SUSE Linux Enterprise vs Ubuntu Linux comparison

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16,154 views|14,188 comparisons
92% willing to recommend
Canonical Logo
35,318 views|32,095 comparisons
95% willing to recommend
Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary
Updated on Aug 31, 2022

We performed a comparison between SUSE Linux Enterprise and Ubuntu Linux based on our users’ reviews in five categories. After reading all of the collected data, you can find our conclusion below.

  • Ease of Deployment: Users of both solutions agree that their initial setup is straightforward..

  • Features: Users of both products are happy with their stability and scalability.

    SUSE Linux Enterprise reviewers say that it is secure, easy to use, and high performing but that its GUI could improve.

    Ubuntu Linux users say that it is fast, powerful, and flexible. Several Ubuntu Linux users mention that it can be difficult to upgrade.
  • Pricing: SUSE Linux Enterprise and Ubuntu Linux are open-source products and are therefore free of charge.

  • ROI: SUSE Linux Enterprise users do not explicitly report an ROI. Ubuntu Linux users report an ROI.

  • Service and Support: SUSE Linux Enterprise reviewers mention satisfactory commercial technical support. Ubuntu Linux users note that there is a large supporting online community.

Comparison Results: Ubuntu Linux has an edge in this comparison. Unlike SUSE Linux Enterprise, it has a proven ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed SUSE Linux Enterprise vs. Ubuntu Linux Report (Updated: March 2024).
771,157 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The operating system is efficient in terms of security.""SUSE Linux Enterprise is scalable.""It is a stable platform.""The main feature is that Linux is flexible to work with for most web-based applications.""Out-of-the-box SLES supported all of our HBAs and hardware specific components.""The initial setup for most modern Linux distributions is normally straightforward. Most of the common distributions use an ncurses or GUI install.""SUSE Linux Enterprise is stable.""YaST simplifies the server management of SUSE allowing for a centralized utility to control most of the server functions."

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"Ubuntu Linux's most valuable feature is its open-source nature.""The solution has a very good graphical user interface.""It's offered as open-source, and therefore does not cost anything to use.""Ubuntu is rather stable, simple to deploy, stable, and well supported by an open-source community.""It is scalable. I can customize it based on what I want to do.""It has a good support system for loading databases.""The most valuable feature of Ubuntu Linux is the price because we don't need to pay as it is used for selling equipment.""There's ample documentation available for most features, and I find it straightforward to use."

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Cons
"I have not been overly impressed with their technical support.""The interface could improve.""SUSE could make more APIs available.""I don't like the frequency of updates, especially if they're only from the vendor.""The platform doesn't support certain APMs.""In the next release it would be nice to see more integration and better automation of processses.""They should improve their educational portal.""Red Hat has more packages that are available than SUSE does. I'd love to see more projects based on SUSE."

