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VivekSaini - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Consultant at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Top 5
Apr 9, 2022
Open-source with good performance and is the equivalent to Red Hat
Pros and Cons
  • "It's less expensive than Red Hat."
  • "If a company cannot afford Red Hat, they should use this product."
  • "As an open-source solution, there isn't much technical support."

What is our primary use case?

The solution is the equivalent to Red Hat, so everything is good and very equivalent. If you can't afford to have Red Hat, you can use CentOS. I primarily use the solution for testing purposes. 

What is most valuable?

The product is stable.

The scalability is good.

It's less expensive than Red Hat. The product is open-source.

What needs improvement?

As an open-source solution, there isn't much technical support. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used the solution for a few years now. It's been a while. 

Buyer's Guide
CentOS
October 2026
Learn what your peers think about CentOS. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: October 2026.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze. Its performance is good.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I've never scaled it or tried to. That said, it must be. It is just a replica of Red Hat, and therefore it must be.

I use the solution myself, for personal use. My business unit is using this product and we may expand it to one or two more people. We wouldn't scale up to more than that.

How are customer service and support?

I've never directly dealt with technical support. I cannot speak to how helpful or responsive they would be.

The product is kind of open-source. I am not sure of the support model for this one.

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

We also use Red Hat.

How was the initial setup?

The solution is not complicated. It is straightforward in terms of the setup process.

What about the implementation team?

I'm able to handle the installation process myself. I do not need the help of any integrators or consultants. 

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

If a company cannot afford Red Hat, they should use this product.

It's an open-source solution.

What other advice do I have?

I'm dealing with version seven or eight at this time. I can't remember which one. 

I'd recommend the solution to others.

I'd rate the solution a seven out of ten. If there was more support available to users, it would get a higher rating.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
System Engineer at CMC CSI saigon
Real User
Mar 16, 2022
We get good support, and our apps run much faster on this
Pros and Cons
  • "Its performance is most valuable, and there is a performance boost as compared to when the applications are run on Windows OS."
  • "It could be more secure."

What is our primary use case?

We use it for the DNS server, and we have some in-house apps that we are running on it for internal processes.

What is most valuable?

Its performance is most valuable. There is a performance boost as compared to when the applications are run on Windows OS.

What needs improvement?

It could be more secure.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for a few months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is stable. In the previous upgrade, there were a lot of bug fixes.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have cluster nodes, so we can extend and have more servers in the cluster. When we have more incoming requests and more processes for extending functions of the software, we need to scale the server. We work with the vendor for maintaining the software and the server.

We have more than 300 users, and half of them are using the software.

How are customer service and support?

Their support is good.

How was the initial setup?

It took two to three days. We did it over the weekend, and we had two technical people.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to others. I would rate it an eight out of 10.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
CentOS
October 2026
Learn what your peers think about CentOS. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: October 2026.
916,956 professionals have used our research since 2012.
reviewer1734405 - PeerSpot reviewer
Head Channel and Capacity at a computer software company with 201-500 employees
Real User
Dec 2, 2021
Stable and intuitive operating system
Pros and Cons
  • "A valuable features of CentOS is that it's quite stable and doesn't crash often. It's also quite intuitive."
  • "CentOS could be improved by being more secure. Of course, we use a firewall, but security is always a concern."

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case of CentOS is running our personal applications. We use it on practically all of the machines and servers. It's deployed on-prem. 

What is most valuable?

A valuable features of CentOS is that it's quite stable and doesn't crash often. It's also quite intuitive. 

What needs improvement?

CentOS could be improved by being more secure. Of course, we use a firewall, but security is always a concern. 

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using this solution for almost eight years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

This solution is quite stable and doesn't crash often. You only need one person to maintain it. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

There aren't any issues with scalability. It's easy to test our applications. 

Everything is totally on CentOS, so there are about 300 people in my organization using CentOS. 

How are customer service and support?

We don't actually require much support for CentOS. 

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

We used to use Windows 7, but we had issues with licensing and other things. 

How was the initial setup?

CentOS is quite easy to install. Our IT guys install it themselves and it doesn't take many people. The installation takes almost four hours, depending on the machine. If the machine is good, it can even be installed and updated in two hours. You can handle the installation yourself. 

