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Debian 12

Debian

Reviews from AWS customer

9 AWS reviews

External reviews

189 reviews
from and

External reviews are not included in the AWS star rating for the product.


    reviewer2795433

Lightweight platform has reduced cloud costs and has kept long‑running web apps reliable

  • January 18, 2026
  • Review from a verified AWS customer

What is our primary use case?

My main use case for Debian includes numerous applications, ranging from running web applications on AWS EC2 instances using Debian 12, and Debian 12 being the bedrock of Linux Mint, which I run on a personal Mac that is really old. Because of using Linux Mint, it has brought the laptop back to life and it is quick enough to use in a modern way even though the laptop is over a decade old.

I use Debian 12 for building a web application which runs on EC2 instances, and since Debian 12 is free on AWS, I believe it was made to be optimized for EC2 usage. Debian is one of the biggest and oldest Linux distributions, so it is one that came to mind when I was deciding which machine image to run.

Debian is deployed in my organization through the public cloud. I use Debian through the AWS Marketplace, but it is actually used on EC2 instances in AWS, which you would purchase through the EC2 page of the AWS console.

What is most valuable?

In my opinion, the best features Debian offers include its stability. The stable branch really is stable because once it is configured, I understand you can run it for a very long period of time without needing to reboot or update any of the components. That is really good when you want an application to be extremely stable and not go down, and you are happy using slightly older components. I also value the fact that Debian is open source, so it is free. That is very useful, and it has a big development community that builds it. I understand there are tens of thousands of software libraries which work with Debian from the apt package manager, APT, and also it is very lightweight, which I find to be good as well because that helps with cost savings.

Debian's lightweight design benefits my organization because it does not come with bloatware, minimizing RAM usage. Because of that, we can choose cheaper EC2 instances. You do not have to have as powerful RAM, which makes things cheaper, and also because it does not come with all this bloatware, it also makes it faster. So it is very efficient.

Debian positively impacts my organization by allowing us to utilize a much more lightweight operating system with Amazon EC2 instances, which greatly reduces costs because we can use EC2 instances with lower RAM. Cost savings are good. Debian is very well known across the industry, so different engineers from different teams know how to use it. Using the APT package manager is a common skill for cloud professionals, which makes it good, especially if you are hiring individuals into the company, because at least you would expect they have some type of background using Debian.

I do not know exact measurements, but I would expect we could save at least 10% of costs with EC2 instances just because our memory and CPU requirements would be lower because Debian is lightweight. So it would save cost to some degree.

What needs improvement?

I do not really think there are any improvements that need to be made. Debian is a very well-known distribution contributed to by tens of thousands of individuals, developers, and engineers, which makes it well optimized. The stable kernel because it is going to be older and naturally stable does not always support brand new components such as CPUs or specialized GPUs out of the box, which can make it difficult to use there. However, that is not much of a problem because Debian has different branches, including the testing and unstable branches.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Debian for maybe five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Debian is highly scalable because we can run it on AWS EC2 instances, so we could have zero or we could have tens of thousands of instances running it if we wanted to.

How are customer service and support?

My experience with customer support is that I use Debian on AWS, and Amazon's enterprise support is amazing. They get back to you extremely quickly and they are highly experienced. I have not needed help from the Debian community for assistance, but I would imagine that would be brilliant because the user community is massive for Debian.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I previously used Ubuntu. The reason for switching to Debian was that I found it a little more lightweight, and the stable branch is extremely stable, which is something I wanted for this particular web website project that I was working on.

What was our ROI?

It is very difficult to find an exact metric for return on investment because Debian is really a bedrock from which everything else is built upon. However, I would say that using Debian compared to other distributions which have more bloatware would be cheaper because we can run it on less powerful hardware. In terms of cost savings, we might see a cost of at least 10% reduction compared to distributions with more bloatware.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

My experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing is that it is free to use because Debian is open source, so there is no cost at all.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I did evaluate other options before choosing Debian, but there is nothing more to add.

What other advice do I have?

I did not realize before starting to use Debian that there are different branches, which allows you to choose how stable or how up to date you want it to be. The stable branch, which is what I use, has features that are heavily tested. The software is older, but it does not break often at all because you have to manually update different components if you want them to do so. However, if you did want to use state-of-the-art components, you could consider the unstable version, which I have not personally used, but if I ever did want to do active development for the newest features, then I would be able to do that.

