CentOS vs Ubuntu Linux comparison

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CentOS Logo
14,347 views|14,093 comparisons
Canonical Logo
36,599 views|33,132 comparisons
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).
765,234 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 scalable and cost-effective product compared to public cloud solutions.""Offers useful information and has good compatibility.""The solution is easy to troubleshoot.""The scalability of CentOS is good. We can deploy the operating system in many hardware, laptops, and servers.""It’s a simple, straightforward implementation.""The most valuable features of CentOS are it is built from Linux, has good performance, and can we can create scripts. The scripts are you to do minor work automatically.""The user interface of CentOS is intuitive, we can also use the command prompt.""It has minimal updates compared to other distributions."

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"The solution is scalable, it is open-source, and can be developed. You are able to install it on many different systems.""Stability of our systems has only improved since moving from CentOS to Ubuntu LTS.""Ubuntu is free and stable.""The product is easy to use.""I like the flexibility.""It is fast and easy to install. It also supports containers and all kinds of libraries. I can do almost everything with it.""Ubuntu Linux is very easy to learn, manage, and keep updated.""There are many good automation features in Ubuntu."

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Cons
"There is no notification before updates are applied to the solution, which occasionally means that new functionality isn't compatible with how the product is currently being used, and causes issues.""The solution could improve by being more user-friendly.""CentOS is very close to the end of life.""The GUI interface could always be better.""CentOS is not easy.""CentOS NetworkManager is an area of concern in the solution that needs improvement, and it is the same with other products from Red Hat.""The support could be a bit better.""There could be more integration features included in the product."

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"The learning curve is quite high for non-technical users. Therefore, it's not a suitable solution for a general office environment.""Ubuntu could add some additional hardware support.""The performance of this product could still be improved, as it's always good to improve on the performance of any product, no matter how satisfied you are with it.""Ubuntu Linux does not easily detect the drivers of new devices, and you need to do some trial and error for some of the third parties porting into it.""The solution could improve by being more user-friendly.""Ubuntu Linux could improve by having better documentation because sometimes their documentation is not very good.""The product could be compatible with Microsoft.""I would like to see the group policies and the GUI improved in the next release."

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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
    14,347
    Comparisons
    14,093
    Reviews
    33
    Average Words per Review
    349
    Rating
    8.4
    Views
    36,599
    Comparisons
    33,132
    Reviews
    27
    Average Words per Review
    415
    Rating
    8.8
    Comparisons
    Oracle Linux logo
    Compared 40% of the time.
    openSUSE Leap logo
    Compared 6% of the time.
    Windows Server logo
    Compared 6% of the time.
    SUSE Linux Enterprise 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%
    Comms Service Provider8%
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company19%
    Comms Service Provider15%
    Financial Services Firm10%
    Manufacturing Company6%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company14%
    Comms Service Provider9%
    Manufacturing Company9%
    Educational Organization9%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business39%
    Midsize Enterprise28%
    Large Enterprise33%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business24%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise63%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business49%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise37%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business24%
    Midsize Enterprise15%
    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.
    765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    CentOS is ranked 4th 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 8.4, 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 "Open-source with a great support community and seamless updating". CentOS is most compared with Oracle Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), openSUSE Leap, Windows Server and SUSE Linux Enterprise, 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.