Can you get Mac Web Hosting?

When it comes to web hosting, you usually only see plans running on Windows or Linux servers.  It seems as if all the web hosts out there have resorted to one of those two.  But did you know that you can host websites on Mac hardware too?  It might not be talked about much, but there are web hosts out there offering compelling Mac web hosting on what is quickly becoming the dominant consumer operating system.

What is Mac Web Hosting?

Just like other operating systems, Apple's Mac OS X is capable of running web hosting software.  A Mac server is quite similar to other servers in most ways, though it has more than a passing resemblance to Linux hosting.  That makes sense, seeing as how both operating systems have a Unix core operating underneath.  The difference is in available hardware.

You might not have realized it, but Apple does in fact offer up an OS X based web server.  Which  shows that Apple has dreams of capturing a wider audience, one of web hosts in addition to web designers.

Why Mac Web Hosting?

So, why should you go with Mac web hosting over the more frequently used options?  The quick answer is: reliability, simplicity, and integrated tools.  Apple provides a full suite of tools for managing, analyzing and hosting servers for their operating systems.  And like everything Apple, Mac web hosting takes a clean approach and manages to make a user experience that is quite spectacular. 

Mac OS X has some of the best uptime on the market, second possibly only to a Linux web server running without a graphical user interface.  Apple's strong Unix core means that a Mac web server will just keep on running, no matter what you throw at it.  It's one of the advantages of opting for a proven, long-standing core operating system like Unix.  Basically, you shouldn't have to worry about the server going down ever without your host scheduling the downtime.

Also, Mac web hosting tends to integrate well with the machine that is managing your site.  Apple makes sure of that.

What are the disadvantages of Mac Web Hosting?

Like anything, there are some downsides to Mac web hosting.  For one thing, it is hard to get a decent Mac server anymore.  The hardware is expensive, meaning that the hosting prices tend to be more than if you choose other options.  The Apple tax is very much alive in web hosting.

For another thing, there are very few hosts out there who provide Mac web hosting.  You just won't have that many options to choose from.  As great an operating system is, if no one uses a platform, then it's going to be rare and expensive.

But that doesn't mean that Mac hosting isn't worth considering.  For many people it is exactly what they need.  The stability, ease of use and great first party tools makes Mac web hosting a no brainer for those willing to invest in the future of their business.