Debian is deployed in my organization through the public cloud. Using the APT package manager is a common skill for cloud professionals, which makes it good, especially if you are hiring individuals into the company, because at least you would expect they have some type of background using Debian.

I rate Debian a 10 because it is extremely stable, lightweight, fast, and open source, so it is free. The only real downsides are that there might be a learning curve because installing it requires a bit more technical experience than Ubuntu, and the hardware compatibility does not always work out of the box with the newest hardware. However, those things are to be expected if you are trying to configure something which is world-class and also highly stable. So I do not really see them as drawbacks; they are more considerations to be aware of.

My advice to others looking into using Debian is that I recommend using the stable branch if they want to make sure their application would be extremely stable, as it is a good way to go. Because it is so lightweight, it is very efficient to run Debian. There is a slight learning curve to it, which might make it a little harder to use than Ubuntu, but if experienced engineers are deploying it, I do not think that is a reason not to use it. I would recommend going for it.


    reviewer2797047

Long-term platform has supported embedded work yet needs fresher packages and simpler sudo setup

  • January 14, 2026
  • Review from a verified AWS customer

What is our primary use case?

My main use case for Debian is as an everyday workhorse, and I provide Debian to some customers for embedded and non-embedded hardware.

For my work and for my customers, I use Debian to cross-build for some other ARM devices that are used for Gilbarco, which are used in many US gas stations to provide fuel to cars. I bought some QEMU to allow developers to run the ARM on computers. I installed Debian on every i.MX8 device, and I think there are thousands in the US market, plus some other thousands worldwide.

Regarding my use case and interesting projects, I recently used Debian for Amazon and then for some other GitHub actions, still as a QEMU.

What is most valuable?

The best features Debian offers are that it is fast, simple, and long-term supported.

That long-term support has helped me and my customers by being stable and running well. Debian has positively impacted my organization and my customers.

What needs improvement?

To improve Debian, the frozen, stable versions need to be more updated, and probably rolling updates like Fedora is doing would be a good idea.

Regarding needed improvements, I think sudo and the way sudo is configured, with visudo required, would help many newcomers to Debian because the learning curve on the configuration might have some challenges in the way it is done.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Debian for twenty years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

That long-term support has helped me and my customers by being stable and running well.

About the features of Debian, of course, it is a slow distribution like many others. The setup is fast and efficient, but it is not doing much. I am an embedded developer and a Linux developer, so I am happy with that. I can customize more, but then the hardware support and the packages are old. However, I am looking for stability, so old probably means stable, but it is not for every user.

How was the initial setup?

My advice to others looking into using Debian is to not step out from the initial configuration. It might be hard, but you will learn something, and then everything will work.

What other advice do I have?

I think that sometimes while I am speaking, you say thanks because you think I have ended my speech or my phrase, and then it is not so smooth. I would rate this review as providing comprehensive feedback on my experience with Debian.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?


    reviewer2796933

Daily work has become smoother and old hardware runs efficiently while community help stays active

  • January 13, 2026
  • Review provided by PeerSpot

What is our primary use case?

I use Debian for programming, maintaining my website, and learning Linux scripting. I also encourage my friends to use open-source operating systems such as Debian, Ubuntu, or any other Linux variant.

I am using Debian on my personal computer and also on my friend's computer. I am not using Debian at work.

I use Debian for all purposes and all of my computer activities, not for any specific feature or particular use case.

What is most valuable?

Debian's best features are that it is very light and very comfortable for even older computers.

Regarding speed, Debian feels light and comfortable to me, and it has significant community support. If anyone encounters a problem in Debian, they can connect to the Debian community and receive help very quickly. This is the main reason I use Debian, and I love using the terminal.

Since using Debian, I have noticed that whatever I need for my work is already available in Debian. The Debian community is very active, and if any new feature or concern comes up, as soon as they update Debian mirrors or the apt repository, I can install and use it.

What needs improvement?

Debian should have a reset feature; if something goes wrong, such as when I have installed or modified any root file, there should be a reset feature to restore my initial default settings. Additionally, I think Debian should allow for the removal of all dependencies when a particular requirement is not useful, as sometimes we install many things without knowing what they are.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Debian for almost twelve years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Debian is stable for my needs.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is very easy to scale Debian up or down if needed.