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"When installing software, an online interface has to be used and commands written to run the installation. The solution could be improved if it was possible to click twice in an icon for the installation process to begin.""The repository needs to be kept up to date all of the time.""Could be even more light weight than it currently is.""The biggest improvement, which is also applicable to Linux in general, with Ubuntu Linux is getting things standardized as to where you're going to put your configuration files and how they're going to work. Package names also need to be improved so that the package name doesn't have any match with configuration file systems and things like that. Ubuntu is still better than some of the others, such as Red Hat Linux or CentOS.""Its interface could be improved and made richer.""The stability definitely can be improved. When we are implementing patches and new releases, it tends to fail.""The ZFS needs improvement. They do an implementation of the ZFS storage that needs improvement.""Linux does not provide a user-friendly interface."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "I would advise others to download the free or strictly open source versions, then test them in their environment before committing to a purchase. This will allow for testing suitability for applications that they want to run."
  • "As far as licensing goes, there is nothing unusual here. The price and model have worked fine for my organization."
  • "When we first implemented this product, we had licenses for support."
  • "I have to pay for a license in order to get support."
  • "There is a free tier and a paid support tier. If you do not need support, then the solution is free to use. If you need support then there is an option for that as well."
  • "Anyone can use Linux because it is open-source."
  • "The license we pay is for Oracle. We make use of the community edition."
  • "There is no license for this solution, there is only a subscription of support available."
  • More SUSE Linux Enterprise Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "​Old equipment works for at least two or three years more, which means a significant savings.​"
  • "I use the free version, so I don't have any license fees."
  • "It's an open-source solution that can be used free of charge."
  • "It is not a very expensive solution."
  • "Ubuntu pricing is reasonable."
  • "It is open source, so it is free. There is no licensing fee."
  • "It is a free product."
  • "Ubuntu is an open-source Linux operating system that can be used free of charge."
  • More Ubuntu Linux Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:The initial setup is simple and takes five minutes for deployment and if you have automation in place, it will take four minutes.
    Top Answer:The solution’s subscription is dependent on the organisation like how they have a contract with the company.
    Top Answer:Ubunto Linux is a complete Linux operating system that is freely available with both community and professional support. This solution is suitable for both desktop and server use. It has a very… more »
    Top Answer: It has a good support system for loading databases.
    Ranking
    Views
    16,154
    Comparisons
    14,188
    Reviews
    13
    Average Words per Review
    427
    Rating
    8.2
    Views
    35,318
    Comparisons
    32,095
    Reviews
    23
    Average Words per Review
    441
    Rating
    8.9
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    Ubuntu
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    Canonical
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    Overview

    SUSE Linux Enterprise is a versatile operating system ideal for deploying solutions, managing applications, and running certain applications. It is also used for migrating SAP workloads to the cloud, integrating with SAP HANA solutions and products, and as an operating system for application servers. 

    The solution is praised for its YaST tool for easier server administration, compatibility with Oracle and SAP, stability, scalability, ease of use, extensive documentation, pacemaker cluster, and SUSE Manager for patching. SUSE Linux offers extended support for each version and a special edition for SAP applications.

    Ubuntu Linux is an powerful, easy-to-use, customizable, free, and safe open-source operating system. Some of the world’s top tech corporations, like Intel and Microsoft, rely on Ubuntu Linux to power their operations. It is an operating system that is so trusted by the tech community that it comes pre-installed on global computer vendors like HP and Dell. It is therefore little wonder that Ubuntu Desktop is the world’s most widely-used Linux workstation platform.

    Ubuntu Linux comes in a variety of derivatives that enable organizations to select the operating system type that will best meet their needs. There are four derivative types and a number of flavors. The derivative types are:

    1. Ubuntu Desktop. As indicated by the name, this derivative is specifically designed to run on laptops and desktops. That said, it is a solution that can be and is used to power other hardware-based systems, such as servers and data centers. However, without the addition of software that primes it to serve as a server program, it only functions on desktops and, as a result, only runs applications that are meant for general use. These can include applications like web browsers and multimedia programs. Users can install it through a prompt-driven process that plays out on their graphical user interfaces.

    2. Ubuntu Server. This version of Ubuntu differs from Ubuntu Desktop in a number of ways. The first is that, as suggested by the product name, it is designed for use on an organization’s servers. It is for this reason that Ubuntu Server supports applications that are more focused on the operations of the server and the network that it runs. This differs from Ubuntu Desktop in that Desktop is basically only concerned with the device that is running it. Their methods of installation also differ, as Ubuntu Server has no graphical user interface. Instead, it is installed by way of a process-driven menu.

    3. Ubuntu Core. Ubuntu Core is a stripped-down version of Linux that is specifically designed to handle embedded device projects.

    4. Ubuntu Cloud. The designers of Ubuntu Cloud focused on providing users with a highly secure and versatile operating system that they can run on the public cloud.

