Oracle Solaris vs Ubuntu Linux comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Oracle and Canonical are both solutions in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category. Oracle is ranked #17 with an average rating of 9.0, while Canonical is ranked #2 with an average rating of 9.1. Oracle holds a 2.6% mindshare in OSB, compared to Canonical’s 8.3% mindshare. Additionally, 94% of Oracle users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 95% of Canonical users who would recommend it.

Oracle Solaris

Read 53 Oracle Solaris reviews

6,848 Views
6,780 Comparison Views

94% willing to recommend

Ubuntu Linux

Read 152 Ubuntu Linux reviews

22,938 Views
21,103 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

Oracle Solaris

Ubuntu Linux

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Download the report

Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 25, 2026

Ubuntu Linux and Oracle Solaris both compete in the operating system market, particularly in server environments. Ubuntu Linux often gains preference due to its open-source nature and cost-effective deployment capabilities, while Oracle Solaris is valued for its robustness and integrated virtualization features.

Features: Ubuntu Linux offers a secure platform with protection against viruses, faster boot and load times, and a strong open-source community for flexibility and customization. Oracle Solaris is noted for its stability, robust virtualization technologies like Zones and LDOMs, and deep integration with Oracle products, enhancing resource efficiency.

Room for Improvement: Ubuntu Linux could improve compatibility with Windows software, such as 3D games, and simplify system management integrations and its user interface. Oracle Solaris would benefit from broader certification for non-Oracle hardware, better GUI capabilities, and enhanced third-party integrations to expand its market reach.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Ubuntu Linux is easily deployed in private, public, and hybrid clouds, with a strong community mitigating the need for direct support. Oracle Solaris is enterprise-focused, requiring official support channels and is often tied to Oracle's ecosystem, which can limit community assistance options.

Pricing and ROI: Ubuntu Linux is free to use, offering significant ROI for enterprises under financial constraints seeking scalable solutions without licensing fees. Oracle Solaris, on the other hand, involves higher costs due to its specialized features and integration capabilities, promising long-term enterprise stability.

To learn more, read our detailed Oracle Solaris vs. Ubuntu Linux Report (Updated: November 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Oracle Solaris vs. Ubuntu Linux

November 2026

Download the complete report

Helped 920,939 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

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

ROI

Sentiment score

4.6

Oracle Solaris offers high ROI with stability, integration, reduced downtime, performance boosts, and cost benefits, enhancing operational efficiency.

Sentiment score

6.1

Ubuntu Linux offers high ROI with zero licensing costs, saving up to 22%, enhancing stability, and extending hardware lifespan.

In terms of ROI, there have been performance improvements because Oracle Solaris is lighter.

Erick Kathurima

Technology Consultant at Clarinox Technologies Kenya

For more quotes and insights, download the Oracle Solaris report

I have observed a clear return on investment, particularly in savings on license costs, as we have Ubuntu Linux LTS and do not depend on distributions such as Red Hat or SUSE, where we would indeed have to pay for a license.

Antonio Tirado Peña

Directo de TI at Instituto de Innovación Ciencia y Empresa

For more quotes and insights, download the Ubuntu Linux report

Customer Service

Sentiment score

4.6

Oracle Solaris support is 24/7, efficient yet sometimes slow, with helpful tools and mixed user ratings on effectiveness.

Sentiment score

6.5

Ubuntu users prefer community and documentation for support, with quick responses valued despite occasional delays in urgent cases.

The technical support by Oracle is good.

Prabir Kumar Kundu

SR AVP–Presales Cloud & Platform Management Services at Path Infotech ltd

For more quotes and insights, download the Oracle Solaris report

They responded well, understood that the issue was not on my end, and provided a patch within two days.

David Stevenson

Manging Director at Winworth UK

The community around Ubuntu Linux is beneficial, providing answers to questions and assisting with issues.

Thong Nguyen

Bachelor of Engineering at Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu VAMK University of Applied Sciences

Ubuntu Linux has a comprehensive knowledge base for self-help.

Prashanth D

Techincal Support Engineer at Ibits Tech Solutions

For more quotes and insights, download the Ubuntu Linux report

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score

6.1

Oracle Solaris excels in scalable performance, efficiently handling extensive workloads with robust file systems and virtualization, despite hardware dependencies.

Sentiment score

7.1

Ubuntu Linux excels in scalability and performance on various hardware, integrating seamlessly in on-premises and cloud environments.

Regarding vertical scalability, Oracle Solaris is probably one of the most scalable operating systems in the industry.