How are customer service and support?

When I have needed help with Debian, I received very quick support from the community.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I used Linux before Debian, and I was using Ubuntu prior to that, with Windows preceding those.

What was our ROI?

There is nothing as such for return on investment, but I do not need a new computer to run Debian or a highly configurable computer. I can run Debian on my old computer as well, which is very useful for saving money.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I considered Ubuntu before choosing Debian.

What other advice do I have?

Since I support using open-source applications, my advice to others looking into using Debian is to embrace the freedom to use everything without limitations. I encourage people to use open-source applications and operating systems such as Debian and any Linux variant, so that what they are using remains open-source and useful to all.

Debian is doing a great job, and they should keep it up. Thank you.

I should note that since I mentioned I am using Debian on my personal computer, there were many questions regarding my workplace or my organization, so the questions should be classified based on earlier questions. I would rate this review an eight out of ten.


    reviewer2796870

Tight security controls have protected our cloud workloads and support fast critical patching

  • January 13, 2026
  • Review from a verified AWS customer

What is our primary use case?

My main use case for Debian involves leveraging Amazon EC2 instances and Kubernetes clusters, EKS, for our day-to-day project work, which helps us to keep track of our projects. Using Amazon Machine Images, we get control over tightening security and providing only limited amounts of root user access via Debian to a specific number of users so that any mishaps in high environments would not incur faulty changes made by internal users or external hackers. Debian is excellent for ensuring that only a limited amount of privileges can be granted via its shell and everything remains locked if a session is active. This is what Debian secures, and it is one of the leading operating system packages and machine images in the industry.

I manage security controls on Debian by leveraging user privileges through creating new system users. Root level access is provided only to root IAM users so that only they have full access control. Other users rely only on normal user privileges where they are allowed read-only access for Debian controls.

What is most valuable?

The best features Debian offers include a very good amount of operating system patching and regular updates on a consistent basis, which makes Debian a better option than other operating system patch versions. Currently, the release fixes and other fixes are much faster and the latest stable versions are also quick compared to other packages and operating system patches like Ubuntu. This makes it a very good critical solution with rapid updates, keeping everything stable among other environments.

There was a time when these quick updates made a difference in my work. A CVE related to one cron timer package was on the higher end of severity. Debian was one of the first machine images which released that patch in the 12.8 release, which helped us solve this issue and move forward with the next updated version as soon as possible.

The key features of Debian that I can precisely mention include the foundation and the fact that it is open source, which helps us run the environment in normal architecture with diverse hardware such as ARM64 and AMD64. The foundations are solid regarding the same and the latest stable versions are updated regularly. The core applications are also very good, particularly the software stack which gets updated from well-known sources such as Python and OpenJDK.

Debian has positively impacted my organization, and I have noticed specific improvements since adopting it. Upon adopting Debian changes, the organization has taken good initiatives so that security patches and releases are managed regularly so that no vulnerability is left open and no external hackers or inexperienced professionals are able to compromise any data security.

What needs improvement?

There are certain areas where Debian can definitely improve, particularly in restricted access privileges for certain aspects. Certain features should be provided only to specific users, such as normal SSH and secure shell access which should be provided in a limited manner. Cron job inclusion cannot be provided to everyone. These are features which can be added.

I would like to mention that robustness can be improved and IPtables configuration and certain other firewall configuration can be improved rather than relying on third-party packages. This way, Debian can be improved so that network calls can be monitored and reviewed.

There are certain user guides in the open source GitHub that could be updated over these features which can be a good resource for users so that they can keep track of what they are implementing and what the scope of work needs to be. Because Debian is one of the most important software used around the world and the firmware upgrades are quite good. Hardware support is also updated regularly. Time-to-time updates regarding the packages and security concerns need to be managed, and there can be much more traceable IPtable configurations so that people can understand what happens when a new connection is established on the machine. Everything can be tracked through some kind of notification service so that the root level can also monitor if this amount of traffic is normal or if someone is trying to DDoS the secure shell.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Debian for around three years with Amazon Machine Images.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Debian is quite stable, and the testing cycles in Debian are quite good.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Debian's scalability is quite good. It handles a good amount of traffic and can easily manage around 50,000 users and 50,000 requests with our application currently.

