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Amazon Linux Reviews

Vendor: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
4.3 out of 5
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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 #16 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 Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL): Amazon Linux vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Amazon Linux is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 58% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a government, accounting for 13% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
Amazon Linux
January 2026
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Amazon Linux mindshare

As of January 2026, the mindshare of Amazon Linux in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category stands at 0.5%, up from 0.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Operating Systems (OS) for Business Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Amazon Linux0.5%
Rocky Linux12.2%
Ubuntu Linux9.4%
Other77.9%
Operating Systems (OS) for Business

PeerResearch reports based on Amazon Linux reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryOperating Systems (OS) for BusinessJan 20, 2026Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersJan 20, 2026Download
ComparisonAmazon Linux vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)Jan 20, 2026Download
ComparisonAmazon Linux vs Rocky LinuxJan 20, 2026Download
ComparisonAmazon Linux vs Ubuntu LinuxJan 20, 2026Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)4.47.6%97%387 interviewsAdd to research
CentOS4.24.4%94%77 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers
Last updated Jan 18, 2026

Valuable Features

Amazon Linux excels in integration with AWS, offering enhanced security, stability, and streamlined updates. Users appreciate its performance, automation capabilities, and pre-installed tools like AWS CLI and SSM Agent. Its lightweight nature allows quick server initiation, which supports efficient scaling. The operating system benefits from frequent security patches and support for cloud-native applications. Users commend its long-term support model, excellent documentation, fast boot times, and cost-efficiency through AWS commitment options.
  • "Amazon Linux has positively impacted our organization in a couple of ways."
  • "Amazon Linux offers many excellent features, is quicker and faster than CentOS, Ubuntu, or similar alternatives, natively supports many AWS features with long-term support and regular security updates, and its clear, superior documentation along with broad support for dependency and open-source software makes it an excellent operating system for efficiently setting up and upgrading complex, self-hosted environments."
  • "From my personal and system perspective, I have experienced over the last one year that any packages run easily in Amazon Linux, which I would recommend because I am a cloud engineer for AWS cloud for the last six plus years and I am aware of how these things are involved."

Room for Improvement

Amazon Linux users express a desire for improved terminal features and better third-party integration. They also seek enhancements in fleet management, wider functionality, and expanded support for on-prem environments. The limited community ecosystem and documentation gaps are noted. Users want pre-built images with software like RStudio and request more flexibility in package management. Supervisor compatibility and clear distinctions from Ubuntu are also areas highlighted for improvement.
  • "I gave it an eight because of the instant speed consideration."
  • "I rate Amazon Linux a nine out of ten. I choose this rating because I am concerned about the repository possibly containing vulnerability packages, though this could happen with any system."
  • "With the support system for Amazon Linux, I feel there is a lack compared to Red Hat, which provides a stronger support system."

Popular Use Cases

Amazon Linux is primarily used for hosting production-grade applications and microservices on EC2, EKS, Docker, and Kubernetes. Organizations appreciate its lightweight, AWS-optimized environment with continuous security updates, minimal configurations for cloud migrations, and seamless integration with AWS services. It's used for web applications, running containers, and API hosting in sectors like banking and telecommunications. Many rely on its security features and customization options for various operational needs.

Service and Support

Amazon Linux service and support are highly regarded. Many users commend the responsiveness and knowledge of AWS support engineers, with ratings often reaching 10 out of 10. Support is available 24/7, offering quick, clear guidance and efficient issue resolution. Although some users note room for improvement in response time and quality, numerous experiences reflect prompt case handling, effective communication, and world-class service for AWS services beyond just Amazon Linux.

Deployment

Users found Amazon Linux's initial setup generally straightforward and simple. Many appreciated the ease of installing Kubernetes and its cloud compatibility compared to on-prem systems. However, some found it complex due to limited knowledge. While pricing and setup costs were seen as favorable by some, others lacked information regarding purchasing details. Mac users reported no major installation or update challenges, but a collective lack of certainty about cost and licensing indicates a need for more insight.

Scalability

Amazon Linux is noted for its strong scalability attributes, leveraging AWS infrastructure for seamless adjustments to workloads. It efficiently utilizes EC2, enabling swift scaling operations. Users commend its lightweight nature, rapid startup times, and consistent performance during scaling activities. Elasticity through AWS is highlighted, with resources adjusting dynamically, supporting cost-efficiency. The integration with AWS Auto Scaling and EKS or ECS is beneficial, ensuring effective management of traffic fluctuations and operational reliability.

Stability

Users find Amazon Linux stable and reliable across production environments. Even during AWS infrastructure issues, it maintained functionality. It smoothly handles high-availability architecture transitions without downtime, which reinforces confidence in its stability for production workloads. Users appreciate the latest kernel and find it secure and dependable for day-to-day operations. Since 2019, it has run without complaints, is continually maintained by Amazon, and considered the most stable distribution and operating system by Linux enthusiasts.
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 SizeCount
Small Business4
Midsize Enterprise4
Large Enterprise8
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business27
Midsize Enterprise15
Large Enterprise57
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Government
13%
Outsourcing Company
12%
Comms Service Provider
9%
Computer Software Company
7%
Real Estate/Law Firm
7%
Financial Services Firm
7%
Manufacturing Company
6%
Energy/Utilities Company
4%
Retailer
4%
Healthcare Company
4%
Insurance Company
3%
Wellness & Fitness Company
3%
Wholesaler/Distributor
2%
Aerospace/Defense Firm
2%
Hospitality Company
2%
Media Company
2%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
2%
Transportation Company
2%
University
2%
Non Profit
1%
Non Tech Company
1%
Educational Organization
1%
Leisure / Travel Company
1%
Pharma/Biotech Company
1%
Performing Arts
1%
Import And Exporter
1%

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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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Why is Operating Systems (OS) for Business important for companies?

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Popular Comparisons

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Amazon Linux Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Senior AWS Consultant at Quantum Integrators4.5I'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.
Cloud Solution Engineer at a outsourcing company with 10,001+ employees4.5I'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.
Level 2 Software Engineer at a computer software company with 201-500 employees4.0I use Amazon Linux to deploy our ClickHouse cluster on AWS; it's stable, cost-effective, integrates well with AWS services, and offers strong performance, though instance boot time could improve for real-time scalability needs.
Senior Software Engineer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees4.5I'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.
Consultant at Infosys4.5I’ve found Amazon Linux easy to use and stable for our cloud migration at Danske Bank, though it’s slightly costlier than Ubuntu and support could improve; overall, I’d rate it nine out of ten.
Enterprise Cloud Operations Lead at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees4.5I've found Amazon Linux fast and efficient for my EC2-hosted web app, thanks to its lightweight design and pre-installed AWS tools, though its limited package ecosystem and vendor lock-in can be drawbacks for broader use cases.
Software Engineer at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees4.5I've used AWS for nearly six years, mainly with ECS, EKS, and Lambda. It's cost-effective, scalable, and secure, though constant version updates require maintenance. Compared to Azure and GCP, AWS offers better pricing and manageable infrastructure with Terraform.
full stack developer at 71Lbs4.0I've used Amazon Linux mainly to deploy Django and Next.js apps; it's fast, stable, and scalable, though setup can be tricky due to limited documentation compared to Ubuntu. I'd rate it eight out of ten.