Binary/ABI Compatible Options
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
CentOS is binary compatible with RHEL. RHEL is available in a subscription-included model on Amazon EC2 with AWS optimized AMIs, knowledge base access, regional update infrastructure, and AWS support.
SUSE Liberty Linux
SUSE Liberty Linux is a technology and support solution that is fully compatible at the application binary interface level with RHEL and CentOS. It provides an in-place upgrade to running CentOS EC2 instances without an image migration - simply run an update to receive security updates from SUSE. It is available on AWS Marketplace
Rocky Linux
Rocky Linux is a free, open source, community enterprise OS that is bug-for-bug compatible with RHEL and provides a migration path from CentOS. Rocky Linux AMIs are available on AWS Marketplace.
AlmaLinux OS
AlmaLinux OS is an open source, community owned enterprise Linux distribution committed to being RHEL compatible. It provides a migration path from CentOS and is available on AWS Marketplace.
Oracle Linux
Oracle Linux is an open source Linux distribution from Oracle. Oracle Linux is ABI compatible with RHEL and provides a migration path from CentOS. It is available via community AMIs on Amazon EC2.
CentOS Stream
CentOS Stream is an open-source community-driven OS. CentOS Stream is a rolling release Linux distribution and is an upstream version of RHEL. It is available on AWS Marketplace
CIQ Supported Rocky Linux
CIQ is the founding support and services partner of the Rocky Linux project. CIQ provides customers commercial support and services for Rocky Linux. CIQ Rocky Linux is available on AWS Marketplace.
Other Options
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Amazon Linux
Amazon Linux is a secure, stable, high-performance execution environment for cloud applications. Built and maintained by Amazon. Amazon Linux is available at no additional cost.
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Ubuntu / Ubuntu Pro
Ubuntu is a free, easy to use open-source Linux operating system. Ubuntu Pro, a premium offering, adds enhanced security, compliance and long-term support.
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SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
SLES is a supported Linux OS developed by SUSE. It is built on open source Linux kernel and includes system and application software from other open-source projects.
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Debian
Debian is a free, community driven Linux OS. AWS optimized Debian AMIs are available on the EC2 console.
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OpenSUSE
The openSUSE Leap is a free, stable, easy to use Linux distribution available on AWS Marketplace.
Overview of the Operating System Alternatives
Operating System |
Availability |
Cost |
Regional Update Infrastructure |
Support |
RHEL |
EC2 console |
Paid* |
Yes |
|
| SUSE Liberty Linux | AWS Marketplace | Paid | No | SUSE Support |
Rocky Linux |
Free |
Yes |
||
AlmaLinux OS |
Free |
Yes |
||
| Oracle Linux | EC2 console | Free | No | Community support |
CentOS Stream |
Free |
Yes |
||
CIQ Supported Rocky Linux |
Paid |
Yes |
||
Amazon Linux |
EC2 console |
Free |
Yes |
|
Ubuntu |
EC2 console |
Free |
Yes |
|
Ubuntu Pro |
EC2 console |
Paid |
Yes |
|
SLES |
EC2 console |
Paid |
Yes |
|
Debian |
EC2 console |
Free |
Yes |
|
openSUSE |
Free |
No |
*Contact your AWS account team for preferential pricing on RHEL