Link copied to clipboard # CentOS vs Oracle Linux Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/centos/oracle-linux/export.csv) CentOSOracle Linux[+ Add Product](#) Reviews **CentOS** [ 4.4/5(425) ](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews#reviews) **Oracle Linux** [ 4.4/5(347) ](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-linux/reviews#reviews) Pricing **CentOS** No pricing available **Oracle Linux** Free Trial **Free** Unlimited ยท Oracle Linux Free Download **Pricing Insights** from reviews Time to Implement **CentOS** 2 monthsFaster Based on 57 responses **Oracle Linux** 3 months Based on 19 responses Return on Investment **CentOS** 12 months5 months sooner Based on 48 responses **Oracle Linux** 17 months Based on 16 responses Perceived Cost **CentOS** $$$$$ **Oracle Linux** $$$$$ Average Discount **CentOS** 12% **Oracle Linux** 22%10% more Pros & Cons **CentOS** [ Reliability (16) ](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1466824&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Stability (14) ](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1466522&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Outdated Technology (7) ](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2167300&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Lack of Support (5) ](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1467265&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) **Oracle Linux** [ Stability (14) ](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-linux/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1819093&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ RHEL Compatibility (12) ](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-linux/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1819074&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Lack of Support (14) ](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-linux/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1819020&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ High Cost (8) ](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-linux/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1819059&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) Integrations **CentOS** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_aa32fa23598dc6c153bb17435c1c1d13/activedirectory-domain-controller-for-windows-2016.png "Product Avatar Image") ActiveDirectory Domain... ](https://www.g2.com/products/activedirectory-domain-controller-for-windows-2016/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_9d00048205a466c174da3c77093a1336/apache-maven.png "Product Avatar Image") Apache Maven ](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-maven/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_875175039c275eab2eed735a56ad8cee/chrome-os.jpeg "Product Avatar Image") Chrome OS ](https://www.g2.com/products/chrome-os/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_bde6cd3bdabd1f16c41327bd71f4dee5/cpanel.png "Product Avatar Image") cPanel ](https://www.g2.com/products/cpanel/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/integrations) **Oracle Linux** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_7efb44978fe3d069d9927fbd99e7501a/calendarbridge.png "Product Avatar Image") CalendarBridge ](https://www.g2.com/products/calendarbridge/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_ec0c38c7a0b645a17bfff00d56e51583/ninjaone.png "Product Avatar Image") NinjaOne ](https://www.g2.com/products/ninjaone/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_82f55e945509bff7b8009e8024cfe73c/oracle-database.jpg "Product Avatar Image") Oracle Database ](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-database/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_3042cb71cbf8ba9820007715c12aea60/red-hat-enterprise-linux.jpg "Product Avatar Image") Red Hat Enterprise Linux ](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-enterprise-linux/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-linux/integrations) Screenshots **CentOS** No screenshot available **Oracle Linux** ![Oracle Linux screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/29339/uploads_2F8930bb76-5615-4908-bc71-03de4c562c4b_2FOracle_Linux_Screenshot.jpg) Ratings Meets Requirements **CentOS** 9.1 9.1342 **Oracle Linux** 8.8 8.8247 Ease of Use **CentOS** 8.5 8.5343 **Oracle Linux** 8.5 8.5250 Ease of Setup **CentOS** 8.5 8.5220 **Oracle Linux** 8.4 8.4171 Ease of Admin **CentOS** 8.5 8.5205 **Oracle Linux** 8.5 8.5145 Quality of Support **CentOS** 8.1 8.1286 **Oracle Linux** 8.2 8.2237 Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **CentOS** 8.6 8.6162 **Oracle Linux** 8.5 8.5140 Product Direction (% positive) **CentOS** 8.3 8.3321 **Oracle Linux** 8.1 8.1229 Features Operating System[Hide 14 FeaturesShow 14 Features](javascript:void(0);) 8.8 26 8.9 32 Memory Management - Operating System RAM management 9.2(won by 0.3) 18 8.9 22 App Management Not enough data Not enough data File Management Not enough data Not enough data Device Management - Operating System I/O management 9.0(won by 0.1) 18 8.9 21 Backup and Recovery - Operating System Data backup 8.1 13 8.8(won by 0.7) 20 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) Error