blog posts

One of the most widely used and popular server operating systems is Linux, which currently has nearly 600 distributions. Due to the numerous options, selecting the best Linux distribution is not an easy task. However, if you are looking for a suitable version for web servers across different distributions, you may have heard of the CentOS and Ubuntu distributions.

But in your opinion, which is a better option, Ubuntu or CentOS? If you are still hesitant to answer this question, read on to understand the features and differences between these two versions fully.

What is CentOS?

CentOS is an open-source Linux distribution that stands for Community Enterprise Operating System. Red Hat released the first version of CentOS Linux in 2004, and the latest version, CentOS 8, was released in September 2019.

Many people consider CentOS a copy of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and it is widely used in IT and organizations.

Also, traditional OS is supported by the general community, meaning no specific company offers this version for free. You should go to people who use this Linux distribution to solve problems and answer your questions.

Features of CentOS

CentOS high security

One of the most important concerns for high-security individuals is that various Linux distributions have successfully met their users’ needs and expectations regarding security. CentOS Linux protects against unauthorized access across different distributions by incorporating several built-in security features,  including the SELinux kernel (Security-Enhanced Linux).

On the other hand, the security team’s presence in Red Hat is important in identifying threats and damages, thus ensuring high-level security.

Extensive updates and support

Traditional OS versions are updated regularly, and their original versions are supported for a period of 10 years. For example, CentOS 7 was released on July 7, 2014, and will be supported until June 30, 2024, receiving security updates as needed. Therefore, this version is the best choice for individuals seeking support and stability for their platform in application production and development.

CentOS is free!

CentOS is a free distribution; therefore, everyone is invited to use it to enhance the performance of different Linux distributions. It is also worth noting that Sunt OS offers various options for downloading its software, including Amazon Web Services, torrents, and DVD ISO images.

The flexibility of the traditional OS

The dough of this operating system is in your hands! This means you can configure your operating system by making changes and adding desired features for any software and functionality. In fact, in this distribution, the hands of users are completely open in terms of efficiency and use.

Support through forums and a growing community

CentOS has many fans worldwide, and its widespread use connects you to a wealth of documents and information. The CentOS community comprises various members and teams from different communities, all of whom are working together to improve and grow this distribution.

Therefore, a wide and growing community exists to solve problems, errors, and issues. If you encounter any problems, you can refer to these forums and find the answer to your question.

What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is an African word meaning “humanity towards others.” Mark Shuttle started the Ubuntu project in South Africa, and currently, Ubuntu is the most popular version for laptops and desktop computers. The Ubuntu distribution is free, open source, and available to millions.

The name Ubuntu was chosen because, unlike the Mac and Windows operating systems, which profit from the sale of their software, the primary purpose of this Linux distribution is to bring the spirit of humanity to the computer world. Everyone should be able to use Ubuntu, regardless of language, ability, or income.

Features of Ubuntu

Ubuntu is user-friendly!

Ubuntu is the best option for beginners with little to no experience in Linux. Although the Ubuntu environment significantly differs from Windows and Mac, it is easy to learn. The Ubuntu operating system uses GNOME as one of the most popular desktop environments (DES) in Linux.

Free to use Ubuntu

Unlike Windows and Mac, Ubuntu is free, and you can easily download and use it from the Ubuntu website.

Meanwhile, for Windows, you must either purchase the computer with it or pay a fee for each Windows license. Additionally, macOS operating systems are pre-installed on Mac systems and are not available for purchase.

Some flavors of Ubuntu are lightweight.

We introduced the GNOME desktop environment a little while ago, but this is not the only one you can get with Ubuntu. These distributions are available in the market in different types, called ” flavors.” If you have an old system and cannot use new versions of Windows, it is better to go for the MATE flavor.

Also, some other flavors of Ubuntu, such as Ubuntu MATE, Xubuntu, and Lubuntu, are lightweight operating systems that are easy to install on older systems.

Access to software

You can easily install the software you want by searching for “Ubuntu Software” in the Ubuntu Store with just a few clicks. If the programs you wish for are not available, you may be offered alternative options. Of course, it is better to know that Ubuntu software only allows the installation of applications, such as Snaps.

Comparison of two distributions, Ubuntu and CentOS

Updates and stability

Due to fewer package updates, Cent OS’s distribution is more stable than Ubuntu’s. Of course, this feature can be seen as a weakness, as you must manually install the software if you need the latest program version. In any case, CentOS is more stable than its Ubuntu counterpart.

Ubuntu or CentOS support

If you’re looking for better support, Ubuntu is a better choice than traditional OS. Because the Ubuntu community is larger and more resourceful than its traditional OS counterpart, finding solutions to your problems is easier. Ubuntu has a better place than traditional OS regarding books, forums, and tutorials. Also, Ubuntu Server has more and better support than traditional OS.

The biggest difference between Ubuntu and traditional OS

Knowing a little about Linux is enough to know that there is no single architecture in Linux distributions. For this reason, the biggest difference between traditional OS and Ubuntu is in their architecture. The traditional OS architecture is based on RHEL, and Ubuntu’s is based on Debian. For this reason, there are significant differences between these two distributions, and migrating from one to the other is not straightforward.

Usability and ease of use

If you are a beginner, it is better to start with Ubuntu, as running CentOS on a server can be challenging. RHEL-based desktop distributions are not widely used in the OS tradition. On the other hand, the Ubuntu desktop is much more popular and doesn’t take much time to learn.

Speed ​​of Ubuntu or Cent OS

Of course, speed depends mainly on the hardware, but Ubuntu’s general speed is almost the same as that of traditional OS. Therefore, there is little difference between the two in terms of speed.

Application review: Which distribution to use, Ubuntu or CentOS

If you are a beginner:

• As we said earlier, Ubuntu is the best distribution for beginners. It offers a more extensive repository of free tutorials and boasts a more active and engaged community than its predecessor. This means that thousands of users in online forums help you get answers to your questions sooner.
• The desktop version of Ubuntu is much more prevalent among home users than other Linux distributions. Additionally, Ubuntu virtual servers are more familiar to those who have previously used the desktop version of this distribution.

If you are a business owner:

The answer to this question depends on your needs, but if you are looking for the best distribution for your company’s website or internal servers, it is better to use Traditional OS because

• Traditional OS is more stable and secure than Ubuntu. Since software updates are less frequent in traditional OSes than in Ubuntu, you can use software for longer periods and only use the released, safe versions.
• It is worth noting that popular control panels, such as DirectAdmin and cPanel, have adopted CentOS as their primary test and distribution operating system, as well as the central suggested platform. Therefore, using the CentOS distribution for your dedicated and virtual servers is better if you have a hosting company or work with different people at a website design company.

The last word

The Linux operating system has many distributions, but two of the most popular are Ubuntu and CentOS. For this reason, in this article, we tried to discuss the features and differences between Ubuntu and traditional OS, and, finally, the use of each.

FAQ