Windows Server Essentials vs Windows Home Server

Struggling to choose between Windows Server Essentials and Windows Home 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, Windows Home Server is a Os & Utilities product tagged with home-server, file-sharing, media-streaming, backup.

Its standout features include 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 it shines with pros like 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.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Windows Server Essentials

Windows Server Essentials

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.

Categories:
windows microsoft small-business file-sharing print-sharing backup remote-access centralized-management

Windows Server Essentials Features

  1. File and printer sharing
  2. Remote desktop access
  3. PC backup
  4. Shared folders
  5. Email server
  6. VPN access
  7. Centralized device management

Pricing

  • Subscription-Based

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


Windows Home Server

Windows Home Server

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.

Categories:
home-server file-sharing media-streaming backup

Windows Home Server Features

  1. Centralized file storage and backup
  2. Media streaming
  3. Remote file access
  4. Automated file duplication
  5. Home network connectivity and sharing
  6. Web server capabilities
  7. Add-on applications and services

Pricing

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

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