Virtual Private servers run on a physical machine and host multiple virtual servers, wherein each server is isolated from one another. Hyper visors are used to allocate the physical server and to keep each segment independent. Each user on a VPS server is free to choose its own operating system and other applications.
The ideal OS options available to VPS server users are Windows VPS hosting and Linux VPS (Debian, CentOS, and Fedora). Choosing the best operating system for virtual private server is a crucial business decision and requires careful consideration on OS features. The user should not undervalue the factors of security, performance and other features while deciding the Operating System for VPS.
Factors to be considered while choosing the best Virtual server operating system are:
Cost: While selecting the operating system for your VPS, you should not just look for the ‘price’, but also check the costs of OS maintenance, upgrades, trouble-shootings etc.
Reliability: The operating system for your VPS should be stable and reliable in terms of its longevity to ensure consistent delivery of seamless performance.
Flexibility: Many a times, the users prefer open source OS platform where they can customize the server configurations, add-on apps and perform such variations to adapt to their business requirements.
Tech-support: Support and maintenance services are very vital factors for operating system of virtual server hosting. The users should weigh the VPS operating system on the basis of technical support required. Some Operating Systems can be easily managed by IT staff while some may require support license.
Security: Some Operating Systems are risk-free, whereas some may be prone to threats. However, security of OS majorly depends upon the skills of IT administrator.
Interface: Users should also evaluate the operating systems for its interface. The ones with most user-friendly interface will save much of your time and energy when compared to a complex OS platform.
Below are the major features of Windows VPS and Linux VPS, which make them different from one another. Further, it will also help the user choose the right OS for their VPS server that is best suiting their business applications and processes.
Advantages of Linux VPS Servers
Open source: Linux is open source, so it allows users, especially the developers for customizations.
Compatibility: Linux platform is compatible with both control panels usually prefered by users - Plesk as well as cPanel.
Cost-effective: As we know, Linux is an open source program, so its applications are available free of cost and neither there is any license cost or other such unnecessary expenses involved with it.
Advantages of Windows VPS Hosting
User-friendly: Windows VPS is user friendly as it uses GUI which is the most familiar interface and easy-to-operate by any user.
ASP & SQL support: ASP, ASP.NET and SQL support is unmatched with Windows based hosting solutions.
Secured: Windows VPS comes with high quality anti-virus software and robust OS security programs.
You should not only consider the OS features but also take into account the organizational goals, budget and resources. Only then, you will be able to arrive at the right decision of Virtual Private Server Operating System. 
Priti
