How to choose an operating system for a virtual private server (VPS)?

[CyberAlchemist]

Every time I chose a VPS I find difficult to choose an OS for my VPS. If my sites are PHP sites with MySQL databases then what operating systems will be good for My VPS?
CentOS 6
CentOS 7
Ubuntu
Debian

Which is more stable, secure and help my VPS run fast? why?

 

[RDO Servers]

CentOS is by far the most popular choice for web servers, but really any of those are fine.

Really it comes down to 2 factors:
1. What are you more comfortable using
2. Do any of the services your going to run, work better on a particular OS.

 

[SenseiSteve]

SenseiSteve

This really is what matters, although I would not recommend Ubuntu out of that group.

 

[Localnode]

CentOS also has a free [URLnf="http://centos-webpanel.com/"]web panel[/URLnf], think of it as a free alternative to cPanel; it's still new though and there may be security holes. There're other free control panels around as well, a lot will work on Ubuntu.

 

[RDO Servers]

RDO Servers

CWP (CentOS Web Panel) has been around since 2013, so I wouldn't consider it new

 

[Localnode]

Localnode

I worded that poorly. I mean comparing CWP to cPanel.
Although, both have had security flaws, and will no doubt have more.

 

[ElixantTechnology]

ElixantTechnology

The problem with Ubuntu is it was not developed to be a Server OS, but rather a desktop OS for those looking to introduce themselves to the world of Linux. Ubuntu is based off of Debian, so for a more stable server type OS if you are familiar with Ubuntu I would recommend Debian.

For the most part however, CentOS is the most popular, powerful server based operating system right now, based off of RHEL; this is what I would recommend.

 

[hmb-robert]

I will suggest to use CentOS. If you are familiar with CentOS7 then go for CentOS 7 otherwise CentOS6 will be fine.

Generally managed VPS servers comes with pre-installed softwares like apache, mysql, php. So, once signup process completed you can start to use your server instantly.

 

[vps9]

Choice of Operating system is depend on purpose of using VPS. I suggest CentOS would be fine for you.

 

[laceibanet]

CentOS is what's considered the most reliable for web servers, but all others will work too. Just depends what software you plan to use or run and if it will work on the OS you choose. All would be good choices though

 

[MarcS]

Ubuntu is more likely a desktop based OS so I recommend CentOS 6 or CentOS 7 to be installed on server. Also, If you are going to host multiple shared accounts in your VM then CloudLinux is also a great choice thought it's a licensed. CentOS Web Panel is good but there's lots scope of improvement, currently it cannot match the cPanel.