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What HostGator’s VPS documentation says
HostGator’s help article “VPS Operating System” is the clearest statement on the subject. It makes two points that matter for buyers:
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- No Windows or BSD VPS plans exist. The page states: “There are no Windows or BSD VPS plans.”
- Linux is the only VPS option. The page states: “Currently, we are offering Alma Linux9 to all VPS plans.” In practical terms, AlmaLinux 9 is the operating system you get on a HostGator VPS. Wording on the live page may change, so check it before you rely on the exact phrasing.
The page describes HostGator’s U.S. offering. HostGator’s catalog can differ by market, so a reader outside the United States should confirm the VPS lineup on the local HostGator site before drawing conclusions.
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The documentation says what HostGator offers, not why. It does not mention Windows Server licensing costs, support workload, customer demand, or strategy. Those factors are plausible reasons any host might avoid Windows VPS, but nothing in HostGator’s published VPS documentation confirms that any of them drives this decision. Treat any single cause given elsewhere as an assumption unless the company says so.
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- Server 2022 Standard 16 Core
What the gap means for you is more useful than the reason behind it: a Windows workload cannot be placed on a HostGator VPS, so the search has to move to other providers or to different HostGator products.
What HostGator does offer on Windows
HostGator lists Windows hosting in two places, and neither is a Windows VPS. Its comparison material places VPS under Linux and shows Windows against dedicated hosting. The Windows offerings are:
Windows shared hosting
Windows shared hosting places your site on a server shared with other accounts. HostGator describes it as supporting technologies such as ASP.NET and MSSQL. This suits small ASP.NET sites and databases that do not need administrator access to the operating system. Because resources are shared, performance can depend on neighbouring accounts, and you cannot install arbitrary server software.
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Windows dedicated servers
Windows dedicated servers give you a whole physical server running Windows. This provides the most control and resources among HostGator’s Windows options, but it is a separate, typically more expensive product category. It is not a virtual private server, and HostGator’s offering does not change the price or configuration model of a VPS.
| Option | Windows | Resource model | Administrative control | Counts as a Windows VPS? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HostGator VPS | Not offered; AlmaLinux 9 is the default OS | Virtual, dedicated slice of a server | Root access on Linux | No |
| HostGator Windows shared hosting | Yes | Shared with other accounts | Limited to the hosting control panel and supported technologies | No |
| HostGator Windows dedicated server | Yes | Whole physical server | Full control of the dedicated machine | No |
The table reflects the product categories HostGator describes. Exact admin access levels, resource limits, and plan names should be checked on HostGator’s current pages, since they are not all spelled out in the documentation reviewed here.
Windows VPS alternatives
Three providers advertise Windows VPS plans on their official product pages. They are candidates to evaluate, not recommendations: the pages establish what each company advertises, not how its service compares in quality, uptime, or support for any particular buyer. Regional availability also varies, so confirm that the data-center location you need is offered.
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- Native Windows Server IoT 2025 for Storage Workgroup edition.
- Pre-tested NAS-grade hard drives included with RAID pre-configured.
- No CAL (Client-Access Licenses) required.
- Cost-effective small business NAS with Windows Server enhanced data management and security features.
- Cloud service integration with Azure, OneDrive, and other Microsoft-compatible services enables to create a hybrid cloud for additional security and flexibility.
Kamatera
Kamatera’s Windows VPS page advertises Windows Server hosting, configurable resources, and remote management. Its sample configurations use Windows Server 2022. Because Kamatera lets you build the server from configurable resources, it suits buyers who want to size CPU, memory, and storage independently. Check the current prices and included resources at checkout, since configurations and prices change.
Hostwinds
Hostwinds advertises managed Windows VPS plans in several resource tiers, with Windows Server options and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) access. Managed plans shift routine maintenance to the provider, which matters if you lack a Windows administrator. Confirm which Windows Server versions are currently offered and what the managed service covers before you commit.
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- Apply efficient threat protection with a secure central memory server
- Confidently run Business Critical workloads like SQL Server with 48TB of memory, 64 sockets, and 2048 logical cores
- Use Windows Admin Center to improve virtual machine management, leverage the great event viewer and connect to Azure via Azure Arrc
Liquid Web
Liquid Web advertises Windows VPS in three service levels: managed, core-managed, and unmanaged. The levels let you choose how much of the server the provider looks after. The page does not present a single headline price or Windows version to compare at a glance, so confirm the current version, plan, term commitment, and renewal price on the product page.
| Provider | Windows VPS advertised | Management options advertised | Windows versions on the cited page | Remote access advertised |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamatera | Yes | Remote management; configurable resources | Windows Server 2022 in sample configurations | Remote management |
| Hostwinds | Yes | Managed Windows VPS; multiple resource tiers | Windows Server options; specific versions not stated | RDP |
| Liquid Web | Yes | Managed, core-managed, unmanaged | Windows Server offerings; specific versions not stated | Not stated |
What to compare before you choose
Compare providers on the same criteria, using each provider’s live pricing and terms:
- Windows version and license. Confirm the Windows Server version, whether the license is included, and whether any extra license charges apply.
- Management level. Decide whether you will administer the server yourself, want core services managed, or want full management, and check what maintenance and troubleshooting each tier includes.
- Resources. Compare vCPU, RAM, storage type and capacity, transfer allowance, and how upgrades work.
- Location. Check available data-center regions, latency to your users, and any requirement to keep data in a specific place.
- Operations. Look at backups and snapshots, security controls, support hours, migration help, and recovery options.
- Cost. Note the billing interval, any promotional rate, the renewal rate, setup or add-on charges, and cancellation terms.
Choosing a path
If your application needs full administrator access on Windows, a Windows VPS from one of the providers above is the match. If you only run a small ASP.NET site with an MSSQL database and do not need to install server software, HostGator’s Windows shared hosting may be enough, and it avoids the administration work a VPS requires. If you already run a Linux VPS on HostGator and want to move to Windows, expect a migration project rather than a setting change: you would provision a new server, move files and databases, and test the application before switching DNS.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsPlan details, Windows Server versions, and prices change. Confirm them on each provider’s current page before buying, and check HostGator’s help documentation for its VPS lineup in your market.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
