Which Linux is closest to CentOS?
Oracle Linux is an RHEL fork, which is currently available and allows you to migrate from CentOS without reinstalling. It is also 100% application binary compatible with RHEL and has been available since 2006. It offers two different kernels, Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel and Red Hat Compatible Kernel.
Summary. In general the best recommendation is to use the latest and greatest version available, so in this case as of writing RHEL/CentOS 7. This is because it offers a number of improvements and benefits over the older versions which make it a better operating system to work with and manage overall.
Non-CentOS/RHEL based alternatives
Debian – 20+ years of experience with over 60,000 packages. Ubuntu LTS server is based on Debian SID. OpenSUSE Leap – Focuses on creating usable open-source tools. SUSE Linux Enterprise – provides interoperability with Windows and other platforms.
CentOS is a free downstream rebuild of the commercial Red Hat Enterprise Linux distribution where, in contrast, Debian is the free upstream distribution that is the base for other distributions, including the Ubuntu Linux distribution.
If you need a general server operating system that'll feel as much like CentOS as you'll find available for free and perform like a champ, Oracle Linux might be just what you're looking for…
Inasmuch as they're both 100% binary-compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux, yes, this is just like CentOS. Your applications will continue to work without any modification whatsoever. However, there are several important differences that make Oracle Linux far superior to CentOS. How is this better than CentOS?
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The differences.
Feature | CentOS 7 | CentOS 8 |
---|---|---|
Security | Comes with support for OpenSSL 1.0.1 and TLS 1.0 | Comes with support for OpenSSL 1.1.1 and TLS 1.3, TLS 1.0 and TLS 1 |
Version | Release date | Full updates |
---|---|---|
CentOS Linux 5 | April 12th, 2007 | January 2014 |
CentOS Linux 6 | July 10th, 2011 | May 2017 |
CentOS Linux 7.0-1406 | July 7th, 2014 | August 6th, 2020 |
CentOS Linux 8.0-1905 | September 24th, 2019 | December 31st, 2021 |
The current version of CentOS is CentOS 8, itself built atop RHEL 8. Normally, CentOS enjoys the same ten-year support lifecycle as RHEL itself—which would give CentOS 8 an end-of-life date in 2029.
Fedora is developed by the community backed Fedora project, sponsored and funded by Red Hat. CentOS is developed by CentOS project community using the source code of RHEL. It releases new versions far more often than any other distribution. It focuses on stability over being up-to-date or anything else.
Is CentOS going end of life?
Here's what that means. CentOS Linux 8 will reach End Of Life (EOL) on December 31st, 2021. Here's what that means. In line with the EOL of previous releases, we will NOT be automatically migrating anyone to the next version (which is CentOS Stream 8 in this case).
If you run a business, a Dedicated CentOS Server may be the better choice between the two operating systems because, it's (arguably) more secure and stable than Ubuntu, due to the reserved nature and the lower frequency of its updates. Additionally, CentOS also provides support for cPanel which Ubuntu lacks.

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CentOS vs Debian Comparison Table.
CentOS | Debian |
---|---|
CentOS is more stable and supported by a large community | Debian has relatively less market preference. |
CentOS vs Ubuntu – Main Differences
The biggest difference between the two Linux distributions is that Ubuntu is based on the Debian architecture while CentOS is forked from Red Hat Enterprise Linux. In Ubuntu, you can download DEB packages using the apt-get package manager.
Debian has a more vehement stance on free software but still includes non-free software in its non-free repos. Arch is more lenient, and therefore inclusive, concerning non-free packages as defined by GNU. Debian focuses on stringent testing of the Stable branch, which is "frozen" and supported up to five years.
There is no real difference between RHEL and OL (Oracle Linux). You can even run OL (with a Red Hat kernel) so it's the same. OL is free, so you could run all Dev/Test systems without the support and only pay for support for production systems. You can download updates for free, you don't need a subscription.
Oracle Linux is most often used by companies with 50-200 employees and >1000M dollars in revenue. Our data for Oracle Linux usage goes back as far as 6 years and 7 months. If you're interested in the companies that use Oracle Linux, you may want to check out Linux and Canonical Ubuntu as well.
Unlike many other commercial Linux distributions, Oracle Linux is easy to download and completely free to use, distribute, and update. Oracle Linux is available under the GNU General Public License (GPLv2). Support contracts are available from Oracle.
Redhat is the corporate version based on the progress of that project, and it has slower releases, comes with support, and isn't free. CentOS is basically the community version of Redhat. So it's pretty much identical, but it is free and support comes from the community as opposed to Redhat itself.
CentOS was once everywhere. Now, it's time for a change. True, the previous CentOS version, CentOS 7, will be supported until June 30, 2024. But if you want the most up-to-date RHEL clone, well, you'll soon be out of luck.
Will there be a CentOS 9?
There will be no CentOS Linux 9.
The CentOS Linux 6 distribution's updates will terminate on November 30, 2020.
Because it is basically RHEL without the costs, CentOS Linux is popular in a wide-variety of production, testing, and learning environments. For example, CentOS is very popular in the world of web-hosting.
- Ubuntu / Debian. Of course, whenever we talk about server operating system alternatives to replace CentOS, Ubuntu LTS versions will be the first option. ...
- Oracle Linux. ...
- OpenSUSE. ...
- AlmaLinux – CloudLinux OS. ...
- Rocky Linux. ...
