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CentOS vs Oracle Linux vs Ubuntu Linux comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive Summary

Review summaries and opinions

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

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category, the mindshare of CentOS is 4.8%, down from 8.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Oracle Linux is 9.4%, down from 15.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Ubuntu Linux is 12.9%, down from 21.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Operating Systems (OS) for Business
 

Featured Reviews

Mahender Nirwan - PeerSpot reviewer
In-depth documentation available and command-line utility works well
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.
Thomas Waltair - PeerSpot reviewer
Provides outstanding performance and resource savings with effective customer service
The solution works closely with the operating system kernel, which gives better performance in terms of multi-threading and a distributed database. We work based on Oracle specifications, and whenever there are critical patches and vulnerability tests, we update with the latest security patches. The collaboration with Oracle WebLogic and other Oracle tools enhances performance as well.
PrashantSharma - PeerSpot reviewer
Performs efficiently but requires overcoming a learning curve
There are many differences between Ubuntu Linux and Windows as they are totally different systems. You need to have more knowledge about Linux before using Ubuntu Linux. Although it is designed as a desktop system, basic knowledge is still required. Windows can be used by any layman, which is the main difference. I do not know much about security breaches or potential issues. The Wi-Fi and wireless capabilities work perfectly fine. Excluding the learning curve, I would rate it a 10. However, considering the learning curve, I would give it a six or seven. My advice would be to have patience. Overall rating: 10 out of 10.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"It’s scalable."
"It is better than Ubuntu Linux."
"The most valuable feature is that it is compatible with RedHat."
"It is a stable soultion."
"The most valuable features of CentOS are it is built from Linux, has good performance, and can we can create scripts. The scripts are you to do minor work automatically."
"I like the command prompt of CentOS. It's very simple."
"Its performance is most valuable. There is a performance boost as compared to when the applications are run on Windows OS."
"The technical support is good."
"The speed is quite good."
"Oracle Linux's most valuable feature is flexibility."
"I like the product's stable distribution. The tool offered us very good experience since it was very stable."
"It is good for web, network, and file management."
"The virtual environment is the best I've ever worked with."
"With Oracle Linux Ksplice specifically, we have organizations looking for minimum downtime. We're able to apply hot-patching at any time; once we've proven they're tested, ready to go, we don't need to take downtime to apply them."
"The solution has zero downtime and is easy to optimize right out of the box."
"The user interface is comfortable and easy to use."
"Some of the main features of this solution are it is less prone to viruses since most viruses are written for Microsoft software, and it is easy to use."
"I like this product much better than some other similar solutions."
"Open source with a fast OS."
"The solution has proven to be scalable. It can scale quite well."
"It's offered as open-source, and therefore does not cost anything to use."
"I feel the graphical interface to be very user friendly, as is first time installation."
"RTO with the use of templating support for VMware for fast deployment of recovery or new systems, with the least amount work needed on custom settings, within application installed from install repositories. Shorter overall time with the vetted packages. Normally install and go."
"Ubuntu is good for machine learning. It's also a good option for any type of application, like multimedia and movies."
 

