Link copied to clipboard # CentOS vs Scientific Linux Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/centos/scientific-linux/export.csv) CentOSScientific Linux[+ Add Product](#) Reviews **CentOS** [ 4.4/5(425) ](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews#reviews) **Scientific Linux** [ 3.6/5(16) ](https://www.g2.com/products/scientific-linux/reviews#reviews) Pricing **CentOS** No pricing available **Scientific Linux** No pricing available **Pricing Insights** from reviews Time to Implement **CentOS** 2 months Based on 57 responses **Scientific Linux** Not enough reviews yet Return on Investment **CentOS** 12 months Based on 48 responses **Scientific Linux** Not enough reviews yet Perceived Cost **CentOS** $$$$$ **Scientific Linux** Not enough reviews yet Average Discount **CentOS** 12% **Scientific Linux** Not enough reviews yet 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(14) ](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1466522&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Outdated Technology (7) ](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2167300&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Lack of Support (5)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) **Scientific Linux** [ Linux/Ubuntu OS (2) ](https://www.g2.com/products/scientific-linux/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1989943&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Design Aesthetics (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/scientific-linux/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2268012&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Slow Updates (2) ](https://www.g2.com/products/scientific-linux/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1989944&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Lack of Support (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/scientific-linux/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1989936&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) **Scientific Linux** Not enough data Ratings Meets Requirements **CentOS** 9.1 9.1342 **Scientific Linux** 7.7 7.714 Ease of Use **CentOS** 8.5 8.5343 **Scientific Linux** 6.9 6.915 Ease of Setup **CentOS** 8.5 8.5220 **Scientific Linux** 6.9 6.96 Ease of Admin **CentOS** 8.5 8.5205 **Scientific Linux** Not enough data Quality of Support **CentOS** 8.1 8.1286 **Scientific Linux** 5.7 5.712 Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **CentOS** 8.6 8.6162 **Scientific Linux** Not enough data Product Direction (% positive) **CentOS** 8.3 8.3321 **Scientific Linux** 6.7 6.714 Features Operating System[Hide 14 FeaturesShow 14 Features](javascript:void(0);) 8.8 26 Not enough data Memory Management - Operating System RAM management 9.2(won by default) 18 Not enough data 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 default) 18 Not enough data Backup and Recovery - Operating System Data backup 8.1(won by default) 13 Not enough data Error Detection - Operating System System operations monitoring 8.9(won by default) 20 Not enough data 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% [![Scientific Linux](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_0c1a021629f8b397b7178c3e61bcb9a2/scientific-linux.jpg "Scientific Linux")](https://www.g2.com/products/scientific-linux/reviews) Scientific Linux Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 25.0% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 25.0% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 50.0% Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) 31.4% 25.0% Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) 38.6% 25.0% Enterprise (\> 1000 emp.) 30.0% 50.0% 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% [![Scientific Linux](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_0c1a021629f8b397b7178c3e61bcb9a2/scientific-linux.jpg "Scientific Linux")](https://www.g2.com/products/scientific-linux/reviews) Scientific Linux Pharmaceuticals 18.8% Higher Education 12.5% Food & Beverages 12.5% Computer Software 12.5% Recreational Facilities and Services 6.3% Other 37.5% FAQs ## CentOS vs Scientific Linux FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 14, 2026 ### What is the difference between CentOS vs Scientific Linux? CentOS is rated higher by reviewers and is more widely adopted, while Scientific Linux has a lower rating and less recent support. | [CentOS](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews) | [Scientific Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/scientific-linux/reviews) | | --- | --- | | 4.4/5 (425 reviews) | 3.6/5 (16 reviews) | | — | — | | 8.5 | 6.9 | | 8.1 | 5.7 | | Reliability (16 all-time mentions) | Stability (1 all-time mention) | ### How do the pricing models of CentOS and Scientific Linux compare? CentOS is considered the stronger value by reviewers, with higher satisfaction on cost and licensing. - **CentOS:** Reviewers consistently highlight CentOS as a free, enterprise-grade operating system that eliminates licensing costs, with multiple mentions of cost savings and value for both small and large organizations. - **Scientific Linux:** Reviewers note that Scientific Linux is also free and open source, but recent reviews mention the lack of updates and support, reducing its perceived value. - **Switching reasons:** In recent reviews, users cite CentOS's stability and cost-effectiveness as