Software Alternatives & Startups

Fedora VS openSUSE

Compare Fedora VS openSUSE and see what are their differences

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.

Rating
0 reviews
openSUSE

openSUSE is a free and Linux-based operating system for your PC, Laptop or Server.

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Fedora should be more popular than openSUSE. It has been mentioned 124 times since March 2021.

social mentions
124 vs 18
Operating Systems popularity
75% vs 25%
alternatives listed
239 vs 238

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Fedora
openSUSE
Website getfedora.org opensuse.org
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Fedora 7 features
openSUSE 6 features
  • Cutting-edge Software
    Fedora is known for its bleeding-edge updates, incorporating the latest software versions, kernel updates, and features soon after they are released. This makes it ideal for users who want the newest technology.
  • Strong Security
    Fedora includes strong security features, such as SELinux (Security Enhanced Linux) by default, which provides advanced security policies and mitigates various types of attacks.
  • Developer Friendly
    Fedora offers a rich array of developer tools and software, making it a preferred choice for developers. It supports a wide range of programming languages and development environments.
  • Red Hat Sponsorship
    Fedora is backed by Red Hat, which adds a level of reliability, professionalism, and a stable foundation that many Linux distributions do not have.
  • Community Support
    Fedora has a robust community of users and developers who contribute to its development and provide assistance through forums, mailing lists, and other forms of support.
  • Modularity
    Fedora's modular repository allows users to choose different versions of software packages, accommodating the specific needs of various users and use cases.
  • Workstation Edition
    Fedora offers a Workstation edition that is specifically tailored for personal computers, offering a polished and user-friendly desktop environment.

Possible disadvantages

  • Frequent Updates
    The cutting-edge nature of Fedora means frequent updates, which can be overwhelming for users who prefer a more stable and less frequently changing system.
  • Short Life Cycle
    Fedora has a relatively short life cycle of approximately 13 months for each release, meaning users need to upgrade more frequently compared to some other distributions.
  • Software Compatibility
    Due to its focus on free and open-source software, Fedora may not include some proprietary drivers and codecs by default, which may require additional setup to install.
  • Learning Curve
    While Fedora is user-friendly, it might have a steeper learning curve for new Linux users compared to more beginner-oriented distributions like Ubuntu.
  • Limited Corporate Support
    Unlike Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Fedora does not come with official corporate support, which can be a drawback for business users who require enterprise-level technical support.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Some users might experience hardware compatibility issues, especially with very new hardware, due to the rapid pace of updates and the lack of proprietary drivers.
  • YaST
    Yet another Setup Tool (YaST) is a comprehensive system configuration and administration tool that makes managing the OS easy for users of all experience levels.
  • Consistency and Stability
    openSUSE is known for its reliability and stability, making it a great choice for production environments and critical systems.
  • Rolling and Fixed Releases
    openSUSE offers both a rolling release (Tumbleweed) and a fixed release (Leap), allowing users to choose between cutting-edge updates and long-term stability.
  • Strong Security
    The distribution emphasizes security with features like AppArmor, a security module that restricts programs' capabilities, and frequent updates to address security vulnerabilities.
  • Wide Range of Software
    openSUSE has access to a vast collection of software packages thanks to its integration with the openSUSE Build Service (OBS) and other repositories.
  • Community Support
    There is an active and helpful community that offers support through forums, mailing lists, and IRC, making it easier for new users to get help.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    openSUSE's powerful tools and customization options can present a steep learning curve for beginners who are not familiar with Linux environments.
  • Software Delays
    Users on the Leap version may find that some software packages are not as up-to-date as those in other leading distributions, due to the emphasis on stability.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    openSUSE might not support some newer or less common hardware out-of-the-box, requiring users to manually install drivers or make additional configurations.
  • System Resource Usage
    The default installation can be resource-heavy, which might be less ideal for older or lower-end hardware.
  • Complexity for Basic Needs
    For users who need a simple and straightforward desktop environment, openSUSE's numerous features and configurations might feel overwhelming.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Fedora
openSUSE

Overall verdict

  • Fedora is a robust and reliable distribution, particularly suitable for users who want to stay on the forefront of technology without sacrificing system stability. It is particularly well-suited for developers, system administrators, and enthusiasts who appreciate a polished and professional Linux experience.

