SME Server vs Windows Server Essentials

Struggling to choose between SME Server and Windows Server Essentials? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

SME Server is a Network & Admin solution with tags like linux, centos, email, web-hosting, firewall.

It boasts features such as Web server (Apache), Mail server (Postfix), Firewall, VPN, File sharing, Intrusion detection, Antivirus, Antispam, Webmail (Horde), Groupware (Kolab), Monitoring tools and pros including Easy to install and configure, Good selection of preconfigured services, Active community support, Free and open source.

On the other hand, Windows Server Essentials is a Network & Admin product tagged with windows, microsoft, small-business, file-sharing, print-sharing, backup, remote-access, centralized-management.

Its standout features include File and printer sharing, Remote desktop access, PC backup, Shared folders, Email server, VPN access, Centralized device management, and it shines with pros like Easy to set up and manage, Good for small businesses, Integrates with Office 365, Remote access capabilities, Automatic PC backup.

Feature	SME Server	Windows Server Essentials
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Network & Admin	Network & Admin

Product Overview

SME Server

Description: SME Server is an open source Linux distribution based on CentOS designed for easy deployment of servers for small and medium businesses. It includes pre-configured applications like email, web hosting, firewall, etc.

Windows Server Essentials

Description: Windows Server Essentials is a simplified server operating system from Microsoft aimed at small businesses. It provides core server features like file and printer sharing, backup, remote access, and centralized management.

Key Features Comparison

SME Server Features

• Web server (Apache)
• Mail server (Postfix)
• Firewall
• VPN
• File sharing
• Intrusion detection
• Antivirus
• Antispam
• Webmail (Horde)
• Groupware (Kolab)
• Monitoring tools

Windows Server Essentials Features

• File and printer sharing
• Remote desktop access
• PC backup
• Shared folders
• Email server
• VPN access
• Centralized device management

Pros & Cons Analysis

SME Server

Pros

• Easy to install and configure
• Good selection of preconfigured services
• Active community support
• Free and open source

Cons

• Limited scalability for large deployments
• Relies on older versions of some software components
• Limited selection of supported hardware

Windows Server Essentials

Pros

• Easy to set up and manage
• Good for small businesses
• Integrates with Office 365
• Remote access capabilities
• Automatic PC backup

Cons

• Limited to 25 users and 50 devices
• Less features than full Windows Server
• Requires separate CALs for remote access
• No hypervisors included
• Limited expandability

Pricing Comparison

SME Server

• Open Source

Windows Server Essentials

• Subscription-Based