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Debian VS Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Compare Debian VS Red Hat Enterprise Linux and see what are their differences

Debian logo Debian

Debian is a free distribution of the GNU/Linux operating system.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux logo Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Red Hat Enterprise Linux is an open source operating system that is certified on hundreds of clouds & with thousands of hardware & software vendors.
  • Debian Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-12
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-22

Debian features and specs

  • Stability
    Debian is known for its rock-solid stability, making it a preferred choice for servers and critical systems that require long-term reliability.
  • Package Availability
    Debian offers a vast repository of packages, ensuring that you have access to a wide range of software and tools without needing third-party sources.
  • Security
    Debian has a strong focus on security with timely updates and a dedicated security team, providing a secure environment for users.
  • Community Support
    Debian has a large and active community, providing extensive support through forums, mailing lists, and comprehensive documentation.
  • Flexibility
    Debian is highly configurable and supports multiple architectures, allowing it to be used on various hardware platforms and for diverse use cases.
  • Free and Open Source
    Debian adheres strictly to the principles of free software, ensuring that users have freedom to use, modify, and distribute the software.
  • Long-Term Support (LTS)
    Debian provides long-term support for its stable releases, making it a suitable option for systems that require extended maintenance.

Possible disadvantages of Debian

  • Older Software Versions
    Due to its focus on stability, Debian tends to use older, well-tested versions of software, which may lack some of the latest features and updates.
  • Complex Installation Process
    The installation process for Debian can be complex and intimidating for new users compared to more user-friendly distributions like Ubuntu.
  • Slower Release Cycle
    Debian has a slower release cycle which may result in longer wait times for new features, updates, and support for newer hardware.
  • Resource-Intensive Configuration
    Setting up and configuring Debian can be resource-intensive and time-consuming, particularly for users who are not familiar with its system.
  • Less Focus on Desktop Experience
    Debian's strong focus on stability and server use means that desktop users might find it less polished and user-friendly compared to distributions specifically tailored for desktop environments.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux features and specs

  • Stability
    Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is known for its stability and reliability, making it suitable for critical business environments that require consistent performance.
  • Support
    RHEL offers comprehensive, professional support including security patches, regular updates, and incident resolution, which is crucial for enterprise operations.
  • Security
    RHEL includes robust security measures like SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux), which provides advanced access control policies to protect your environment.
  • Ecosystem
    RHEL is part of a large ecosystem of Red Hat products, allowing seamless integration with other enterprise tools and services, such as Ansible, OpenShift, and Satellite.
  • Certification and Compliance
    RHEL is certified for various industry standards and compliance requirements, making it a suitable choice for organizations with strict regulatory needs.
  • Long-term Support Lifecycle
    RHEL includes a long support lifecycle with extended support options, ensuring stability over many years with planned release cycles.
  • Extensive Documentation
    Red Hat offers thorough and well-maintained documentation that helps administrators and developers find solutions quickly.

Possible disadvantages of Red Hat Enterprise Linux

  • Cost
    RHEL's subscription model can be expensive, especially for small to medium-sized businesses or startups that may have limited budgets.
  • Complexity
    The extensive feature set and configuration options can be overwhelming, requiring significant expertise to manage effectively.
  • Vendor Lock-in
    RHEL's proprietary tools and services could lead to vendor lock-in, making it more challenging to switch to other platforms or solutions.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    While RHEL supports a wide range of hardware, there can be compatibility issues with some newer or less common hardware types.
  • Learning Curve
    Users new to RHEL or without prior Linux experience might face a steep learning curve due to the sheer amount of functionalities and configurations.
  • Community Support
    Though RHEL has a dedicated support team, community support is not as extensive or accessible compared to other Linux distributions like Ubuntu or Debian.
  • Deployment Speed
    Due to its focus on stability and enterprise features, deploying and setting up a RHEL system can be a more time-consuming process than some other distributions.

Analysis of Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Red Hat Enterprise Linux is widely regarded as a good choice for enterprises and organizations due to its stability, comprehensive support, and security features. While it may require a subscription, the value it provides in terms of support, updates, and security makes it a worthy investment, especially for businesses with critical operations.

Why this product is good

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is considered a robust and reliable operating system due to its stability, enterprise-grade support, and security features. It is built on a strong foundation of open-source software, ensuring regular updates and improvements. RHEL provides a comprehensive ecosystem with extensive documentation, tools for automation, and integration with other Red Hat products, which enhance its usability in complex IT environments. Its long-term support lifecycle makes it a preferred choice for enterprise projects and businesses seeking consistent performance and reduced downtime.

