CentOS vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux

by Gralio Mar 07, 2025

CentOS and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) are closely related operating systems. CentOS is a community-driven, free alternative to RHEL, offering a stable platform but without commercial support. RHEL, on the other hand, provides paid subscriptions for businesses that need guaranteed performance, security, and timely updates. Choose CentOS for its cost-effectiveness, while RHEL prioritizes stability and comprehensive support.

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 1168 reviews and 60 websites, saving 6 hours, 59 minutes of reading.

CentOS

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Red Hat Enterprise Linux

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About

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.

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.

Summary

Main difference

CentOS is a free, community-supported distribution derived from Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). RHEL is commercially supported by Red Hat, offering paid subscriptions for guaranteed stability, security, and performance.

Relative strengths of CentOS (compared to Red Hat Enterprise Linux)

Cost-effective: CentOS is free to use, eliminating licensing costs.
Community support: A large, active community provides assistance and resources.
Long-term support: CentOS offers extended lifecycle support for stability.

Relative weaknesses of CentOS (compared to Red Hat Enterprise Linux)

Updates: CentOS updates can be delayed compared to RHEL.
Support: Lacks direct vendor support and guaranteed SLAs.
Software availability: Some software may not be readily available or compatible compared to RHEL.

Who should use CentOS VS. Red Hat Enterprise Linux

CentOS is a free, stable, and reliable server operating system ideal for businesses of all sizes, especially in IT. Known for its extended support lifecycle and strong community, users appreciate its cost-effectiveness and security features. Some users have reported occasional bugs and limited software compatibility. CentOS offers a robust platform for those seeking a dependable and budget-friendly alternative to paid enterprise Linux distributions.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is a robust operating system known for its stability and security. Users praise its reliability for mission-critical applications and comprehensive documentation. However, some find the cost high and upgrades challenging. RHEL is best suited for businesses needing a long-term, supported OS for various workloads, particularly during digital transformation or hybrid cloud adoption.

Ideal for small to large enterprises (1-1000+ employees), especially in IT.
Best fit for the IT sector; suitable for Healthcare, E-commerce, Education, and Automotive.

Ideal for small, medium, and large businesses seeking a stable and secure OS.
Strong fit for Software, IT & Telecommunications, Finance, and Automotive industries.

CentOS and Red Hat Enterprise Linux features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

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

KVM support

Supported

CentOS supports KVM for virtual machine management.

Supported

Red Hat Enterprise Linux uses KVM for virtualization.
Linux virtual machines

Supported

CentOS can be used as a guest OS in virtual machines.

Supported

Red Hat Enterprise Linux supports creating and managing Linux virtual machines using the built-in KVM hypervisor.
Redis support

Supported

CentOS supports Redis, as evidenced by its compatibility with Redis Enterprise Software and the availability of Redis Server on CentOS Stream 9.

Supported

Redis is supported on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
Regular updates

Supported

CentOS supports regular security updates, potentially requiring manual management outside the AWS Marketplace.

Supported

Red Hat Enterprise Linux provides regular security patches and updates.
Driver availability

Supported

CentOS supports a wide range of hardware through its device drivers.

Supported

RHEL supports a comprehensive set of device drivers, and users can add custom drivers if needed.
Xen support

Not supported

CentOS can run on Xen, but managing Xen VMs from CentOS on AWS Marketplace isn't confirmed.

Supported

Red Hat Enterprise Linux supports Xen, especially in earlier versions like RHEL 5.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

+1

Strongly positive sentiment

-0.82

Strongly negative sentiment
Customer Service

+0.33

Rather positive sentiment

+0.59

Rather positive sentiment
Ease of Use

+0.69

Rather positive sentiment

+0.63

Rather positive sentiment
Reliability and Performance

+0.56

Rather positive sentiment

+0.93

Strongly positive sentiment
Ease of Implementation

+0.64

Rather positive sentiment

+0.2

Neutral sentiment
Scalability

No data

+0.65

Rather positive sentiment

CentOS and Red Hat Enterprise Linux Pricing

No data

User sentiment

Strongly positive

We couldn't find a pricing page for CentOS.