Cons

"This solution is no longer suited to our business following the change they have made to the release process. It is no longer an enterprise solution."
"CentOS is pretty old now, so I wouldn't recommend anyone use it."
"Lacks sufficient security and some coding tools."
"It would be ideal if Red Hat would continue the CentOS versions in an open-source format. They seem to be moving away from that. Now only paid versions are available."
"I have had a tough time with the product's scalability, making it an area where improvements are required."
"The support could be a bit better."
"The main issue is the End of Support. For that reason, we will switch to another operating system."
"The GUI interface could always be better."
"Oracle Linux, needs to support more packages."
"We'd like it if it was a bit more secure."
"There needs to be overall better integration."
"They could introduce the same level of remote capabilities, which are available with VMware applications to build distant environments."
"Managing upgrades, especially moving from one version of Oracle Linux to another, can be challenging."
"The solution could be more user friendly."
"The product's support is expensive."
"The documentation has room for improvement."
"The product must provide integrated security solutions."
"When you upgrade the core of this operating system, it can crash. This is the only problem I had. It needs more stable upgrades."
"It should be easier and lighter. I am more experienced in working with CentOS, and I find CentOS much easier to use than Ubuntu. Ubuntu is more complicated than CentOS. Ubuntu is also heavier for hardware than centOS."
"I want more insights and security features in the pro version, specifically activities and vulnerabilities. When releasing a new version, it's crucial to ensure no vulnerabilities. Sometimes, a new version may have minor vulnerabilities, like one medium and one low. These typically take about two weeks to resolve. More regular patching, especially addressing security vulnerabilities, is essential to improve."
"Sometimes certain tasks are challenging due to issues with the command-line interface. Users who prefer Windows may find it difficult to transition to Linux."
"The user interface needs to be more user-friendly."
"There is a large open-sourced community that is helpful. I had a lot of problems when starting out and there was plenty of assistance throughout the community. Since everyone is helping for free the support could be better."
"In general, Windows is easier to use and friendlier to deal with than Ubuntu."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"This is a free solution."
"CentOS is an open source that is free of cost."
"The solution is open-source and does not have any costs or licensing fees."
"This is an open-source solution, so there are no licensing costs involved."
"CentOS is free."
"CentOS is a free solution."
"The solution is open source so is free."
"The solution is not subscription-based, unlike Red Hat."
"The licensing for this solution is based on the number of calls running Oracle databases, and are purchased either annually, or every three years."
"We pay a monthly subscription fee."
"Nowadays, Oracle is very open toward price negotiation; they negotiate well with their clients"
"We have a yearly license, and I think Oracle charges too much."
"The licensing is expensive."
"The cost is relatively affordable."
"It is an expensive solution for us."
"The solution has no fees."
"There are no licensing fees, it's an open-source solution."
"I am not in a position to comment on the licensing, as we mostly make use of the free version."
"The solution is open source, so there is no licensing fee."
"Ubuntu is an open-source Linux operating system that can be used free of charge."
"We are using Ubuntu Linux free of cost, and there is no licensing."
"It is 100% free."
"Ubuntu pricing is reasonable."
"There are no payments to be made towards any licensing costs attached to the solution."
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Comparison Review

it_user281973 - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 24, 2017
It's improved our company's system environments that run Oracle databases.
Red Hat is mission critical to our environment Red Hat has improved the mission critical environments running Oracle databases, while CentOS has improved our web environment and MySQL. Oracle and SAP Environment and all HPC environments. 10 years No issues Very stable i don´t find any problem…
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
16%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Government
7%
Computer Software Company
14%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Government
8%
Computer Software Company
14%
University
10%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Comms Service Provider
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

Which would you choose - RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux) or CentOS?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux is fantastic. It is an inexpensive solution that has excellent security, performance, and st...
What do you like most about CentOS?
CentOS is very easy to use, and all the commands are user-friendly.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for CentOS?
CentOS is a free product with free updates. There are third-party companies available for support, but they charge va...
How does Oracle Linux compare with Solaris?
When comparing Oracle Linux and Solaris, I believe that Linux is more secure and more flexible. It is also very suita...
Which would you choose - Ubuntu Linux or Oracle Linux?
Ubunto Linux is a complete Linux operating system that is freely available with both community and professional suppo...
What do you like most about Ubuntu Linux?
It has a good support system for loading databases.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Ubuntu Linux?
The cost is not much, and I am not sure about the licensing cost because a separate team handles it.
What needs improvement with Ubuntu Linux?
Automation is very important for wide deployments, and Ubuntu Linux supports a lot of automation features, making it ...
 

Comparisons

 

Also Known As

No data available
Oracle Enterprise Linux
Ubuntu
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
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Samsung, eBay, AT&T, Walmart, Cisco, Time Warner Cable, Bloomberg, Best Buy, Dell, Intel, Microsoft, Ericsson, Orange, Wells Fargo
Find out what your peers are saying about Red Hat, Canonical, Oracle and others in Operating Systems (OS) for Business. Updated: June 2025.
857,028 professionals have used our research since 2012.