How are customer service and support?

I have not interacted with Debian's customer support or their support channels yet.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Previously, from the very beginning, our architect mentioned that we would look to Debian as this was one of the better options in the marketplace. We examined this solution based on our architecture discussion, and Debian seemed better than Fedora and Mint. The main reason was that latest updates are already being implemented in Debian rather than Fedora and Mint.

What was our ROI?

I have seen a return on investment using Debian. The least amount of privileges which we provide and the investment cost which we incurred on another machine images were comparatively lower. We saved around $150 per month regarding the same.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The portion regarding pricing was not being managed by myself. This was handled by another team because we request this from another team and they actually set up this portion for our team so that we can deploy and test our applications.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Before choosing Debian, I evaluated other options such as Fedora and Mint.

What other advice do I have?

Majority of the things in Debian packages are handled using this, and all security packages are scanned on a daily basis so that any vulnerability does not emerge. A system cron job is also added in Debian console so that regular scans and updates are reflected on our Power BI dashboard via that system cron job, allowing the leadership and organization level to get updates regularly on what is happening in the background.

A specific example that shows how Debian made a positive impact is in recent scenarios. In the 12.18 version, Debian actually provided very good faster patching, which helped us resolve that CVE as soon as possible. Timely updates and providing open source helps Debian packages to be updated by the open source community as well and mark down those packages which are critical and high so that everyone gets to know what is happening in the background. Keeping everything open source helps grow the community and also lets others know what is happening as well.

My advice to others looking into using Debian is that they can explore multiple operating system patch and image options, but the shipping mechanism of Debian is much wider and the community can be quite large. The updates are maintained consistently. Debian is quite good, and I hope future releases are much better with new features being added regularly so that it takes and stays relevant and competitive in the market with other operating system patches.

I rate Debian overall at an 8 out of 10 based on performance and the scale with which it works, the release and updates, and a few areas for improvement that I have mentioned previously. I have cut two marks for the improvements needed, but everything else is quite good.


    reviewer2796165

Open source platform has transformed secure IoT portals and on‑premises monitoring

  • January 13, 2026
  • Review from a verified AWS customer

What is our primary use case?

My main use case for Debian is primarily server-side and IoT, or Internet of Things devices. I work with small devices like a Raspberry or an ESP32 for small local software solutions or small hardware devices.

One specific example of how I use Debian on those devices is a Wi-Fi captive portal. When a customer enters the public Wi-Fi, they receive a Wi-Fi captive portal, which enables them to log in and use the company Wi-Fi while being registered and monitored. This includes some web application services and IPtables, which is the firewall, providing a secure environment for customers to access the company's Wi-Fi network.

Regarding my main use case with Debian, I also have website applications on the server side that are on the internal domain. For example, I have a building that is part of the company, and I want to monitor IP cameras or security features detecting motion, checking the temperature, and ensuring the fire alarm is working.

What is most valuable?

Debian offers features that are best for my needs, including being open source, which allows for the implementation of many things and the use of a wide variety of open-source tools. It is excellent for developing in a really short time, and it is also very sustainable and stable, meaning it works without any major software updates, and once you program it, it should be done.

Debian's stability and open-source nature have helped me in my work. For instance, I used to have a Windows-based server, which required a lot of dependency on third-party software, making it high-maintenance and costly. In contrast, with Debian, I can develop quickly with any code language, such as Python, Java, or JavaScript. The switch I made over the past three years made the process significantly less labor-intensive and maintenance-free.

In terms of cybersecurity, there is a Debian-based Linux operating system called Kali Linux. It has a wide range of tools helpful for penetration testing and network security. This aspect is intriguing and educational, whether for personal exploration or for the company if you want to dive into security topics such as zero-day exploits.

In terms of usability and integration with other systems, regarding sustainability, Debian is very user-friendly because the applications I use are most frequently web-based. As long as the system has a supported web browser, it works across different platforms including Mac, Windows, Android, or iOS, and that is where its user-friendliness shines.

Debian has positively impacted my organization primarily in cost-efficiency, with on-premises hardware running faster and cheaper.

What needs improvement?

