Amazon Linux Reviews

Name: Amazon Linux
Brand: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Rating: 4.3 (29 reviews)

Vendor: Amazon Web Services (AWS)

4.3 out of 5

29 reviews
100% willing to recommend

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What is Amazon Linux?

Amazon Linux is a secure and stable distribution for cloud environments, optimized for AWS performance. It is widely adopted by developers seeking minimal disruption in deployment and management, offering a seamless operational experience.

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Amazon Linux is the #13 ranked solution in top Operating Systems for Business. PeerSpot users give Amazon Linux an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Amazon Linux is most commonly compared to Rocky Linux: Amazon Linux vs Rocky Linux. Amazon Linux is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 44% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 13% of all views.

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Featured Amazon Linux reviews

SAURAB K GANGURDE

Senior AWS Consultant at Quantum Integrators

One improvement for Amazon Linux would be stronger support for running it outside AWS. Although Amazon provides local VM images for VirtualBox and VMware, they are intended mainly for development and testing. Unlike Ubuntu, Debian, or Red Hat, Amazon Linux is not designed or fully supported as a production OS in on-prem or hybrid environments. Expanding official support outside AWS would offer more flexibility for teams that maintain mixed infrastructure. Another area for improvement is the community ecosystem. Compared to Ubuntu or Red Hat, Amazon Linux has a smaller community and fewer third-party resources or tutorials. A larger ecosystem would make troubleshooting and adoption easier. Finally, improving backward compatibility between Amazon Linux 2 and Amazon Linux 2023—especially around package management (DNF vs yum) and updated toolchains—would simplify upgrades for teams managing large fleets.

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Deva Rugved

Software Engineer at INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

The best features Amazon Linux offers is that it has many packages installed as an operating system. I can directly use tools such as Docker runtime, Jenkins, and any DevOps features such as Ansible and many other tools. I can directly access it in the Linux environment using Amazon Linux. What stood out to me and made my experience better were the security updates. I continue to receive security updates so that bugs cannot come through the system. Technical benefits include the AWS-optimized kernel, which is tuned for better EC2 performance, native IAM integration for secure access without static credentials, and CloudWatch compatibility for system-level monitoring. It has a security-first design, including SE Linux support and rapid patching. Amazon Linux reduces operational risk by minimizing incompatibilities between the OS and AWS infrastructure. Amazon Linux is highly stable. In my experience, EC2 instances run continuously for long periods without unexpected OS failures. Combined with AWS managed infrastructure, it provides enterprise-grade reliability suitable for production workloads. Amazon Linux scales efficiently with AWS. It supports horizontal scaling using EC2 Auto Scaling groups and vertical scaling by resizing instance types. It performs consistently under high CPU, memory, and input-output workloads. It is well-suited for microservices and container platforms and for high-traffic back-end systems.

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BasilJiji

System Engineer at a retailer with 10,001+ employees

The best features Amazon Linux offers include remote sharing features such as AWS Systems Manager Session Manager. This allows our remote DevOps team to share secure terminal access to an instance via the browser, which eliminates the need for us to manage SSH keys or open port 22. This makes it much easier and safer for remote collaboration and troubleshooting. Amazon Linux has significantly improved our security and deployment speed. By using an OS that is secure by default and pre-integrated with AWS tools, our team spends less time on basic configuration and more time on high-value application development. Around 75% of our time has been reduced since the basic hardening concepts are reduced. We do not need to apply all the hardenings to the new VMs that we are creating. By default, the image provided by Amazon has hardening applied, so our 75% of time has been reduced and has been allocated to application development purposes.

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Amazon Linux mindshare

As of March 2026, the mindshare of Amazon Linux in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category stands at 0.7%, up from 0.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Operating Systems (OS) for Business Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Amazon Linux	0.7%
Rocky Linux	10.2%
Ubuntu Linux	8.8%
Other	80.3%

Operating Systems (OS) for Business

PeerResearch reports based on Amazon Linux reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Operating Systems (OS) for Business	Mar 29, 2026	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Mar 29, 2026	Download
Comparison	Amazon Linux vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)	Mar 29, 2026	Download
Comparison	Amazon Linux vs Rocky Linux	Mar 29, 2026	Download
Comparison	Amazon Linux vs Ubuntu Linux	Mar 29, 2026	Download

Valuable Features

Amazon Linux is valued for its seamless AWS integration, security, and efficiency. It offers easy deployment with managed images, optimized performance, and cost savings through free licensing and long-term support. Users appreciate its robust security updates, fast boot times, and pre-installed AWS tools, ensuring efficient automation. The compatibility with AWS services and minimal setup time enhances productivity. Its ability to simplify workflows and reduce operational costs makes it a preferred choice for AWS-based environments.

