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Amazon Linux Reviews

Vendor: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
4.2 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 #12 ranked solution in top Operating Systems for Business. PeerSpot users give Amazon Linux an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. Amazon Linux is most commonly compared to Rocky Linux: Amazon Linux vs Rocky Linux. Amazon Linux is popular among the midsize enterprise segment, accounting for 41% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a construction company, accounting for 14% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
Amazon Linux
April 2026
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Amazon Linux mindshare

As of April 2026, the mindshare of Amazon Linux in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category stands at 1.0%, 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
ProductMindshare (%)
Amazon Linux1.0%
Rocky Linux9.0%
Ubuntu Linux8.2%
Other81.8%
Operating Systems (OS) for Business

PeerResearch reports based on Amazon Linux reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryOperating Systems (OS) for BusinessApr 27, 2026Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersApr 27, 2026Download
ComparisonAmazon Linux vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)Apr 27, 2026Download
ComparisonAmazon Linux vs Rocky LinuxApr 27, 2026Download
ComparisonAmazon Linux vs Ubuntu LinuxApr 27, 2026Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Rocky Linux4.39.0%100%18 interviewsAdd to research
Ubuntu Linux4.38.2%95%151 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers
Last updated Apr 27, 2026

Valuable Features

Amazon Linux offers excellent AWS integration, robust security with regular updates, and high performance on EC2. Its lightweight nature ensures fast boot times and efficient use of resources. Users highlight cost-effectiveness due to no licensing fees, flexibility in customization, and support for DevOps tools like Docker and Kubernetes. Its comprehensive package management supports rapid deployment, making it ideal for cloud applications. Its stability and predictable release cycles are highly valued by organizations.
  • "The biggest organizational impact from Amazon Linux has been on deployment confidence and release velocity."
  • "Amazon Linux has positively impacted my organization by helping us to automate things on a large scale, so it was really helpful."
  • "Amazon Linux has positively impacted my organization because we are able to host our applications, mainly Kubernetes applications, our servers, and testing environments, while also being able to get lower cost servers."

Room for Improvement

Amazon Linux users suggest enhancing support for third-party software and improving documentation and community resources. They express a need for tutorials, better user interfaces, and increased compatibility outside AWS. The package repository could be expanded to include more modern tool versions. Automated patching and streamlined migration paths would be helpful. Performance and cost optimization should be focused on. Enhanced user experience such as longer session durations and faster update frequency are also mentioned.
  • "The migration from Amazon Linux 2 to AL2023 was not completely painless, and some packages that were relied on were not available in the core repository and required using SPL, the Supplementary Package Repository, which comes with around-the-clock support."
  • "I think Amazon Linux can be improved by making things more easy to use and user-friendly, as the features are very inherited and in hierarchical dynamics."
  • "Amazon Linux can be improved because currently it does not provide much longer session durations and sometimes it does not provide some of the tools I want to be included."

ROI

Amazon Linux offers significant ROI with cost savings due to free licensing and reduced infrastructure expenses. Users report improved application performance, quicker deployment times, and lower maintenance costs. Scalability without upfront investment and automation help decrease manual efforts, reducing salary and operational expenses. Users experience increased uptime, mitigating financial losses, and benefit from seamless integration with AWS services, which streamlines processes and enhances productivity. Runtime improvements and security management contribute to optimized performance and substantial financial efficiency.

Pricing

Amazon Linux offers cost-effective solutions with no licensing fees, as it's provided at no additional charge by AWS. Users pay only for underlying AWS infrastructure, such as EC2 instances, with a pay-as-you-go model. Its setup is straightforward, and pricing transparency is emphasized. Free-tier options provide additional value, especially for new users. Amazon Linux is highly regarded for its flexibility and ease of deployment compared to paid operating systems, making it an attractive choice for businesses.

Popular Use Cases

Organizations use Amazon Linux primarily for cloud application hosting, including backend APIs with technologies like Node.js, Python, and Java. It is extensively used for web hosting, DevOps tasks, container management, automation through CI/CD, and deploying applications on Amazon EC2. The user community appreciates its integration with AWS services, cloud-optimized performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, especially for hosting databases and microservices in cloud environments, minimizing operational complexity and security vulnerabilities.

