Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

CentOS VS Ubuntu Server

Compare CentOS VS Ubuntu Server and see what are their differences

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CentOS logo CentOS

CentOS is a community-supported, free and open source operating system based on Red Hat Enterprise...

Ubuntu Server logo Ubuntu Server

Secure, fast and economically scalable, Ubuntu helps you make the most of your infrastructure. Whether you want to deploy a cloud or a web farm, Ubuntu Server supports the most popular hardware and software.
  • CentOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-12
  • Ubuntu Server Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-03

CentOS features and specs

  • Stability
    CentOS is known for its stability and reliability since it's derived from the Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) sources.
  • Security
    Due to its enterprise-focused nature, CentOS benefits from robust security updates and patches that ensure a secure operating environment.
  • Cost
    CentOS is free to use and provides enterprise-grade features without the cost of a commercial license.
  • Community Support
    There is a large and active community that provides support, contributes to documentation, and shares knowledge through forums and other resources.
  • Compatibility
    CentOS offers excellent compatibility with various software and hardware due to its close alignment with RHEL.
  • Long-term support
    CentOS versions typically receive long-term support, making it suitable for servers and critical applications that require stability over time.

Possible disadvantages of CentOS

  • Delayed Updates
    Updates and new features in CentOS can be delayed since it is downstream from RHEL, which might be a drawback for users needing the latest features.
  • Enterprise Focus
    Its focus on enterprise environments means it may not have the latest or most diverse desktop environment options compared to other distributions.
  • Limited Commercial Support
    While community support is robust, professional or commercial support is limited compared to its upstream counterpart, RHEL.
  • Learning Curve
    CentOS can have a steeper learning curve for newcomers, especially those unfamiliar with RHEL-like systems.
  • Changes in Development Model
    Recent changes in the CentOS project, such as the shift to CentOS Stream, have caused concern and uncertainty in the community about its future direction and stability.

Ubuntu Server features and specs

  • Open Source
    Ubuntu Server is open source, which means it is free to use, modify, and distribute. This can lead to cost savings and flexibility for custom deployments.
  • Strong Community Support
    It has a large and active community that offers extensive support, documentation, and a wealth of forums and tutorials to solve issues or gain more information.
  • Robust Security
    Ubuntu Server provides strong security features, including regular updates and patches, security advisories, and the Uncomplicated Firewall (UFW) for easier network protection.
  • Compatibility
    Ubuntu Server is compatible with most major hardware and virtualization platforms, making it easier to implement in various environments.
  • Regular Releases
    Canonically delivers both Long Term Support (LTS) and interim releases, keeping the server up-to-date with the latest features and enhancements.

Possible disadvantages of Ubuntu Server

  • Complexity for Beginners
    Linux-based systems, like Ubuntu Server, can be more complex and challenging for users who are unfamiliar with command-line interfaces or system administration tasks.
  • Limited Commercial Support
    While there is a community, direct commercial support is not as extensive as more traditional OS vendors unless you opt for premium services from Canonical.
  • Software Compatibility
    Not all proprietary software is available for Linux systems, which may require alternatives or additional compatibility layers.
  • Hardware Compatibility Issues
    Some hardware might not have drivers available for Linux, potentially leading to additional configurations or incompatibility.
  • Resource Intensive for Newer Releases
    While generally efficient, newer releases can sometimes demand increased resources, potentially affecting performance on older hardware.

CentOS videos

CentOS 8 | Distro Review 23

More videos:

  • Review - CentOS 8 Review, Preview, & Walkthrough | 2019 | (Linux Beginners Guide)
  • Review - CentOS 8 Review | Distro Delves S2:Ep33

Ubuntu Server videos

Differences: Ubuntu Desktop vs. Ubuntu Server

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to CentOS and Ubuntu Server)
Operating Systems
90 90%
10% 10
Cloud Computing
0 0%
100% 100
Linux
100 100%
0% 0
Cloud Storage
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare CentOS and Ubuntu Server

CentOS Reviews

Explore Top VestaCP Alternative: Find the Perfect Control Panel for Your Hosting Needs
Frequently shortened to CWP, CentOS Web Panel stands as an innovative web-based control panel meticulously crafted to elevate the management of web hosting environments and servers. What sets CWP apart is its exclusive dedication to servers fueled by the CentOS operating system. This strategic alignment with the robust CentOS OS enables CWP to adeptly target a specific niche...
Source: cyberpanel.net
Finding the Best Linux Distro for Your Organization
With CentOS 6 and 8 already EOL, CentOS 7 will still be community-supported through June 30, 2024. OpenLogic will support it well past that point, extending long-term support post EOL until 2029. For many businesses, this will be the lowest-risk option for the moment, giving them plenty of time to consider their go-forward Linux distro strategies. Migration and decommission...
Best Top 20 Ubuntu Linux Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
CentOS Linux works very well for high availability clustering. It contains native packages for DRBD which enables high availability.
11 Best Linux Distros For Programming And Developers [2020 Edition]
The installation and setup process of this Linux distro for programmers is almost similar to Fedora. To address your different software needs, it has a vast Red Hat Software Collection and CentOS repository. You can use its powerful YUM package manager to install and uninstall the application needed for your development.
Source: fossbytes.com

