CentOS Reviews

Name: CentOS
Brand: CentOS
Rating: 4.2 (69 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

69 reviews
95% willing to recommend

827 followers

What is CentOS?

CentOS is a versatile operating system with many use cases, including virtual spaces, scientific computing, data center servers, web-based applications, and more. Its valuable features include customization options, low memory consumption, performance, scalability, open-source nature, cost-saving, and compatibility with Red Hat packages.

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CentOS is the #6 ranked solution in top Operating Systems for Business. PeerSpot users give CentOS an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. CentOS is most commonly compared to Ubuntu Linux: CentOS vs Ubuntu Linux. CentOS is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 60% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 17% of all views.

Helped 849,686 peers since 2012

Featured CentOS reviews

Mahender Nirwan

Software developer at TAIGLE LLC

One issue I recently faced, but I think it was due to my IT support guys, was that when the server storage gets full, the service crashes. It's very difficult to regain access and stability in that situation. That could be improved. So, the stability might be improved. But I don't think it's a CentOS-level issue. The system administrators need to come up with a solution for that, but I don't think it's CentOS's fault. I haven't done any research [R&D] on this issue. There's one thing for sure. We recently migrated from CentOS 7 to CentOS 9, and it was a bit difficult. For example, updating Windows is simple; you just download it, and it takes about 15-20 minutes. But that's not the case with migrating from CentOS 7 to 9. We had to back up the entire server, launch a new server, and then restore the backup to the new server. We couldn't directly migrate. I think that was a bit of a problem. The setup and updates are not that new in CentOS.

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Arif-Kundi

CEO at BazTech

There was nothing special that I liked about the product in terms of features that were positive for team management in our company. My company only needed a robust system that was also secure. Though my company knew about various Linux products, a major reason for opting for CentOS stemmed from the fact that it was closer to Red Hat Enterprise Linux. I don't know about the stability and security features of the product since it was an area involving technical decisions that were taken care of by the technical domain in my company. Presently, there is no support available for the product, and I believe that the updates should also stop shortly. We did not need any technical staff to take care of the product since everything was okay with it until our company took care of the updates and upgrades provided by the tool. I feel that the product shouldn't be stopped, and CentOS should focus on improving the tool. The management of updates in the product was straightforward, and it used to happen every week, after which it was usually promoted to production, but it was all manual work, and my company did not try to automate it. I rate the overall product a nine out of ten.

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MohammedThousif Ansari

Technical Lead at Tata Communications Ltd

In Microsoft Windows, we store the data in a graphical way, but in CentOS we can store the data based on the command. That is the specialty of CentOS. In Windows, you can store the data in folders, and anyone can still see that data. In CentOS, it's more secure. I like the command prompt of CentOS. It's very simple. You can share your files based on command prompt.

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CentOS mindshare

As of May 2025, the mindshare of CentOS in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category stands at 5.1%, down from 8.8% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Operating Systems (OS) for Business

PeerResearch reports based on CentOS reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Operating Systems (OS) for Business	May 1, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	May 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	CentOS vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)	May 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	CentOS vs Ubuntu Linux	May 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	CentOS vs Oracle Linux	May 1, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Ubuntu Linux	4.3	13.4%	95%	143 interviews Add to research
Oracle Linux	4.2	10.2%	92%	116 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

CentOS offers stability, compatibility, and cost-effectiveness. Users praise its adherence to Linux Standards Base and POSIX, minimal updates, and broad hardware support. It excels in security, ease of use, and command-line capabilities. Frequently mentioned are its Red Hat package compatibility, customizable features, and robust community support. The lightweight and intuitive nature benefits many in web server and application environments. Its open-source nature and efficient performance are highly valued, alongside scalability and minimal resource consumption.

"Setting up CentOS is straightforward, and you simply boot from a CD to get started."
"CentOS adapts well to many software and applications, providing good compatibility."
"If I need to install a feature or fix a server issue, I can easily find answers online. The CentOS community is also vast and helpful."

