Windows Server Essentials vs SME Server

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

Windows Server Essentials is a Network & Admin solution with tags like windows, microsoft, small-business, file-sharing, print-sharing, backup, remote-access, centralized-management.

It boasts features such as File and printer sharing, Remote desktop access, PC backup, Shared folders, Email server, VPN access, Centralized device management and pros including Easy to set up and manage, Good for small businesses, Integrates with Office 365, Remote access capabilities, Automatic PC backup.

On the other hand, SME Server is a Network & Admin product tagged with linux, centos, email, web-hosting, firewall.

Its standout features include Web server (Apache), Mail server (Postfix), Firewall, VPN, File sharing, Intrusion detection, Antivirus, Antispam, Webmail (Horde), Groupware (Kolab), Monitoring tools, and it shines with pros like Easy to install and configure, Good selection of preconfigured services, Active community support, Free and open source.

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

Product Overview

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.

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.

Key Features Comparison

Windows Server Essentials Features

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

SME Server Features

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

Pros & Cons Analysis

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

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

Pricing Comparison

Windows Server Essentials

• Subscription-Based

SME Server

• Open Source