The Straight Answer: Hostinger Runs Linux Only
If you landed here looking for the best windows hosting for an ASP.NET project, here is the honest answer up front: Hostinger cannot run it. Hostinger’s own support documentation states that only Linux-based operating system templates are offered and Windows VPS is not available (checked 12 Oct 2026). Every shared, cloud and VPS plan runs Linux, so software that needs Windows Server has no home on this platform.
That is not a flaw in Hostinger. It is a deliberate product choice, and Linux covers the vast majority of websites: WordPress, PHP, Python, Node.js and static sites all run well and cheaply on Linux. The problem only appears when your stack is tied to Microsoft-only technology.
Software that genuinely needs Windows hosting:
- ASP.NET or .NET Framework applications built for Internet Information Services
- Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL) databases using Windows-only features
- Legacy business software written for a Windows Server environment
- Workflows tied to Remote Desktop and Windows-only admin tools
If none of those describe your project, a Linux plan is almost always cheaper and simpler. Read on to see which camp you fall into.
Why Windows Hosting Still Exists
Microsoft’s web stack still powers a large share of corporate intranets, booking engines, council portals and older e-commerce sites. Many were built years ago on ASP.NET and MSSQL, and rewriting them for Linux would cost more than the hosting ever will. For those projects, Windows hosting is not a preference; it is a requirement.
Windows hosts typically pair Windows Server with the Plesk control panel and licensed MSSQL databases. Licensing is the reason Windows hosting usually costs more than Linux hosting: Microsoft charges for the operating system and for SQL Server, and hosts pass that cost on. Expect fewer bargain-basement deals and higher renewal prices than the Linux world.
There is also a middle ground worth knowing. Modern .NET (formerly .NET Core) is cross-platform and runs happily on Linux, and many apps labelled ASP.NET have already been ported. If your developers confirm the app runs on Linux, you do not need Windows hosting at all, and the cheaper Linux market opens up.
Our Picks for the Best Windows Hosting This Year
For readers who truly need the best windows hosting, these are the providers worth shortlisting. None of them is Hostinger, because Hostinger does not sell the product you are shopping for.
- AccuWeb Hosting – a long-standing Windows specialist offering Windows-based shared and VPS plans with ASP.NET and MSSQL support. A natural first stop for classic ASP.NET sites.
- IONOS – offers Windows Server on its VPS and dedicated server ranges, which suits larger .NET applications that need room to grow.
- A2 Hosting – sells Windows-based shared hosting plans, a reasonable option for smaller Windows sites that do not need a full VPS.
Compare them on three things: which Windows Server version they run, whether MSSQL is included or a paid add-on, and the renewal price after the first term. Windows licences make renewals the real cost, so read the second invoice before the first. If you would rather avoid Microsoft licensing entirely, the Hostinger VPS range gives you full root on Linux from the smallest KVM plan upward.
When a Linux VPS Is the Smarter Move
Here is where honesty cuts both ways. If your developers confirm the app runs on Linux, stop shopping for Windows hosting: you will pay more for licences you do not need. A Linux VPS gives you full root access, your choice of Ubuntu or Debian, and the freedom to install exactly what the project requires.
This is the one scenario where Hostinger belongs in the conversation. Its VPS plans are self-managed Linux servers with dedicated resources, and the KVM 2 tier suits small production apps that outgrew shared hosting. You also get a free domain for the first year on longer terms and a 30-day money-back guarantee, which makes the experiment low-risk.
The trade-off is responsibility. A self-managed VPS means you handle updates, firewalls and backups yourself (or pay someone who does). If you want the server managed for you, that is a different product category, and you should shop accordingly rather than force a VPS to be something it is not.
Who This Guide Is Really For
This guide is for two groups. The first group runs software that genuinely needs Windows Server: ASP.NET Framework apps, MSSQL-backed systems and legacy tools that cannot be rewritten. For you, the shortlist above is the whole answer, and Hostinger should not be on it.
