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SUSE Linux Enterprise pros and cons

Vendor: SUSE
4.3 out of 5

Pros & Cons summary

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Prominent pros & cons

PROS

Out-of-the-box SUSE Linux Enterprise supports a wide range of hardware components and offers an easy and advanced setup process for various configurations.
YaST simplifies server management by providing a centralized utility to control most server functions, enhancing manageability and ease of use.
SUSE Linux Enterprise offers a secure and stable operating system with support for clustering, cloud, and containers, making it suitable for enterprise workloads.
SUSE Linux Enterprise's installation, patching, and BTRFS file system are highly valued features, contributing to ease of maintenance and upgrade.
SUSE Linux Enterprise is recognized for its flexibility, stability, and comprehensive documentation, which facilitates customization and provides extensive community support.

CONS

Security Technical Implementation Guides are challenging to follow with SUSE Linux Enterprise due to a lack of direct address, complicating security policy adherence.
Technical support offered by SUSE Linux Enterprise is not impressive and requires improvement.
SUSE Linux Enterprise has pricing concerns as it is considered too expensive compared to its competition.
Users have faced difficulties with integrating Autodesk using SUSE Manager, impacting functionality.
Error handling could be improved within SUSE Linux Enterprise to offer more transparency and specificity, reducing troubleshooting time for vague errors.
 

SUSE Linux Enterprise Pros review quotes

MoezCHEBBI - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 22, 2025
SUSE Linux Enterprise provides a stable, secure, and well-supported platform for enterprise workloads, with powerful management tools and robust support for clustering, cloud, and containers.
reviewer1053252 - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 2, 2021
The initial setup is very straightforward.
GJ
Feb 20, 2023
The most valuable feature of the solution is the installation part...We don't face any issues related to the operating system or application.
Learn what your peers think about SUSE Linux Enterprise. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: September 2025.
871,408 professionals have used our research since 2012.
TO
Jan 17, 2023
It's easy to set up.
Dominique Locksley - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 2, 2024
I like how the tool handles kernel modules and upgrades - we rarely have issues after upgrades, unlike with other Linux distributions like Oracle Linux or Ubuntu. The kernel module management is excellent. Changes made in one version typically work the same in other versions too, which isn't always the case with other distributions. There's also lots of information and community support available if you run into any problems, both on the official website and in forums and user groups. I know many people who use it specifically, so it's easy to get independent support if needed. I've been working with the tool for a long time, since 2003, before they became SUSE Linux Enterprise. It's always been one of the most admin-friendly Linux versions.
GS
Sep 16, 2025
SUSE Linux Enterprise has positively impacted my organization because it is a very robust flavor of Linux we are currently using for SAP systems, and SAP has collaborated with Azure to configure SAP systems mainly on SUSE Linux, resulting in better performance compared to other flavors.
reviewer1542159 - PeerSpot reviewer
Mar 31, 2021
The solution offers a secure operation system.
DD
Feb 6, 2018
Out-of-the-box SLES supported all of our HBAs and hardware specific components.
DS
Jan 12, 2024
The product's initial setup phase was easy.
AnuragModi - PeerSpot reviewer
Nov 29, 2023
The tool’s idempotency ensures all configurations are in place at all times.
 

SUSE Linux Enterprise Cons review quotes

MoezCHEBBI - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 22, 2025
The need to register a system for updates and support can complicate deployment in an isolated environment.
reviewer1053252 - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 2, 2021
Red Hat has more packages that are available than SUSE does. I'd love to see more projects based on SUSE.
GJ
Feb 20, 2023
I don't like the frequency of updates, especially if they're only from the vendor.
Learn what your peers think about SUSE Linux Enterprise. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: September 2025.
871,408 professionals have used our research since 2012.
TO
Jan 17, 2023
They should probably just make clustering a bit simpler and also provide more descriptive log files for cluster services.
Dominique Locksley - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 2, 2024
Additionally, error handling needs improvement. The system should be more transparent when there's an error, rather than just declaring a generic error. It would be helpful if it could provide more specific information about the problem on that particular system. As it stands, you can waste a lot of time trying to troubleshoot these vague errors.
GS
Sep 16, 2025
SUSE Linux Enterprise can be improved by having more documentation or logging systems available on the internet, as we face difficulties troubleshooting issues without sufficient resources.
reviewer1542159 - PeerSpot reviewer
Mar 31, 2021
The free version sometimes has security holes.
DD
Feb 6, 2018
When working in a Department of Defense environment, Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) have to be followed. SLES is not really addressed directly here. It did make following security policy difficult.
DS
Jan 12, 2024
The quality of support offered by SUSE Linux Enterprise is not that great, making it an area where improvements are required.
AnuragModi - PeerSpot reviewer
Nov 29, 2023
The product must improve its UI.