Peter Karlsson

System specialist at Savecore

For more quotes and insights, download the Oracle Solaris report

Ubuntu Linux itself is a lightweight OS, so it's very convenient to scale it up to any form needed.

reviewer2728158

Associate Cloud Operations Engineer at a tech vendor with 501-1,000 employees

In a server environment, it can seamlessly adapt to increased customer demand.

Thong Nguyen

Bachelor of Engineering at Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu VAMK University of Applied Sciences

So far, I do not have any issues related to security in Ubuntu Linux.

Salim Ahmed

System Administrator at mmcytech

For more quotes and insights, download the Ubuntu Linux report

Stability Issues

Sentiment score

8.2

Oracle Solaris is highly stable and secure, with rare crashes and minimal disruptions, making it ideal for reliable operations.

Sentiment score

7.9

Ubuntu Linux is praised for its stability, reliable performance, and minimal bugs, supporting large-scale server management efficiently.

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the Oracle Solaris report

The system has been completely stable, which makes it deserve a perfect score.

PrashantSharma

BA at a computer software company with 11-50 employees

Ubuntu Linux is extremely stable and maintains uptime effectively.

David Stevenson

Manging Director at Winworth UK

If updates happen frequently, no system would be stable without tuning it every time there's an update.

reviewer2728158

Associate Cloud Operations Engineer at a tech vendor with 501-1,000 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Ubuntu Linux report

Room For Improvement

Oracle Solaris needs improvements in hardware support, GUI, training, cost reduction, integration, package management, and open-source tool support.

Ubuntu needs better Windows integration, hardware support, user-friendliness, game support, automation, security, and documentation improvements for non-tech users.

The firewall must be more capable because security is the main concern of every organization and every user.

Shafiq Khan

Head Of IT at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees

Oracle Solaris needs to improve its compatibility with office tools like Excel.

Erick Kathurima

Technology Consultant at Clarinox Technologies Kenya

Oracle is going to discontinue it, so I do not think any improvement is possible in Oracle Solaris.

Prabir Kumar Kundu

SR AVP–Presales Cloud & Platform Management Services at Path Infotech ltd

For more quotes and insights, download the Oracle Solaris report

There is a push towards integrating AI into software for various purposes like video and sound processing.

David Stevenson

Manging Director at Winworth UK

During a migration project that I was handling, Ubuntu Linux was not completely compatible for the migration process from one application to another. This is an area they could improve in migrating from minor versions to major versions.

reviewer2728158

Associate Cloud Operations Engineer at a tech vendor with 501-1,000 employees

Stability issues occur when integrating new components due to physical or technical challenges.

Thong Nguyen

Bachelor of Engineering at Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu VAMK University of Applied Sciences

For more quotes and insights, download the Ubuntu Linux report

Setup Cost

Enterprise users find Oracle Solaris pricing complex; it's beneficial for performance but costly compared to Linux, with desired pricing improvements.

Ubuntu Linux is free and open-source with optional paid support, offering cost-effective solutions for businesses.

I find the pricing of Oracle Solaris to be affordable compared to competitors like Windows.

Erick Kathurima

Technology Consultant at Clarinox Technologies Kenya

For more quotes and insights, download the Oracle Solaris report

For an enterprise-wide scalable operating system with professional services, you can select Ubuntu Linux at a reasonable price.

Kadir Kokcu

Owner at a computer software company with 1-10 employees

Ubuntu Linux shows that it is free software, so the licensing cost is zero.

Antonio Tirado Peña

Directo de TI at Instituto de Innovación Ciencia y Empresa

The setup cost is free.

Kevin Haury

Head of mission at CapHornier

For more quotes and insights, download the Ubuntu Linux report

Valuable Features

Oracle Solaris offers superior virtualization, security, performance, ZFS features, and seamless Oracle integration, praised for stability and reliability.

Ubuntu Linux provides user-friendly, secure, open-source solutions with strong compatibility, community support, and enterprise-ready tools for efficient deployment.

The operating system is lightweight, which makes it easier to use on an average computer compared to systems like Windows.

Erick Kathurima

Technology Consultant at Clarinox Technologies Kenya

Additionally, regarding security, you do not have to implement any antivirus software.

Prabir Kumar Kundu

SR AVP–Presales Cloud & Platform Management Services at Path Infotech ltd

Oracle introduced a GUI environment with Solaris 11.5.

Shafiq Khan

Head Of IT at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Oracle Solaris report

Ubuntu Linux's open-source nature supports community contributions, bolstering its development and support ecosystem.

Thong Nguyen

Bachelor of Engineering at Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu VAMK University of Applied Sciences

Ubuntu Linux supports remote troubleshooting via SSH, allowing connection from anywhere, which is beneficial for troubleshooting server issues.