Although I find the documentation very helpful and mostly utilize features built into the system itself or open forums, it would be nice to see a comprehensive website that encompasses not only Debian but also other Linux operating systems such as Red Hat or resources for IoT.

For how long have I used the solution?

In my current field, I have been working for over ten years, but my current job is for approximately four years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Debian is very stable, and I have experienced no issues whatsoever.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

In terms of scalability, Debian on-premises is not very scalable because it depends on your hardware. However, solutions such as Amazon Web Services offer great scalability and flexibility.

How are customer service and support?

I have never needed to reach out for customer support with Debian.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Before switching to Debian, I used Windows because it was higher maintenance and more costly.

What was our ROI?

Regarding return on investment, although I needed more employees, I cut down on licensing and maintenance costs, estimating around sixty percent savings percentage-wise.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

My experience with Debian's pricing, setup cost, and licensing has been that it is all free.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I did not evaluate other options before choosing Debian; I went straight to it because it suited all my needs.

What other advice do I have?

My advice for others looking into using Debian is to first build your own system as a proof of concept. Look for the applications or software you need by starting with Ubuntu if necessary, and then make it more efficient by removing unnecessary components. For example, if you do not need a graphical user interface because you are only using it server-side, then you should choose a lighter variant. I would rate this experience as an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?


    Badal Shrivastav

Reliable platform has supported long-term on-prem deployments and predictable OTA updates

  • January 12, 2026
  • Review provided by PeerSpot

What is our primary use case?

I have primarily used Debian for bare-metal systems and embedded devices, utilizing it as a stable base OS for development, testing, and production environments. Debian is particularly useful for package management, OTA updates using .deb packages, and system-level debugging.

Currently, I have been developing an IP PA system project where I was using Debian exclusively, and it helped me significantly because of its reliability, stability, and package management system. Using Debian, I was able to deploy a reliable application and a reliable OTA update system.

Debian has been a great distribution that I have used, and it helped me considerably when I deployed my project, providing a reliable system for deployment.

I have primarily used Debian on on-premises systems and private environments, especially for Linux-based development and deployment setups. I have not primarily used it on public cloud platforms like AWS, but it works reliably in private setups.

It is mostly custom in-house infrastructure where we run Debian on our own hardware and internal systems, not relying on a managed private cloud provider.

For my needs, we require a stable release and predictable updates with minimal regressions and support for OTA updates. Debian excels in all these requirements with its tested stable release and conservative updates, making deployment predictable and reliable, especially in embedded or production systems.

What is most valuable?

In my experience, the best features Debian offers are its stability, predictability, behaviors, and strong package management, which are crucial for a reliable system. Updates are well-tested, dependencies are handled cleanly, and the system remains reliable over a long period, which is very important for production and embedded Linux environments.

When comparing Debian with other Linux distributions, Debian stands out for its stability and conservative package updates. Updates rarely introduce unexpected changes, making our system more reliable over time. The package management handles dependencies very cleanly, making installs and upgrades predictable and easier to manage, reducing downtime and debugging efforts compared to faster-moving distributions.

One particularly useful feature is how Debian handles package information with tools like apt-cache and apt-policies, making it easy to understand package versions, dependencies, and where a package is coming from, which helps during debugging. Additionally, I find the Debian DPKG tool very useful, among other tools that aid in integration.

In my case, Debian provides stability and reliable versions, as I have noticed very few system breakages after updates. The reliable package updating process in Debian is very dependable, which helps me considerably in my organization for reliable application development.

Using Debian, we experience significantly fewer bugs after deployment, resulting in smoother deployments owing to Debian's stability.

Debian support is excellent. While it does not have traditional paid customer support like some commercial distributions, the Debian community and documentation are very strong. I find that relying on community support and documentation has been more than sufficient to solve any issues I have faced.

What needs improvement?

If I consider how Debian can be improved, it could be more accessible in making newer software versions available for users who need recent features while still maintaining default stable behavior. While backports help, the workflow could be streamlined. The release cycle can feel slow for rapidly evolving tools, and better guidance around mixing stable, backports, and testing would help.

Regarding hardware support, Debian can be improved by supporting multiple BSPs, making it more versatile in the embedded domain. Hardware support for new devices can sometimes lag behind, which is understandable given Debian's focus on stability. Clearer guidance on handling newer hardware or firmware would be beneficial.

