Windows Home Server vs Windows Server Essentials

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

Windows Home Server is a Os & Utilities solution with tags like home-server, file-sharing, media-streaming, backup.

It boasts features such as Centralized file storage and backup, Media streaming, Remote file access, Automated file duplication, Home network connectivity and sharing, Web server capabilities, Add-on applications and services and pros including Easy to set up and use, Good for centralizing storage, Built-in backup capabilities, Integrates well with Windows PCs, Low cost compared to business server software.

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	Windows Home Server	Windows Server Essentials
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Os & Utilities	Network & Admin

Product Overview

Windows Home Server

Description: Windows Home Server is a home server operating system developed by Microsoft. It is designed to be easy to use and allow home users to store, share, and back up files, stream media, host websites, and more from a central home server.

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

Windows Home Server Features

• Centralized file storage and backup
• Media streaming
• Remote file access
• Automated file duplication
• Home network connectivity and sharing
• Web server capabilities
• Add-on applications and services

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

Windows Home Server

Pros

• Easy to set up and use
• Good for centralizing storage
• Built-in backup capabilities
• Integrates well with Windows PCs
• Low cost compared to business server software

Cons

• Limited to Windows-based devices
• No longer supported by Microsoft
• Less flexible than business server software
• Requires technical know-how for advanced features
• Limited scalability

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

Windows Home Server

• One-time Purchase
• Subscription-Based (for add-ons)

Windows Server Essentials

• Subscription-Based