What about the implementation team?

We implemented through an in-house team. 

What other advice do I have?

I rate this solution a nine out of ten. I would recommend CentOS to others because it's a good operating system. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
MIS Specialist at a agriculture with 201-500 employees
Real User
Oct 24, 2021
Stable and reasonably priced, and performance compares favorably to others
Pros and Cons
  • "It is better than Ubuntu Linux."
  • "We have no complaints about the price, which is quite reasonable."
  • "We occasionally have issues with software installation."

What is our primary use case?

Our file management system is based on CentOS.

What is most valuable?

It's quite good.

It is better than Ubuntu Linux.

What needs improvement?

We occasionally have issues with software installation. For example, if we want to install a gen framework, we will face some challenges.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with CentOS for approximately five years.

We are using the latest version of CentOS.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

CentOS is a stable product.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

In our organization, there are four or five users.

At the moment, we have no plans to increase our usage.

How are customer service and support?

We have not yet contacted technical support.

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

We are also using Ubuntu Linux.

How was the initial setup?

The installation can take up to a day, but it can also be completed in as little as 10 minutes.

What about the implementation team?

We have a team of four or five engineers who will install and maintain this solution.

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

We have no complaints about the price, which is quite reasonable.

We have a CentOS license that we pay for on a yearly basis.

What other advice do I have?

Both CentOS and Ubuntu Linux are great choices.

I would rate CentOS a nine out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1696335 - PeerSpot reviewer
Storage Engineer at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
Real User
Oct 24, 2021
Reliable, and simple to install, but it is it confusing, and difficult to use
Pros and Cons
  • "The technical support is good."
  • "CentOS is not easy."
  • "If you are an IT technician or an apprentice, I would recommend this solution, however, if you are a regular user, I cannot recommend it because I find it confusing and difficult to use."

What is our primary use case?

I run my personal applications on CentOS.

What needs improvement?

CentOS is not easy. 

I have searched the command center, but I cannot switch the accounts.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with CentOS for four years.

I am working with the latest version of CentOS.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

CentOS is a stable product.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support is good.

YouTube contains a wealth of information. YouTube is an excellent source of information.

The CentOS website provides useful information and allows you to download the PPS, which is a benefit.

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

Approximately two years ago, I worked with Google Drive.

I also work with Kali Linux.

How was the initial setup?

CentOS can be easily installed in VMWare and VirtualBox. The installation is straightforward. However, on the server, it is difficult for me to detect errors and check other applications.

It took seven months to complete the installation.

What about the implementation team?

I completed the installation myself.

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

I'm not required to pay a licensing fee.

What other advice do I have?

If you are an IT technician or an apprentice, I would recommend this solution, however, if you are a regular user, I cannot recommend it because I find it confusing and difficult to use.

I will continue to use this solution.

I would rate CentOS a seven out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1581882 - PeerSpot reviewer
Sr Manager - Information Security & Researcher at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Oct 5, 2021
A good and productive solution which is straightforward and scalable
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is productive."
  • "I would always recommend the solution to others."
  • "The performance could stand improvement."

What is our primary use case?

We use CentOS Seven.

The solution allows us to run our personal and business applications. 

What needs improvement?

Going forward, it would be nice to see how the container orchestration technologies are incorporated into this particular operating system baseline. I know that such platforms as OpenShift exist, but containers would basically be the norm. I want to see how CentOS can take it at the ground level up. 

The performance could stand improvement. 

While the solution is already secure, this could be improved. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using CentOS for ten years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is productive. It is good and is not buggy. While I have been using it for 25 years, I feel that it would be a mistake for me to get too attached to any specific operating system, as I come from a security domain background. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable. 

How was the initial setup?

The installation is straightforward. 

It takes less than an hour. 

What about the implementation team?

One can handle the installation on his own. 

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

The solution is not subscription-based, unlike Red Hat. It involves recompiled binaries, so it does not come with a subscription fee. 

What other advice do I have?

My role involves the management of security tools. 

I would always recommend the solution to others. 

Our support involves 50,000 servers, 90 percent of these being linux-based. 

