Both Linux and Windows are great operating systems. Thus, your choice will mainly depend on your company’s specific needs, preferences, and the tasks to accomplish. While others have a dual-boot system or use virtualization to leverage both operating systems for various tasks, some companies prefer only Linux. They believe it’s better than Windows for many reasons.
Below, check out the top 5 reasons your company should use Linux Operating System over Windows.
- Performance
The reason many users prefer Linux over Windows is because they find that it performs better. One reason is it’s generally more lightweight and efficient in using resources than Windows. It can be an advantage on systems with limited hardware resources. On the other hand, Windows needs higher system requirements and can be resource-intensive, causing it to perform poorly.
Linux is commonly used in server environments where security, stability, and performance are crucial. Many web servers, including the more famous ones, run on Linux. While many use Windows in enterprise environments, most prefer Linux.
Many companies favour Linux over Windows due to its excellent speed and performance. It boasts a lightweight architecture, allowing it to run smoothly on older hardware, making it an ideal choice for companies who want to extend the life of their computers.
Those who switched to Linux from Windows have noticed a significant performance improvement, even on older hardware computers. It performs well even in resource-constrained environments, servers, and other development scenarios. If you want to use a high-performing operating system in your company, Linux is an ideal choice.
- Customisation
Linux offers a high level of customisation, allowing companies to tailor the systems to their specific needs. Because of this, users will have more control over the services and components running on the system, which further enhances its performance in particular scenarios. While Windows also offer some customisation options, it’s more restrictive than Linux.
Due to Linux’s highly customisable nature, companies can have control over their operating system. They can choose from various desktop environments, graphical user interfaces, and software packages to suit their systems’ specific needs.
Linux offers numerous desktop environments, including GNOME, XFCE, LXQt, etc. Companies using Linux can choose from any desktop environment, depending on what they prefer, according to functionality, look, and feel.
In addition, they can easily change the appearance of their Linux system by choosing different icons, fonts, and themes. This level of customisation allows users to develop a unique and more personalised desktop environment.
Linux distributions adopt a package management system that allows companies to update, install, and remove software easily. They can choose from a vast repository of software packages while customising their software stacks according to their needs.
Linux’s command line is a powerful tool for customisation, where users can automate tasks, create scripts, and configure several aspects of the system through the command line interface. A knowledgeable and adaptive workforce is essential in the field of customising. Linux hiring agencies are essential in creating a staff capable of designing Linux-based systems to your company’s specific requirements. By utilising specialised skills, your business can take advantage of Linux’s versatility, ensuring that every component of your system has been customised for your specific needs.
- Security
Many users find Linux more secure than Windows. Since Windows has a vast user base, it’s more susceptible to malware and cyber-attacks. While that does not necessarily mean Windows is less secure, Linux has much better security for many reasons.
First, Linux has a robust permissions model, where users can have specific permissions, and the principle of least privilege is encouraged. As a result, it limits potential security breaches. Meanwhile, Windows has a similar model with the User Account Control (UAC) prompts.
Secondly, Linux distributions have minimal default installations, which reduces the potential attack surface. Users can choose to add only the software they want. On the other hand, Windows has a much bigger attack surface since it has more features and services enabled by default.
In terms of Server Environments, Linux is the more dominant operating system for servers, often preferred for its security and stability features in server environments. Several web servers run on Linux, especially the more popular ones.
Both Windows and Linux have implemented advanced security features in their recent versions. Windows has added BitLocker and Windows Defender, while Linux distributions have tools like AppArmor or SELinux for added security.
It’s also worth noting that Linux is open-source, which means its source code is available to everyone. Such transparency allows the community to review the code. It also allows them to identify vulnerabilities and contribute to security improvements. However, some would argue that its open-source nature makes it less secure.
- Cost
The biggest advantage of Linux over Windows is it’s free to download and use, saving the business a significant amount of money, unlike with Windows, where you need to purchase licenses. Users can download, install, and use Linux without paying any licensing fees. In addition, users can access the source code and modify it to suit their needs.
Most Linux distributions, such as Fedora, Ubuntu, CentOS, and Debian, are freely available on computers, servers, and other devices. Furthermore, Linux can run on different hardware, including older and less powerful machines, which can be cost-effective for repurposing older hardware and deploying systems with lower specs.
Another way businesses can save money on Linux is it offers a vast repository of free and open-source software. With Linux, users can access various applications without paying added costs.
- Privacy
Linux has privacy-friendly characteristics, making it a better choice than Windows in terms of privacy. Unlike Windows, it will not collect user data and has no tracking features. Therefore, users of Linux will have peace of mind knowing their data is safe.
Linux offers users a high level of control over their systems, which means they can customise and configure Linux installations. It also respects user preferences when it comes to privacy settings.
Some of the Linux distributions are developed with privacy in mind. For instance, Tails is a live operating system that will leave no trace on the computer, routing all internet traffic through the Tor network, which enhances user privacy.
Linux offers a variety of open-source software alternatives respecting user privacy. With this option, users can choose the software that aligns the most with privacy principles, avoiding proprietary applications that tend to collect and share user data.