No data

User sentiment

Strongly negative

-0.82

We couldn't find a pricing page for Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

CentOS and Red Hat Enterprise Linux review insights

1168 reviews analysed from and

Users love

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.

Stable and reliable, ideal for mission-critical applications.
Robust security features and regular updates.
Excellent documentation and large community support.
Flexible and customizable for various workloads.
Long-term support (up to 10 years) ensures stability.

Users dislike

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.

High cost of licensing, especially for smaller businesses.
Closed CentOS limits free testing opportunities.
Difficult upgrade process between major versions.
Limited GUI and command-line interface can be challenging for new users.
Inconsistent support experiences reported.

CentOS and Red Hat Enterprise Linux Ratings

G2

4.4/5

(388)

G2

4.5/5

(771)
Capterra

4.6/5

(20)
Glassdoor

4.4/5

(32)

Company health

Employee growth

14% increase in the last year

1% increase in the last year

Web traffic

11% decrease in the last quarter

14% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

No data

June 2020 - $66M

How important is a readily available free testing environment?

A readily available free testing environment is very important when considering enterprise software like Red Hat Enterprise Linux. While Red Hat Enterprise Linux is praised for its stability and features, its high cost is a significant barrier, especially for smaller businesses. The limited availability of free testing options due to changes with CentOS makes it difficult to thoroughly evaluate the system before committing to a potentially expensive purchase. A free testing environment allows businesses to explore the software's capabilities, test integrations with existing systems, and assess its suitability for their specific needs without financial risk. This is crucial for making informed decisions and avoiding costly mistakes.

Which product offers a more stable upgrade experience?

CentOS users report "occasional bugs and instability issues can arise, particularly with updates," while Red Hat Enterprise Linux users complain of a "difficult upgrade process between major versions." Neither product offers a clearly superior upgrade experience based on user feedback, though CentOS's issues seem less severe.

What are the advantages of CentOS?

CentOS's primary advantage is its cost-effectiveness as a free and open-source alternative to Red Hat Enterprise Linux, offering similar stability and reliability. It benefits from a large, active community providing support and extensive documentation. Additionally, CentOS is known for its long-term support lifecycle, making it suitable for organizations seeking a stable platform for extended periods.

What are the disadvantages of CentOS?

CentOS has a history of occasional bugs and instability, particularly after updates. Software compatibility is not as broad as distributions like Ubuntu, and some CRM applications may not be supported. The recent shift in its development model and discontinuation of CentOS Linux 8 introduces uncertainty about its future. Finally, updates can be delayed compared to other distributions.

Alternatives to CentOS and Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Debian

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.

Portainer

Portainer is a software platform that helps businesses manage how their applications are deployed and run. It provides a single, easy-to-use interface for managing applications across different environments, whether in the cloud, on physical servers, or at the edge. Portainer simplifies the process of deploying, monitoring, and securing these applications, offering a centralized platform for control and visibility. This can be particularly helpful for organizations with limited IT resources, allowing them to adopt modern application management practices.

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 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.

Action1

Action1 is a cloud-based software designed for managing and securing company computers. It helps businesses of all sizes keep their systems up-to-date with the latest software patches, reducing the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches. Action1 provides real-time visibility into potential vulnerabilities, automates software updates, and offers remote support capabilities, all from a single platform. Its ease of use and scalability make it a practical choice for IT teams wanting to improve their security posture.

VyOS

VyOS is an open-source alternative to traditional network routers and VPN solutions. It's essentially a customizable operating system designed for networking, offering advanced features like routing, VPN creation, firewall protection, and traffic management. Unlike many proprietary options, VyOS is highly flexible and can run on standard computer hardware, virtual environments, and even cloud platforms. It's managed through a command-line interface, making it suitable for technically proficient teams. VyOS is particularly valuable for businesses managing their own network infrastructure who are comfortable with hands-on configuration and prefer cost-effective, open-source solutions.

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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