The foundational software on your web server is an Operating System (OS.) Linux is the most dominant web server OS, and its distributions are widely adopted.

One renowned enterprise-class Linux distribution for virtual private servers is CentOS 7. It’s popular for stability, high security, and numerous control panel options. 

Popular Web Server Operating Systems 

Before we look at CentOS 7, let’s compare the top web server OS alternatives you’ll find out there.  

• Windows Server. Windows Server is a trusted platform for building connected applications, networks, and web services. It offers virtual memory management, a desktop GUI experience, and support for multiple peripheral devices.
• Linux. Linux is an open-source OS that supports multi-user, multi-process, and multi-threaded operations. It demands a higher level of technical expertise from installation to upkeep and problem-fixing.
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Red Hat is a versatile server distribution for rolling out new applications, virtualizing environments, and creating a hybrid cloud. It has readily available upgrades and solutions to prevent security breaches.
• UNIX-Based Operating Systems. UNIX is a family of multiuser operating systems like Solaris, Darwin, AIX, FreeBSD, and more. They offer freely available open-source codes, making it easier to modify them as per requirements. 
• macOS Server. macOS has an intuitive GUI, simple management, and an unrestricted user license. It’s effortless to use, and you can boost it to ensure maximum processing power.
• FreeBSD. FreeBSD functions like UNIX but runs as a whole system. It includes kernel, drivers, utilities, and a sizable software library for optimum server performance. 

Why CentOS 7 is the Most Popular OS

CentOS 7 has many features of the Red Hat Enterprise Linux. For many years, CentOS remained the most preferred Linux distribution in the hosting industry. 

Here are some of the reasons why CentOS 7 is popular:

1. High Level of Security 

CentOS 7 has plenty of built-in security features. It protects you from cyber-attacks through tools like Security-Enhanced Linux (SELinux), which decreases vulnerabilities in privilege escalation attacks. 

2. Automatic Updates 

CentOS 7 pulls backports from Red Hat, pushes nightly updates to critical open-source security software, and warns users if they’re running insecure software versions. It utilizes the YUM (Yellowdog Updater Modified) package manager to update the systems, enabling you to add and remove features easily. 

3. Extended Documentation 

It is a popularly utilized platform in the web hosting community with vast data on forums and documentation. Many users share knowledge and other concerns, frequently enhancing its general worth as a recommended OS. 

4. Panel Management Support 

It can support numerous management platforms such as WebMin, cPanel, CWP, Vesta CP, and InterWorx, which smoothes the hosting experience even with severaal sites on your server. It also has an intuitive web interface that lets you set up emails and websites and access FTP. 

Conclusion

The CentOS 7 is a stable, reliable, and secure OS designed with various unique features to improve its overall performance. Depending on your specific needs, CentOS can be the best web server OS to run enterprise applications.