VPS Operating Systems Guide

Ubuntu Server is the most beginner-friendly Linux distribution for VPS. It has the largest community, extensive documentation, frequent updates, and the most tutorials online. Debian is another excellent choice if you prioritize stability over having the latest software versions. Both use APT package manager which is straightforward to learn.

Not anymore! ASP.NET Core runs perfectly on Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, etc.) and is actually the recommended approach for new projects. However, you need Windows Server if using legacy .NET Framework (not Core), MSSQL Server, Active Directory, or Windows-specific APIs. For modern .NET development, Linux is often the better choice due to lower costs and better performance.

Yes! Most VPS providers allow you to reinstall with a different OS through their control panel. This typically wipes all data, so backup first. You can usually switch between Linux distributions for free, but switching to Windows Server may incur additional licensing fees. Some providers offer one-click OS reinstall, while others may require a support ticket.

Ubuntu Desktop includes a graphical interface (GNOME) and desktop applications, consuming more resources. Ubuntu Server is command-line only (no GUI), optimized for server workloads, and uses minimal RAM. For VPS, you always want Ubuntu Server. The underlying system is identical - same packages, same repositories, same updates. You can install a GUI on Server if needed, but it's unnecessary and wasteful for most use cases.

CentOS Linux (stable version) was discontinued in December 2021. The recommended replacements are AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux - both are bug-for-bug compatible with RHEL and offer 10 years of support. They're essentially drop-in replacements for CentOS. If you have existing CentOS servers, migrate to AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux. For new projects, both are excellent enterprise-grade choices with strong community backing.

Always use 64-bit (x64/amd64). 32-bit is obsolete for servers and limited to 4GB RAM. All modern VPS hardware is 64-bit, and most Linux distributions have dropped 32-bit support entirely. Windows Server 2022 doesn't even offer 32-bit versions. There's no reason to use 32-bit on a VPS in 2025 - it only limits your capabilities without any benefits.

LTS (Long Term Support) releases receive security updates and bug fixes for 5-10 years versus 6-12 months for regular releases. For production servers, always choose LTS versions for stability and predictable maintenance windows. Ubuntu LTS (22.04, 24.04) gets 5 years of updates. AlmaLinux offers 10 years. Non-LTS versions are for testing new features or personal use where frequent reinstalls are acceptable.

Consider BSD when you need: advanced networking (routers, firewalls using pfSense), ZFS filesystem with snapshots, jails for lightweight containers, or maximum security (OpenBSD). BSD excels at network appliances and storage servers. However, BSD has smaller software ecosystems, steeper learning curves, and less community support than Linux. For most web hosting and general server use, Linux is the better choice unless you have specific BSD requirements.