Room for Improvement

CentOS faces challenges such as a weak NFS client requiring kernel tuning, stability issues, limited support, and a lack of reverse compatibility. Users find its interface complex and desire more security, user-friendliness, and comprehensive guides. Concerns also include discontinuation of some versions, insufficient updates, and the need for improved integration and hardware performance. The absence of a robust GUI and the transitioning away from a stable enterprise platform add to the difficulties faced by users.

"CentOS removed long-term support, and version releases every two to three years are not ideal for production environments because they necessitate frequent updates."
"CentOS can be somewhat difficult for beginners, as it has a complex UI, especially for those not in the IT field."
"CentOS is pretty old now, so I wouldn't recommend anyone use it."

ROI

The ROI from CentOS is described as significant. Many users rely on it as their standard platform for engineering tools, noting that it is essential for their business operations. Some appreciate the cost savings achieved through regular updates. Although precise ROI tracking is often not conducted, the platform's efficient management of web applications indicates strong financial returns, crucial for operational efficiency.

Pricing

CentOS is often perceived as a cost-effective solution for enterprise use due to its open-source nature, which eliminates licensing fees. Many organizations appreciate the free version for its affordability compared to other distributions like Windows or Red Hat. While users can opt to purchase Red Hat support if needed, CentOS satisfies operational requirements when supported internally. Overall, companies report minimal deployment costs, and some find optional commercial support available for an additional fee.

"The product is free."
"CentOS is an open source that is free of cost."
"CentOS is an open-source tool."

Popular Use Cases

CentOS is primarily used for running personal and business applications, server installations, and virtualized environments. It handles database operations, web applications, Docker, and monitoring tasks. CentOS functions as an operating system for enterprise services, scientific computing, and testing purposes. Organizations deploy it for tasks like web hosting, file management, DNS, and email services. Many utilize it for application servers, scientific and IT testing, and it is favored for its compatibility and long-term support attributes.

Service and Support

CentOS, as an open-source platform, doesn't provide formal customer service or technical support. Users primarily rely on community forums and online resources like blogs and YouTube for troubleshooting and solutions. Red Hat, offering a commercial alternative, provides excellent service valued by users. Many find CentOS documentation robust, utilizing search engines for guidance, while others turn to internal teams for support. The community support around CentOS is extensive and sufficient for many users' needs.

Deployment

CentOS setup is straightforward for those familiar with Linux, offering a quick installation process. Deployment often takes minutes to a few hours. It involves easy-to-follow steps, with CLI preferred by experienced users. Non-technical individuals may find it challenging at first. Companies appreciate its automation capabilities, as installations can vary in complexity depending on the environment. Team sizes for deployment vary, usually requiring a few technical staff familiar with Linux setups.

Scalability

CentOS is consistently seen as scalable, with many entities citing ease in scaling. Organizations utilize it for various applications, noting that CentOS handles large user bases effectively. Some mention limitations in deployment methods or needing extra tools for complex tasks. Despite varied feedback on ease of scaling in certain contexts, CentOS is primarily deemed a robust system for increasing capacity in diverse environments without significant issues.

Stability

CentOS is highly stable. Many users report no issues with stability, citing reliable performance without crashes or glitches. Some older versions had challenges, but recent updates appear stable. Occasional issues were due to external factors, not the operating system itself. Even though stability is widely praised, there's a note of caution about newer releases, yet previous versions remain dependable. Numerous users rate CentOS stability between eight to ten out of ten.

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

Download our CentOS Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

17%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Government

Financial Services Firm

Educational Organization

Comms Service Provider

University

Healthcare Company

Media Company

Retailer

Energy/Utilities Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Construction Company

Insurance Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Non Profit

Hospitality Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Pharma/Biotech Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Transportation Company

Outsourcing Company

Legal Firm

Performing Arts

Sports Company

Leisure / Travel Company

Engineering Company

Compare CentOS with alternative products

Learn more about CentOS

The solution has helped organizations save money on licensing and improve testing capabilities for new implementations without spending additional resources. CentOS is a stable, reliable, and efficient operating system that is easy to use and integrate with other applications and services.