which Linux distribution
Docker runs well on Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, and most other mainstream distributions. The official Docker installation documentation covers Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS/RHEL/AlmaLinux/Rocky, Fedora, and others. For VPS deployment, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is the safe default; AlmaLinux 9 is the right choice if your team prefers an RHEL-family environment.
Kubernetes considerations
Kubernetes itself supports Windows worker nodes, with specific limitations: no host network sharing, no hostIPC, no hostpid namespace sharing, and several pod-specification differences. For typical VPS-scale workloads (small Kubernetes clusters, single-node K3s deployments, lightweight orchestration) Linux-only is the correct choice. Mixed Linux/Windows Kubernetes clusters exist in enterprise contexts but are not VPS-class workloads.
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Verdict: Linux VPS (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS). Docker is Linux-native; the Linux container ecosystem is where the platform was built and where most production workloads run. If… your workload is specifically Windows containers (containerised legacy .NET Framework apps or Windows-native services), Windows Server VPS with the Windows container daemon is required. Rare outside enterprise Microsoft shops. |
Workload 6: Databases
Database choice is more consequential than database-OS choice. For most databases, Linux VPS is the right call regardless. The interesting case is Microsoft SQL Server, where Linux became a real option in 2017 but enterprise procurement is still catching up.
The 2025 Stack Overflow Developer Survey shows the relative developer popularity of databases: PostgreSQL 55.6%, MySQL 40.5%, SQLite 37.5%, Microsoft SQL Server 30.1%, MongoDB 24.0%, MariaDB 22.5%. These are developer-popularity figures, not deployment-share figures; the gap matters because a developer using PostgreSQL in development might deploy it to a managed cloud service rather than self-host on VPS. For VPS deployment specifically, the most common databases are MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, and MongoDB.
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Database |
Recommended VPS OS |
Reasoning |
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MySQL 8 / MariaDB 11 |
Linux VPS |
Linux-native; Windows supported but offers no operational advantage |
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PostgreSQL 16 / 17 |
Linux VPS |
Linux-native; broader extension ecosystem on Linux |
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MongoDB 8.0 |
Linux VPS |
Linux is the documented production target; Windows builds exist primarily for development |
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Microsoft SQL Server 2019 / 2022 / 2025 |
Either (Linux supported since 2017) |
Core engine at parity; some enterprise features smoother on Windows |
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Redis 7 / Valkey 8 |
Linux VPS |
Linux-native; Windows builds are community-maintained only |
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SQLite |
Either |
File-based; OS is irrelevant |
Sources: Microsoft Learn: SQL Server on Linux; MongoDB platform support; PostgreSQL platform support (May 2026).
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Verdict: Mixed by database engine, as above. Default to Linux VPS unless Microsoft SQL Server is the engine and your organisation has procurement or operational reasons to keep Windows. If… you are running Microsoft SQL Server and your team has long-standing Windows operational expertise, staying on Windows is reasonable. Otherwise, Linux works for every other database. |
Workload 7: Hosting control panels
Control panels are the management interface that turns a Linux server into a multi-site shared-hosting environment. They handle account provisioning, email, DNS, SSL certificates, backups, and database administration through a web UI rather than the command line. They are common on VPS plans used for hosting multiple sites, reselling, or running internal client hosting.
Four major control panels matter for VPS deployment:
|
Control panel |
OS support |
Notes |
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cPanel & WHM |
Linux only |
Most established panel. As of cPanel v134 (January 2026): supports AlmaLinux 9/10, CloudLinux 9/10, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. Rocky Linux dropped in v134. |
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Plesk Obsidian |
Linux or Windows |
Cross-platform. On Linux: AlmaLinux 8/9, CloudLinux, Debian, Ubuntu 20.04/22.04/24.04, RHEL. On Windows: Server 2016 and later, including Server 2022 and 2025. |
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DirectAdmin |
Linux only |
Lightweight and cost-effective. Supports AlmaLinux, Rocky, Debian, Ubuntu, CloudLinux. |
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CyberPanel |
Linux only |
Built on OpenLiteSpeed. Supports AlmaLinux 8/9, Ubuntu 20.04/22.04 LTS. |
Sources: cPanel system requirements; Plesk Obsidian system requirements; DirectAdmin; CyberPanel (May 2026).
A specific operational note for existing Rocky Linux + cPanel customers: cPanel v134 removed Rocky Linux from its supported OS list in January 2026. Servers running v133 or earlier will continue to function but will not receive new features or security updates. Migration to AlmaLinux is the supported path; cPanel publishes a migration script.
Websouls supports cPanel, Plesk, DirectAdmin, and CyberPanel on its VPS plans, with the panel choice typically driven by application needs rather than OS — since all four run on Linux (Plesk also on Windows on Dedicated tiers), the panel decision and the OS decision are not the same conversation.
