Debian vs CentOS

by Gralio Mar 10, 2025

Debian and CentOS cater to different needs. Debian is versatile and customizable, fitting various use cases, while CentOS prioritizes server stability and compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Mid-sized businesses should choose based on their technical expertise and specific requirements.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 578 reviews and 60 websites, saving 3 hours, 42 minutes of reading.

Debian

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CentOS

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About

Debian is a free and open-source operating system known for its stability and security. It's like the foundation of a house, providing the core software to run your computer system. Debian offers a wide range of applications and software, making it suitable for various purposes. It stands out for its large, active community of developers who ensure its reliability and provide support.

CentOS is a free computer operating system built on top of the popular Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Offering a stable and reliable platform, it's a popular choice for businesses wanting a cost-effective alternative without sacrificing enterprise-grade features. CentOS is ideal for companies looking for a long-term solution, as it's known for its extended support lifecycle and large, active community.

Summary

Main difference

Debian offers a wider software selection and more control over the system, ideal for diverse computing needs and users comfortable with customization. CentOS provides a stable, predictable platform optimized for server environments, appealing to businesses prioritizing long-term support and compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Relative strengths of Debian (compared to CentOS)

Wider software selection and customization options.
Large and active community support ensuring quick issue resolution and abundant resources.
Strong security track record with regular updates and vulnerability patching.

Relative weaknesses of Debian (compared to CentOS)

Can be challenging for beginners due to its complexity and less user-friendly interface.
Software versions might lag behind due to its focus on stability.
Limited official support for proprietary software and drivers.

Who should use Debian VS. CentOS

Debian is a free, open-source operating system praised for its stability and security. Users love its flexibility and vast software options, backed by a large community. However, some find the installation challenging. Best for users comfortable with some technical setup or those with IT support.

CentOS is a stable and cost-effective server operating system. Businesses praise its reliability and strong community support, while some note occasional bugs and limited software compatibility. It's a solid choice for those seeking a free RHEL alternative but be aware of potential update instability.

Ideal for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises.
A good fit for IT, but also suitable for other industries like Education, Media, Healthcare, Finance, and more.

Ideal for small to large businesses, especially in IT.
Best fit for the IT sector, suitable for others.

Debian and CentOS features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

Open Source Software

Supported

Debian is free to use, distribute, and modify, with publicly available source code.

Supported

CentOS is free to use, distribute, and modify, with publicly available source code.
100% Open Source

Supported

Debian is 100% open source if you select only open-source packages during installation.

Supported

CentOS is open-source and allows community contributions and modifications.
Secure Software

Supported

Debian provides regular security updates and addresses vulnerabilities.

Partially supported

CentOS 7 is end-of-life but vendors provide hardened images with regular security updates.
Community support

Supported

Debian supports MySQL Community Edition.

Supported

CentOS supports MySQL Community Edition, a free version.
KVM support

Supported

Debian supports KVM for creating and managing virtual machines.

Supported

CentOS supports KVM for virtual machine management.
Cross-platform support

Supported

Debian supports cross-compilation, enabling software development for different operating systems.

Partially supported

CentOS supports Linux automation scripts. Cross-platform scripting is possible via additional tools.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

+1

Strongly positive sentiment

+1

Strongly positive sentiment
Customer Service

No data

+0.33

Rather positive sentiment
Ease of Use

+0.56

Rather positive sentiment

+0.69

Rather positive sentiment
Reliability and Performance

+0.8

Strongly positive sentiment

+0.56

Rather positive sentiment
Ease of Implementation

-0.11

Neutral sentiment

+0.64

Rather positive sentiment
Scalability

No data

No data

Debian and CentOS Pricing

No data

User sentiment

Strongly positive

We couldn't find a pricing page for Debian.

No data

User sentiment

Strongly positive

We couldn't find a pricing page for CentOS.

Debian and CentOS review insights

578 reviews analysed from and

Users love

Free and open-source.
Strong security features.
Wide range of software options.
Large and active community support.
Stable and reliable.

Renowned for its stability and reliability in server environments.
Strong community support and extensive documentation.
Easy dependency management and package installation with YUM.
Cost-effective and open-source, providing a free alternative to RHEL.
Prioritizes security features and receives regular updates.