I rate CentOS as a nine out of ten. 

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Octavian Enache - PeerSpot reviewer
Information Security Officer at TBI Bank
Real User
Sep 30, 2021
A stable open source Linux distribution platform that's user-friendly
Pros and Cons
  • "I like its stability, performance, and usability."
  • "Like every operating system, it could be more secure."

What is our primary use case?

I use CentOS for business applications and personal use.

What is most valuable?

I like its stability, performance, and usability. 

What needs improvement?

Like every operating system, it could be more secure.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using CentOS for several years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

CentOS is a stable solution. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was straightforward. It took me about 15 to 20 minutes to implement this solution.

What about the implementation team?

I installed this solution by myself.

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

I use the free version.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to potential users.

On a scale from one to ten, I would give CentOS a nine.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Managing Partner at Veribir Ltd
Real User
Aug 28, 2021
Easy on resources, free to use, and highly stable
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature is the limited resources the solution uses in operation."
  • "The solution could improve by making the management tools better for the DevOps teams. For example, WebEX and Webstacks."

What is our primary use case?

We have been using CentOS for web-based applications, containers, and OpenStack.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is the limited resources the solution uses in operation.

What needs improvement?

The solution could improve by making the management tools better for the DevOps teams. For example, WebEX and Webstacks.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using CentOS for approximately 10 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

CentOS is highly stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable but not at the operating system level.

Web-based applications are using this solution in my organization which many users could be using them.

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

CentOS is a free solution.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution for the server-side.

I rate CentOS a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Muhammad Fahad - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager Tech. & Support (Information Technology) at Texitech
Real User
Top 20
Aug 12, 2021
Highly stable, easy to use, but could be more scalable
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is easy to use but not as easy as Windows."
  • "I would recommend this solution for applications that you want to have high stability."
  • "The solution could improve by being more user-friendly."

What is our primary use case?

We are using CentOS for some of our applications on one single server.

What is most valuable?

The solution is easy to use but not as easy as Windows.

What needs improvement?

The solution could improve by being more user-friendly.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using CentOS for approximately five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is highly stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution needs to improve on its scalability.

How are customer service and technical support?

We have not needed to contact technical support.

How was the initial setup?

The installation is a little difficult.

What about the implementation team?

We have one engineer that does the implementation of this solution.

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

We are using a subscription-based license option for CentOS.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution for applications that you want to have high stability.

I rate CentOS a seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1053252 - PeerSpot reviewer
Technical Presales Consultant/ Engineer at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
MSP
Aug 5, 2021
Relegated to a test bench, and therefore is no longer stable
Pros and Cons
  • "CentOS is very efficient and very powerful with many capabilities."
  • "CentOS was one of the best Linux distributions out there."
  • "I was using CentOS because it was very stable, and now it's not."
  • "For the time being, I would not recommend this solution to others."

What is our primary use case?

It can be used for data centers to run the servers.

CentOS is a test bench for Red Hat. When Red Hat is testing new software, they will test it out in CentOS and Fedora. They will give it to the public, the public will complain about all the issues, then they will fix it, and include it in Red Hat.

I am not using it for the organization. However, I am using it in the business. For example, I help many clients back up Linux servers or protect Linux servers. But I am a Linux user at home, and I have been implementing products that revolve around Linux.

What is most valuable?

CentOS was one of the best Linux distributions out there. There was no community-based operating system like CentOS, except for Red Hat.

CentOS is very efficient and very powerful with many capabilities.

Anyone who has been using CentOs from the beginning of time has been using it because it has been a stable platform. Many companies have made solutions based on CentOS because it was a stable platform.

What needs improvement?

Unfortunately, Red Hat has changed the direction of the project.

The community is shocked that CentOS is no longer that stable branch, it's that development branch. 

They have now started a new project that some vendors are involved with, which is called Rocky Linux. 

Rocky Linux is a new Linux distribution that continues with what the community started with CentOS. The community now is making creating their own CentOS, because of Red Hat's decision to make this CentOS a test bench.

Most of the vendors in the market right now are making appliances, whether it be a firewall or a storage appliance, and most of them are using CentOS. Imagine the impact this will have on the vendors, on an international level, because they are relying on CentOS to be the most stable Linux distribution, and they chose the solution based on stability.

