Advantages of a Linux Shared Hosting Server compared to a Windows Shared Hosting Server
Linux Hosting
Security: Linux is more secure than Windows.
Funtionality: Apart that Linux initially started more or less as a hobby by Linus Torvalds, nowadays Linux became one of the most powerfool OS. Many companies, using Linux on their machines, have as goal to develop the LINUX more and more.
Reliability: There are real cases of Linux servers running for one year or even more without any downtime or other technicial issue.
Price: As Linux is an open source software, this drives to a lower hosting price on the client part.
Open Source: It is known that most applications are compatible with Linux and mostly those coded in PHP with MySQL or PostgreSQL databases. Also application done on Linux are compatible with other OS, like Windows.
Disadvantages
The main disadvantage is that windows web based application or websites are not compatible with Linux. So Dot NET technologies, like VB.Net, ASP.Net, Microsoft SQL, are not working on Linux.
Windows Hosting
Security: Most viruses are built for Windows. That's why an AV should always be available for it. So Windows is not that secure as Linux.
Functionality: Windows may not be as functional as Linux.
Reliability: Servers with Windows on them may encounter problems during a longer period.
Price: As Windows is a licensed software, prices for Windows Hosting Servers are higher.
Open Source: There are open source like PHP and MySQL that can also run on Windows, but in order to have all the features of these open source technologies like PHP/MySQL, you can get all the results if PHP and MySQL runs from a Linux based server.
Advantages
On Windows there is no problem to run the well know Microsoft web based technologies like .Net.