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.
Who is CentOS best for
CentOS is a stable, reliable, and cost-effective server operating system. Praised for its robust community support and easy dependency management, CentOS is ideal for businesses seeking a free RHEL alternative. However, some users have reported occasional bugs and limited software compatibility.
Ideal for small, medium, and large enterprises, especially in IT.
Best fit for IT; suitable for Healthcare, E-commerce, Education, and Automotive.
CentOS features
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Supported
CentOS supports MySQL Community Edition, a free version.
Supported
CentOS supports software repositories through package managers like yum.
Supported
CentOS is open-source and freely available, modifiable, and community-supported.
Supported
CentOS supports a large software library through its compatibility with RHEL and community packages.
Qualities
We evaluate the sentiment that users express about non-functional aspects of the
software
Value and Pricing Transparency
Strongly positive
+1
Customer Service
Neutral
+0.25
Ease of Use
Strongly positive
+0.78
Reliability and Performance
Rather positive
+0.6
Ease of Implementation
Rather positive
+0.69
Scalability
Strongly positive
+1
CentOS reviews
We've summarised 385 CentOS reviews (CentOS G2 reviews) and
summarised the main points below.
Pros of CentOS
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.
Cons of CentOS
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.
CentOS pricing
The commentary is based on 54 reviews from CentOS G2 reviews.
CentOS is a free and open-source operating system, praised for its stability, reliability, and security. Many reviewers highlight its cost-effectiveness as a significant advantage, making it a popular choice for servers and various applications. Some note its less frequent updates compared to other distributions.
Better for Finance, Banking & Insurance, Retail, Media & Entertainment, Non-profit & Government and Professional Services. Wider industry applicability overall. Growing faster in website traffic. Simpler installation process for beginners. Software can be outdated.
A better fit for medium and large businesses. A popular CentOS alternative designed to be nearly identical to Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Offers long-term support.
Better fit for enterprise, especially for those undergoing digital transformation or hybrid cloud adoption. Website traffic is growing faster. Broader industry applicability. Paid, unlike CentOS.
Better for cloud-based applications, especially on AWS. Easier to use, optimized for AWS leading to enhanced performance, and cost-effective. However, it has more limited package repositories and community support.
Wider software compatibility and faster growing. More suitable for Finance, Banking & Insurance, Consumer Goods, Real Estate & Construction, and Media & Entertainment. Preferred for its user-friendly command-line interface.
Better for individuals, bloggers, and businesses seeking to create websites. More focused on content management and website building. Offers greater flexibility and customization through plugins and themes. Easier to use, especially for non-technical users.
CentOS is a free, enterprise-grade, Linux-based operating system known for its stability and reliability. It offers a cost-effective alternative to Red Hat Enterprise Linux, providing a robust platform ideal for businesses seeking a long-term server solution.
How does CentOS integrate with other tools?
How does CentOS integrate with other tools?
CentOS integrates with various tools through its extensive software repository accessed via YUM. It supports MySQL Community Edition and offers strong compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux and its ecosystem. This allows for seamless integration with numerous enterprise applications and development tools.
What the main competitors of CentOS?
What the main competitors of CentOS?
Top CentOS alternatives include Rocky Linux, a community-supported OS built as a drop-in replacement, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), CentOS's upstream source. Other similar options are Debian, Ubuntu Server, and Amazon Linux 2.
Is CentOS legit?
Is CentOS legit?
Yes, CentOS is a legitimate and safe operating system. Known for its stability and reliability, CentOS is a popular, cost-effective alternative to Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It's a secure and supported platform with a large, active community.
How much does CentOS cost?
How much does CentOS cost?
CentOS is a free and open-source operating system. There are no costs associated with downloading and using it. However, support services may be available from third-party vendors at a cost.
Is CentOS customer service good?
Is CentOS customer service good?
CentOS customer service receives mixed reviews. While some users praise the responsiveness and helpfulness of the community support, others note a lack of official support and occasional unresponsiveness. Community forums are often cited as valuable resources.
Reviewed by
MK
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.
TT
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.