Rocky Linux Reviews

Name: Rocky Linux
Brand: Rocky Linux
Rating: 4.3 (15 reviews)

4.3 out of 5

15 reviews
100% willing to recommend

What is Rocky Linux?

Rocky Linux is a robust and secure enterprise-grade operating system designed as a drop-in replacement for CentOS. Its primary use case is to provide a stable and reliable platform for organizations to run their critical workloads and applications.

Get the Rocky Linux Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about Rocky Linux, Ubuntu Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and more!

Rocky Linux is the #4 ranked solution in top Operating Systems for Business. PeerSpot users give Rocky Linux an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Rocky Linux is most commonly compared to Ubuntu Linux: Rocky Linux vs Ubuntu Linux. Rocky Linux is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 54% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 14% of all views.

Helped 869,785 peers since 2012

Featured Rocky Linux reviews

Massimiliano Adamo

Linux architect at European Commission

The best features Rocky Linux offers include clustering and all the packages from Red Hat.Rocky Linux has impacted my organization very positively because we migrated everything from CentOS and Windows servers to Rocky Linux. Everything is clear, with good packaging, and now it's version 9.6, which is very important for us due to security problems since we are in Europe. Rocky Linux is very good for security and other aspects. Since migrating to Rocky Linux, I've seen specific outcomes such as improved security because CentOS stopped the project, and security patches aren't being released. We need to maintain a system similar to Red Hat, which is very stable and has many features such as file system, topology, and containers.

Read full review

DILIP BHARADWAJ

Senior System Engineer at Al Jazeera Media Network

The best features Rocky Linux offers include being 100% bug compatible compared to RHEL, providing enterprise stability for production workloads, meeting the need for reliability and long-term support, and being managed by the Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation, with its security and compliance features and migration tools making a significant difference for us. Rocky Linux performs excellently in low-latency live streaming and content packaging workflows, as we use it for optimizing compatibility with the streaming platforms, utilizing an optimized kernel for networking, tuning profiles, IRQ affinity, security, reliability, and hardware and driver support. Rocky Linux has positively impacted our organization; it works reliably and enhances our low-latency streaming workflows for our affiliates, performing well without noticeable glitches in our workflow. Since we started using Rocky Linux, we have drastically reduced low latency, especially across the public network, and we haven't seen much downtime, significantly decreasing downtime for the servers accommodating low live streaming workflows.

Read full review

Basil Jiji

Cloud Infrastructure Services at UST Global

To improve Rocky Linux, providing releases for each package, firmware, and kernel more quickly would be beneficial. Currently, it takes more than one month to release a new package or kernel, so speeding that up would help reduce reported vulnerability remediations. Documenting the frequently asked questions and related issues in a PDF or Word document would be helpful so that everybody can refer to them, eliminating the need to post a question and wait for a reply, thus reducing time delay. Currently, there aren't many needed improvements, only the support aspect needs a little improvement. Everything else is going well and smoothly.

Read full review

Rocky Linux mindshare

As of October 2025, the mindshare of Rocky Linux in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category stands at 14.3%, up from 12.2% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Operating Systems (OS) for Business Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Rocky Linux	14.3%
Ubuntu Linux	11.5%
Windows Server	10.0%
Other	64.2%

Operating Systems (OS) for Business

PeerResearch reports based on Rocky Linux reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Operating Systems (OS) for Business	Oct 13, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Oct 13, 2025	Download
Comparison	Rocky Linux vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)	Oct 13, 2025	Download
Comparison	Rocky Linux vs Ubuntu Linux	Oct 13, 2025	Download
Comparison	Rocky Linux vs Oracle Linux	Oct 13, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Ubuntu Linux	4.3	11.5%	95%	150 interviews Add to research
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)	4.4	8.6%	97%	365 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Rocky Linux's most valuable features include stability, compatibility with RHEL, extensive community support, and cost-effectiveness. Users appreciate its ease of use, long-term support, and security updates. Migration from CentOS to Rocky Linux is smooth, enhancing functionality for organizations. It also offers enterprise-grade stability and optimizes workflows, particularly in the cloud migration strategy, providing a cost-efficient alternative without licensing expenses. Its supportive community and reliable performance are key advantages for users.

