CentOS words stand for the Community Enterprise Operating System. This is one of the Linux Distribution was begun by George Kurtzer. The concept of Ubuntu is based on free or open-source software. On this platform, a person does not have any need to pay for licenses. A person can use it free of cost, download it, and share this operating system without any charges. Ubuntu has a thriving reputation due to its stability and security. This is one free, stable, and secure operating system. Ubuntu operating systems offer many advantages.
Difference between centos and Ubuntu:
The difference between the CentOS and Ubuntu are as followed:
1. The main difference between the Linux distribution is that Ubuntu works based on Debian architecture, whereas the CentOS are forked from the Red Hat Enterprise Linux. This is the most significant difference that occurs between centos vs Ubuntu.
2. DEB packages can be downloaded in Ubuntu using the apt-get package manager. In CentOS, the command of Yum is used to download and install the RPM from the central repository.
3. Stable distribution is considered to be a CentOS as compared to the distribution of Ubuntu. This is all due to the less frequent updates of the packages. It can be regarded as a disadvantage for centos vs Ubuntu.
Comparison of CentOS and Ubuntu:
Based on Debian Based on RHEL. Updated frequently Updates scarcely any CPanel support(has alternatives) CPanel / WHM are supported by it. Large several users and developers of the community. It contains a few developers and a community. An enormous number of tutorials are available for the sake of help. Fewer sources and amount of help are available. Relatively easier to learn for beginners that have used it in the past. Harder to learn for beginners. Deb packages are installed by using the apt-get package manager. Rpm packages are installed using the yum packages manager. Read more about What Does an AI Engineer Do?
Which is better:
centos vs Ubuntu, the better selection from them both is CentOS instead of the Ubuntu. This is all due to the more stable and secure is the CentOS. The top list choice for Enterprise Linux is of the centos.
If a person is a business owner, he should use CentOS between centos and Ubuntu’s choices. Because it has fewer frequencies of updates and is more stable and securer as compared to Ubuntu.
Web hosting and cloud development:
Centos vs Ubuntu is the most popular operating system, and they are used for the development of web hosting. Centos is the best operating system for creating web hosting because it provides the most compatibility with various managements of the panels required for web management hosting. Ubuntu is the best for beginners in web hosting. Because some say, it is pretty easy to use. That’s because they can utilize it while using their home PC. Whereas Ubuntu vs centos for the deployments of cloud, the Ubuntu server is the best choice with excellent support for container virtualization.
What Are CentOS and Ubuntu?
CentOS stands for Community Enterprise Operating System. It is a Linux distribution. It was started by Gregory Kurtzer in 2004. It was built from the source code of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, known as RHEL. It was free to use. It was very stable. Many web servers used it. Ubuntu is also a Linux distribution. It is based on Debian. It was first released in 2004 by Canonical. It is free and open source. A person does not need to pay for a licence. They can use it free of cost, download it, and share it. Ubuntu is known for its ease of use. It has a large community. It has many tutorials and guides. Both systems are free. Both are open source. But they work in different ways. They suit different users. The choice depends on what you need.
Important Update: CentOS Linux Has Reached End of Life
CentOS Linux reached its end of life on 31 December 2021. This means it no longer gets security updates. It is not safe to use it for new servers. The CentOS project now makes CentOS Stream. CentOS Stream is a rolling release. It sits between Fedora and RHEL. It gets updates more often. It is not the same as the old CentOS Linux. If you want a free system like RHEL, there are other choices. Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux are free, open-source systems. They are compatible with RHEL. They were made after CentOS Linux ended. They are now the common choices for people who used CentOS. Ubuntu is still made and updated. Ubuntu has two types of releases. A long-term support release, called LTS, comes every two years. It gets support for five years. The current LTS is Ubuntu 24.04. It was released in April 2024. There are also short releases every six months. They get support for nine months. For most users, the LTS release is the best choice. It is stable and supported for a long time.
CentOS vs Ubuntu: Key Differences
| Feature | CentOS | Ubuntu |
|---|---|---|
| Based on | RHEL | Debian |
| Package format | RPM, installed with yum or dnf | DEB, installed with apt |
| Updates | Less frequent (old CentOS Linux); CentOS Stream updates often | Frequent; LTS every two years, short releases every six months |
| Support | Community; RHEL-compatible alternatives are Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux | Community and paid support from Canonical |
| Ease of use | Harder for beginners | Easier for beginners |
| Best for | Servers that need RHEL compatibility | Desktops, beginners, and cloud servers |
The main difference is the base. Ubuntu works on a Debian base. CentOS was based on RHEL. Ubuntu uses DEB packages. You install them with the apt package manager. CentOS uses RPM packages. You install them with the yum or dnf package manager. Ubuntu updates more often. CentOS Linux updated less often. This made it stable. But it also made it slower to get new features. Ubuntu has a large community. It has many tutorials. This makes it easier for beginners. CentOS had fewer tutorials. It was harder for beginners. For web hosting, both were popular. CentOS was the best choice for enterprise servers. It gave the most compatibility with web hosting panels like cPanel and WHM. Ubuntu is the best choice for beginners in web hosting. It is easy to use. It works well on a home PC. For cloud deployments, Ubuntu Server is a common choice. It has good support for containers. Containers are a way to run apps in isolated packages. Ubuntu works well with Docker and Kubernetes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CentOS?
CentOS stands for Community Enterprise Operating System. It is a Linux distribution built from the source code of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. CentOS Linux reached its end of life on 31 December 2021. The project now makes CentOS Stream.
What is Ubuntu?
Ubuntu is a Linux distribution based on Debian. It was first released in 2004 by Canonical. It is free and open source. It is known for its ease of use and its large community.
Is CentOS Linux still supported?
No. CentOS Linux reached its end of life on 31 December 2021. It no longer gets security updates. Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux are free alternatives that are compatible with RHEL.
Which is better for beginners, CentOS or Ubuntu?
Ubuntu is better for beginners. It is easier to learn. It has more tutorials and a larger community. CentOS was harder for beginners.
Which is better for web hosting?
It depends on your needs. Ubuntu Server is a good choice for beginners and cloud servers. For RHEL compatibility, Rocky Linux or AlmaLinux are the modern choices. Always check the current requirements of your hosting panel.
Disclaimer: This guide gives general information about CentOS and Ubuntu. Software versions, support dates, and features change over time. Check the official CentOS and Ubuntu websites for the current releases and support status before you choose.
Last Updated: 6 November 2026