Prashanth D

Techincal Support Engineer at Ibits Tech Solutions

The updates in terms of security are very fast, and it is very easy to deploy.

Mohammad Rosli Sukri

manager at SSDU Innovations

For more quotes and insights, download the Ubuntu Linux report

Categories and Ranking

Oracle Solaris

Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business

17th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Ubuntu Linux

Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business

2nd

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

Number of Reviews

152

Ranking in other categories

OpenStack (1st)

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2026, in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category, the mindshare of Oracle Solaris is 2.6%, up from 1.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Ubuntu Linux is 8.3%, down from 10.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Operating Systems (OS) for Business Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Ubuntu Linux	8.3%
Oracle Solaris	2.6%
Other	89.1%

Operating Systems (OS) for Business

Featured Reviews

Shafiq Khan

Head Of IT at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees

Long-term server platform has supported secure banking operations and simplified virtualization

Oracle Solaris is a very good operating system. Most of the time, we do not need to change or replace any configuration. If at any point in time we need to change something, it is really simple and a user-friendly environment. Although it is a CLI, Oracle introduced a GUI environment with Solaris 11.5. Currently, 11.5 has the operating system GUI as well as the CLI. The technical persons working on the operating system most of the time prefer to work on the CLI. It is actually really good and easy to use. As it is a server-level operating system, most of the time you do not need any extra features in the operating system because you are not using the operating system on home machines, desktops, or laptop machines. The extra features are not needed if we are talking about the enterprise level or an official operating system.

Read full review

reviewer2728158

Associate Cloud Operations Engineer at a tech vendor with 501-1,000 employees

Good compatibility and improvement needed in migration process

For long-term support, it has been good because in most enterprise environments, people still use Ubuntu Linux sixteen, which is quite obsolete now. Other enterprise versions do not support obsolete systems, so supportability is good in terms of Ubuntu Linux. For sustainability, it's quite a significant point of view for every organization. For us, Ubuntu Linux is the preferable way. For others, it might not be, so that is quite a subjective matter itself. The pinpoint of the problem is that they take time because they need specific information. We need to go to AWS first, and then they'll contact the Ubuntu Linux support team itself. This creates a two-way hop for us, which is why it's not that great. It's not really Ubuntu Linux's problem but rather the way we are accessing Ubuntu Linux. The migration part when migrating an application or one version of Ubuntu Linux to another is quite hectic. During the process, one or many applications might crash. That is something they could handle themselves, but I don't think that's something Ubuntu Linux will look into. During a migration project that I was handling, Ubuntu Linux was not completely compatible for the migration process from one application to another. This is an area they could improve in migrating from minor versions to major versions.

Read full review

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Operating Systems (OS) for Business solutions are best for your needs.

See recommendations

920,939 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

13%

Outsourcing Company

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

13%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Manufacturing Company

University

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	21
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	32

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	86
Midsize Enterprise	22
Large Enterprise	54

Questions from the Community

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 suitable for enterprises that are already Oracle solution users. I found Linux to be ...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Oracle Solaris?

I find the pricing of Oracle Solaris to be affordable compared to competitors like Windows.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Oracle Solaris?

In my opinion, the GUI was missing, as I mentioned earlier. Oracle has already introduced it. There might be some additional security features. The firewall must be more capable because security is...

See all answers

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 support. This solution is suitable for both desktop and server use. It has a very app...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Ubuntu Linux?

My experience with the pricing, implementation costs, and licenses of Ubuntu Linux shows that it is free software, so the licensing cost is zero. Having the Ubuntu Pro licensing option, where you h...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Ubuntu Linux?

I think Ubuntu Linux could improve in the area of packages, as Snap packages are being imposed on us and we are migrating to certain versions where we are losing APT. To have a pure terminal experi...

See all answers

Comparisons

Oracle Linux vs Oracle Solaris

Compared 13% of the time

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) vs Oracle Solaris

Compared 12% of the time

CentOS vs Oracle Solaris

Compared 9% of the time

Rocky Linux vs Oracle Solaris

Compared 8% of the time

Windows 11 vs Oracle Solaris

Compared 7% of the time

More Oracle Solaris Competitors

Oracle Linux vs Ubuntu Linux

Compared 23% of the time

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) vs Ubuntu Linux

Compared 8% of the time

SUSE Linux Enterprise vs Ubuntu Linux

Compared 7% of the time

openSUSE Leap vs Ubuntu Linux

Compared 5% of the time

Windows 10 vs Ubuntu Linux

Compared 3% of the time

More Ubuntu Linux Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Oracle Solaris

October 2026

Download Oracle Solaris product report

Buyer's Guide

Ubuntu Linux

October 2026

Download Ubuntu Linux product report

Also Known As

Solaris 11, Solaris

Ubuntu

Overview

Oracle Solaris stands out for its virtualization capabilities, stability, and comprehensive security measures. Its compatibility with databases and scalable nature make it ideal for enterprise applications, while features like ZFS, DTrace, and Live Upgrade ensure efficient file management and minimal downtime.