"Rocky Linux is best for someone who wants good scalability, enterprise-grade stability, substantial community engagement, compatibility with RHEL, and strong security."
"Rocky Linux performs excellently in low-latency live streaming and content packaging workflows, as we use it for optimizing compatibility with the streaming platforms, utilizing an optimized kernel for networking, tuning profiles, IRQ affinity, security, reliability, and hardware and driver support."
"When we moved from Red Hat to Rocky Linux, we saved around 70% of the cost which was used for subscriptions, and that money is now used for other things such as middleware applications and monitoring applications including DataDog and Dynatrace."

Room for Improvement

Rocky Linux needs improvements in software availability compared to CentOS 7 and requires clearer marketing messaging. Better audio integration in virtual machines, DNS functionality, and Windows compatibility are desired. Users seek more frequent updates for packages and improved security handling through RLSA details. Faster access to updated packages, enhanced integration with Kubernetes, and API-based tools for monitoring are needed. Documentation would help users navigate challenges independently without relying solely on community support.

"Currently, the customer support for Rocky Linux is not fully developed and is in a growing stage; the customer support is also not very responsive."
"Rocky Linux could be improved with API-based tools that would help our streaming environment be monitored using DataMiner."
"To improve Rocky Linux, providing releases for each package, firmware, and kernel more quickly would be beneficial."

ROI

Rocky Linux adoption yields significant savings due to the transition from a paid license to open-source access, leading to reduced monetary costs and time. Open source community involvement enhances resolution efficiency without formal support. Instances remain unchanged, so direct ROI hasn't been calculated, yet cost efficiency is evident with no immediate return alteration in resource usage. Community contributions facilitate onboarding, expanding the workforce, enhancing operational capacity positively.

Pricing

Rocky Linux provides a cost-effective solution favorable for enterprises seeking competitive pricing. Users often find it affordable, especially compared to other market options, with some benefiting from no additional setup or licensing fees when using platforms like AWS Marketplace. While experiences vary, many appreciate the streamlined pricing structure, especially those accustomed to enterprise-level Linux costs. This has led several organizations to switch for its appealing license pricing and overall affordability.

"The product is expensive. I rate the pricing a three."
"Compared to the market prices of other tools, the solution has a very competitive pricing."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations use Rocky Linux primarily for server hosting, high-performance computing, and as a stable alternative to CentOS. Configurations range from testing and development, managing networks, virtual environments, and automation tasks, to handling big data platforms and critical workloads. It supports applications like Ansible and Prometheus and integrates with technologies like Docker, PySpark, and Apache. They appreciate its compatibility, long-term support, security updates, and its fit for low-memory systems and virtualization tasks.

Service and Support

Rocky Linux users report few issues, indicating reliability. Many rely on community resources and in-house expertise, not needing external support. Some note customer support is still developing, with varying responsiveness. Documentation and community assistance are highly valued. While some praise the support as excellent and commendable for being timely and customer-focused, others find it less responsive. A response to support requests is typically received in two business days.

Deployment

Users find Rocky Linux's initial setup straightforward and efficient, especially when cloning repositories for large workstation setups. It serves effectively as a replacement for Red Hat Enterprise Linux or CentOS. Deploying on both cloud and on-premises models is seamless, often taking about an hour. Organizations report successful migrations from AlmaLinux to Rocky Linux due to its similarity to CentOS and minimal setup problems. There is confidence in its continued use without needing alternative operating systems.

Scalability

Many organizations find Rocky Linux offers efficient scalability. While some companies have not yet scaled, they express future intentions. It successfully accommodates numerous users and handles multiple instances effectively, with users rating its scalability favorably. Despite minor issues mentioned by a few, they still praise its easy and straightforward scaling process. Initial setup is reported as simple and adaptable, enabling seamless reconstruction of virtual components without complications.

Stability

Rocky Linux is praised for stability and reliability, operating effectively even on low-resource systems. Users rate its stability highly, appreciating its ease of use similar to other Linux distributions. While primarily deployed in testing environments, users have not encountered complexities in basic applications. Those utilizing it in scalable environments report no issues. There are considerations for potential difficulties in more complex infrastructure settings, suggesting support could be beneficial in such scenarios.

