With roughly 64.27% of the market, Microsoft Windows is the most popular operating system (OS) for computers worldwide. Linux has a meager 2.9% market share, placing it in sixth place. Still, Linux commands a market share of over 70% and is the operating system of choice for web hosting.
Despite the strange appearance, this makes perfect sense. Since Linux is an open-source operating system, installing it on your server doesn’t require a license. Additionally, you can select from a variety of language, database, and distribution options (distros). In addition to offering more community support, security, dependability, scalability, and compatibility, Linux hosting is less expensive than Windows hosting.
Although Windows Server operating systems are not open-source, Windows hosting is the recommended choice for gaming servers and is more user-friendly, compatible with Microsoft technologies, and eligible for extensive Microsoft customer support. We have simplified the process for you to evaluate the top affordable Windows web hosting companies. These are our best choices.
Best Shared Windows Hosting Providers
A single Windows server’s resources can be shared by numerous websites thanks to Windows hosting on a shared server. Owing to Windows OSs’ widespread use and user-friendliness, Windows shared hosting is inherently a beginner-friendly choice. It has fewer use cases, though, and Linux shared hosting is generally recommended.
A Windows shared hosting plan is a good choice if you are an ASP.NET developer, a first-time website owner, or a small business owner. The top Windows hosting companies for shared hosting are, in particular, ASPHostPortal, HostForLIFE.eu, and WindowsASPNETHosting.in. Continue reading to discover the plans that these hosts and others provide.
1. ASPHostPortal
Founded in 2008, ASPHostPortal is an affordable, dependable Windows Web hosting provider with a wide range of hosting options, ranging from beginner to advanced. Thirty percent of the two million websites it hosts are owned by web professionals. One-click installs for your preferred apps, unlimited bandwidth, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee are all included in each website hosting package.
One of the greatest providers of Windows shared hosting, particularly for ASP.NET developers, is ASPHostPortal. The program offers two plans, each with exceptional features like PHP, a Plesk control panel, latest Microsoft SQL Server 2022, strong administration tools (SmarterStats, scheduled tasks, file manager, secure directories, etc.), programming tools (ASP, ASP.NET 2.0 (3.5, 4.0, and 4.7), latest ASP.NET Core, AJAX, latest ASP.NET MVC, GD Library, and PHP), and much more.
These plans provide ASP.NET developers with all the power and flexibility they require: With features like Windows Server 2022, databases, instant backups, email capabilities, real-time server monitoring, and round-the-clock support, the Host One Plan is an entry-level option for beginners. Although it costs more, the Advanced Plan has extra features appropriate for enterprise-level applications.
2. HostForLIFE.eu
Given that HostForLIFE.eu is known for providing hosting plans tailored for more seasoned users, we are not surprised that it offers excellent ASP.NET and Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL) support. Prestigious Windows shared hosting provider with European datacenters and promising proprietary technology (like SSD caching) should be among your top choices.
It provides 4 shared hosting packages, inexpensive plan for Windows shared hosting with the option to register a domain name. An incredibly quick web server, SSD caching servers, speed optimization, infinite SSD storage space, weekly backups, a complimentary Cloudflare CDN subscription, and round-the-clock customer support are all included in the standard hosting package.
Numerous email features and one-click cloud app installs for WordPress, Drupal, nopCommerce, Umbraco, and Joomla are also included in the Windows hosting service! And now for the fun part: HostForLIFE supports multiple versions of the Windows Server operating system; an infinite number of MySQL and MSSQL databases; Microsoft SQL 2019/2022; support for PHP, ASP.NET,.NET, ASP.NET Core and Classic ASP languages; Plesk for central management; and support for modules such as ODBC and Silverlight.
It is important to note that HostForLIFE’s Windows shared servers only utilize 50% of their available resources, which enables the web host to accommodate the expansion of websites on their servers without experiencing problems with performance.
3. WindowsASPNETHosting.in
WindowsASP.NETHosting.in is one of the most well-known and reliable windows web hosting companies in Asia, home to about 1 million websites. It provides cost-effective, dependable, safe, and feature-rich plans that are ideal for developers, entrepreneurs, and novices alike.
WindowsASPNETHosting.in is a well-known windows web hosting company. You can easily find their shared hosting package on their site directly. They have 4 windows shared hosting package that you can choose and it comes with many rich features
WindowsASPNETHosting.in offers affordable Windows shared hosting plans that are well-suited for users of ASP, ASP.NET, MySQL, and MSSQL. These plans come with a number of features, including support for AJAX, CGI, Windows Server 2022 licenses, unlimited MySQL and MSSQL databases (found in the most expensive plan), a Plesk control panel, real-time security monitoring, DDoS protection, and much more.
Using your Plesk control panel, you can also install over 50 web applications, including WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla!, with just one click. Additionaly, WindowsASPNETHosting.in also offer cheap Windows VPS option.
4. EasyHostingASP.NET
Modern, reliable, and adaptable Windows web hosting services are offered by EasyHostingASP.NET, and they appeal to a wide range of clients. With so many Windows hosting options available, the web hosting company is especially appealing to Windows hosting enthusiasts. This web host is unique in that it provides managed Windows shared hosting services.
The managed Windows shared hosting packages offered by EasyHostingASP.NET are affordable, optimized for.NET websites, and powered by Microsoft technologies. These plans come with enough SSD storage space, free emails, a Plesk control panel, Windows Server 2022, Microsoft SQL 2019/2022 Standard Edition, and a dedicated application pool.
