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Rocky Linux Reviews

Vendor: Rocky Linux
4.3 out of 5
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What is Rocky Linux?

Rocky Linux provides enterprise-grade stability and seamless Red Hat compatibility, coupled with extensive community support. Known for easy setup and minimal maintenance, its open-source nature ensures cost-effectiveness, making it ideal for critical systems.

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Rocky Linux is the #2 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 53% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a comms service provider, accounting for 13% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
Rocky Linux
December 2025
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Rocky Linux mindshare

As of December 2025, the mindshare of Rocky Linux in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category stands at 13.0%, up from 13.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Operating Systems (OS) for Business Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Rocky Linux13.0%
Ubuntu Linux10.1%
Windows Server9.8%
Other67.1%
Operating Systems (OS) for Business

PeerResearch reports based on Rocky Linux reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryOperating Systems (OS) for BusinessDec 29, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersDec 29, 2025Download
ComparisonRocky Linux vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)Dec 29, 2025Download
ComparisonRocky Linux vs Ubuntu LinuxDec 29, 2025Download
ComparisonRocky Linux vs Oracle LinuxDec 29, 2025Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Ubuntu Linux4.310.1%95%150 interviewsAdd to research
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)4.48.0%97%382 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers
Last updated Nov 16, 2025

Valuable Features

Rocky Linux offers enterprise-grade stability, strong security, and compatibility with RHEL. It provides ease of setup, minimal maintenance, and extensive community support. Its similarity with CentOS and open-source model save costs, enhancing workflow through flexible software availability. Users find it easy to migrate, with robust features like long-term support, simplified configurations, and reduced downtime. Compatibility with automation tools and seamless integration further streamline operations.
  • "Rocky Linux is suitable for our needs... we have a very good team with high skills in Linux and development, and it works correctly with no enterprise cost or enterprise license."
  • "The best features Rocky Linux offers, in my experience, are its simplicity, which helps us troubleshoot effectively, along with enhanced security features, security hardening capabilities, and the ability to perform regular patches."
  • "Rocky Linux has positively impacted my organization by allowing us to migrate away from CentOS 7 as a result of the end-of-life for that operating system and then the end of CentOS 8, so we were able to move away from it without losing data and without having to rebuild VMs from scratch."

Room for Improvement

Rocky Linux requires improvement in several areas. Users mention challenges with software availability compared to CentOS 7, slow release of updates for packages and kernels, and integration issues with Windows and Active Directory. There's also a need for enhanced security updates, better audio integration in virtual environments, and clearer marketing messaging. Improvement in documentation accessibility is suggested, alongside better Kubernetes and API-based integration. Some express satisfaction with current performance, particularly in IT and security.
  • "I chose a rating of eight out of ten because Rocky Linux must grow more; it is not as comparable to Red Hat, which is why I took off those two points."
  • "In terms of scalability, you need to have automation tools."
  • "In terms of scalability, you need to have automation tools."

ROI

Rocky Linux has helped entities save significant money by no longer needing licensed software, opting for open-source solutions instead. Some users have appreciated quick issue resolutions from the community, reducing time previously spent with support tickets. Despite no immediate return on investment due to unchanged resources, entities experience increased capability through onboarding. Automation reduces time spent on tasks, even though some users do not have detailed insights into financial savings.

Pricing

Rocky Linux is praised by users for its affordability and competitive pricing, often seen as a cost-effective solution. Many appreciate the lack of licensing fees, especially when sourced from platforms like AWS Marketplace. Despite one perception of high costs, numerous users experience minimal setup expenses, citing ease in deployment across diverse environments. Businesses favor Rocky Linux for its similarity in pricing to other enterprise-level options, often finding it bundled affordably with environments like Nutanix.
  • "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

Users employ Rocky Linux for tasks like server hosting, managing web applications, virtualization, and high-performance computing. Rocky Linux is favored for its stability in big data and Linux server management. Its compatibility as a CentOS alternative and security updates cater to diverse needs including telecom environments, online assessments, and media workflows. Rocky Linux supports robust automation tools and offers a user-friendly interface, reducing the need for constant privilege escalation in enterprise settings.

Service and Support

Rocky Linux users encounter minimal issues with the software, mainly dealing with third-party applications. Many rely on community resources rather than contacting support. For those contacting customer service, responses arrive within two business days, though support is considered still developing and not always responsive. Documentation and community help are effective. Some find support excellent and long-term, while others supplement support through partners like Nutanix. Users praise its reliability and focus on user needs.