Users dislike

Difficult installation process for new users.
Software versions can be outdated.
Limited official support for non-free software and drivers.
Wireless and Bluetooth driver issues can occur.

Occasional bugs and instability issues can arise, particularly with updates.
Limited software compatibility compared to distributions like Ubuntu.
Lack of support for some CRM applications.
Recent changes and discontinuation introduce uncertainty.
Delayed updates compared to other distributions.

Debian and CentOS Ratings

G2

4.6/5

(168)
Capterra

4.6/5

(22)

G2

4.4/5

(388)

Company health

Employee growth

1% increase in the last year

14% increase in the last year

Web traffic

2% increase in the last quarter

11% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

No data

How do Debian's and CentOS's update frequencies compare?

Debian has a rolling release cycle for its "testing" and "unstable" branches, meaning updates are available continuously. The "stable" branch receives less frequent point releases that bundle updates for a longer period, offering a balance between up-to-date software and stability. CentOS, historically based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux, focuses on stability and offers a slower release cadence with updates focused on security and bug fixes rather than new features, providing long-term support for each major version. Therefore, Debian tends to offer newer software versions more quickly while CentOS prioritizes long-term stability with less frequent updates.

Which product, Debian or CentOS, offers better long-term support options?

CentOS, historically known for its extended support lifecycle, offered a compelling option for long-term deployments. However, with the shift to CentOS Stream, its long-term stability is now less certain. Debian, with its stable releases and strong community support, offers a more predictable long-term support option, albeit with potentially older software packages. Therefore, currently Debian provides better long-term support options.

What are the advantages of Debian?

Debian's advantages include being 100% open source (if configured as such), offering a wide range of software options, and having strong community support ensuring stability and security. It's known for its large and active community which contributes to its reliability and provides extensive support.

What are the disadvantages of Debian?

Debian's disadvantages include a difficult installation process that can be challenging for new users, potentially outdated software versions, limited official support for non-free software and drivers, and occasional issues with wireless and Bluetooth drivers.

Alternatives to Debian and CentOS

Arch

Arch Linux is a free, open-source operating system primarily designed for experienced computer users. It emphasizes user customization and control, offering a highly flexible and minimal system. Unlike operating systems with pre-installed software, Arch Linux users build their system from scratch, choosing only the components they need. While not as user-friendly as other operating systems, Arch Linux offers greater flexibility and control for users comfortable managing their own system.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a stable operating system used by businesses of all sizes. It's known for its flexibility and security, especially important for companies moving operations online. Red Hat offers support, helping your business use this system whether your data is stored locally, or accessed through the cloud.

Ubuntu Server

Ubuntu Server is a free, open-source operating system designed for running servers and other infrastructure. Known for its reliability and security, it's frequently used for web servers, databases, and cloud computing. Ubuntu Server offers regular updates, a large support community, and compatibility with various hardware and software. Its predictable release schedule and long-term support options make it a popular choice for businesses of all sizes.

Ubuntu Desktop

Ubuntu Desktop is a free and open-source operating system for personal computers. It offers a user-friendly interface, a wide range of pre-installed applications for everyday tasks, and a strong emphasis on security and privacy. Known for its stability and compatibility, Ubuntu Desktop is suitable for both personal and professional use. It is supported by a large and active community that provides help and resources. Ubuntu Desktop can be installed on a wide range of hardware, from older PCs to modern laptops.

Rocky Linux

Rocky Linux is a free and open-source operating system designed for businesses and professionals. It's built to be practically identical to Red Hat Enterprise Linux, offering a stable and reliable platform for various tasks like running web servers or managing data. A key benefit is its long-term support, ensuring stability and updates for your systems. It's also designed for easy migration from other similar systems, making it a convenient choice for businesses familiar with enterprise Linux environments.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a free, open-source operating system known for its speed and user-friendliness. Popular with developers, Ubuntu offers a secure platform for both daily tasks and professional software development. It boasts a large collection of applications and is compatible with a wide range of hardware, from modern laptops to older computers. Ubuntu also integrates well with enterprise environments, especially with the added support of Ubuntu Pro.

Page co-authored by

Michal Kaczor

CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

Tymon Terlikiewicz

CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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