key reasons for choosing it over other paid or unsupported Linux distributions. ### What are the best alternatives to CentOS and Scientific Linux? The top three alternatives to CentOS and Scientific Linux are Ubuntu, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Windows 7. | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [CentOS](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews) | 4.4/5 (425 reviews) | — | Free, eliminates licensing costs | Reliability (16 all-time mentions) | | [Scientific Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/scientific-linux/reviews) | 3.6/5 (16 reviews) | — | Free, but lacks recent updates | Stability (1 all-time mention) | | [Ubuntu](https://www.g2.com/products/ubuntu/reviews) | 4.5/5 (2,400 reviews) | Small-Business | Free, widely adopted in small businesses | User-friendly and robust ecosystem | | [Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-enterprise-linux/reviews) | 4.6/5 (977 reviews) | Enterprise | Paid, enterprise-grade support | Enterprise stability and support | | [Windows 7](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-7/reviews) | 4.2/5 (903 reviews) | Small-Business | Paid, legacy support | Familiar interface and compatibility | ### Which Operating System features should I prioritize when comparing CentOS and Scientific Linux? Buyers should prioritize stability, support, ease of setup, security, and compatibility when comparing CentOS and Scientific Linux. - **Stability:** CentOS (14 all-time mentions), Scientific Linux (1 all-time mention) - **Support:** CentOS Quality of Support score 8.1, Scientific Linux 5.7 - **Ease of Setup:** CentOS 8.5, Scientific Linux 6.9 - **Security:** CentOS (5 all-time mentions), Scientific Linux (1 all-time mention) - **Compatibility:** CentOS (3 all-time mentions), Scientific Linux (compatibility with RHEL noted in reviews) ### What are the pros and cons of CentOS vs Scientific Linux? CentOS's headline strength is reliability, while Scientific Linux is noted for stability in scientific environments. - **CentOS strengths:** Reliability (16 all-time mentions), stability (14), RHEL compatibility (8), community support (6), security (5), easy setup (4), free/no cost (3), integrations (3) - **CentOS trade-offs:** Outdated technology (7), lack of support (5), slow updates (5), limited availability (4), system instability (4) - **Scientific Linux strengths:** Stability (1 all-time mention), security/safety (1), compatibility with RHEL and scientific software (noted in reviews) - **Scientific Linux trade-offs:** Slow updates (2), lack of support (1), update issues (1), requires Linux experience for optimal use (noted in reviews) ### Is CentOS or Scientific Linux better for small businesses? CentOS is the better fit for small businesses, with stronger reviewer sentiment and broader adoption in this segment. - **CentOS:** Reviewers in small-business contexts highlight CentOS's cost savings, reliability, and ease of use for server environments. - **Scientific Linux:** Reviewers note Scientific Linux is suitable for research and scientific projects but mention its lack of updates and support as a drawback for small business use. ### Which Operating System platform has better integrations? CentOS is favored for integrations, with more reviewer-cited integration mentions and broader tool compatibility. - **CentOS:** Integrates with Make (56 all-time mentions), MySQL (13), and Kubernetes (4), with reviewers highlighting its compatibility for application hosting and development environments. - **Scientific Linux:** Reviewers mention compatibility with RHEL-based software and scientific tools, but no specific third-party integration counts are cited. ### How do CentOS and Scientific Linux compare on customer support? CentOS outperforms Scientific Linux on Quality of Support by a material margin, scoring 8.1 versus 5.7. - **CentOS:** Reviewers consistently praise CentOS for its strong community support, accessible documentation, and reliable help for troubleshooting and maintenance. - **Scientific Linux:** Reviewers note that support is limited, with recent reviews mentioning the lack of updates and a shrinking community, making it harder to find help. ### Which is easier to implement, CentOS or Scientific Linux? CentOS is easier to implement than Scientific Linux, with a higher Ease of Setup score by 1.6 points (8.5 vs 6.9). - **CentOS:** Reviewers highlight straightforward installation, intuitive setup wizards, and minimal configuration required for server deployment. - **Scientific Linux:** Reviewers describe setup as more challenging, often requiring advanced Linux knowledge and more manual configuration, especially for scientific or research use cases. 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) **Scientific Linux Alternatives** ![Ubuntu](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/4b0cb18835a92aa4bb723c4d488c6400/ubuntu.svg "Ubuntu") [ Ubuntu ](/products/ubuntu/reviews) ![Fedora](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565578/fedora.svg "Fedora") [ Fedora ](/products/fedora/reviews) ![Linux Mint](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_3146bdd0defa39278b58727400f0a807/linux-mint.jpg "Linux Mint") [ Linux Mint ](/products/linux-mint/reviews) ![Debian](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d8ee572841e069ed16147ca23a2b9144/debian.jpg "Debian") [ Debian ](/products/debian/reviews)