{"slug":"linux-vs-windows","title":"Linux vs Windows","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/linux-vs-windows","faqCount":5,"faqs":[{"question":"Is Linux completely free?","answer":"Yes, most Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, CentOS) are completely free to download, install, and use. You only pay for optional commercial support plans from vendors like Red Hat, Canonical, or SUSE. Windows requires a paid license ($119.99-$199.99)."},{"question":"Why do 96% of servers run Linux instead of Windows?","answer":"Linux dominates servers due to: (1) zero licensing costs at scale, (2) superior security with 94 CVEs vs Windows' 627 in 2024, (3) lightweight resource usage, (4) open-source transparency allowing security audits, and (5) superior stability on high-demand infrastructure requiring 99.99%+ uptime."},{"question":"Can I game on Linux?","answer":"Linux supports 8,500+ native Steam games, but Windows dominates with 50,000+. Major AAA titles (Cyberpunk 2077, Call of Duty) rarely launch on Linux. Proton (compatibility layer) helps some Windows games run on Linux, but native support is limited. For serious gaming, Windows is significantly better."},{"question":"Is Linux harder to use than Windows?","answer":"Modern Linux desktop distributions (Ubuntu, Linux Mint) are user-friendly for basic tasks, but require command-line familiarity for troubleshooting. Windows is more intuitive for casual users. Linux's learning curve is steeper initially but worthwhile for developers and system administrators."},{"question":"Which is more secure: Linux or Windows?","answer":"Linux reports 94 CVEs vs Windows' 627 in 2024. Linux's open-source model allows community security auditing, and its smaller attack surface makes it preferred for servers. Windows has more targeted attacks due to 73% desktop market share. For security-critical roles, Linux is objectively superior. For typical users, both are secure when updated."}],"faqPageSchema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/linux-vs-windows#faq","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/linux-vs-windows","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"Linux vs Windows — FAQ","description":"Frequently asked questions about Linux vs Windows","dateModified":"2026-06-30T23:34:05.085Z","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/#organization","name":"A Versus B"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/#organization","name":"A Versus B"},"isPartOf":{"@type":"Article","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/linux-vs-windows#article"},"license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","speakable":{"@type":"SpeakableSpecification","cssSelector":["#faq",".faq-item"]},"mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Is Linux completely free?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, most Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, CentOS) are completely free to download, install, and use. You only pay for optional commercial support plans from vendors like Red Hat, Canonical, or SUSE. Windows requires a paid license ($119.99-$199.99).","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/linux-vs-windows"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Why do 96% of servers run Linux instead of Windows?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Linux dominates servers due to: (1) zero licensing costs at scale, (2) superior security with 94 CVEs vs Windows' 627 in 2024, (3) lightweight resource usage, (4) open-source transparency allowing security audits, and (5) superior stability on high-demand infrastructure requiring 99.99%+ uptime.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/linux-vs-windows"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I game on Linux?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Linux supports 8,500+ native Steam games, but Windows dominates with 50,000+. Major AAA titles (Cyberpunk 2077, Call of Duty) rarely launch on Linux. Proton (compatibility layer) helps some Windows games run on Linux, but native support is limited. For serious gaming, Windows is significantly better.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/linux-vs-windows"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is Linux harder to use than Windows?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Modern Linux desktop distributions (Ubuntu, Linux Mint) are user-friendly for basic tasks, but require command-line familiarity for troubleshooting. Windows is more intuitive for casual users. Linux's learning curve is steeper initially but worthwhile for developers and system administrators.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/linux-vs-windows"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Which is more secure: Linux or Windows?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Linux reports 94 CVEs vs Windows' 627 in 2024. Linux's open-source model allows community security auditing, and its smaller attack surface makes it preferred for servers. Windows has more targeted attacks due to 73% desktop market share. For security-critical roles, Linux is objectively superior. For typical users, both are secure when updated.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/linux-vs-windows"}}]}}