The second group only thinks it needs Windows hosting. Perhaps a developer once said the app needs ASP.NET, but the project has since moved to modern .NET, or the site is really just WordPress with a Windows habit. For you, confirming the actual stack with your developer could save real money every year, because Linux hosting is consistently cheaper.
If you are starting something new in 2026, default to Linux unless a specific dependency forces Windows. The ecosystem of tools, tutorials and affordable hosts is far larger, and you keep every migration path open.
Renewal Reality: Read the Second Invoice First
Hosting is sold on introductory prices and renewed at regular prices, and the gap is the number that matters. On Hostinger's shared plans, renewals run roughly three to four times the launch price, which is standard for the budget Linux market. Windows hosting has its own version of this: the Microsoft licensing baked into the plan price means renewals start higher and climb from there.
Before you buy anything, find the renewal figure on the pricing page and multiply it across the term you actually intend to keep. A cheap first year followed by an expensive renewal is only a deal if you plan to migrate every year, and migrations cost time and risk. Our renewal price guide walks through how Hostinger's pricing behaves term by term.
Also watch the cart. Hostinger pre-selects add-ons at checkout, and Windows hosts love paid MSSQL and backup add-ons. Remove what you do not need before paying; you can always add it later.
When NOT to Pick Hostinger
Do not pick Hostinger if anything in your stack requires Windows Server. That includes ASP.NET Framework applications, MSSQL databases with Windows-only features, and legacy software written for Internet Information Services. No plan, add-on or workaround changes this: Hostinger is Linux-only from shared hosting to VPS (checked 12 Oct 2026).
The honest better option is a true Windows host. AccuWeb Hosting covers classic ASP.NET and MSSQL workloads, while IONOS suits larger .NET applications on Windows VPS or dedicated servers. Either will run what Hostinger structurally cannot.
When does Hostinger make sense here? Only when your stack runs on Linux. In that case the Hostinger pricing page shows a VPS range with full root access that is hard to beat for the money, and the current coupon page lists the active introductory offers. Match the host to the operating system your code actually needs, and you will not go wrong.
| Requirement | Hostinger | AccuWeb Hosting | IONOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Linux only | Windows Server | Windows Server (VPS and dedicated) |
| ASP.NET / .NET Framework apps | Not supported | Supported | Supported on Windows plans |
| Microsoft SQL Server | Not supported | Available on Windows plans | Available on Windows plans |
| Linux VPS alternative | Yes, full root access | Yes | Yes |
| Free domain for the first year | Yes, on 12+ month terms | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
FAQ
No. Hostinger's own support documentation confirms that only Linux-based operating system templates are offered and Windows VPS is not available (checked 12 Oct 2026). All shared, cloud and VPS plans run Linux distributions such as Ubuntu or Debian. If your project needs Windows Server, choose a Windows host such as AccuWeb Hosting or IONOS instead.
No. ASP.NET applications built for the classic .NET Framework need Internet Information Services on Windows Server, which Hostinger does not provide. If your app runs on modern cross-platform .NET, it can run on a Hostinger Linux VPS. Ask your developer which framework the app targets before you buy any hosting.
AccuWeb Hosting is a strong starting point because it specialises in Windows plans with ASP.NET and MSSQL support. IONOS is worth a look for Windows VPS and dedicated servers that need room to grow. Compare the Windows Server version, whether MSSQL is included, and the renewal price before committing.
Sometimes. If your application runs on PHP, Python, Node.js or modern cross-platform .NET, a Linux VPS does the same job for less money and with more provider choice. It cannot help if your code depends on MSSQL-only features or the classic .NET Framework. Confirm with your developer first; guessing wrong means migrating twice.
Usually yes, because Microsoft charges licensing fees for Windows Server and SQL Server that hosts pass on to customers. Linux has no such fees, which is one reason Linux plans renew at lower prices. Always compare the renewal price, not just the introductory offer, when weighing the two.
No. WordPress runs on PHP and MySQL, which are native to Linux, and Linux hosting is the standard recommendation. Only choose Windows hosting if something in your stack specifically requires Windows Server. For WordPress, compare Linux options such as the Hostinger VPS range or managed WordPress plans instead.