Known for exceptional stability and security, Oracle Solaris integrates seamlessly with enterprise environments, supporting IT operations, database hosting, and virtualization. With built-in virtualization through Zones and LDOMs, it efficiently manages cloud frameworks and virtual machines, especially on SPARC systems. Users benefit from predictive self-healing and high availability, critical for mission-centric systems. However, enhancements in third-party x86 support, GUI improvements, and more Linux-like usability would broaden its appeal. Improved documentation, marketing efforts on product continuity, and robust hardware support across platforms would further strengthen its position.

What are Oracle Solaris' most important features?

Built-in Virtualization: Utilize Zones and LDOMs for efficient server management.
Exceptional Stability: Ensure systems remain operational under demanding workloads.
Comprehensive Security: Safeguard data with robust protocols.
ZFS File Management: Manage files efficiently across systems.
DTrace: Troubleshoot system issues effectively.
Live Upgrade: Minimize downtime during updates.
Predictive Self-Healing: Enhance reliability with advanced system diagnostics.

What benefits and ROI should users look for in reviews?

High Availability: Keep mission-critical systems running smoothly.
Scalability: Expand capabilities within diverse server environments.
Robust Performance: Handle intense workloads with ease.
Database Compatibility: Seamlessly integrate with enterprise applications.
Efficient Resource Management: Improved CPU and memory usage reporting.

Oracle Solaris sees strong implementation in industries like banking, CRM, telecom, and manufacturing. It supports database applications and core banking solutions while managing critical applications with strong system management capabilities. Its use in handling environments like Intel and Unix enhances infrastructure benefits, crucial for mission-centric operations.

Oracle

Ubuntu Linux stands out for its stability, security, and open-source nature. It is appreciated for its efficient resource usage and compatibility across cloud and on-prem environments, making it a reliable choice for personal and professional use.

Recognized for a user-friendly interface and strong performance, Ubuntu Linux is utilized for server hosting, development, and leveraging cloud environments. Its lightweight design supports extensive hardware configurations, offering seamless upgrades, rapid support updates, and robust development tools. Challenges include limitations in repair options, driver compatibility, and native applications. Users acknowledge its scalability and customization flexibility but identify room for improvement in stability, configuration, and certain software compatibility.

What features make Ubuntu Linux popular?

Stability and Security: Offers a reliable and secure platform for both desktop and server environments.
Open-source: Provides transparency and the ability to modify and distribute code.
Community Support: Backed by an extensive user community aiding in troubleshooting and development.
Cost-effectiveness: Serves as a low-cost alternative to other operating systems like Windows.
Seamless Upgrades: Features consistent and smooth upgrade paths for users.
Development Tools: Includes comprehensive tools ideal for development and coding tasks.

What benefits and ROI can users expect from Ubuntu Linux?

Customization Flexibility: Easily tailored to meet specific user requirements.
Scalability: Efficiently adapts to changing demands in enterprise and cloud environments.
Performance in Enterprises: Delivers strong performance for business needs and infrastructure tasks.
Cloud Compatibility: Integrates seamlessly with cloud services for development and operations.

Ubuntu Linux serves diverse industries through applications like database management, virtualization, and web servers. It supports development activities, coding, and containerization tasks like Kubernetes, proving itself as a cost-efficient alternative for enterprises and domain-specific implementations.

Canonical

Sample Customers

Siemens, IVV

Samsung, eBay, AT&T, Walmart, Cisco, Time Warner Cable, Bloomberg, Best Buy, Dell, Intel, Microsoft, Ericsson, Orange, Wells Fargo

Buyer's Guide

Oracle Solaris vs. Ubuntu Linux

November 2026

Free Report: Oracle Solaris vs. Ubuntu Linux

Find out what your peers are saying about Oracle Solaris vs. Ubuntu Linux and other solutions. Updated: November 2026.

DOWNLOAD NOW

920,939 professionals have used our research since 2012.

See our Oracle Solaris vs. Ubuntu Linux report.

See our list of best Operating Systems (OS) for Business vendors.

We monitor all Operating Systems (OS) for Business reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.