# Red Hat Enterprise Linux vs Ubuntu Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Red Hat Enterprise Linux excels in providing a **stable and secure environment** for enterprise-level applications, making it a preferred choice for hosting databases and web services. Users appreciate its **predictable release cycle** and robust security updates, which are crucial for long-term projects.
- **Users say** that Ubuntu stands out for its **ease of use** , particularly for those in IT roles across various technical departments. Reviewers highlight its **intuitive interface** and smooth GNOME desktop experience, which makes it suitable for both engineering and personal use.
- **According to verified reviews** , Red Hat Enterprise Linux is recognized for its **enterprise-grade support** , which users find invaluable for mission-critical operations. The strong ecosystem compatibility further enhances its appeal for businesses looking for reliability.
- **Reviewers mention** that Ubuntu continues to evolve while maintaining simplicity, with many praising its **polished design** and fluid animations. This focus on user experience makes it a favorite among those who prioritize a clean and modern interface.
- **G2 reviewers highlight** that while Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a market leader, it may not be as accessible for smaller businesses compared to Ubuntu, which has a significant presence in the small-business segment. This difference in market focus can influence the choice for companies based on their size and needs.
- **Users report** that both operating systems have their strengths in security, but Ubuntu edges out slightly with a more user-friendly approach to **automatic security updates** and overall **network security** , making it a solid choice for users who prioritize ease of maintenance.



| | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Ubuntu | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.6 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 974 | 2,380 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Enterprise (51.0% of reviews) | Small-Business (47.2% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Pros:
- Stability (58 reviews)
- Security (57 reviews)

Cons:
- High Cost (33 reviews)
- Expensive (21 reviews)

### Ubuntu

Pros:
- Ease of Use (337 reviews)
- Linux/Ubuntu OS (299 reviews)

Cons:
- Compatibility Issues (141 reviews)
- Driver Issues (104 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Ubuntu | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.0 (502 reviews) | 9.0 (1867 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.4 (768 reviews) | 8.7 (1884 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.5 (575 reviews) | 9.0 (897 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.5 (295 reviews) | 8.7 (648 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.8 (485 reviews) | 8.3 (1713 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.8 (282 reviews) | 8.7 (567 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.9 (482 reviews) | 9.1 (1769 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Red Hat Enterprise Linux

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### Ubuntu

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Cloud Management Platforms

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Red Hat Enterprise Linux** | N/A | N/A |
| **Ubuntu** | 8.6/10 | 43 |

#### Functionality

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Ubuntu | 
|---|---|---|
| **Cloud Consolidation** | Not enough data | 8.8 (36 reviews) | 
| **Cloud Orchestration** | Not enough data | 8.7 (39 reviews) | 
| **Cloud Optimization** | Not enough data | 8.6 (37 reviews) | 

#### Management

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Ubuntu | 
|---|---|---|
| **Cloud Cost Analytics** | Not enough data | 8.8 (37 reviews) | 
| **Cloud Security** | Not enough data | 8.9 (37 reviews) | 
| **Cloud Resource Management** | Not enough data | 8.7 (36 reviews) | 
| **Cloud Backup and Recovery** | Not enough data | 8.7 (37 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Cloud Management Platforms

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Ubuntu | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | 8.1 (24 reviews) | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | 8.2 (24 reviews) | 
| **Decision Making** | Not enough data | 8.2 (23 reviews) | 

### Server Virtualization

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Red Hat Enterprise Linux** | 8.7/10 | 46 |
| **Ubuntu** | 8.8/10 | 91 |

#### Performance

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Ubuntu | 
|---|---|---|
| **Scalability** | 8.8 (44 reviews) | 9.4 (74 reviews) | 
| **Portability** | 8.8 (42 reviews) | 9.4 (70 reviews) | 
| **Data Recovery** | 8.6 (40 reviews) | 8.7 (70 reviews) | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Ubuntu | 
|---|---|---|
| **OS Integration** | 9.0 (43 reviews) | 9.3 (71 reviews) | 
| **Resource Saving** | 8.6 (41 reviews) | 9.1 (72 reviews) | 
| **Performance Management** | 9.0 (41 reviews) | 9.2 (69 reviews) | 
| **Security** | 9.1 (42 reviews) | 9.5 (71 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Server Virtualization

