Updated today.
Since this guide was last updated, several significant changes have taken place in the Linux server landscape:
- CentOS Linux 7 and 8 have reached end-of-life, with CentOS Stream 9 now serving as a rolling preview of RHEL’s next release.
- For stable RHEL-compatible alternatives, AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux have emerged as popular community-driven choices.
- Ubuntu Server continues to be a popular choice, with its latest 24.04 LTS release offering long-term stability and enterprise readiness. Also added Ubuntu Pro to the article.
- Enterprise Linux distros like RHEL 9 and SUSE Linux Enterprise remain focused on cloud-native, containerized, and hybrid cloud environments.
- Fedora Server provides access to cutting-edge technology for those who prefer frequent updates.
Always verify the latest distro versions and community feedback to make an informed decision.