The openSUSE distribution is a stable, easy to use and complete multi-purpose Linux distribution. It is aimed towards users and developers working on the desktop or server. It is great for beginners, experienced users and ultra geeks alike, in short, it is perfect for everybody!
Highlights
Stable Linux Distribution with over 10 thousand packages at your disposal
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The openSUSE Leap operating system is free, so you pay no software charge. Each dimension maps to a specific AWS ARM-based (aarch64) EC2 instance type, billed hourly. Pricing scales with the instance you choose, not the software. Options span general-purpose (m-series, a1, t4g), compute-optimized (c-series), memory-optimized (r-series, x2gd), storage-optimized (im4gn, is4gen), and graphics (g5g) families. Within each family, sizes range from medium up to metal (bare metal) configurations. You select the instance size that fits your workload, and your hourly cost reflects that instance's compute, memory, and storage capacity.
Top-of-mind questions for buyers
The software is free, so what does my hourly charge actually cover?
Your hourly charge covers the underlying AWS ARM-based (aarch64) EC2 instance you run openSUSE Leap on. The operating system itself carries no software fee. You pay only for the instance's compute, memory, and storage capacity, metered per hour by AWS.
Am I charged when my instance is stopped or powered off?
Hourly charges apply while an instance runs. A fully stopped instance accrues no running-time charge. You may still pay AWS for attached storage, such as EBS volumes, while the instance is stopped. Billing resumes when you start the instance again.
How do I pick the right instance dimension for my workload?
Match the instance family to your need. General-purpose (m, a1, t4g) balances resources. Compute-optimized (c-series) favors processing. Memory-optimized (r-series, x2gd) favors RAM. Storage-optimized (im4gn, is4gen) favors local disk. Graphics (g5g) adds GPU. Larger sizes up to metal add more capacity and raise your hourly cost.
get.opensuse.org
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An AMI is a virtual image that provides the information required to launch an instance. Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) instances are virtual servers on which you can run your applications and workloads, offering varying combinations of CPU, memory, storage, and networking resources. You can launch as many instances from as many different AMIs as you need.
Version release notes
openSUSE Leap 16.1 is the latest stable Linux distribution provided by the openSUSE Community.
Additional details
Usage instructions
Once the instance is running, connect to it using a Secure Shell (SSH) client as ec2-user and the configured SSH key. The standard openSUSE repositories are pre-configured.
AWS Support is a one-on-one, fast-response support channel that is staffed 24x7x365 with experienced and technical support engineers. The service helps customers of all sizes and technical abilities to successfully utilize the products and features provided by Amazon Web Services.
This product has charges associated with it for configuration of ClamAV antivirus. SmartAMI openSUSE Leap 16 with ClamAV Antivirus. SmartAMI upgrades it periodically so it includes newest available packages.
SUSE Linux Enterprise (SLE) Micro is a lightweight and secure OS platform purpose-built for containerized workloads. (No EMEA Orders) It is well suited for any decentralized computing environment such as edge, embedded or IoT deployment without vendor lock-in.
Stable and Customizable, but Not Intuitive for Beginners
Reviewed on May 03, 2026
Review provided by G2
What do you like best about the product?
I especially like the stability of openSUSE Leap and the complete control of the system thanks to YaST. Additionally, I appreciate its high level of customization.
What do you dislike about the product?
The management of codecs and greater simplicity for beginners. openSUSE Leap does not include multimedia codecs, so every time I have to come up with something to make them work. Even though YaST helps a lot, Leap can be less straightforward compared to other distributions like Ubuntu or Mint.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
openSUSE Leap is stable thanks to its updates and offers me complete control of the system with YaST, limiting some functions to users.
Frederik W.
Secure and Cost-Effective Choice for PC
Reviewed on Apr 16, 2026
Review provided by G2
What do you like best about the product?
I use openSUSE Leap as the operating system on my PC and really appreciate its safety features. Being based on Linux, I find it much safer to operate than Windows or even MacOS. The initial setup is also very straightforward nowadays, which is a plus.
What do you dislike about the product?
All good.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
I use openSUSE Leap for its security and cost efficiency. Being Linux-based, it's much safer to operate than Windows or MacOS.
Kuldeep V.
Rock-Solid Stability and Easy Configuration with YaST
Reviewed on Apr 02, 2026
Review provided by G2
What do you like best about the product?
What I like the most about openSUSE Leap is its stability and reliability. It just works without random crashes or weird issues, which is honestly a big relief compared to some other distros I’ve tried.
Another thing I really appreciate is YaST—it makes system configuration much easier, especially for things like network settings, software management, and system updates. You don’t always have to depend on the terminal for everything.
Also, the overall system feels well-optimized and consistent. It’s not flashy, but it’s solid and dependable, which matters more in the long run.
What do you dislike about the product?
One thing I didn’t like much is that it can feel a bit less beginner-friendly compared to other distros. Sometimes even simple things take a bit more effort to figure out, especially if you’re new to Linux.
Also, the software availability isn’t always straightforward. You sometimes have to add extra repositories to get certain packages, which can be slightly annoying.
And honestly, the system can feel a bit old or less cutting-edge at times since it focuses more on stability than having the latest features. That’s good in one way, but it can also feel a bit limiting.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
For me, openSUSE Leap mainly solves the problem of system instability and unexpected breakages. I’ve used other distros where updates sometimes mess things up, but with Leap, updates feel safe and predictable. That gives a lot of peace of mind.
It also helps with system management. Tools like YaST make it easier to configure things without digging too deep into command-line stuff every time, which saves time and effort.
Another benefit is in a work/dev setup—it provides a reliable environment where I don’t have to constantly fix issues. I can just focus on my work instead of worrying about the system breaking after an update.
Christopher D.
User-Friendly, Low-Spec Compatible OS
Reviewed on Feb 04, 2026
Review provided by G2
What do you like best about the product?
I love openSUSE Leap for its nice UI, which is more pleasing to the eye than many Linux distros. It's great that it's open-source, and I find it easy to use. The initial setup was easy for me as well. It's a free OS that runs smoothly on a relatively low spec machine, which fits perfectly for programming on my old laptop.
What do you dislike about the product?
My technical knowledge of Linux is relatively low, and at times I struggled with getting some development tools set up through the command line. However, I think that's a Linux and/or personal issue rather than an issue with the software.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
OpenSUSE Leap is a free OS that runs well on a relatively low spec machine.
Hla Bhone A.
Hands-On with openSUSE Leap – Pros, Cons, and Real-World Use
Reviewed on Jul 28, 2025
Review provided by G2
What do you like best about the product?
What I really like about openSUSE Leap is how stable and reliable it feels. The YaST tool is super handy — it makes things like system updates or network setup way easier, even if you’re not a command-line expert. It’s a solid choice that just works without much hassle.
What do you dislike about the product?
Some software isn’t as up-to-date, and the community feels smaller compared to other distros like Ubuntu.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
What problems is openSUSE Leap solving and how is that benefiting you?