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Ubuntu | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | 8.8 (7 reviews) | 8.1 (42 reviews) | 
| **Multi-step Planning** | 8.1 (6 reviews) | 8.4 (42 reviews) | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | 8.3 (7 reviews) | 8.5 (43 reviews) | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | 8.6 (6 reviews) | 8.3 (42 reviews) | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | 8.6 (7 reviews) | 8.3 (41 reviews) | 
| **Decision Making** | 8.6 (6 reviews) | 8.5 (42 reviews) | 

### Container Engine

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Red Hat Enterprise Linux** | 8.8/10 | 24 |
| **Ubuntu** | 9.0/10 | 58 |

#### Application Support

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Ubuntu | 
|---|---|---|
| **Deployment** | 8.9 (22 reviews) | 9.2 (47 reviews) | 
| **Interface support** | 8.7 (22 reviews) | 8.8 (40 reviews) | 
| **Processor support** | 8.7 (22 reviews) | 9.3 (36 reviews) | 
| **Application Support** | 8.6 (22 reviews) | 9.1 (46 reviews) | 

#### System Capability

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Ubuntu | 
|---|---|---|
| **Self Healing High Availability** | 8.3 (21 reviews) | 8.7 (33 reviews) | 
| **Orchestration** | 8.1 (22 reviews) | 9.0 (40 reviews) | 
| **Scalability** | 8.9 (22 reviews) | 9.2 (38 reviews) | 

#### Security

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Ubuntu | 
|---|---|---|
| **Automatic Security Updates** | 9.1 (20 reviews) | 9.1 (41 reviews) | 
| **Security updates** | 9.3 (22 reviews) | 9.0 (41 reviews) | 

### Operating System

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Red Hat Enterprise Linux** | 8.2/10 | 33 |
| **Ubuntu** | 8.8/10 | 267 |

#### Memory Management - Operating System

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Ubuntu | 
|---|---|---|
| **RAM management** | 8.6 (23 reviews) | 9.1 (196 reviews) | 

#### Device Management - Operating System

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Ubuntu | 
|---|---|---|
| **I/O management** | 8.5 (24 reviews) | 8.7 (212 reviews) | 

#### Backup and Recovery - Operating System

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Ubuntu | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data backup** | 7.5 (23 reviews) | 8.6 (169 reviews) | 

#### Error Detection - Operating System

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Ubuntu | 
|---|---|---|
| **System operations monitoring** | 8.2 (30 reviews) | 8.8 (183 reviews) | 

### IoT Operating Systems

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Red Hat Enterprise Linux** | 8.1/10 | 9 |
| **Ubuntu** | 8.9/10 | 41 |

#### Security

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Ubuntu | 
|---|---|---|
| **Access Controls** | 8.0 (9 reviews) | 8.8 (34 reviews) | 
| **Network Security** | 8.5 (8 reviews) | 9.3 (35 reviews) | 
| **Compliance** | 8.5 (8 reviews) | 8.9 (32 reviews) | 
| **Cryptography** | 8.3 (8 reviews) | 8.5 (31 reviews) | 

### Security Compliance

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Red Hat Enterprise Linux** | N/A | N/A |
| **Ubuntu** | 8.4/10 | 49 |

#### Generative AI - Security Compliance

| Feature | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Ubuntu | 
|---|---|---|
| **Predictive Risk** | Not enough data | 8.3 (35 reviews) | 
| **Automated Documentation** | Not enough data | 8.4 (33 reviews) | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (4):** [Operating Systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/operating-system), [IoT Operating Systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/iot-operating-systems), [Server Virtualization Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/server-virtualization), [Container Engine Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/container-engine)


**Unique to Ubuntu (2):** [Security Compliance Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/security-compliance), [Cloud Management Platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-management-platforms)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Ubuntu | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 19.4% | 47.2% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 29.6% | 33.0% | 
| **Enterprise** | 51.0% | 19.7% | 

### By Industry

#### Red Hat Enterprise Linux

- **Information Technology and Services:** 20.4%
- **Computer Software:** 11.3%
- **Telecommunications:** 6.5%
- **Financial Services:** 5.8%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 5.0%
- **Banking:** 4.3%
- **Higher Education:** 3.7%
- **Defense & Space:** 3.4%
- **Government Administration:** 2.4%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 2.1%
- **Other:** 35.1%