- VzLinux. ...
- Springdale Linux.
Linux CentOS is one of those operating systems that are user-friendly and suitable for newbies. The installation process is relatively easy, although you shouldn't forget to install a desktop environment if you prefer using a GUI.
As the CentOS Project accelerated the End-of-Life date for CentOS 8, no further operating system updates will be available after December 31, 2021.
CentOS is a community-developed and supported alternative to RHEL. It is similar to Red Hat Enterprise Linux but lacks enterprise-level support. CentOS is more or less a free replacement for RHEL with few minor configuration differences. It comes with an extended support lifecycle ranging from 6 to 7 years.
The following are some of the changed defaults from CentOS 6 to CentOS 7 that individuals are likely to notice: Default file system changes from EXT4 to XFS. Default kernel changes from 2.6 to 3.10. Default firewall changes from Iptables to FirewallD.
CentOS Linux 7 will reach end of life on June 30, 2024, the same date that RHEL 7 enters the next vendor support phase: RHEL 7 Extended Lifecycle Support. After this date, CentOS 7 will no longer receive any security updates or bug fixes from Red Hat.
CentOS Linux. Both are open source Linux distros, versions of CentOS, and part of the overall enterprise Linux ecosystem. CentOS Stream serves as the open source development platform for upcoming releases of Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
At some point, every Linux release becomes EOL, that is, it reaches its end of life. Although CentOS releases have exceptionally long life cycles, version 6 reaches its own by the end of November 2020. In comparison, CentOS 7 will be supported until June 2024.
Is CentOS Debian or RPM?
rpm files are used primarily by distributions that derive from Redhat based distros (Fedora, CentOS, RHEL) as well as by the openSuSE distro.
Both members of the same family of RPM-based Linux distributions, CentOS and Fedora share many similarities, but they are far from interchangeable.
CentOS has long been considered a server operating system, but it is a very capable and stable platform for the desktop as well with long term support.
Version | Released | Active Support |
---|---|---|
CentOS Linux 8 | 2 years and 7 months ago (24 Sep 2019) | Ended 4 months and 2 weeks ago (31 Dec 2021) |
CentOS Linux 7 | 7 years and 10 months ago (07 Jul 2014) | Ended 1 year and 9 months ago (06 Aug 2020) |
CentOS 6 | 10 years ago (10 Jul 2011) | Ended 5 years ago (10 May 2017) |
Discover alternatives, which creates, removes, maintains, and displays information about the symbolic links comprising the alternatives system.
In response, CentOS founder Gregory Kurtzer created the Rocky Linux project as a successor to the original mission of CentOS. In March 2021, Cloud Linux (makers of CloudLinux OS) released a new RHEL derivative called AlmaLinux.
Red Hat engineers help improve features, reliability, and security to make sure your infrastructure performs and remains stable—no matter your use case and workload. Red Hat also uses Red Hat products internally to achieve faster innovation, and a more agile and responsive operating environment.
This Linux operating distro consists of the YUM package manager, a powerful tool for installing and uninstalling any application according to your needs. CentOS provides an amazing environment for programmers so that they can perform their tasks without having any trouble.
- Ubuntu Server. Best Linux server distro for scalability. ...
- Debian. Great Linux server distro with multi-architectural support. ...
- OpenSUSE. Best Linux server distro for long-term support. ...
- Fedora Server. Best Linux server distro for fast-moving tech adoption. ...
- Fedora CoreOS.
- Fedora. Best Linux distro for programming/programmers. ...
- Arch Linux/Manjaro Linux. For absolute control over your desktop, look no further. ...
- Gentoo/Sabayon Linux. Use the source code, Luke! ...
- Kali Linux. The Linux for security pros and their hacker enemies. ...
- SystemRescue.
Is Ubuntu better than Debian?
Though you can use the same software on both distros, note that the installation and configuration process is not the same. Generally, Ubuntu is considered a better choice for beginners, and Debian a better choice for experts. Ubuntu requires little to no user configuration during the installation processes.
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Difference between Fedora and Debian:
Fedora | Debian |
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Fedora is stable but not as much as Debian. | Debian is the most stable Linux based operating system. |
Arch Linux: A lightweight and flexible Linux distribution that tries to Keep It Simple. A lightweight and flexible Linux distribution that tries to Keep It Simple; Centos: The Community ENTerprise Operating System.
Key Differences Between CentOS and Ubuntu
CentOS is based on a Linux framework and a Linux distribution to implement a free, community-supported computing platform that is compatible with the corresponding upstream source, Red hat Linux whereas Ubuntu is an open-sourced and Linux distribution that is based on Debian.
Ubuntu is a more secure system than Debian. Debian is considered a much stabler system and is much easier to manage than Ubuntu. In discussions on several platforms, Debian has a reputation for being more stable. There may also be a few vulnerabilities in an Ubuntu server that will not exist in a Debian server.
The biggest reason for Arch immense popularity is the fact that it is the most bleeding edge Distro in the entire Linux World. Arch Linux are difficult to set up because they are born without an installation bundler. They are a bit like the original Linux system with its source code.
Arch Linux's biggest advantage over Debian is flexibility and as vanilla an experience as possible. Arch tries its best to leave every package built for it complying with how upstream has it by default, even rejecting most patches unless the package outright will not work otherwise.
No. Arch isn't good for beginners. You need to have atleast some basic Linux knowledge under your hood.