"Amazon Linux is truly a performance-first choice for anyone operating in the cloud, turning the operating system from a management burden into a strategic advantage by providing a high-security environment without the premium price tag of other enterprise Linux distributions."
"The main benefits I receive from Amazon Linux are saving time and streamlining some work processes."
"The main positive impact of Amazon Linux on my company has been no interruptions of services, and the public website is up and running, which allows us to monetize with virtually no staff hours for downtime or service interruptions."

Room for Improvement

Improvements for Amazon Linux include better third-party integration, faster security updates, and a wider ecosystem. Users find package management lacking, desire enhanced documentation, and experience issues with migration and community support. Suggestions for improvement involve increasing system compatibility outside AWS, speeding up instance boot times, and expanding UI features. Broader library availability and easier upgrade paths would also address user concerns about flexibility. Amazon Linux's AWS-centric design limits its broader applicability.

"Amazon Linux could be improved by providing more third-party software packages."
"I believe the response time and quality of support could be better, so I see quality as a single point of feedback."
"I would love it if Amazon could provide fleet management of their operating system for updates and configuration, as that's an area I would need more attention to."

ROI

Amazon Linux provides significant cost savings and operational efficiency. It eliminates OS licensing costs and reduces cloud infrastructure expenses by up to 30%. It shortens instance creation time and supports better integration with AWS tools. Users report productivity gains, saving hundreds of hours in workflows, and decreased time in query execution. Maintenance costs are lower due to Amazon Linux's security and update management, enhancing operational stability and reducing the need for labor-intensive management tasks.

Pricing

Amazon Linux offers a seamless pricing experience for enterprise buyers, with no additional licensing costs beyond AWS infrastructure usage. Users appreciate the absence of extra fees, as Amazon Linux is free to use within AWS, simplifying cost management. The inclusion of Graviton instances helps reduce cloud expenses further. Amazon Linux is particularly attractive due to its straightforward setup, cost-effective scalability, and lack of license renewal, making it a convenient option with predictable pricing.

Popular Use Cases

Amazon Linux users primarily utilize it for hosting applications on EC2, deploying web servers with NGINX, running containerized environments like Docker and Kubernetes, and operating CI/CD pipelines. Its strong integration with AWS services allows for secure and efficient management of applications, including internal tools, databases like ClickHouse, and data science platforms. Amazon Linux's cost-efficient, AWS-optimized, and secure nature supports diverse operations across multiple sectors, from SaaS platforms to telecommunications and banking.

Service and Support

Amazon Linux customer service is largely effective, with structured support through AWS plans. Users report quick response times, knowledgeable engineers, and helpful troubleshooting assistance. Many find AWS support helpful, offering documentation and resources like GitHub links, community forums, and AWS knowledge bases. Some have never required customer support due to minimal issues, while others rate it highly, citing prompt issue resolution and tiered support options available based on expenditures.

Deployment

Users found Amazon Linux's initial setup straightforward and user-friendly. It is easily integrated via AWS, facilitating seamless transitions without major issues. Some encountered moderate complexity, especially with EC2 instances and network configurations, requiring AWS knowledge. Installing Kubernetes is reportedly easier in the cloud than on-prem. Pricing and setup are considered cost-effective, with no licensing fees within AWS. Some organizations utilized tools like Terraform for deployment, aligning similarly to other Linux distributions like Ubuntu or Red Hat.

Scalability

Amazon Linux is highly compatible with AWS infrastructure. Users find it easy to scale workloads up or down, efficiently handling traffic spikes without OS-level adjustments. Integration with ECS, EKS, and AWS Auto Scaling optimizes performance. It's lightweight, starts quickly, and provides cost-effective elasticity. Effective for large workloads and stable in high-demand environments, it scales horizontally with EC2 Auto Scaling groups and vertically by resizing instances. Users experience reliable performance and fast boot times.

