CentOS vs Ubuntu Linux comparison

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CentOS Logo
13,755 views|13,626 comparisons
98% willing to recommend
Canonical Logo
35,318 views|32,095 comparisons
95% willing to recommend
Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between CentOS and Ubuntu Linux based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Operating Systems (OS) for Business solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed CentOS vs. Ubuntu Linux Report (Updated: March 2024).
770,765 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
"It is a stable soultion.""We particularly like that we can remove the graphic user interface to minimize attack settings for the operating system.""It’s a simple, straightforward implementation.""The product's initial setup phase was straightforward and not complex, especially if you are familiar with CLI.""Its performance is most valuable. There is a performance boost as compared to when the applications are run on Windows OS.""The pricing is good. We pay a minimal fee.""The stability of this solution is its most useful feature. It is a high quality product and you know what you're getting. You also receive wide support from the community.""It is better than Ubuntu Linux."

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"There are many good automation features in Ubuntu.""The integration with other applications, like Chrome or Firefox, works excellent for users navigating and test browsing.""The solution is scalable.""The solution is stable.""It has improved our ability to carry out maintenance without downtime as migrating services between server environments is largely seamless.""Linux-based operating system with good stability, good patching, and a straightforward setup.""Stable and scalable Linux operating system that can test and run virtual machines.""The solution is user-friendly."

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Cons
"The stability could always be improved.""This solution is no longer supported and will not receive any updates going forward.""As an open-source solution, there isn't much technical support.""The support could be a bit better.""More security features could be included in the next release.""It would be ideal if Red Hat would continue the CentOS versions in an open-source format. They seem to be moving away from that. Now only paid versions are available.""The solution might be discontinued but I hope that IBM will continue to develop it and improve on the functionally and features.""CentOS should extend the support of the solution. The solution is set to have no update support in 2023."

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"Occasionally, we have problems with stability.""It can be improved in terms of user-friendliness for inexperienced users. It also has a lot of scope for improvement in terms of deployment. It is kind of hard for inexperienced users, and the learning curve is very steep. There is not really good documentation for new professionals. Even we are using network servers to install it.""I think Ubuntu is not that secure.""The product is difficult to use sometimes.""The solution could improve its GUI personalization.""If the user interface were further improved then it would be better because more people would be able to use it.""The interface could be more user-friendly.""Ubuntu Linux needs to improve its stability. I would like it to show the battery percentage at the screen top."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "There are no licensing costs for CentOS."
  • "It is open-source, which means it is a free product. It has a one-time deployment cost."
  • "There is no license required for this solution."
  • "There is no price or licensing required — it's open-source."
  • "There are no licensing fees. CentOS is a free solution."
  • "There are no licensing fees for CentOS."
  • "We are using a subscription-based license option for CentOS."
  • "CentOS is a free solution."
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  • "​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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    Comparison Review
    Anonymous User
    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:Red Hat Enterprise Linux is fantastic. It is an inexpensive solution that has excellent security, performance, and stability, and also lots of features. I specifically like that the solution has… more »
    Top Answer:CentOS is very easy to use, and all the commands are user-friendly.
    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
    13,755
    Comparisons
    13,626
    Reviews
    31
    Average Words per Review
    362
    Rating
    8.5
    Views
    35,318
    Comparisons
    32,095
    Reviews
    23
    Average Words per Review
    441
    Rating
    8.9
    Comparisons
    Oracle Linux logo
    Compared 42% of the time.
    Windows Server logo
    Compared 7% of the time.
    SUSE Linux Enterprise logo
    Compared 6% of the time.
    openSUSE Leap logo
    Compared 6% of the time.
    Also Known As
    Ubuntu
    Learn More
    Canonical
    Video Not Available
    Overview

    CentOS is a versatile operating system with many use cases, including virtual spaces, scientific computing, data center servers, web-based applications, and more. Its valuable features include customization options, low memory consumption, performance, scalability, open-source nature, cost-saving, and compatibility with Red Hat packages. 

    The solution has helped organizations save money on licensing and improve testing capabilities for new implementations without spending additional resources. CentOS is a stable, reliable, and efficient operating system that is easy to use and integrate with other applications and services.

    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
    Information Not Available
    Samsung, eBay, AT&T, Walmart, Cisco, Time Warner Cable, Bloomberg, Best Buy, Dell, Intel, Microsoft, Ericsson, Orange, Wells Fargo
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company21%
    Financial Services Firm18%
    Government12%
    Comms Service Provider12%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company16%
    Manufacturing Company9%
    Government8%
    Comms Service Provider7%
    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 Business39%
    Midsize Enterprise28%
    Large Enterprise33%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business24%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise62%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business49%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise37%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business25%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise60%
    Buyer's Guide
    CentOS vs. Ubuntu Linux
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about CentOS vs. Ubuntu Linux and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    770,765 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    CentOS is ranked 5th in Operating Systems (OS) for Business with 63 reviews while Ubuntu Linux is ranked 2nd in Operating Systems (OS) for Business with 133 reviews. CentOS is rated 8.2, while Ubuntu Linux is rated 8.6. The top reviewer of CentOS writes "Allows you to securely store data, and command prompts make it simple to use". 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". CentOS is most compared with Oracle Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Windows Server, SUSE Linux Enterprise and openSUSE Leap, whereas Ubuntu Linux is most compared with Rocky Linux, Oracle Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise, Windows Server and openSUSE Leap. See our CentOS 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.