Recommended for

  • Enterprises requiring stable and secure operating systems
  • Organizations needing long-term support and maintenance
  • IT environments with critical workloads and applications
  • Businesses that benefit from comprehensive technical support and consulting services
  • Companies looking to integrate or leverage a broad ecosystem of open-source solutions

Debian videos

Debian 10 "Buster" Full Review and My Thoughts

More videos:

  • Review - Debian 10 Review (GNOME)
  • Review - Debian 10 "Buster" Review! Excited for THIS

Red Hat Enterprise Linux videos

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.0 overview | security functionality and performance for IT environments

More videos:

  • Review - An Overview of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 #RedHat8

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Debian and Red Hat Enterprise Linux)
Operating Systems
78 78%
22% 22
Linux
77 77%
23% 23
Linux Distribution
79 79%
21% 21
Distributions
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Debian and Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Debian Reviews

10 Most Popular Linux Distros of the Year 2023
Currently, Debian runs the FreeBSD kernel or Linux kernel. Debian was developed by many volunteers who are managing this operating system amazingly. The significant advantage of Debian is its vast software support. Learn – Install Debian 12 Bullseye on VirtualBox
Top 5 Secure Operating Systems for Privacy and Anonymity
The Debian Project adheres to a rigorous set of principles, the Debian Social Contract. It outlines its relationship with the community and underlines its dedication to delivering a free and secure high-quality operating system. This contract and the Debian Free Software Guidelines ensure that the software within Debian's repositories respects your privacy and freedom.
Finding the Best Linux Distro for Your Organization
Debian has a Testing branch, similar to a beta version, it is an intermediary stage between Debian's unstable and stable branches. The Testing branch is intended for users who want a balance between access to newer software and a relatively stable system. Debian Testing gets new features and fixes before the stable Debian release, allowing users who are comfortable...
The best Linux distributions (operating systems)
Debian is what Ubuntu is based on, making it one of the oldest Linux distributions. It was released and developed in 1993. For a long time, the abundance of software packages for Debian was unsurpassed and it is still notable. Commercial programs are easy to install. Installation, maintenance and usage are intuitive and not particularly difficult for both Windows and Mac...
Source: www.ionos.com
6 Best Free Alternatives to Windows for Advanced Users
Debian OS also offers a different variant for users to choose from and made the rolling release option available.
Source: techcult.com

Red Hat Enterprise Linux Reviews

Finding the Best Linux Distro for Your Organization
In the latest news, Red Hat’s recent move to restrict access to the source code of their Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) distribution has sparked significant attention. RHEL-compatible, alternative open source projects such as Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux were affected, and companies such as Oracle have voiced their perspectives and declared their commitment to maintaining...
The best Linux distributions (operating systems)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is the market leader among the enterprise Linux distributions. The operating system is suitable for desktop, server, cloud, and virtual machines and offers extensive and paid support. RHEL is stable and relies on long lifecycles. Usage is comparatively simple.
Source: www.ionos.com
Best Top 20 Ubuntu Linux Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
Fedora Linux is produced by the Fedora Project, a non-profit organization supported by Red Hat, an IBM subsidiary. Fedora is a free and open-source operating system that strives to be at the forefront of free technology. It is the upstream source of Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Debian seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 66 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.

Debian mentions (66)

  • Coding on a Chromebook
    The terminal is actually a Debian terminal. Debian is a version (distribution) of Linux, so if you've used it or Ubuntu before, you'll be very familiar with the commands. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Can I contribute to a redesign of the Debian website?
    Can't figure out debian.org? Then you probably won't figure out the distribution either. The website is perfectly fine, if you know how to read and think. They have mainly been focusing on making Debian stable, so it's more about reading manuals than expecting user-friendliness from it. There's loads of userfriendly-focused linux distributions out there. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Your guide to Debian iso downloads
    Https://debian.org/ has a huge DOWNLOAD button. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • where all the isos are? (broken links)
    Links on the debian.org doesn't work. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Debian 12 froze. How to diagnose ?
    Https://debian.org/ download the iso, dd to a pendrive and reinstall... Source: about 2 years ago
View more

Red Hat Enterprise Linux mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux yet. Tracking of Red Hat Enterprise Linux recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Debian and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, you can also consider the following products

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

Linux Mint - Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people.

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.

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

Manjaro - Manjaro Linux is a linux distribution which is based on arch linux. It uses the PACMAN package manager.

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.