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Verdict: Linux VPS. AlmaLinux 9 for cPanel; Ubuntu 24.04 LTS for Plesk, DirectAdmin, or CyberPanel. If… reseller customers specifically require Windows Server for Plesk on Windows, Plesk on Windows is supported (on Dedicated Server at Websouls). Niche. |
Workload 8: Game servers
Game server hosting is a meaningful VPS use case: Minecraft servers, Valheim, Rust, ARK, Counter-Strike 2 dedicated, and dozens of others. The OS decision here is shaped less by the game itself — most modern games ship Linux dedicated server builds alongside Windows — and more by which management panel you choose to administer the servers.
The game server software
Most popular dedicated server applications support both Linux and Windows. Minecraft Java Edition server, Valheim dedicated server, Rust dedicated server, ARK: Survival Evolved server, and CS2 dedicated server all ship Linux builds via Steam, and Linux is the standard production deployment target. A small number of games (typically older or Windows-only PC titles) have only Windows server binaries.
The management panel
The management panel is where the OS choice actually gets made. Four panels dominate the game-server space:
|
Panel |
OS support |
Notes |
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Pterodactyl |
Linux only |
Free, open-source, Docker-based isolation. The most popular community game-server panel. |
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WindowsGSM |
Windows only |
Free, no web UI (desktop application). Lightweight, hobby and small-team focused. |
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TCAdmin |
Linux or Windows |
Commercial, dominant in the commercial GSP business. Per-server licensing. |
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AMP (CubeCoders) |
Linux or Windows |
Commercial, modular. Built-in firewall, mobile apps, free trial. |
The pattern that matters: customers who specifically request Windows VPS for game hosting are typically running WindowsGSM, which is Windows-only. Customers running TCAdmin or AMP can run either OS — in practice, the choice depends on team operational preference. Customers running Pterodactyl need Linux.
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Verdict: Two paths. Linux VPS (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS) for hobbyist or community game-server hosting using Pterodactyl, LinuxGSM, or AMP/TCAdmin on Linux. Windows VPS if you specifically need WindowsGSM, or if your dedicated-server software ships only Windows binaries. If… you are operating a commercial game-server hosting business using TCAdmin or AMP, the OS choice is operational preference rather than a panel requirement; either works. |
What this means in practice: the decision matrix
Eight workloads, three distinct OS verdicts. Visualised:
Your workload is in the Linux VPS group. Most readers will land here. Choose Ubuntu 24.04 LTS as the default; choose AlmaLinux 9 if you’re running cPanel or your team has Red Hat experience. Choose your control panel and web server based on the workload sections above.
- Your workload genuinely requires Windows. Legacy .NET Framework, Active Directory integration, or specific Windows-only software (WindowsGSM, certain enterprise applications). For workloads at VPS scale that genuinely need Windows, the operationally honest path is a Dedicated Server with Windows licensing rather than trying to force a Windows VPS arrangement.
- Your workload is Microsoft SQL Server or a hybrid stack. You have a real choice. SQL Server on Linux has been production-ready since 2017; if your team is comfortable with Linux administration, the licensing cost savings are meaningful. If your team is Windows-first, staying on Windows is reasonable.
The companion piece on this blog covers the broader server OS market data — Linux’s 61% share of public web servers, the supercomputing pattern, the Stack Overflow developer-preference figures — if you want the underlying numbers behind the recommendations above.
Source notes and methodology
Version-specific facts in this article were verified at the source pages listed below in May 2026. Software releases on a frequent cadence; the article is reviewed every six months and refreshed when major version changes occur (next scheduled review: November 2026).
|
Topic |
Source |
URL |
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PHP versions and support schedule |
php.net official supported versions |
php.net/supported-versions.php |
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.NET version policy and support |
Microsoft .NET support policy |
dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/platform/support/policy/dotnet-core |
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SQL Server on Linux |
Microsoft Learn: SQL Server on Linux |
learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/linux/ |
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Node.js release schedule |
Node.js Release Working Group |
github.com/nodejs/release |
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Docker / Docker Engine |
Docker official documentation |
docs.docker.com |
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cPanel supported OSes |
cPanel official documentation |
docs.cpanel.net |
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Plesk supported OSes |
Plesk Obsidian system requirements |
docs.plesk.com/release-notes/obsidian/system-requirements |
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Developer survey data |
Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2025 |
survey.stackoverflow.co/2025/technology |
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Server OS market share |
W3Techs |
w3techs.com |
Methodology note. This article makes specific OS-and-distribution recommendations for production VPS deployments. Recommendations are Websouls’ considered view based on operational experience and verified primary sources, not statements of universal fact. Where reasonable disagreement is possible (e.g., on .NET cross-platform stance, on which Linux distribution is best for a given workload), the article states the position and the caveat. Empirical version and compatibility facts are taken from official vendor documentation; commercial recommendations are our own.
Update cadence. Reviewed every six months and refreshed when material version changes occur. Last review: May 2026. Next scheduled review: November 2026.