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

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

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	4
Large Enterprise	11

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews
Company Size	Count
Small Business	488
Midsize Enterprise	288
Large Enterprise	902

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

14%

Comms Service Provider

12%

University

11%

Educational Organization

Manufacturing Company

Government

Financial Services Firm

Retailer

Media Company

Healthcare Company

Hospitality Company

Insurance Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Non Profit

Real Estate/Law Firm

Outsourcing Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Construction Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Pharma/Biotech Company

Performing Arts

Transportation Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Legal Firm

Consumer Goods Company

Compare Rocky Linux with alternative products

Learn more about Rocky Linux

The most valuable functionality of Rocky Linux lies in its compatibility with CentOS, ensuring a seamless transition for organizations already using CentOS. It offers long-term support, regular security updates, and a predictable release cycle, providing stability and reliability for mission-critical systems.

Rocky Linux helps organizations by offering a free and open-source alternative to CentOS, which was discontinued by Red Hat. It allows businesses to continue using their existing CentOS-based infrastructure without the need for costly migrations or vendor lock-in. With its strong community support and active development, Rocky Linux ensures a sustainable and community-driven future for CentOS users.

Moreover, Rocky Linux is built with security in mind, providing robust features like SELinux and secure defaults. This helps organizations protect their data and systems from potential threats and vulnerabilities.

Product Categories

Operating Systems (OS) for Business

Popular Comparisons

Ubuntu Linux vs Rocky Linux

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) vs Rocky Linux

Oracle Linux vs Rocky Linux

Windows Server vs Rocky Linux

SUSE Linux Enterprise vs Rocky Linux

CentOS vs Rocky Linux

openSUSE Leap vs Rocky Linux

Windows 11 vs Rocky Linux

Windows 10 vs Rocky Linux

Fedora Linux vs Rocky Linux

Oracle Solaris vs Rocky Linux

Kali Linux vs Rocky Linux

Debian vs Rocky Linux

Alpine Linux vs Rocky Linux

See all alternatives

Rocky Linux Reviews Summary
Author info	Rating	Review Summary
Linux architect at European Commission	4.5	I've used Rocky Linux for two years in our big data environment after migrating from CentOS, and it’s been reliable, secure, and feature-rich, though I’d like to see better Kubernetes integration in future versions.
Senior System Engineer at Al Jazeera Media Network	4.5	I've used Rocky Linux for three years as a stable enterprise server OS, especially for low-latency streaming. It's reliable, customizable, and RHEL-compatible, though better API monitoring tools would enhance integration with platforms like DataMiner.
CloudOps Engineer at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees	4.5	I've used Rocky Linux for over a year with AWS EC2 and find it stable, scalable, and cost-effective, especially for transitioning from CentOS, though we're still assessing performance issues unrelated to the OS.
Cloud Infrastructure Services at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees	4.5	I've used Rocky Linux for over six years to support applications like POS systems, appreciating its stability, cost savings over Red Hat, and active community, though faster updates and improved documentation would enhance the experience further.
Network Infrastructure Manager at SAGEMCOM	4.0	We switched from Red Hat to Rocky Linux due to licensing costs, and it's met our experimental infrastructure needs well. It's stable, easy to set up, integrates smoothly, and serves as a reliable CentOS alternative for our Linux systems.
Technical Manager at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees	4.5	I've used Rocky Linux for three years to host telecom servers, valuing its stability, cost-effectiveness, and Red Hat compatibility, though RLSA updates via DNF need improvement; overall, it's a reliable, community-supported solution with strong ROI.
System Engineer at clusterkit	4.0	I have used Rocky Linux for high-performance computing, online assessments, and Ceph storage over the past few years. While it is free and open source, I find its package versions older than Ubuntu, which affects my project's adaptability to customer requirements.
Senior Network Engineer at KLC bvba	4.0	I use Rocky Linux mainly for backend scripting and network management; it's stable, similar to other distributions, and easy to deploy. I haven't explored AI features and don't see any standout advantages, but overall, I'm satisfied.

Rocky Linux Reviews

What is Rocky Linux?

Featured Rocky Linux reviews

Rocky Linux mindshare

PeerResearch reports based on Rocky 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 Rocky Linux with alternative products

Learn more about Rocky Linux

Related questions

Product Categories

Popular Comparisons