--- title: Amazon Linux 2 Reviews meta_title: 'Amazon Linux 2 Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2' meta_description: Filter 72 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to find out how Amazon Linux 2 works for a business like yours. aggregate_rating: rating_value: 4.5 review_count: 72 scale: '5' date_modified: '2026-08-04' parent_category: name: IT Infrastructure url: https://www.g2.com/categories/it-infrastructure --- # Amazon Linux 2 Reviews **Vendor:** terracloudx **Category:** [Operating Systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/operating-system) **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 72 ## About Amazon Linux 2 Amazon Linux 2 is a Linux operating system developed by Amazon Web Services (AWS) to provide a secure, stable, and high-performance environment for cloud and enterprise applications. It is designed to integrate seamlessly with AWS services, offering a robust platform for developers and IT administrators. Amazon Linux 2 is available at no additional charge and includes long-term support with ongoing security and maintenance updates. Key Features and Functionality: - AWS Integration: Pre-installed packages and configurations facilitate tight integration with AWS services, simplifying the deployment and management of applications. - Long-Term Support: Provides five years of support, ensuring stability and predictability for enterprise applications. - Extras Repository: Offers access to the latest software packages through the Amazon Linux Extras repository, allowing users to install newer versions of popular software without compromising system stability. - On-Premises Use: Available as virtual machine images for VMware, Oracle VM VirtualBox, and Microsoft Hyper-V, enabling on-premises development and testing. - Systemd Support: Includes the systemd init system for efficient process management and service control. - Optimized Kernel and Toolchain: Features an LTS Kernel tuned for enhanced performance on Amazon EC2, along with updated compiler and build toolchain components. - Security Features: Implements default security measures such as limiting remote access, disabling remote root login, and reducing non-critical packages to minimize exposure to vulnerabilities. - Kernel Live Patching: Supports live patching of the Linux kernel, allowing critical and important security updates to be applied without rebooting or downtime. Primary Value and User Solutions: Amazon Linux 2 addresses the need for a secure, reliable, and high-performance operating system tailored for cloud environments. Its deep integration with AWS services streamlines application deployment and management, enhancing developer productivity. The long-term support and regular security updates provide peace of mind for enterprises, ensuring system stability and compliance. Additionally, the availability of virtual machine images for on-premises use allows for consistent development and testing environments, bridging the gap between local and cloud-based operations. ## Amazon Linux 2 Pros & Cons **What users like:** - Users value the **long-term support** of Amazon Linux 2, ensuring reliability and stability for their cloud applications. (8 reviews) - Users value the **regular updates** of Amazon Linux 2, ensuring security and performance for cloud workloads. (8 reviews) - Users value the **lightweight and high-performing** nature of Amazon Linux 2, optimizing their AWS workload efficiency. (8 reviews) - Users commend the **lightweight size** of Amazon Linux 2, enhancing performance for efficient cloud workload management. (7 reviews) - Users find Amazon Linux 2 to be **exceptionally easy to use** , facilitating management and application setups effortlessly. (5 reviews) - Stability (5 reviews) - Cloud Computing (3 reviews) - Easy Management (3 reviews) - Free/No Cost (3 reviews) - Users value the **reliability** of Amazon Linux 2, making it a dependable choice for running applications on AWS. (3 reviews) **What users dislike:** - Users experience **limited software availability** on Amazon Linux 2, needing additional effort for libraries and configurations. (6 reviews) - Users often face **limited app availability** in Amazon Linux 2, leading to challenges in accessing newer tools and libraries. (4 reviews) - Users note the **strong dependence on AWS** limits Amazon Linux 2's portability and flexibility in non-AWS environments. (3 reviews) - Users experience a **lack of support** for newer packages and find documentation insufficient for advanced configurations. (3 reviews) - Users find issues with **outdated technology** , as core components lag behind other distributions, affecting software compatibility. (2 reviews) - Users find the **command line interface challenging** , especially those unfamiliar with CMD, unlike GUI OS like Windows. (1 reviews) - Users face **integration issues** due to limited support for newer packages and AWS dependency, hindering flexibility. (1 reviews) - Skill Requirements (1 reviews) ## Amazon Linux 2 Discussions - [How to look for the correct linux commands, which works with the Amazon Linux 2?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-to-look-for-the-correct-linux-commands-which-works-with-the-amazon-linux-2) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [View Amazon Linux 2 pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-linux-2-2021-10-12/reviews?page=7§ion=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-08-05+20%3A37%3A31+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=6a7d6475-b43b-44ff-ae05-140df369a23f&secure%5Btoken%5D=a792f052060c9119b4e9e9b347a75d8b4b866d19392e65a55e62fcce258c02a7&format=llm_user) ## Amazon Linux 2 Integrations - [Docker](https://www.g2.com/products/docker-inc-docker/reviews) - [IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform/reviews) - [Laravel](https://www.g2.com/products/laravel/reviews) - [Node.js](https://www.g2.com/products/node-js/reviews) ## Amazon Linux 2 Features **Memory Management - Operating System** - RAM management - App Management - File Management **Device Management - Operating System** - I/O management **Backup and Recovery - Operating System** - Data backup **Error Detection - Operating System** - System operations monitoring **** - Generative AI - Data Security - User Interface - Resource Allocation - System Updates - For Developers - AI Copilot - Desktop Interface ## Top Amazon Linux 2 Alternatives - [Rocky Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/rocky-linux/reviews) - 4.6/5.0 (20 reviews) - [AlmaLinux OS](https://www.g2.com/products/almalinux-os/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (21 reviews) - [Ubuntu](https://www.g2.com/products/ubuntu/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (2,345 reviews)