What software to put on the server instead of WINDOWS to be cheap and not pirated?

Question

Server equipment

Good night everybody!
We need to build a file server (I think that's what it's called?).
In the office there is a computer with 1C and document files on it, people in the office connect directly to it and work with 1C and files, and outside the office - via the Internet ... We
looked at how much windows server 2012 r2 costs + licenses for each employee + licenses for each remotely ... - wow, how expensive.
Is there a budget alternative?
What software to put on the server instead of WINDOWS to be cheap and not pirated?
Sincerely,
Andrey

Answer 1

Ubuntu Server 16.04 + Samba Server (files) + Postgresql (for 1c) but you will need a license for 1c server for Linux + a bunch of software for your tasks, for example, office can be replaced with onlyoffice Community Edition and so on, it all depends on your software list

Answer 2

Think about placing 1C in the cloud. You will also have an office there.