Deployment

Users find Rocky Linux's initial setup straightforward and efficient, especially when cloning repositories for many workstations. It acts as a direct replacement for Red Hat Enterprise Linux or CentOS with standard maintenance. Companies deploying it on-premises or via cloud providers appreciate the minimal manual intervention and quick deployment, often within an hour. Many note affordability with favorable licensing costs in combination with Nutanix. Some prefer Rocky Linux over similar distributions for its CentOS-like features.

Scalability

Rocky Linux’s scalability is praised by users who find it effective in growing and adapting to needs, with many rating it highly. Some users note its straightforward setup process and easy volume attachment. While scalability issues are mentioned, the system manages growth well for high availability environments. Automation tools are suggested for optimal scalability. Many companies are successfully using it, although some have not yet scaled due to recent adoption.

Stability

Rocky Linux is consistently stable and reliable, successfully running on low-resource systems and rated highly for stability. Users find it comparable to other Linux distributions, noting ease of use. It is stable across various infrastructures, including test environments, without facing significant difficulties. Experiences indicate it is scalable and handles tasks effectively. Users appreciate its functionality and have not highlighted any major issues regarding performance or resource demands. Stable environments are reported frequently.
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 SizeCount
Small Business5
Large Enterprise13
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business470
Midsize Enterprise287
Large Enterprise868
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
13%
Comms Service Provider
13%
University
11%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Educational Organization
8%
Government
6%
Financial Services Firm
6%
Retailer
4%
Media Company
3%
Healthcare Company
3%
Hospitality Company
3%
Energy/Utilities Company
2%
Insurance Company
2%
Outsourcing Company
2%
Non Profit
2%
Real Estate/Law Firm
2%
Construction Company
1%
Wholesaler/Distributor
1%
Pharma/Biotech Company
1%
Aerospace/Defense Firm
1%
Transportation Company
1%
Performing Arts
1%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
1%
Legal Firm
1%

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Learn more about Rocky Linux

Rocky Linux is an open-source operating system valued for its compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux, making it an attractive choice for organizations migrating from CentOS. It focuses on stability, security, and long-term support, crucial for critical systems. Users benefit from seamless integration with automation tools and its strong community backing. While it offers ease of setup and package availability, areas like software availability and faster updates need enhancement. The system's UX design supports productivity, with potential improvements in documentation and security integration helping to maintain competitive advantages.

What Are the Key Features?
  • Enterprise-Grade Stability: Designed for reliability in mission-critical environments.
  • Red Hat Compatibility: Ensures seamless integration with existing Red Hat setups.
  • Community Support: Backed by a strong, active community providing assistance.
  • Ease of Setup: User-friendly installation process for quick deployment.
  • Minimal Maintenance: Requires reduced effort for upkeep.
  • Security and Clustering: Advanced features for enhanced system security.
What Benefits Should Users Expect?
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Open-source status reduces overall costs.
  • Improved Productivity: UX design and package availability streamline workflows.
  • Scalability: Supports growing business needs with long-term support.
  • Seamless Integration: Compatible with automation and monitoring tools.
  • Migration Ease: Smooth transition for CentOS users.

Rocky Linux is widely implemented across numerous industries as a server platform and backend OS, supporting web hosting, big data projects, and cloud infrastructure. Companies in IT environments like Nutanix data centers and high-performance computing choose it for its compatibility with open-source tools, making it favored for automation with Ansible and monitoring through Prometheus.

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Rocky Linux Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Linux architect at European Commission4.5I'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.
Server & Cloud Engineer at a tech services company with 1-10 employees4.0I've used Rocky Linux for 3–4 years and appreciate its RHEL compatibility, ease of use without constant privilege escalation, and reliable updates. It's stable, integrates well with automation tools, and simplifies system management in our private cloud environment.
Senior System Engineer at Al Jazeera Media Network4.5I'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+ employees4.5I'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+ employees4.5I'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 SAGEMCOM4.0We 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.
Software Engineer at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees4.5I've used Rocky Linux for over two years due to its strong security, enterprise-grade stability, and reliable long-term support, though its customer support is still developing and rolling updates could be improved for newer software versions.
Technical Manager at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees4.5I'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.