Best Alternative OS for CentOS 7, known for its stability and long-term support, has been widely used in enterprise environments. However, with the shift in CentOS’s development focus to CentOS Stream, many users are seeking alternatives.
Here are some of the Best Alternative OS for CentOS 7
1. Rocky Linux
- Overview: Created by one of the original founders of CentOS, Rocky Linux aims to be a stable, bug-for-bug compatible alternative to CentOS.
- Support: Community-driven with long-term support.
- Compatibility: Binary-compatible with RHEL, making it a seamless transition for CentOS users.
2. AlmaLinux
- Overview: A community-driven project backed by CloudLinux, AlmaLinux offers a 1:1 binary-compatible fork of RHEL.
- Support: Community and commercial support available.
- Compatibility: Directly compatible with RHEL packages and repositories.
3. Oracle Linux
- Overview: Oracle Linux is a RHEL-compatible distribution with additional features and optimizations provided by Oracle.
- Support: Free to use with paid support options from Oracle.
- Compatibility: Binary-compatible with RHEL, used by many enterprises.
4. Ubuntu
- Overview: A popular Debian-based distribution, Ubuntu offers a server edition that is widely used in various environments.
- Support: Long-term support (LTS) releases every two years, with five years of support.
- Compatibility: Extensive repository and excellent community support, but not directly compatible with RHEL/CentOS packages.
5. Debian Best Alternative OS for CentOS 7
- Overview: Known for its stability and versatility, Debian is a robust choice for servers.
- Support: Community-supported with regular releases.
- Compatibility: Not directly compatible with RHEL/CentOS packages, but offers a vast repository of software.
Best Alternative OS for CentOS 7 for you will depend on your specific needs and environment. For those seeking a direct replacement with minimal changes, Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux are excellent choices due to their compatibility with CentOS and RHEL. If you are open to exploring other ecosystems, Ubuntu and Debian offer robust and stable environments, Best Alternative OS for CentOS 7 though with different package management systems. For enterprise environments needing commercial support, Oracle Linux and SLES are solid options.