Features that meet the fancy of developers include IIS 10 hosting, full-trust ASP.NET access, and tools like ASP.NET Core, MariaDB, and PHP. The Personal plan from EasyHostingASP.NET is the most affordable Windows shared hosting plan; all other plans come with all of these features. In case you require additional memory, storage, bandwidth, or domains, you can choose a more expensive package.
It’s important to note that EasyHostingASP.NET is a fantastic choice for Windows hosting because it oversees more than 120,000 Windows websites and has over 10 years of hosting experience. Check out its Windows VPS hosting packages as well.
What Is the Difference Between Windows and Linux Hosting?
Although Linux and Windows hosting are not exactly the same, there are still some significant differences between the two. Open-source software is what Linux and Linux server distributions are. Linux distributions that are widely used for hosting include CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES), Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), and AlmaLinux.
However, because Windows Server OSs are not open-source, Windows hosting is by nature more expensive than Linux hosting (a Windows hosting license is required). Compared to Windows hosting, Linux offers more database options (IBM Db2, MariaDB, and PostgreSQL) and more language options (Perl and PHP).
Linux hosting is a no-brainer if you’re searching for a low-cost web hosting package and have the technical know-how to become proficient in it, especially for SMBs. All web hosting packages, unless specified otherwise, come with Linux or a Linux distribution as the operating system. Go ahead and get a Windows hosting plan if you depend on Microsoft technologies and goods and can afford to pay more for a Windows Server OS license.
Why Should I Use a Windows Server?
Most people don’t choose Windows servers as their first choice for hosting; instead, they are best suited for particular audiences. The following four factors support your decision to choose a Windows server hosting package:
- You love Microsoft products:A Windows server hosting plan is the best choice if you are a fervent supporter of Microsoft technologies and wish to include Microsoft products like Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft SharePoint in your hosting package. The only option available to ASP.NET developers is Windows hosting.
- It feels natural to use a Windows operating system:Owing to Windows OSs’ widespread use, there is very little to no learning curve for using Windows hosting. If you’re really flush, you can even invest in a managed Windows hosting package and just kick back while the experts take care of your website.
- For Gamers:Lastly, if you’re a gamer, your only choice should be a Windows server because NVIDIA Virtual Machine Image (VMI) enables users to quickly access virtual gaming machines that are operating systems on Windows servers.
Get a Windows hosting plan right away if any of these arguments resonate with you!
What Is the Price of Windows Hosting?
Although Windows operating systems are clearly more popular, very few web hosts provide Windows hosting. The main reasons for this are that Linux hosting is more affordable, more secure by design, less prone to outages, highly scalable, and compatible with a wider range of applications and technologies.
Windows hosting, however, has its own appeal, especially for fans of Microsoft, ASP.NET developers, and gamers. If you choose a Windows hosting plan for shared hosting, the monthly cost could range from a few dollars to $20, not including add-ons. A longer plan will always be more affordable because of its longer duration.
In contrast, the cost of a Linux shared hosting plan is almost half that of the same.
Why Do Linux Servers Cost Less Than Windows Servers?
Because a Windows Server OS license must be purchased separately, implementing a Windows server is more expensive than a Linux server. Although the license for Windows hosting is not paid in full, your web host pays Microsoft a perpetual monthly fee for its products, and Microsoft charges your web host a certain amount in return.
In addition to requiring more resources than Linux servers, Windows servers also come with higher infrastructure costs. Furthermore, Linux hosting provides additional features that satisfy the requirements of web designers. As previously mentioned, Windows is the most widely used operating system, but it has limited use cases for hosting.
In general, Windows servers cater to specific markets and might be a better option for businesses with intricate IT setups, even though Linux servers are a better fit for the majority.
What is the Fastest Cheap Windows Hosting Provider?
ASPHostPortal hosting exceptional blend of cost-effective and lightning-fast hosting makes it one of the top web hosts available. With a 99.9% uptime guarantee, ASPHostPortal infrastructure is incredibly dependable and powered by lightning-fast technology. AI-powered performance optimizations significantly speed up your website’s webpage loading time.
To put things into perspective, the page loading time for a website hosted by ASPHostPortal is only 0.225 seconds! Plans for shared web hosting are especially great. For example, the Turbo plan is inexpensive, provides limitless NVMe SSD storage, and is enhanced by the web host’s Turbo technology.
The VPS hosting packages from ASPHostPortal are very affordable and appropriate for small, medium, and large enterprises. Another quick web host, HostForLIFE, is even more affordable than ASPHostPortal Hosting. Remember that a reliable windows web host provides less than two seconds for the loading of a webpage. HostForLIFE has one of the fastest page loading times in the industry, at 0.59 seconds.
Which Are the Best Cheap Windows Web Hosting Providers?
Only a few web hosts provide Windows web hosting; among them, ASPHostPortal, HostForLIFE.eu, and WindowsASPNETHosting.in are excellent choices for shared hosting with outstanding plans. Additionally, ASPHostPortal and HostForLIFE.eu are worth looking into, particularly if you’re looking for inexpensive Windows hosting on virtual private servers.
ASPHostPortal, in my opinion, is slightly superior to HostForLIFE.eu as a Windows web hosting option. Having said that, each of the Windows web hosting companies on our list has special features, so thoroughly review them all and choose the one that best fits your hosting requirements.
