CentOS vs Ubuntu Linux comparison

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CentOS Logo
13,383 views|13,273 comparisons
98% willing to recommend
Canonical Logo
34,686 views|31,533 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).
772,679 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
"Setup is straightforward. You can complete it in about 30 minutes.""I like how you can alternate certain things and minimize admin features on there and just let it run on specific scripts. It's nice. Even if I had to put it in a container, I'd still do it. I prefer Linux over Windows any day.""It has all the features of Red Hat, but you don't have to pay for the subscription.""There are a lot of sources on the internet that you can use to solve any issues, and people share their experiences. It's not a closed system""The product offers a free community-based version.""The solution is productive.""It is a stable soultion.""The most valuable feature is performance."

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"It is fast and easy to install. It also supports containers and all kinds of libraries. I can do almost everything with it.""The main distinguishing feature between Ubuntu and other Linux distribution is that Ubuntu has excelled at user-friendliness. It's very easy to use.""The most valuable features of Ubuntu Linux is the reliability, the ease of package management, and the ease of upgrading from one version to the next.""Ubuntu Linux has good security features and a lot of software compatibility.""Since Ubuntu is freely available for download and use, there is virtually no investment required, resulting in a high ROI.""I like this product much better than some other similar solutions.""RTO with the use of templating support for VMware for fast deployment of recovery or new systems, with the least amount work needed on custom settings, within application installed from install repositories. Shorter overall time with the vetted packages. Normally install and go.""The most valuable feature of Ubuntu Linux is the price because we don't need to pay as it is used for selling equipment."

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Cons
"Continuous deployment is the only thing that can be improved.""When comparing the GUI of CentOS to Microsoft Windows or Mac, it could improve.""The support could be a bit better.""It would be useful if reporting were included as part of the basic license.""Integration with Open Stack could be improved.""There could be more integration features included in the product.""CentOS is not easy.""CentOS could be improved by being more secure. Of course, we use a firewall, but security is always a concern."

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"It can have more security.""The product must provide integrated security solutions.""The solution could be more stable and secure.""The support team is not good and needs to be improved. The user community is excellent and helpful, but some questions are unanswered. Also, stability and scalability could be improved.""The product should provide more automation.""One of the reasons people don't use Ubuntu on servers is because they are not as secure as Red Hat.""The solution is not user-friendly in comparison with Windows.""In general, Windows is easier to use and friendlier to deal with than Ubuntu."

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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
    13,383
    Comparisons
    13,273
    Reviews
    31
    Average Words per Review
    362
    Rating
    8.5
    Views
    34,686
    Comparisons
    31,533
    Reviews
    22
    Average Words per Review
    423
    Rating
    8.9
    Comparisons
    Oracle Linux logo
    Compared 44% of the time.
    Windows Server logo
    Compared 8% 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%
    Government9%
    University7%
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company19%
    Comms Service Provider16%
    Financial Services Firm9%
    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 Enterprise61%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business49%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise37%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business25%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise59%
    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.
    772,679 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 134 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 Oracle Linux, Rocky 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.