Ubuntu Server Reviews

13 Best XAMPP Alternatives
Ubuntu Server is a version of Ubuntu that’s ready to run right out of the box. Unlike other operating systems, Ubuntu isn’t meant to be installed on your computer and left alone. Instead, it was designed to be a server, meaning it’s ready for someone who knows how servers work—and how they’re different from your home computer—to set up and use immediately.
Source: thetechtian.com
Best Linux distros of 2021 for beginners, mainstream and advanced users
In some aspects, the Ubuntu Server edition is just as popular as the desktop version. Ubuntu produces both LTS and non-LTS releases of the server just as with the desktop.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, CentOS should be more popular than Ubuntu Server. It has been mentiond 8 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

CentOS mentions (8)

  • SUSE working on a RHEL fork
    First, it is important to state that Stream is not a rolling release, at least not in the sense that you are thinking. It is "rolling" within a major release, but so are plenty of Linux Distributions. This is also why the centos.org website stopped using "rolling", and started using "continuos" instead at December 2020 (commit). So anyone that keeps using this wording is intentionally being misleading or... Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Keeping Open Source Open: Rocky Linux
    I get that Red Hat has shown themselves to be less than trust worthy given the sunset of CentOS 8, the removal of the centos.org repo updates and the characterization of anyone who uses their software via a clone distro as being a "freeloader" or "parasite". Source: almost 2 years ago
  • what is the typical size of Linux updates?
    This might be a good use case for RHEL family distribution (such as CentOS Stream or AlmaLinux) or Debian. These are much longer lived distributions, and provide fewer update churn over time than other distributions. Source: about 2 years ago
  • How to learn Linux , what to learn in Linux , how to prove them i know linux?
    The easiest approach to this is to download CentOS 7 from centos.org. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Wallpaper from CentOS
    I looked out for days now but didn’t find anything. I’m looking for the stock wallpaper from CentOS Stream. Like the background on their official website: Https://centos.org Does anybody have more luck or better sources than me? Thank you in advance. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

Ubuntu Server mentions (3)

  • IoT in September: a recap
    [ASUS IoT](https://iot.asus.com/) is a provider of embedded systems and AIoT hardware solutions. Notable among those is their [PE100A](https://iot.asus.com/products/intelligent-edge-computer/PE100A/) device, an edge computer featuring an i.MX 8M scalable SoC processor for low power consumption. The [PE100A](https://iot.asus.com/products/intelligent-edge-computer/PE100A/) is the first NXP i.MX8 Canonical... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Your Old Laptop Is Your New Database Server
    It looked like a good candidate for an always-available server; a machine that I could connect to at any time and install any kind of server software that I could need when developing apps. In times of Docker containers, configuring a machine to run server software is extremely easy. In this article, I’ll show you how to take advantage of that old laptop by installing Ubuntu Server, Docker, and a MariaDB database... - Source: dev.to / almost 3 years ago
  • Hosting Multiple ASP.NET Core Apps in Ubuntu Linux Server Using Apache
    ASP.NET Core is a cross-platform web development framework that supports developing applications on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android platforms. Hosting an ASP.NET Core application in Linux is complicated when compared to hosting one in Windows. In this article, I will explain how to easily host multiple ASP.NET Core apps in Ubuntu Linux server with Apache as a reverse proxy server. - Source: dev.to / almost 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing CentOS and Ubuntu Server, you can also consider the following products

Ubuntu - Ubuntu is a Debian Linux-based open source operating system for desktop computers.

OpenMediaVault - OpenMediaVault is the next generation network attached storage (NAS) solution based on Debian Linux.

Fedora - Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.

NethServer - NethServer is an operating system for Linux enthusiasts, designed for small offices and medium...

Windows 10 - Windows 10 unveils new innovations & is better than ever. Shop for Windows 10 laptops, PCs, tablets, apps & more. Learn about new upcoming features.

Zentyal - Linux directory, domain, mail, gateway and infrastructure server for SMBs.