CentOS Linux 7, the favored free and open-source Linux distribution primarily based on Purple Hat Enterprise Linux, has been discontinued as of July 2024. The enterprise working system, cherished by scientists, companies, and builders for its reliability, stability, and safety, has been deserted by Purple Hat so it may shift its full funding to CentOS Stream.
CentOS Linux updates and releases had been discontinued between 2021 and 2024, ending when CentOS Linux 7 reached end-of-life on June 30 this yr. It had been a number one know-how for internet hosting, cloud computing, storage servers, networks, and software program improvement for 20 years.
As customers contemplate whether or not emigrate to CentOS Stream 9, a brand new upstream distribution that’s designed to be a rolling launch of Purple Hat Enterprise Linux and isn’t thought of a substitute for CentOS, different rivals stand out pretty much as good alternate options.
Prime CentOS alternate options: Comparability desk
Within the following chart, we word how 5 CentOS alternate options examine by way of efficiency, migration instruments and sources, safety and compliance, supported architectures, assist and lifecycle, and pricing.
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| Efficiency | Migration instruments and sources | Safety and compliance | Supported architectures | Help and lifecycle | Pricing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purple Hat Enterprise Linux | Extremely dependable and sturdy. | Sure. | Sure, built-in and automatic instruments. | x86, ARM, IBM Energy, IBM Z, IBM LinuxONE and extra. | 24-7 assist is free with the paid plan.
10-year lifecycle. Improve extensions obtainable. |
Pricing begins at $196.90. |
| Oracle Linux | Superior efficiency and reliability. | Sure. | Sure, built-in instruments. | x86 (32-bit), x86-64 (64-bit) and aarch64 (64-bit). | 24-7 assist should be bought.
10-year lifecycle. Improve extension obtainable. |
Oracle Cloud Free Tier is free to obtain, use and distribute.
Paid variations embrace Oracle Linux assist, Oracle Cloud, and Oracle. |
| Rocky Linux | Dependable however beneath intense improvement. | Sure, however requires superior information. | Sure, however requires superior information. | x86-64-v2, ARM64, ppc64le and s390x. | Neighborhood assist and industrial assist obtainable.
10-year assist and improve cycle. |
Free to obtain, use and distribute. |
| AlmaLinux | Enterprise-grade however beneath improvement. | Sure, however requires superior information. | Sure, however requires superior information. | x86_64, aarch64, ppc64le and s390x. | Free group assist.
Upgrades and year-support lifecycle differ relying on variations. |
Free to obtain, use and distribute. |
| Fedora | Enterprise- grade, dependable and safe. | Sure, built-in superior options. | Sure, built-in, superior options. | x86-64, ARM, PowerPC: PowerPC64 and PowerPC64le, s390x and RISC-V: F. | Boards, paperwork, bug applications, mailing lists and chat assist.
Helps improve from one model to the subsequent. |
Free to obtain, use and distribute. |
What are one of the best CentOS alternate options?
For the reason that IBM-owned firm determined to limit the free use of Purple Hat Enterprise Linux, a divide has been rising amongst customers. The primary query is whether or not emigrate to industrial Linux suppliers or open-source, non-commercial community-developed enterprise working programs.
On this advanced panorama of imminent migration, some prime names stand out as CentOS’s prime alternate options: Purple Hat Enterprise Linux, Oracle Linux, Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux, and Fedora.
Purple Hat Enterprise Linux: Finest for giant enterprises
The primary title that emerges as an alternative choice to CentOS is of course Purple Hat Enterprise Linux, because it’s the open-source working system on which CentOS is predicated. Subsequently, many customers suppose that going on to the supply is of course a good suggestion, and so they’re not flawed.
RHEL has gained its repute amongst huge enterprises for offering a contemporary, security-oriented OS. Firms with superior digital sources, know-how stacks, and workloads use the OS to scale and carry out on-premises, on digital machines or containers, and within the cloud. The OS is licensed on a whole lot of clouds and with hundreds of {hardware} and software program distributors.
Determine A
Options
- Stability and group assist: RHEL is a really secure OS designed for use in mission-critical environments. There’s additionally a big and energetic group of RHEL customers and builders to supply assist.
- Safety: Safety is on the core of RHEL. The system contains a large number of superior security measures.
- Official assist and advantages: Purple Hat offers 24/7 assist for RHEL, and all variations have a 10-year life cycle. Plus, Purple Hat connects customers with its intensive {hardware}, software program, and cloud companion ecosystem.
- Supported architectures: It runs on servers and workstations, and helps a variety of {hardware} architectures like x86, ARM, IBM Energy, IBM Z, and IBM LinuxONE.
- Automation and administration: The OS contains Purple Hat Insights, a managed service for analytics and remediation that delivers steady vulnerability alerts and steerage.