Service and Support

Users find Amazon Linux customer service efficient and responsive. AWS support typically resolves issues swiftly, with priority responses for contracted customers. Many rely on AWS's extensive documentation, knowledge bases, and community resources. The support structure benefits from knowledgeable engineers who provide clear guidance and troubleshoot quickly. Most users rate the service highly, often mentioning the value of AWS’s tiered support plans that offer speed and availability depending on cloud spending.

Deployment

Amazon Linux's initial setup is generally straightforward and friendly, though some find it moderately complex, especially with IAM roles and network security configurations. Pricing and licensing are seamless, often falling under AWS's free tier or incurring manageable costs. Users appreciate its deployment ease via AWS Marketplace or direct AWS cloud access, benefiting from streamlined integration for applications. Techniques like SSH and essential software installations enhance user experience, offering reliable support for various projects and deployments.

Scalability

Amazon Linux demonstrates strong scalability when integrated with AWS environments. It scales efficiently both vertically and horizontally through Amazon EC2, with load balancing and autoscaling features. AWS infrastructure aids rapid scaling, adapting to workload demands seamlessly. Users report reliability, quick performance, and operational efficiency during scaling events. Its compatibility with AWS services supports dynamic scaling and effective handling of traffic surges without issues, making it a preferred choice for high-demand applications.

Stability

Amazon Linux is regarded as highly stable, offering long-term support with regular updates. It performs reliably on AWS, providing strong security. Users report minimal issues, extended uptime without restarts, and seamless operations during cloud infrastructure incidents. Stability benefits include optimized performance on EC2, efficient handling of security patches, and robust reliability in production environments. Even with high-availability architectures and legacy systems, users note consistent stability and ease of management across various scenarios.
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 Business14
Midsize Enterprise10
Large Enterprise16
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business72
Midsize Enterprise118
Large Enterprise96
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Construction Company
14%
Educational Organization
11%
Computer Software Company
10%
Outsourcing Company
9%
Comms Service Provider
8%
Financial Services Firm
7%
Government
6%
Healthcare Company
5%
Manufacturing Company
5%
Real Estate/Law Firm
3%
Marketing Services Firm
2%
Transportation Company
2%
Retailer
2%
University
2%
Wholesaler/Distributor
1%
Energy/Utilities Company
1%
Hospitality Company
1%
Insurance Company
1%
Media Company
1%
Wellness & Fitness Company
1%
Aerospace/Defense Firm
1%
Religious Institution
1%
Pharma/Biotech Company
1%
Non Tech Company
1%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
1%

Compare Amazon Linux with alternative products

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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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Amazon Linux Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Word Press Developer at Charusat4.5I use Amazon Linux for web, backend, and DevOps tasks, finding it easy for MERN, WordPress, and APIs. It offers strong security, high performance, and scalability via AWS, leading to cost savings, faster development, and reliable operations, though scalability relies on AWS services.
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.
Software Engineer at INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING4.5I 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.
Software Developer at Bisag-N4.0I find Amazon Linux 2023 excellent for containerized services due to its performance, stability, and scaling. Kernel live patching, version locking, and SELinux enforcement have dramatically improved deployment confidence, reduced incidents, and saved engineering time.
System Engineer at a retailer with 10,001+ employees4.5I 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 Gospodarki3.5I 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.
configuration and management deployment at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees4.0I use Amazon Linux extensively for backend services, containerization (EKS/ECS), and automation, valuing its dashboarding and proactive monitoring. It's stable, free, and offers significant price-performance benefits, especially on Graviton. My main concern is the lack of direct in-place upgrades.
FullStack Developer at EnactOn Technologies4.5Amazon Linux is excellent for our AWS web applications, offering security, stability, and deep AWS integration, saving us $2000 monthly. Its performance, predictable releases, and tuned kernel are key, though I'd like better EPEL support and documentation.