Red Hat made the decision of making CentOS a test bench, which means it will no longer be stable. Vendors will either push the new unstable update to customers, which is not something they would likely do or they would need to change to another Linux distribution.

It's a major decision for many companies to make. Because it is now a test bench many people are forced to change.

I was using CentOS because it was very stable, and now it's not. Will I use it? No. 

The main reason people use CentOS was because of its stability. Now that the stability has been compromised, no one will use it, unless they are Red Hat developers. The people who are learning Red Hat will also like it. But for us, the community, who might have been relying on CentOS as being a very stable platform, we will discard it.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using CentOS for five years.

We used version CentOS 6, and CentOS 7, but the latest one is CentOS 8.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

CentOS had proven to be very stable, but now with the updates, CentOS is not the stable operating system that it used to be. 

How are customer service and technical support?

CentOS is not supported commercially. CentOS is a community project. If you have any issue, you open the forums online, you post about it, and they solve it for you. 

Red Hat is the one that is charging for it. You can buy Red Hat and purchase support from them and they'll support you.

How was the initial setup?

If you know your way around Linux, then it is easy to install CentOS.

Most of it is the command line. There is a graphical user interface installation, but if you know CentOS, you don't want to do anything with the graphics. Instead, you will want to do everything with the command line, otherwise, you should consider Ubuntu.

What about the implementation team?

I can install any Linux on my own, with no worries.

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

There are no licensing fees for CentOS. It's a DPL project, there is no licensing cost.

What other advice do I have?

CentOS, Red Hat, Oracle Linux, and Fedora all share the same binaries, they have the exact same distribution, with very minor differences. 

CentOS started as a community project, a community enterprise operating system. It's basically free Red Hat. Red Hat was rebranded and called CentOS and released to the public.

I have had a really good experience with CentOS 6 or CentOS 7, but I have abandoned CentOS completely since Red Hat has made its position of CentOS very clear. CentOS now is discontinued. 

Red Hat is releasing CentOS Stream, which is new. Before, what used to be the situation? Red Hat would release the Red Hat Linux distribution online version six, for example, at the same time, Red Hat would release CentOS 6. Red Hat and CentOS 6 had no differences, except the fact that with Red Hat you can actually get a support contract, whereas, with CentOS 6, you cannot get a support contract. 

CentOS and Red Hat are the same. There's no difference between CentOS and Red Hat.

There used to be no difference between CentOS and Red Hat, but now CentOS is like Fedora.

There's no difference, it's just a test bench, with the latest updates, but it is not as stable as it is before.

Now, there was something called Fedora. Fedora is a Linux-based distribution. Usually, you have the latest updates, the brand new technologies, everything is in the Fedora, but it's not stable. Fedora is not stable.

Red Hat is the one controlling CentOS. Whenever Red Hat would release a version, they would release the same CentOS to the public. The only difference was that CentOS is supported by the community, and Red Hat is supported by Red Hat, the enterprise by the business. They used to have a test bench, which is Fedora. Fedora is a distribution based both on Red Hat or CentOS, but packages are very up to date, which is not stable. Now, Red Hat made a decision to stop CentOS and make something new called CentOS Stream. This CentOS Stream is just like Fedora.

It's not as stable as Red Hat. Before Red Hat was releasing a free version and a paid version. Both the free and the paid were the exact, same, they were identical, there were no differences. 

It has the same stability and the same everything. Now, CentOS is a test bench in which Red Hat releases the newest and latest code so that they can try it out on the community, to ensure that it is fine before they include it in Red Hat. CentOS is like Fedora. Good for testing, not for production, and not for servers.

For the time being, I would not recommend this solution to others. 

At one time CentOS was definitely a nine out of ten, but now with these recent updates, I would rate CentOS a zero out of ten. Imagine if you would create something for a specific purpose, but then in the middle, you would change it and make it the exact opposite. That would make any person who chose it, hate it.

I am very frustrated with the way the CentOS project has gone. I would rate it a Zero out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free CentOS Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: October 2026
Buyer's Guide
Download our free CentOS Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.