Why this product is good

  • Fedora is often praised for being a cutting-edge Linux distribution that offers the latest features, updates, and improvements. It is a community-driven project sponsored by Red Hat, which ensures stability and security while allowing users to experience new technologies. Fedora has a strong emphasis on open-source software and provides excellent support for various hardware configurations. Additionally, it has a vast repository of software packages and benefits from an active and vibrant community.

Recommended for

  • Developers looking for a stable yet cutting-edge development environment.
  • Users who want a secure and stable operating system with up-to-date software.
  • Linux enthusiasts who want to participate in an active community and contribute to open-source projects.
  • System administrators seeking a reliable operating system for server deployments.

Overall verdict

  • openSUSE is a reliable and versatile Linux distribution that is suitable for a variety of use cases, from everyday desktop use to complex server environments. Its flexibility and powerful management tools make it a good choice for both beginners and experienced users.

Why this product is good

  • openSUSE is known for its robust, open-source nature and offers two major distributions: Tumbleweed and Leap. Tumbleweed is a rolling release, providing the latest software updates, while Leap offers a more stable, fixed-release cycle ideal for users who prioritize stability. openSUSE is equipped with powerful tools like YaST for system management, zypper for package management, and offers exceptional support for developers and sysadmins. It's also known for its active community and comprehensive documentation.

Recommended for

  • Developers looking for a robust development environment
  • System administrators who need advanced management tools
  • Users who appreciate stability and security in their operating system
  • Open-source enthusiasts who enjoy contributing to and using community-driven projects
  • Those who want to explore a rolling release (Tumbleweed) or a stable release (Leap) distribution

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Fedora 7 videos + Add
openSUSE 3 videos + Add

omplete Guide: How to Download, Install and Review Fedora 38 Linux on VirtualBox 2023

More videos

  • - Fedora 31 Workstation Review & Gnome 3.34.1 Walkthrough - Linux Distro Reviews
  • - Fedora 31 Review | Should You Use It? Find Out!
  • - Fedora Workstation 31 Full Review
  • - Fedora 34 Reviewed: A Great GNOME distro that's worth checking out!
  • - Fedora 34 | This is the ABSOLUTE Best Linux Distro of 2021 Yet (NEW RELEASE!)
  • - Review - Fedora Workstation 33 (and why you should avoid it)

openSUSE Leap 15 In-Depth Review - Linux Distro Reviews

More videos

  • - openSUSE Tumbleweed w/KDE Overview | Distro Delves S2:Ep17
  • - openSUSE Leap 15.2 | Review and Final Thoughts

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Fedora
openSUSE
75% 75%
25% 25%
74% 74%
26% 26%
74% 74%
26% 26%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using Fedora and openSUSE. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Fedora no reviews yet
openSUSE no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Fedora 124 mentions
openSUSE 18 mentions
  • what are some good laptops to buy?
    I am using HP Omen. I easily open it, clean it and change the thermal paste every 3 months (they have detailed guides on YouTube). My laptop had another SSD slot and I upgraded it with a new Samsung 1TB SSD and I am looking to upgrade... Source: over 3 years ago
  • How do I remove this Ubuntu Pro ad from apt?
    You can find the solution at https://getfedora.org /s. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Fedora Project has a new website!
    It looks.. Awesome way better than getfedora.org kudos to the website developers. Source: over 3 years ago

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  • Problem with freshly installed Discord on MicroOS
    I don't understand. What is the alternative way to install codecs on a Tumbleweed/Leap system? There are instructions on how to use the Packman repositories for multimedia on opensuse.org so it is easy for one to assume that this is the... Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Something wrong with the Opensuse Leap 15.4 repositories?
    That's the problem, The error messages just that. I tried to download libOpenCL.so.1 because Resolve needs that to run, and every repository my system attempts to reach fails to download. The repository (all coming from opensuse.org by... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Update: I notice that they've replaced the leap 15.4 ad with MicroOS now.
    I've noticed on opensuse.org, you will now see a link to download micro os. Source: almost 4 years ago

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Alternatives to Fedora and openSUSE

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