CentOS End of Life Guidance

After June 30 2024, systems running CentOS 7 will no longer receive software updates. For AWS customers running any CentOS version, we recommend that you migrate your workloads to another Operating System (OS) prior to the EOL date. You can choose to migrate your CentOS workloads either to binary/Application Binary Interface (ABI)-compatible OS options such as RHEL, Rocky Linux, Alma Linux, etc. or to other OS options such as Amazon Linux, Ubuntu, SLES, etc. When choosing an alternative, consider factors such as security, compliance, stability, application compatibility, ease of migration, budget, long term OS strategy, and developer comfort.

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.

CentOS to RHEL on AWS

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.

Migrate to Rocky

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.

Alma Linux Migration Guide

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.

Switch from CentOS 7 to Oracle 7

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

Download CentOS Stream

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.

Migrate to CIQ Rocky Linux

Other Options

  • 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.

    Linux from AWS

  • 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.

    Migrate to Ubuntu

     

  • 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.

    How to migrate to SLES

  • Debian

    Debian is a free, community driven Linux OS. AWS optimized Debian AMIs are available on the EC2 console.

    Debian on AWS

  • OpenSUSE

    The openSUSE Leap is a free, stable, easy to use Linux distribution available on AWS Marketplace.

    Migrate CentOS to OpenSUSE Leap

Overview of the Operating System Alternatives

Operating System

Availability

Cost

Regional Update Infrastructure

Support

RHEL

EC2 console

Paid*

Yes

AWS support

Rocky Linux

AWS Marketplace

Free

Yes

Community support

AlmaLinux OS

AWS Marketplace

Free

Yes

Community support

CentOS Stream

AWS Marketplace

Free

Yes

Community support

Oracle Linux

EC2 console

Free

No

Community support

CIQ Supported Rocky Linux

AWS Marketplace

Paid

Yes

CIQ Support

Amazon Linux

EC2 console

Free

Yes

AWS support

Ubuntu

EC2 console

Free

Yes

AWS support

Ubuntu Pro

EC2 console

Paid

Yes

AWS support

SUSE

EC2 console

Paid

Yes

AWS support

Debian

EC2 console

Free

Yes

AWS support

openSUSE

AWS Marketplace

Free

No

Community support

*Contact your AWS account team for preferential pricing on RHEL