#### Ubuntu

- **Information Technology and Services:** 26.4%
- **Computer Software:** 25.1%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 5.2%
- **Higher Education:** 3.5%
- **Internet:** 2.9%
- **Telecommunications:** 2.5%
- **Financial Services:** 2.1%
- **Education Management:** 1.9%
- **Program Development:** 1.8%
- **Research:** 1.5%
- **Other:** 27.3%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Red Hat Enterprise Linux

- [Apple iOS](https://www.g2.com/products/apple-ios/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1558 reviews)
- [Windows 7](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-7/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (894 reviews)
- [macOS Sierra](https://www.g2.com/products/apple-macos-sierra/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (481 reviews)
- [CentOS](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (425 reviews)
- [Oracle Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-linux/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (345 reviews)
- [Android](https://www.g2.com/products/android/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1272 reviews)
- [Debian](https://www.g2.com/products/debian/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (218 reviews)
- [Fedora](https://www.g2.com/products/fedora/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (211 reviews)
- [Linux Mint](https://www.g2.com/products/linux-mint/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (188 reviews)
- [Windows 8](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-8/reviews) — 3.7/5 stars (575 reviews)

### Alternatives to Ubuntu

- [Windows 11](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-11/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (4273 reviews)
- [Apple iOS](https://www.g2.com/products/apple-ios/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1558 reviews)
- [Android](https://www.g2.com/products/android/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1272 reviews)
- [Windows 7](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-7/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (894 reviews)
- [Windows 8](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-8/reviews) — 3.7/5 stars (575 reviews)
- [macOS Sierra](https://www.g2.com/products/apple-macos-sierra/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (481 reviews)
- [CentOS](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (425 reviews)
- [Oracle Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-linux/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (345 reviews)
- [Chrome OS](https://www.g2.com/products/chrome-os/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (706 reviews)
- [Apple OS X El Capitan](https://www.g2.com/products/apple-os-x-el-capitan/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (262 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Red Hat Enterprise Linux

- Title: [What in RHEL you guys love?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/35917-what-in-rhel-you-guys-love) — 4 comments, 2 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "Stability, Security, Lifeycle, World class Support "
- Title: [Why should I use Red Hat Linux?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/why-should-i-use-red-hat-linux) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "If you are looking for a stable, reliable, and secure operating system, then Red Hat Linux is a great choice. Google uses Red Hat Enterprise Linux to power..."
- Title: [What is Red Hat Enterprise Linux used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/red-hat-enterprise-linux-what-is-red-hat-enterprise-linux-used-for-19dd5271-6d29-4249-956f-b8dc44f0ce30) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "It is an Operating System"
- Title: [What are the six key features of Red Hat Enterprise Linux?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-the-six-key-features-of-red-hat-enterprise-linux) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Lightweight
cost-effective with enterprise licensing
easy to use
most of the software is compatible
most acceptable OS
multiple option for Administrators
"
- Title: [What is Red Hat Enterprise Linux used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/red-hat-enterprise-linux-what-is-red-hat-enterprise-linux-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "RedHat is an organization that comes up with products like Linux bundles, cloud computing components, middleware products, cloud management tools, and..."

### Ubuntu

- Title: [I'm having trouble installing applications on Ubuntu. What are the best practices for a beginner?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/i-m-having-trouble-installing-applications-on-ubuntu-what-are-the-best-practices-for-a-beginner) — 7 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Please let me know the error, I can help you in installing application on Ubuntu."
- Title: [Is Ubuntu really good OS comoared to other Linux distros?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-ubuntu-really-good-os-comoared-to-other-linux-distros) — 7 comments, 2 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "Hi Avinash,

The packaging system of Ubuntu is inherited from Debian and is very well structured and maintained, making it relatively seldom necessary to..."
- Title: [What is Ubuntu used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-ubuntu-used-for) — 6 comments, 2 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "operating system"
- Title: [What is Ubuntu Desktop used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-ubuntu-desktop-used-for) — 6 comments, 2 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "Thanks you
"
- Title: [What is special about Ubuntu?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-special-about-ubuntu) — 5 comments, 5 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "is one of the stable linux."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/red-hat-enterprise-linux-vs-ubuntu)