- Safety and compliance: RHEL can simplify dangers and automate safety and compliance with built-in options like dwell kernel patching, safety profiles, safety requirements certification, and a trusted software program provide chain.
- Migration: From putting in to migrating or updating, the seller gives instruments to streamline the processes, whether or not customers are coming from CentOS Linux or one other OS.
Execs
- Steady and dependable software program.
- Excessive-performing safety and compliance.
- Nicely-supported OS.
- Wide selection of options.
- Giant and energetic group.
Cons
- Not free; industrial pricing will be costly for small firms.
- Will be advanced to handle.
- Not as versatile as another Linux distributions.
Pricing
RHEL variants embrace the Server version and RHEL Workstations, that are optimized to run on high-performance workstations. Moreover, different variations are Linux for Digital Datacenters, Linux for IBM Energy Little Endian, and Linux for SAP Options.
Pricing begins at $196.90 for the Workstation, and the costliest answer, Linux Digital Datacenters, begins at $2,748.90.
SEE: For extra data, learn Purple Hat Enterprise Linux 9.
Oracle Linux: Finest for IT and software program improvement firms
Oracle Linux is one other strong various for these seeking to migrate from CentOS for a number of causes. To start with, Oracle Linux is 100% Purple Hat Enterprise Linux suitable. It may deal with all kinds of workloads, heavy-duty databases, utility servers, and DevOps. Moreover, customers can migrate from CentOS to Oracle Linux seamlessly utilizing built-in migration options. And, they’ll profit from a number of options that aren’t obtainable in CentOS.
Totally suitable with RHEL, Oracle gives a selection of two kernels: the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel for Oracle Linux or the Purple Hat Suitable Kernel.
- The Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel offers the most recent open supply improvements, key optimizations, and safety with a concentrate on efficiency, stability, and minimal backports by monitoring the mainline supply code as intently as is sensible. It’s a Linux kernel constructed by Oracle and supported by way of Oracle Linux assist. UEK is designed for optimum efficiency and stability and drives Oracle Cloud and Oracle Engineered Programs, reminiscent of Oracle Exadata Database Machine. UEK is well-tested and used to run Oracle’s Engineered Programs, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, and huge enterprise deployments for Oracle clients.
- The Purple Hat Suitable Kernel is for Oracle Linux, and it’s suitable with the Purple Hat Enterprise Linux kernel; which means software program that’s compiled for RHEL will even run on Oracle Linux with RHCK.
Oracle Linux is an effective selection for companies and organizations that want a secure, dependable, and safe working system. Additionally it is common amongst IT and software program firms due to the options listed under.
Determine B
Options
- Migration: Oracle offers a fast and simple migration path to modify from CentOS Linux or different OS. The corporate additionally gives hands-on labs and tutorials to assist customers all through the method.
- DevOps automation: IT firms and software program builders leverage the automated DevOps options to speed up manufacturing and deployment. By these options, customers can discover 5 drivers for DevOps automation, suggestions, and extra.
- Multi-environment efficiency and reliability: Oracle Linux is designed to assist x86 and Arm architectures throughout on-premises, multicloud, and edge environments. Additionally it is engineered for heavy workloads.
- Safety and compliance: Customers can apply safety vulnerability fixes with out downtime. Oracle Linux will help customers detect exploits and use a distribution that has FIPS and Widespread Standards certifications to satisfy compliance.
- Official assist: Oracle Linux assist should be bought. The value for the 24/7 assist begins at $499 per yr.
Extra options that aren’t obtainable in CentOS embrace:
- Zero-downtime patching with Ksplice.
- Cloud-native instruments reminiscent of Kubernetes and Kata Containers.
- Kernel-based digital machine virtualization and oVirt-based virtualization supervisor.
- Gluster Storage for Oracle Linux.
- The Btrfs file system (solely obtainable with UEK).
- DTrace dynamic tracing framework (solely obtainable with UEK).
- Oracle Linux Automation Supervisor and Automation Engine.
- Oracle Linux Supervisor utility to help in patching and errata administration.
Execs
- Presents free obtain, use, and distribution.
- Boasts high-performance, stability, safety, and reliability.
- Supplies automation for DevOps.
- Delivers very good assist.
- Presents a variety of options that CentOS doesn’t.
- Features a 100% RHEL suitable migration path for CentOS and different OS customers.
Cons
- Help should be bought.
- Will be advanced to handle.
- Compliance options require superior information.
Pricing
Oracle Linux primary model is free to obtain, use, and distribute; this contains free supply code and updates. The Oracle Cloud Infrastructure pricing will be estimated on-line, and a primary Linux Help plan prices $499 for one yr and $1,497 for 3 years.