Stability

Amazon Linux is highly stable. Many found it reliable, enduring long production runs with minimal issues. Despite AWS infrastructure challenges, Amazon Linux maintained performance seamlessly. Users noted robust security, fewer crashes, and strong reliability even during extended uptime. While patching requires care, stability impressed those migrating systems. It is praised as one of the most stable Linux distributions, consistently performing across various environments without requiring restarts for several years.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Amazon Linux Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	9
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	13

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews
Company Size	Count
Small Business	51
Midsize Enterprise	62
Large Enterprise	89

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

13%

Outsourcing Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Construction Company

Manufacturing Company

Government

Financial Services Firm

Healthcare Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Marketing Services Firm

Retailer

Transportation Company

Insurance Company

Hospitality Company

Media Company

University

Energy/Utilities Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Educational Organization

Wellness & Fitness Company

Non Tech Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Compare Amazon Linux with alternative products

Learn more about Amazon Linux

Developed by Amazon Web Services, Amazon Linux provides an environment streamlined for performance on AWS infrastructure. By offering long-term support and regular security updates, it ensures crucial security and reliability. It is tailored to enhance cloud-centric application development, making it a preferred choice for developers needing efficient resource management. Its compatibility with a wide range of AWS tools and services makes it highly adaptable for cloud-native solutions.

What are the key features of Amazon Linux?

Security: Offers frequent updates and security patches for a reliable operating environment.
Performance: Optimized for AWS, improving speed and efficiency.
Flexibility: Easily customizable to meet specific application needs.
Long-term Support: Provides extended software support to reduce maintenance overhead.

What benefits or ROI should users look for in Amazon Linux reviews?

Integrated AWS Tools: Improves workflow efficiency by seamless integration with AWS ecosystem.
Regular Updates: Ensures up-to-date security and performance features.
Cost Efficiency: Reduces operational costs with optimized cloud resources.
Developer Satisfaction: Enhances developer productivity with streamlined resource management.

In industries such as finance and healthcare, Amazon Linux is used to develop cloud applications that require secure data handling and robust performance. Media companies appreciate its flexibility and speed in managing high-demand scenarios, ensuring scalable content delivery and reliable performance.

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Operating Systems (OS) for Business

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Amazon Linux Reviews Summary
Author info	Rating	Review Summary
Senior AWS Consultant at Quantum Integrators	4.5	I've used Amazon Linux for over six years in production environments due to its strong security, automatic patching, scalability, and AWS optimization, though it lacks broader community support and isn't installable outside EC2.
Software Engineer at INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING	4.5	I used Amazon Linux extensively during my internship for EC2-based container deployments and CI/CD pipelines; it was stable, secure, AWS-optimized, and reliable, though it lacked third-party packages and required solid AWS and Linux knowledge.
System Engineer at a retailer with 10,001+ employees	4.5	I find Amazon Linux excellent for cloud hosting, appreciating its deep AWS integration, security, and performance. It significantly reduces our overhead costs and setup time. My main desire is for more third-party software packages.
Junior DevOps Engineer at Wysza Szkoa Gospodarki	3.5	I use Amazon Linux for AWS deployments due to its stability, security, and cost-effectiveness, though its limited support outside AWS and smaller community present challenges when migrating or seeking third-party resources.
Senior Site Reliability Engineer at a tech vendor with 501-1,000 employees	4.0	I've used Amazon Linux for six years in AWS-integrated production environments, appreciating its security, performance, and lack of licensing costs, though it lacks broad community support and sometimes misses third-party tools in official repositories.
Cloud Solution Engineer at a outsourcing company with 10,001+ employees	4.5	I've used Amazon Linux extensively for self-hosted DevOps applications due to its speed, stability, AWS integration, and free licensing; it's reliable, well-documented, and performs better than alternatives like Ubuntu or CentOS.
Senior software developer at Simplifyvms	4.5	I find Amazon Linux stable, highly scalable, and cost-effective for hosting applications on AWS, using EC2 and S3. While its UI is complex and community smaller, its reliability and seamless AWS integration are valuable for our needs.
Senior Software Engineer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees	4.5	I've used Amazon Linux since 2019 for EC2, Fargate, and Docker-based data science workloads; it's stable, secure, cost-effective, and well-supported, though pre-built images with RStudio or Jupyter would make setup even easier.

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Rocky Linux	4.3	10.2%	100%	18 interviews Add to research
Ubuntu Linux	4.3	8.8%	95%	150 interviews Add to research

Amazon Linux Reviews

What is Amazon Linux?

Featured Amazon Linux reviews

Amazon Linux mindshare

PeerResearch reports based on Amazon Linux reviews

Valuable Features

Room for Improvement

ROI

Pricing

Popular Use Cases

Service and Support

Deployment

Scalability

Stability

Review data by company size

Top industries

Compare Amazon Linux with alternative products

Learn more about Amazon Linux

Related questions

Product Categories

Popular Comparisons