Detection - Operating System System operations monitoring 8.9(won by 0.1) 20 8.8 20 Additional Functionality Generative AI Not enough data Not enough data Data Security Not enough data Not enough data User Interface Not enough data Not enough data Resource Allocation Not enough data Not enough data System Updates Not enough data Not enough data For Developers Not enough data Not enough data AI Copilot Not enough data Not enough data Desktop Interface Not enough data Not enough data Show 1 feature category with incomplete data AWS Marketplace[Hide 3 FeaturesShow 3 Features](javascript:void(0);) Not enough data Not enough data Agentic AI - AWS Marketplace Autonomous Task Execution Not enough data Not enough data Multi-step Planning Not enough data Not enough data Cross-system Integration Not enough data Not enough data User Insights Reviewers' Company Size [![CentOS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565579/centos.svg "CentOS")](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews) CentOS Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 31.4% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 38.6% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 30.0% [![Oracle Linux](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_3f5575e82b67a95d23834e8db8dabb67/oracle-linux.png "Oracle Linux")](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-linux/reviews) Oracle Linux Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 21.3% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 31.3% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 47.3% Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) 31.4% 21.3% Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) 38.6% 31.3% Enterprise (\> 1000 emp.) 30.0% 47.3% Reviewers' Industry [![CentOS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565579/centos.svg "CentOS")](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews) CentOS Information Technology and Services 30.2% Computer Software 15.5% Computer & Network Security 5.7% Telecommunications 4.2% Internet 3.7% Other 40.6% [![Oracle Linux](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_3f5575e82b67a95d23834e8db8dabb67/oracle-linux.png "Oracle Linux")](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-linux/reviews) Oracle Linux Information Technology and Services 24.6% Computer Software 11.7% Computer & Network Security 7.6% Telecommunications 6.6% Financial Services 3.8% Other 45.7% FAQs ## CentOS vs Oracle Linux FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 14, 2026 ### What is the difference between CentOS vs Oracle Linux? CentOS and Oracle Linux are both enterprise-grade Linux distributions with identical G2 ratings, but CentOS is most used in the Mid-Market segment while Oracle Linux is strongest in Enterprise, and each has distinct reviewer-cited strengths. | [CentOS](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews) | [Oracle Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-linux/reviews) | | --- | --- | | 4.4/5 (425 reviews) | 4.4/5 (349 reviews) | | Mid-Market | Enterprise | | 8.5 | 8.4 | | 8.1 | 8.2 | | Reliability (16 all-time mentions) | Stability (14 all-time mentions) | ### How do the pricing models of CentOS and Oracle Linux compare? CentOS and Oracle Linux are rated at parity for value, with both products scoring highly on price satisfaction. - **CentOS:** Reviewers consistently highlight CentOS as a free, open-source operating system that eliminates licensing costs for enterprise-grade environments. - **Oracle Linux:** Reviewers note Oracle Linux is free to download and use, with optional paid enterprise support, and cite strong value for organizations already using Oracle products. - **Switching reasons:** Several reviewers mention migrating from CentOS to Oracle Linux due to CentOS reaching end-of-life, seeking continued free RHEL compatibility and support options. ### What are the best alternatives to CentOS and Oracle Linux? Ubuntu, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Windows 7 are the top three G2-ranked alternatives to CentOS and Oracle Linux. | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [CentOS](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews) | 4.4/5 (425) | Mid-Market | Free, open-source, eliminates licensing costs | Reliability (16 all-time mentions) | | [Oracle Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-linux/reviews) | 4.4/5 (349) | Enterprise | Free to use, paid support optional | Stability (14 all-time mentions) | | [Ubuntu](https://www.g2.com/products/ubuntu/reviews) | 4.5/5 (2,400) | Small-Business | โ€” | Ease of use and broad community support | | [Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-enterprise-linux/reviews) | 4.6/5 (977) | Enterprise | โ€” | Enterprise-grade stability and support | | [Windows 7](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-7/reviews) | 4.2/5 (903) | Small-Business | โ€” | Familiar interface and compatibility | ### Which Operating System features should I prioritize when comparing CentOS and Oracle Linux? Buyers comparing CentOS and Oracle Linux should prioritize stability, RHEL compatibility, security, support options, and integration capabilities. - **Stability:** CentOS (14 all-time mentions), Oracle Linux (14 all-time mentions) - **RHEL Compatibility:** CentOS (8 all-time mentions), Oracle Linux (13 all-time mentions) - **Security:** CentOS (5 all-time mentions), Oracle Linux (8 all-time mentions) - **Support Options:** CentOS (5 all-time mentions for lack of support), Oracle Linux (15 all-time mentions for lack of support, 8 for high cost) - **Integration Capabilities:** CentOS integrates with Make (56 all-time mentions), MySQL (13), Kubernetes (4); Oracle Linux integrates with Oracle Database (63), Red Hat Enterprise Linux (13) ### What are the pros and cons of CentOS vs Oracle Linux? CentOS is most valued for reliability, while Oracle Linux stands out for stability and enterprise integration. - **CentOS strengths:** Reliability (16 all-time mentions), stability (14), ease of use (8), RHEL compatibility (8), community support (6), security (5), easy setup (4), free/no cost (3) - **CentOS trade-offs:** Outdated technology (7), lack of support (5), slow updates (5), limited availability (4), system instability (4) - **Oracle Linux strengths:** Stability (14 all-time mentions), RHEL compatibility (13), regular updates (9), security/safety (8), reliability (8), free/no cost (7), speed/performance (7), long-term support (6) - **Oracle Linux trade-offs:** Lack of support (15), high cost for enterprise support (8), limited software (8), poor UI/UX (4), slow updates (4), usage difficulty (4) ### Is CentOS or Oracle Linux better for small businesses? CentOS is the stronger fit for small businesses, with a larger share of reviewers from the Small-Business and Mid-Market segments and consistent praise for cost savings and ease of use. - **CentOS:** Largest segment is Mid-Market, with many reviewers highlighting its free licensing, low resource requirements, and suitability for small business server environments. - **Oracle Linux:** Largest segment is Enterprise, with reviewers noting its strengths in enterprise workloads and Oracle ecosystem integration, but less focus on small business needs. ### Which Operating System platform has better integrations? CentOS and Oracle Linux both offer strong integration capabilities, with CentOS favored for broader third-party integrations and Oracle Linux for Oracle ecosystem compatibility. - **CentOS:** Integrates with Make (56 all-time mentions), MySQL (13), and Kubernetes (4), with reviewers citing ease of integration for a variety of server and development tools. - **Oracle Linux:** Integrates with Oracle Database (63 all-time mentions) and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (13), with reviewers emphasizing its optimization for Oracle workloads and compatibility with RHEL-based environments. ### How do CentOS and Oracle Linux compare on customer support? CentOS and Oracle Linux are rated at near-parity for Quality of Support, with CentOS at 8.1 and Oracle Linux at 8.2, a difference below the materiality threshold. - **CentOS:** Reviewers describe community-driven support as helpful but note the lack of formal support channels, especially after end-of-life. - **Oracle Linux:** Reviewers highlight the availability of enterprise support options and regular updates, but also mention that support can be costly and less accessible for smaller teams. ### Which is easier to implement, CentOS or Oracle Linux? CentOS and Oracle Linux are rated at near-parity for Ease of Setup, with CentOS at 8.5 and Oracle Linux at 8.4, a difference below the materiality threshold. - **CentOS:** Reviewers consistently cite straightforward installation, intuitive setup wizards, and ease of deployment, especially for those familiar with Linux or RHEL environments. - **Oracle Linux:** Reviewers note that setup is generally easy, particularly for those with enterprise Linux experience, but some mention a steeper learning curve for beginners and more complex post-install configuration. Alternatives **CentOS Alternatives** ![Ubuntu](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/4b0cb18835a92aa4bb723c4d488c6400/ubuntu.svg "Ubuntu") [ Ubuntu ](/products/ubuntu/reviews) ![Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_3042cb71cbf8ba9820007715c12aea60/red-hat-enterprise-linux.jpg "Red Hat Enterprise Linux") [ Red Hat Enterprise Linux ](/products/red-hat-enterprise-linux/reviews) ![Windows 7](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565509/windows-7.svg "Windows 7") [ Windows 7 ](/products/windows-7/reviews) ![macOS Sierra](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487566982/apple-macos-sierra.svg "macOS Sierra") [ macOS Sierra ](/products/apple-macos-sierra/reviews) **Oracle Linux Alternatives** ![Ubuntu](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/4b0cb18835a92aa4bb723c4d488c6400/ubuntu.svg "Ubuntu") [ Ubuntu ](/products/ubuntu/reviews) ![Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_3042cb71cbf8ba9820007715c12aea60/red-hat-enterprise-linux.jpg "Red Hat Enterprise Linux") [ Red Hat Enterprise Linux ](/products/red-hat-enterprise-linux/reviews) ![Windows 7](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565509/windows-7.svg "Windows 7") [ Windows 7 ](/products/windows-7/reviews) ![Windows 8](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565509/windows-8.svg "Windows 8") [ Windows 8 ](/products/windows-8/reviews)