SEE: Is Oracle Linux a sound substitute for CentOS? (TechRepublic)
Rocky Linux: Finest for die-hard CentOS followers
Rocky Linux is a community-supported Linux distribution that was created when CentOS introduced its end-of-life cycle. The venture is led by the unique founding father of CentOS, Gregory Kurtzer.
The OS is designed to be a drop-in substitute for CentOS. It responds to the wants of the CentOS group and has obtained assist from Amazon Internet Providers, Google Cloud, VMware, Open Supply Lab, and others.
Rocky Linux is an open-source enterprise working system designed to be 100% bug-for-bug suitable with Purple Hat Enterprise Linux; nonetheless, as it’s beneath intensive improvement by the group, it’s not but risk-free.
Determine C
Options
- Migration: Rocky Linux gives assist and guides for customers to make use of when migrating from CentOS, CentOS Stream, Alma Linux, RHEL, or Oracle Linux. Superior abilities are required for the migration and what Rocky Linux calls “a mildly risk-taking attitude.” A migration script is out there freed from cost.
- Manufacturing-ready: Regardless of it nonetheless being beneath improvement, the OS is enterprise-ready and offers strong stability with common updates.
- Neighborhood assist: The OS has the assist of well-known CentOS leaders, in addition to the broader group.
- CentOS options: The OS offers all the primary CentOS options that builders and the group are conversant in, making the training curve a straight line.
SEE: Study to make use of Linux for IT and Sysadmin with this coaching bundle (TechRepublic Academy)
Execs
- Free and open-source.
- Dependable and safe.
- Nicely-supported.
- Glorious for customers familiarized with CentOS.
- Supported by the CentOS energetic group.
Cons
- Beneath intense improvement.
- Not risk-free.
- Requires superior information.
Pricing
Rocky Linux is free and offers free upgrades together with a 10-year assist lifecycle, all without charge.
AlmaLinux: Finest for these conversant in CentOS
AlmaLinux is one other forked model of CentOS, owned and ruled by a group of builders. Like RockyLinux, the OS started improvement when CentOS introduced it will now not provide assist or launch new variations.
The group behind AlmaLinux assures that the OS will all the time be free for enterprises, and that they’re centered on long-term stability and a strong production-grade platform. The corporate adopted a Fedora-like distribution for anybody who doesn’t need to pay for RHEL licenses. AlmaLinux is supported by CloudLinux Inc. and different sponsors.
Options
- Migration: AlmaLinux doesn’t have built-in automated step-by-step know-how that guides customers by way of migration. AlmaLinux does provide guides, however solely these with superior abilities will have the ability to observe them (Determine D).
- Manufacturing-ready: AlmaLinux OS is an enterprise-grade server OS. It’s a secure Linux distribution and gives common releases and assist. It’s designed for crucial workloads. The group offers official pictures for cloud suppliers together with AWS, generic clouds, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, OpenNebula, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.
- Neighborhood assist: The AlmaLinux GitHub group comprises supply code and instruments used to construct AlmaLinux OS and associated infrastructure. The Reddit group is in place for customers to obtain updates and discover and supply assist. Moreover, different group boards can be found.
- Supported architectures: AlmaLinux helps 4 architectures: x86_64, aarch64, ppc64le, and s390x.
- Efficiency and safety: AlmaLinux is a really secure working system that depends on the experience of consultants locally. It’s designed for use in mission-critical environments, and it has a protracted historical past of reliability. It additionally offers quite a lot of security measures, which embrace SELinux and AppArmor.
Determine D
Execs
- Open-source and free.
- Migration assist.
- Excessive-grade enterprise distribution OS.
- CentOS-style options.
- Giant group assist.
Cons
- New to the market.
- Not risk-free.
- Requires superior information.
- Superior instruments reminiscent of automation and compliance could differ and rely upon the extent of person experience.
Pricing
AlmaLinux is free. Upgrades and assist offered differ relying on the model.
Fedora: Finest for programming and rolling launch distribution
Fedora is an revolutionary platform cherished by programmers as a result of it offers cutting-edge know-how, is dependable and secure, and is a free and open-source OS filled with options.
Fedora can also be a community-supported Linux distribution developed by Purple Hat. In idea, it compares extra to CentOS Stream than to CentOS as a result of it gives rolling launch distribution, giving customers entry to the most recent know-how. New options and updates are launched on a steady foundation. The brand new options in Fedora can be found earlier than they’re launched in Purple Hat Enterprise Linux. Fedora additionally invests closely in graphic person expertise and offers easy-to-use, high-quality graphics by way of fashionable desktops (Determine E).
Determine E
Options
- Variations: Fedora is out there in Workstation and Server variations, in addition to for IoT, Cloud, and as a Container optimized OS. Every model is up to date for about 13 months; upgrades between variations are fast and simple.
