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Amazon Linux 2 description
Amazon Linux 2 is a free operating system designed by Amazon for its cloud platform. It's secure, reliable, and engineered for optimal performance with other Amazon services. While designed for cloud applications, you can use it locally for development to ensure consistency between testing and deployment. Amazon guarantees long-term support and updates, giving your IT team stability and peace of mind.
Who is Amazon Linux 2 best for
Amazon Linux 2 is a free, secure operating system optimized for AWS. Users love its seamless AWS integration, performance, regular updates, and ease of use on EC2. Some find limited external library availability and less YUM documentation as drawbacks. Ideal for developers and IT admins deploying on AWS.
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Ideal for enterprise companies deploying cloud and enterprise applications.
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Best fit for companies operating on AWS.
Amazon Linux 2 features
| Supported Amazon Linux 2 supports standalone containers and Kubernetes, including tools like Rancher, RKE2, SUSE Storage, and K3S, with configuration. |
| Supported Amazon Linux 2 provides regular security updates and patches for vulnerability protection. |
| Supported Amazon Linux 2 receives regular security patches and updates, including live patching. |
| Supported Amazon Linux 2 offers long-term support, including security updates and bug fixes for core packages. |
| Supported Amazon Linux 2 can run on KVM as a guest operating system, but managing virtual machines requires separate KVM components. |
We evaluate the sentiment that users express about non-functional aspects of the software
Value and Pricing Transparency
Ease of Use
Reliability and Performance
Amazon Linux 2 reviews
We've summarised 43 Amazon Linux 2 reviews (Amazon Linux 2 G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.
- Seamless integration with AWS services.
- Optimized performance on AWS infrastructure.
- Cost-effective (free with AWS subscription).
- Regular security updates.
- Easy to launch and use on EC2.
- Long-term support from Amazon.
- Enhanced performance compared to other AMIs.
- Limited external library availability in yum repositories.
- Lack of a desktop version.
- Potential vendor lock-in.
- Some Ubuntu-based packages are unavailable.
- Less documentation and support for YUM compared to APT.
- Limited external library availability in yum repositories.
Amazon Linux 2 pricing
The commentary is based on 11 reviews from Amazon Linux 2 G2 reviews.
Amazon Linux 2 is free to use, offering cost savings and long-term support from AWS. It's well-integrated with AWS services, resulting in optimized performance. While some users mention potential vendor lock-in, the overall pricing sentiment is positive.
Users sentiment
See the Amazon Linux 2 pricing page.
Amazon Linux 2 alternatives
Amazon Linux 2Easier to learn and use, but with less external tool support and fewer software packages. Documentation can be challenging for beginners.Read more
Red Hat Enterprise LinuxBetter suited for on-premise or hybrid cloud deployments. A strong alternative for enterprise users prioritizing stability and a large support community, but consider the higher cost.Read more
Windows 11Better for general-purpose desktop use, gaming, and broader software compatibility. Familiar interface for existing Windows users. Has more momentum than Amazon Linux 2.Read more
Ubuntu ServerBetter fit for companies focused on cross-industry solutions. Wider industry applicability, especially in finance, e-commerce, and media. Has more momentum. Larger community support and documentation are available. More extensive driver support and broader hardware compatibility.Read more
DebianBetter for users comfortable with Linux. Wider range of software options but software may be outdated. Strong community support but more difficult installation. Not optimized for AWS.Read more
UbuntuBetter for users seeking broader hardware compatibility and a larger software library. It has wider industry applicability and more momentum. Strong community support is available, but note occasional driver issues and snap package slowness. A good Amazon Linux 2 alternative.Read more
Amazon Linux 2 FAQ
What is Amazon Linux 2 and what does Amazon Linux 2 do?
Amazon Linux 2 is a free, secure, and high-performing Linux distribution optimized for the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud. It offers long-term support, regular security updates, and seamless integration with other AWS services. It's ideal for cloud and enterprise applications, ensuring consistency between development and deployment.
How does Amazon Linux 2 integrate with other tools?
Amazon Linux 2 is engineered for optimal performance with other Amazon services. It supports standalone containers and Kubernetes, including tools like Rancher, RKE2, SUSE Storage, and K3S. It also offers seamless integration with AWS services, ensuring optimized performance on AWS infrastructure.
What the main competitors of Amazon Linux 2?
Top alternatives to Amazon Linux 2 include Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Debian, Ubuntu Server, and other Linux distributions. These competitors offer similar features like security, reliability, and performance, often with broader community support and package availability.
Is Amazon Linux 2 legit?
Yes, Amazon Linux 2 is a safe and legitimate operating system. It's built and maintained by Amazon, offering regular security updates and long-term support. It's specifically designed for optimal performance on AWS, ensuring a secure environment for your cloud applications.
How much does Amazon Linux 2 cost?
Amazon Linux 2 is a free-to-use operating system. However, costs may be incurred depending on the chosen instance type and other AWS services used with it. So, while the OS itself is free, consider overall AWS usage for total cost.
Is Amazon Linux 2 customer service good?
Based on the reviews, Amazon Linux 2's customer service, specifically AWS support, is highly regarded. Users appreciate the readily available technical assistance and the regular security updates that ensure a secure and reliable environment for their applications.
Reviewed by
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 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.