For how long have I used the solution?

From my college time onward, I have been using Linux and Debian distribution, so I have been using Debian for approximately six years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

On a scale of one to ten, I would give Debian an eight.

I rate Debian an eight out of ten because it excels in stability, reliability, and package management, which are very important for long-running production systems. What keeps it from being a perfect score is mainly the slow access to newer software and hardware support, as well as documentation that is somewhat fragmented for advanced use cases. These are trade-offs rather than flaws, but they do affect flexibility for some projects.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Before using Debian, we had experience with other Linux distributions, mainly Ubuntu-based systems and some vendor-provided Linux images. We decided to use Debian because we needed a more stable and predictable base, especially for long-running systems where frequent changes or upgrades could cause issues. Debian's updates and clean package management gave us more control over system behavior.

How are customer service and support?

Debian support is excellent. While it does not have traditional paid customer support like some commercial distributions, the Debian community and documentation are very strong. I find that relying on community support and documentation has been more than sufficient to solve any issues I have faced.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Before using Debian, we had experience with other Linux distributions, mainly Ubuntu-based systems and some vendor-provided Linux images. We decided to use Debian because we needed a more stable and predictable base, especially for long-running systems where frequent changes or upgrades could cause issues. Debian's updates and clean package management gave us more control over system behavior.

What was our ROI?

We did not track formal ROI metrics, but we clearly observe returns in terms of time saved and reduced maintenance efforts. Debian's stability leads to fewer production issues, emergencies, fixes, and less time spent on system recovery, improving overall engineering efficiency. For example, we had fewer post-update failures and rollbacks, which saved debugging time and reduced downtime, allowing the same team to manage systems without needing additional resources. Additionally, there were direct cost savings since Debian has no licensing fees, and we did not require paid support, so it saved us considerable money.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

From scratch to deployment, Debian works very well from a cost and license perspective, as there are no licensing fees, which makes setup and scaling more straightforward. The main cost incurred is only in terms of hardware and engineering time, not software licenses.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Before choosing Debian, we evaluated other Linux distributions, mainly Ubuntu and some vendor-specific Linux. Debian's stability, support, and package management made it a better fit for production and embedded systems.

What other advice do I have?

I advise others to use Debian if they need stability and reliability for their software update plans, utilizing backports and manual builds. It is an excellent choice for systems needing long-term support and minimal surprises, although they should be aware that it may not always have the latest packages. Some additional planning, such as using backports and building from source, might be necessary for projects requiring cutting-edge software. Overall, it is a solid choice for production and embedded environments.

I would add that Debian has been a very reliable and stable foundation for all the systems I have worked on. Its package management, transparency, and predictable updates have been extremely helpful, especially for embedded and production environments. Overall, it is a solid operating system for long-term projects, and I would recommend it to anyone who values stability and maintainability. I rate this review at an eight out of ten.


    Anand R.

Custom setup has secured databases and supports compliant growth in cloud deployments

  • January 03, 2026
  • Review provided by PeerSpot

What is our primary use case?

I have been using Debian for a while now. My main use case for Debian is running PostgreSQL and related infrastructure. A specific example of an application I'm running on Debian is PostgreSQL.

What is most valuable?

In my opinion, the best features Debian offers are its customizability. I can adjust the configurations to meet my specific needs.

Debian has positively impacted my organization by bringing strong security and consistent compliance awareness.

What needs improvement?

In terms of improvements, I think Debian is fine as it is. I'm not an expert, so for me, it is acceptable.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Debian for a while now.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

In my experience, Debian is stable. The stability rating for Debian is approximately eight.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Debian's scalability for my organization is good. It scales well with my needs, and it is more reliable.

How are customer service and support?

Customer support for Debian has been acceptable. We approached the Azure Debian support, and while it seems adequate, they need to improve somewhat.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Negative

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We have not used a different solution before Debian.

How was the initial setup?

I purchased Debian through the Azure Marketplace. My experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing seems acceptable. We have also used Ubuntu as well. Comparing to Ubuntu, Debian is cheaper.

What was our ROI?