- Efficiency: With Fedora Server, customers can run digital machines and containers, construct purposes, deploy a server and workloads, and create secure ecosystems.
- Help: Supplies challenge monitoring, chat assist, sources, documentation, group assist, and extra.
- Rolling releases: Fedora is a rolling launch distribution, which suggests new options and updates are launched on a steady foundation. Customers have entry to the most recent software program obtainable.
- Supported architectures: x86-64, ARM, PowerPC: PowerPC64 and PowerPC64le, s390x and RISC-V: F.
Execs
- Free and open supply.
- Constructed-in migration instruments and sources.
- Chopping-edge working system, gives rolling releases.
- Neighborhood supported.
Cons
- Superior abilities are required.
- Setup will be advanced.
Pricing
Fedora is free and offers free upgrades from model to model.
Is CentOS nonetheless related?
CentOS remains to be a related Linux distribution regardless of being discontinued. You might consider CentOS as an excellent automobile that the producer is now not producing. Whilst you can nonetheless use the automobile and it really works completely, you’ll not obtain upgrades, new variations, or assist.
Nevertheless, it’s value contemplating shifting your tasks to a different supported working system to ensure they’re protected by safety and different updates. You’ll be able to migrate tasks to CentOS Stream by utilizing the next three instructions with root privileges:
dnf set up -y centos-release-stream
dnf swap -y centos-{linux,stream}-repos
dnf distro-sync -y
.
Will there be a CentOS 9?
No, there is not going to be a CentOS 9. Purple Hat introduced it will now not assist CentOS as a downstream distribution of RHEL. This implies there shall be no new variations of CentOS launched after CentOS 8.
Nevertheless, led by a big group and supported by industrial companions, forks of CentOS reminiscent of Rocky Linus and AlmaLinux are being developed. These forks are designed to be 100% suitable with CentOS, to allow them to be used as a drop-in substitute for CentOS.
Is CentOS good in 2024?
No, CentOS will not be a good selection anymore as a result of it’s now not supported. Purple Hat has now shifted focus to CentOS Stream, which gives a rolling launch that’s extra cutting-edge however much less secure. It’s value researching which CentOS Linux various is finest in your tasks.
What’s the way forward for CentOS?
The almost definitely state of affairs is that one of many organizations growing forks of it turns into the go-to OS for this group. On the opposite aspect, from Purple Hat’s perspective, the way forward for CentOS is CentOS Stream, which is a brand new Linux distribution developed by Purple Hat, an IBM-owned firm.
However CentOS Stream will not be a substitute for CentOS — it’s a totally different distribution with a very totally different focus. It goals to be on the forefront of improvement by providing customers rolling launch distribution to check new options and updates earlier than they’re launched in RHEL. On this means, it’s just like Fedora; additionally, each are developed by Purple Hat, and each provide rolling releases.
How do I select one of the best CentOS various for my enterprise?
There isn’t a simple reply to this query. When selecting another for CentOS, enterprise leaders ought to seek the advice of with their builders to study which OS they really feel extra snug with as a result of they would be the ones working the system.
Then again, finances could also be a deciding issue, particularly for small firms. Moreover, amongst CentOS customers and builders, there’s a sturdy sense of group, assist, and respect free of charge open-source tasks. Subsequently, even when an organization has the finances to purchase the costliest licenses, builders could really feel extra assured and cozy working with open-source, free know-how.
Some customers might even see the tip of lifetime of CentOS as a possibility emigrate to a different OS, reminiscent of Oracle Linux or Purple Hat Enterprise Linux. These extra conservative decisions provide options that CentOS doesn’t provide.
Ultimately, the OS you select should align with your enterprise wants and targets, be versatile, dependable, and safe, and supply glorious migration and assist. Scaling, automation, upgrades, and compliance are additionally key elements to investigate.
Conclusion
CentOS has offered important providers for organizations, firms, and builders for a few years. Whereas the OS has reached the tip of its glory days, there are nonetheless strong new and established Linux OS distributions available in the market.
From CentOS-inspired group OSs like Rocky Linux or AlmaLinux, to a cutting-edge OS like Fedora, or the large names of Oracle and Purple Hat Linux, the choices are as numerous as they’re wealthy. Will probably be as much as each enterprise to determine which Linux distribution suits their operational wants.
Methodology
To jot down our assessment and consider CentOS rivals and alternate options, we examined websites that compile combination knowledge primarily based on verified person opinions. We additionally reviewed demos on vendor websites, test-drove the software program when doable, and scoured by way of the official websites of all OS suppliers’ options on this report to judge their software program, customer support, user-friendliness, worth, scalability, and extra.