iOS vs. Windows Server

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
iOS
Score 9.6 out of 10
N/A
Apple's iOS is the company's mobile operating system.N/A
Windows Server
Score 8.6 out of 10
N/A
N/AN/A
Pricing
iOSWindows Server
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
iOSWindows Server
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
iOSWindows Server
Considered Both Products
iOS
Chose iOS
Android is good more most people and is widely used by home users. iOS does seem more business orientated and professional. By this I mean the single button and apps are kept simple and to the point for business users. I do use this for home use as well and have had no …
Chose iOS
Although I have tinkered with an Android device, its operating system was much more complex and harder to work with. Many times, carriers bundle their own settings apps, which can confuse the end user about what app to use to change a certain setting. With iOS's delta updates …
Windows Server
Chose Windows Server
All the other products I have used in the past OS2 servers, Novell Netware, Banyan Vines etc don't show up in the search list, which i guess goes to show that the best wins.
Top Pros
Top Cons
Best Alternatives
iOSWindows Server
Small Businesses
Ubuntu
Ubuntu
Score 9.0 out of 10
Ubuntu
Ubuntu
Score 9.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Score 9.2 out of 10
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Score 9.2 out of 10
Enterprises
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Score 9.2 out of 10
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Score 9.2 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
iOSWindows Server
Likelihood to Recommend
7.0
(8 ratings)
8.1
(62 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
2.4
(5 ratings)
Usability
8.0
(1 ratings)
4.3
(6 ratings)
Support Rating
7.3
(7 ratings)
2.8
(18 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
2.2
(3 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
iOSWindows Server
Likelihood to Recommend
Apple
iOS works well when you want solid control over institutionally-owned devices. This generally works best when you play by Apple's rules and buy through them and use Apple School/Business Manager - so if you're going for a BYOD model, this probably isn't the way to do [it]. There is a wide variety of management tools, but bear the costs of each in mind.
Read full review
Microsoft
If you have one user or 1000's of users (especially using Windows), Windows Server is a no-brainer! The only reason I would suggest going with a Linux server is if you have old hardware (Windows Server is more process intensive than Linux). But, Linux is open-source, so anyone can publish updates/security updates, but on the flip side, malicious people also have full access to Linux's codebase allowing for much easier writing of exploitations/viruses/malware/ransomware.
Read full review
Pros
Apple
  • Extraordinary compared to other OS on the lookout for the mobile devices. In the event that somebody needs an ad free and secure insight.
  • Apple iOS give you heaps of inbuilt elements by which there is no need of any outsider applications.
Read full review
Microsoft
  • Easy to use due to its intuitive graphical user interface.
  • Very popular and makes integration easier.
  • Lots of software drivers available.
  • Has many functionalities such as Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, VPN, RDP, VDI server, etc.
  • Many patches and updates available. Maybe abit too much too often.
  • Cost effective and with budget.
  • Remote desktop feature simplifies remote access to this server.
  • It has a built in VPN and ssl certificate feature.
  • Event viewer is available for alerts, although it seems too cumbersome to go through the logs.
  • If you got too many Windows systems to manage, then SCCM is an option.
Read full review
Cons
Apple
  • Replacing the battery is hard and shouldn't be.
  • I know it is for security, but the ability to remote control iOS and help users would be great.
  • Security can be tight with the iCloud and passcodes and you can brick a phone if you are not careful.
Read full review
Microsoft
  • DHCP Server could be better - we use the router for DHCP Routing
  • Print Server - not a fan of using the server as a print server since you have to license it. Direct access to printers via IP addresses is a much more efficient way to go
  • Better backup program - we utilize a third-party program that gives us more flexibility when restoring individual files.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Apple
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
I've carefully reviewed the servers and services currently running on Windows Server 2012, and given the opportunity would renew them as is going forward. There are two systems I currently have in place, one is a very large Linux implementation for a large ecommerce site, and one is a very large backup solution front ended by FTP servers running Linux. Neither are well suited for Windows, but the overall network infrastructure is and will be Windows Server for the foreseeable future.
Read full review
Usability
Apple
In all likelihood, common users will either already have experience with iOS on their iPhones, or will pick it up quickly. The UI is generally simple and mostly visual. Power users, on the other hand, may feel constrained by the inherent limitations built-in. Root access, terminal commands, and deep customization are not really to be found here.
Read full review
Microsoft
There are simply too many different parts of Windows Server to make it a cohesive piece of software. While some of the newer features found in Windows Server 2012 and 2016 have nice UIs that are logically laid out, there are enough parts of the system that is still based on old code with clunky UIs and confusing options to make Windows Server a particularly user-friendly experience.
Read full review
Support Rating
Apple
Lots of help articles online for just about everything under the sun. I have never personally had to engage Apple's support team to comment on their helpfulness.
Read full review
Microsoft
Microsoft's support is hugely wide-ranging from articles online to having to contact them directly for the more serious issues. In recent years when I have contacted them directly, I have found the support o be excellent as I have found myself connected to very knowledgeable people in the field in which I needed the support. The online support available is vast and I tend to find most of the time that there is always someone out there who has had the same issue as me in the past and knows something about how to resolve it! This is the advantage of using industry standard and long-established systems such as Windows Server.
Read full review
Implementation Rating
Apple
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
Make sure that you have detailed processes in place for every server instance you plan to install/upgrade, if possible get the base OS loaded and Windows Updates applied ahead of time, and if using a VM take a snapshot prior to installing each role, as well as along the way.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
Apple
The software updates have a wide coverage for iPhone models and I love updating software for additional features and/or improved software stability. It has also genuine feel of the phones they offer. Easier to set up and use. It helps me do more productive tasks. If I have the latest phone model, I would have additional software advantages that are already included in my OS.
Read full review
Microsoft
I didn't use any other system which gives the same functionality and I am not aware of any. The full integration between all components and especially the ability to integrate mail via Exchange or even via a hybrid setup with the Ofice365 cloud, including the ability to directly manage the cloud from the server, using Power Shell, is something I didn't see anywhere else.
Read full review
Return on Investment
Apple
  • Positive as far as cellular usage, phone tracking, and security for our users.
  • Negative as far as battery replacement on older phones.
  • Costs would be similar to android phones so security/simplicity is our main point here.
Read full review
Microsoft
  • Because of our Microsoft Campus Agreement, Windows products are fairly affordable for us and that has been a huge blessing. We are considering some Azure cloud options and some of that is covered under our Campus Agreement, making it a nice incentive to start migrating certain apps and functionality to the cloud
  • I don't have access to our budgets so I cannot give a good answer as far as the impact of ROI on our institution, but if your company can afford it, you cannot go wrong with Windows server. Not having to send your sys admins to Linux or Unix school alone is a big savings as well as not having to train your staff on using a Linux desktop instead of a Windows-based one.
  • The compatibility with end users of all varieties and platforms will definitely impact your ROI in a positive way. We have Apple users, Android, Windows, and even a few Linux end users on our campus and Windows server works quite well with all of them.
Read full review
ScreenShots