For the metrics, I am not certain, but I know that money has been saved. We are using a saving plan on it.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

My experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing seems acceptable. We have also used Ubuntu. Comparing to Ubuntu, Debian is cheaper.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Before choosing Debian, I evaluated Ubuntu.

What other advice do I have?

My advice for others looking into using Debian is that it needs to be widely used in organizations. I think a marketing strategy needs to be improved for Debian so that it can be widely used and penetrate the market. I would rate this review an eight overall.


    Jeffrey K.

DEBIAN PRINCIPALS

  • December 28, 2025
  • Review provided by G2

What do you like best about the product?
PROFESSIONAL USE PROVIDES ACTIVE COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN ADDITION TO EXTENSIVE DOCUMENTATION AND FORUMS OPTIONS. PROFESSIONAL USES ALLOW USERS TO TAILOR THE OPERATING SYSTEM TO THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS.
What do you dislike about the product?
DEBIAN CAN BE MORE COMPLEX TO USE COMPARED TO OTHER USER-FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVES. MAY NOT HAVE THE LATEST VERSION OF UPDATES AVAILABLE.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
PROFESSIONAL USES OFFER REGULAR RELEASES TO INCLUDE LONG-TERM SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL USERS ARE PROVIDED FOR WITH REGULAR SECURITY UPDATES.


    Sandeep V.

Stable, Reliable, and Customizable OS

  • December 24, 2025
  • Review provided by G2

What do you like best about the product?
I use Debian as my main operating system because it’s dependable, secure, and gets out of my way so I can focus on my work. Whether I’m doing development, running servers, or handling everyday tasks, Debian’s stability gives me confidence that things will just work without unexpected issues. I love most about Debian is the sense of trust it gives me once everything is set up. It doesn’t try to be flashy or constantly change things, which means I can rely on it to stay stable and predictable day after day. I really appreciate its strong security focus and the fact that it’s truly community-driven and open source. I also value its strong open-source foundation and massive software repository, which lets me customize my setup exactly how I need it. The features I value most are the ones that quietly make everything reliable and stress-free. APT is a big part of that for me, because installing, updating, or removing software just works without breaking dependencies or causing surprises. I also really value Debian’s long-term stability and cautious update cycle, since it means my system stays consistent even after updates. Overall, Debian feels like a solid, no-nonsense system I can trust for both long-term use and serious projects. It feels mature, dependable, and built for people who value reliability over unnecessary extras. The installer is clear and flexible, allowing me to customize things like disk partitions and desktop environments, which I appreciated. While it’s not a one-click experience, the process felt logical and well-documented. The setup was manageable and rewarding, especially because it gave me a clean, stable system tailored to my needs.
What do you dislike about the product?
While Debian is extremely reliable, there are a few areas that could be improved for my workflow. The stable release can sometimes feel a bit too conservative, especially when I need newer versions of certain tools or libraries. This means I occasionally have to rely on backports or manual installations. The initial setup can also take a little more effort compared to more beginner-focused distributions.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
I use Debian for its dependability and security, enabling me to focus on my work without worries. Its stability and massive software repository are essential for customization. APT ensures software management without dependency issues. Debian's community-driven open-source nature and cautious update cycle provide a reliable, no-nonsense system.


    Sailesh Y.

Highly Stable and Secure, Ideal for Developers

  • December 21, 2025
  • Review provided by G2

What do you like best about the product?
I like Debian GNU/Linux because it's reliable and safe, making my computer just work without trouble. The stability and reliability are what I appreciate the most; it doesn't break easily, runs smoothly for a long time, and feels secure. It just works without surprises. Debian is simple, trustworthy, and dependable for everyday use. I really enjoy its huge software collection, easy package installation, and strong community support. Plus, it runs smoothly even on older computers, feeling clean, simple, and dependable for daily work. Using Debian gives me a stable, secure, and free operating system, solving problems like system instability and high software costs, while providing reliable security updates.
What do you dislike about the product?
Some things about Debian GNU/Linux that could be improved are that the software versions can feel outdated, hardware support for very new devices isn’t always immediate, and it needs more manual setup compared to beginner-friendly systems. The desktop experience can also feel less polished out of the box and may require extra configuration to look modern.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
Debian solves system instability, security risks, and high software costs with its stable, secure, and free OS. It rarely crashes, works on older hardware, and provides a predictable environment for software.