    Ubuntu Linux Benefits

    Some of the ways that organizations can benefit by deploying Ubuntu Linux’s open-source operating system include:

    • Ease of installation and use. Ubuntu Linux is simple for beginners to install and then use. Anyone who has some knowledge of computer systems should be able to deploy Ubuntu Linux. The user interface is as simple to use as those available to users of Windows or macOS.
    • Customization. Users of Ubuntu Linux have access to many different flavors of the operating system. This enables them to customize it so that it best meets their operational needs.
    • Operational flexibility. Users can install Ubuntu Linux onto a wide variety of device types. Windows and Mackintosh computers and devices are both fully compatible with this operating system.

    Ubuntu Linux Features

    • Data security. Ubuntu Linux employs various security practices and features that enable users to safeguard their data against malware attacks.
    • Applications. Users have access to a wide variety of applications that can easily be downloaded for use on Ubuntu.

    • Hardware autoconfiguration. The hardware drivers that users need in order to configure the hardware correctly so that Ubuntu Linux can be properly installed come built -in to the Ubuntu Linux operating system.

    Reviews from Real Users

    Ubuntu Linux is an operating system that stands out when compared to many of its competitors. Two of its major advantages are the high level of security that it offers applications that run on it and the low level of maintenance that it actually requires system administrators to do once it has been deployed.

    Franco P., the founder and CEO of Applied Labs, writes, “When you have this relationship with Linux and you start working with very secure environments, there's less possibility of being directly attacked by a group of hackers. You will lose less data and you will have a more reliable ecosystem.”

    The principal cloud architect at a wholesaler and distributor writes, “With Ubuntu Linux, you can set it and forget it. It requires a low amount of administrative overhead.

    Sample Customers
    Air India, Akademicki Szpital Kliniczny (ASK), Allone, Altran, Apollo, ARCHIVA, Asia Innovatory Management School, ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GmbH, AutoData Norge AS, Baldor Electric, Business Connexion, CASIO, Ciclum Farma, Delta Lloyd, Edumate , HPE,  SAP SE,  Lenovo, BMW, T-Systems, UCX, Turners & Growers, Shenzhen Development Bank, Bosch Group, JK Tyres & Industries, IOCL, European Space Agency, Daimler AG, China Minsheng Banking Corp, Café Coffee Day, Unisys,  Petrochina Company Ltd, Fitch Ratings, ABeam Consulting Co Ltd, Tyro Payments, Rackspace, Pacific Textiles, ...
    Samsung, eBay, AT&T, Walmart, Cisco, Time Warner Cable, Bloomberg, Best Buy, Dell, Intel, Microsoft, Ericsson, Orange, Wells Fargo
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Financial Services Firm17%
    Computer Software Company17%
    Manufacturing Company17%
    Hospitality Company8%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company14%
    Manufacturing Company12%
    Government9%
    Financial Services Firm7%
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company19%
    Comms Service Provider15%
    Financial Services Firm10%
    Manufacturing Company6%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company13%
    Manufacturing Company9%
    Educational Organization9%
    University9%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business28%
    Midsize Enterprise34%
    Large Enterprise38%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business23%
    Midsize Enterprise15%
    Large Enterprise62%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business49%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise37%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business25%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise59%
    Buyer's Guide
    SUSE Linux Enterprise vs. Ubuntu Linux
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about SUSE Linux Enterprise vs. Ubuntu Linux and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    771,157 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    SUSE Linux Enterprise is ranked 6th in Operating Systems (OS) for Business with 26 reviews while Ubuntu Linux is ranked 2nd in Operating Systems (OS) for Business with 133 reviews. SUSE Linux Enterprise is rated 8.4, while Ubuntu Linux is rated 8.6. The top reviewer of SUSE Linux Enterprise writes "Stable product compatible with multiple cloud service providers ". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Ubuntu Linux writes "A stable and free solution that is easy to deploy and has a user-friendly GUI". SUSE Linux Enterprise is most compared with openSUSE Leap, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Oracle Linux, CentOS and Rocky Linux, whereas Ubuntu Linux is most compared with Rocky Linux, Oracle Linux, Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and CentOS. See our SUSE Linux Enterprise vs. Ubuntu Linux report.

    See our list of best Operating Systems (OS) for Business vendors.

    We monitor all Operating Systems (OS) for Business reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.