Amazon Linux vs Rocky Linux comparison

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Amazon Linux

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Amazon Linux and Rocky Linux based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Operating Systems (OS) for Business solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed Amazon Linux vs. Rocky Linux Report (Updated: August 2025).

Amazon Linux vs. Rocky Linux

August 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Amazon Linux

Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business

16th

Average Rating

9.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Rocky Linux

Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business

4th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

5.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Featured Reviews

Henry Rivera

Solutions Architect at 3t Solutions

Reliable documentation and support streamline deployment and troubleshooting

The best features with Amazon Linux include the integration with AWS and other services. It is an operating system that AWS manages, and I feel I can trust it regarding the updates without interfering with or interrupting services. The performance of Amazon Linux with AWS services is perfectly fine. I use it and change the instance type to give it more resources at times, and for the sandbox, I give it less, and it satisfies what we want. Amazon Linux reduces the time it would take for setup or deployment because I rely on the documentation for AWS since it's streamlined, and the commands I need to run are easily accessible whenever I need to look up anything. We've used the application load balancers with Amazon Linux, and that's the main one I can think of regarding advanced networking capabilities. That feature has definitely helped us enhance the scalability and reliability of our cloud applications by easing administration, as the application load balancer is managed by AWS and ties in with Amazon Certificate Manager, ensuring I do not have to concern myself with scalability and any updates. The main positive impact of Amazon Linux on my company has been no interruptions of services. The public website is up and running, which allows us to monetize with virtually no staff hours for downtime or service interruptions.

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Jetsada Malaisirirat

System Engineer at clusterkit

Enhancements in package management elevate user experience

I have been using Rocky Linux for three or four years. It is used for HPC, online assessments, and Ceph storage The solution is free and open source. The OS choice in my project is quite specific. It is based on customer requirements, as they might want to use Rocky Linux or Ubuntu, depending on…

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Whenever I deploy solutions on Amazon Linux, I almost never have to worry about the operating system."

"It helps us keep our workstations in sync and ensures consistent settings across most of our machines."

"The most valuable feature of the solution is its stability."

"I haven't needed to use customer service or support, which speaks volumes about their product's reliability and ease of use."

"The solution is free and open source."

"The custom install scripts streamline the setup process, making it straightforward."

"It's very simple to work with, easy to learn, and know where things are."

Cons

"I have honestly never had any problems with Amazon Linux, aside from disk space issues."

"In terms of improvement, Rocky Linux needs to clarify its identity and target audience."

"The package versions can be quite older compared to other distributions such as Ubuntu."

"The solution's audio integration for virtual machines could be improved."

"One of the potential issues is that if you don't pay for support, you may need to manage certain aspects on your own and rely on the community for assistance."

"Improved integration with Windows, particularly Active Directory, would be beneficial for the product. Currently, this aspect requires additional effort."

"I have certain problems with the tool's DNS part, making it an area where improvements are required."

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"Compared to the market prices of other tools, the solution has a very competitive pricing."

"The product is expensive. I rate the pricing a three."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Computer Software Company

14%

Comms Service Provider

11%

University

11%

Educational Organization

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Amazon Linux?

In my opinion, for improvement, Amazon Linux could make better integration with third-party vendors, perhaps enhance user experience or lower the price compared to other Linux solutions. For the fu...

What is your primary use case for Amazon Linux?

My use case for Amazon Linux is mostly for running containers. I am using SELinux for enhanced security in Amazon Linux, and it is helpful for me.

What advice do you have for others considering Amazon Linux?

I am not using IPv6 and I'm okay with that. On a scale of one to ten, I rate Amazon Linux an eight.

What do you like most about Rocky Linux?

It's very simple to work with, easy to learn, and know where things are.

What needs improvement with Rocky Linux?

If I find something which is strong with virtualization with Rocky Linux, it's an alternative that I can study and spend time learning about, trying it, making tests, validating, and perhaps ultima...

What is your primary use case for Rocky Linux?

I am responsible for virtualization and networking, and other services related to the systems including Linux and Windows, but the security part is actually the responsibility of the French team in...

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Product Reports

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July 2025

Download Amazon Linux product report

Download Rocky Linux product report

August 2025

Overview

Amazon Linux is a secure, stable, and high-performance distribution optimized for Amazon EC2, providing a reliable execution environment for cloud applications. It is designed for users who need an OS that seamlessly integrates with AWS infrastructure.

Amazon Linux provides a powerful, efficient, and updated environment tailored for AWS users. It's based on the CentOS and Fedora lineage, ensuring compatibility and performance. With regular updates and security patches, it offers a stable platform to run various cloud-based applications. Its cost-effective nature and scalability make it a popular choice for organizations aiming to leverage AWS services effectively.

What are the key features of Amazon Linux?

Optimized for EC2: Integration with AWS services enhances performance and efficiency.
Security: Regular security patches ensure data protection.
Package Repository: Access to a rich repository of software packages.
Support for Latest Tools: Easily install and use the latest AWS tools and SDKs.

What benefits can users find in reviews?

Cost Efficiency: Usage-based pricing reduces overall costs.
Scalability: Easily scalable to meet growing business demands.
Seamless AWS Integration: Direct integration simplifies management and deployment.
Reliability: Stable environment guarantees consistent application performance.

Amazon Linux is widely used in industries such as finance, healthcare, and technology where reliability and security are paramount. Its integration with AWS services allows companies in these sectors to develop and deploy applications rapidly, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency. The ability to easily scale and adapt to specific industry demands makes it a strategic choice for many businesses.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

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.

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.