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CentOS vs Oracle Linux comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 7, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

CentOS
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
6th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.1
Number of Reviews
69
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Oracle Linux
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
3rd
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.7
Number of Reviews
117
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category, the mindshare of CentOS is 5.1%, down from 8.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Oracle Linux is 10.2%, down from 15.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Operating Systems (OS) for Business
 

Featured Reviews

Mahender Nirwan - PeerSpot reviewer
In-depth documentation available and command-line utility works well
One issue I recently faced, but I think it was due to my IT support guys, was that when the server storage gets full, the service crashes. It's very difficult to regain access and stability in that situation. That could be improved. So, the stability might be improved. But I don't think it's a CentOS-level issue. The system administrators need to come up with a solution for that, but I don't think it's CentOS's fault. I haven't done any research [R&D] on this issue. There's one thing for sure. We recently migrated from CentOS 7 to CentOS 9, and it was a bit difficult. For example, updating Windows is simple; you just download it, and it takes about 15-20 minutes. But that's not the case with migrating from CentOS 7 to 9. We had to back up the entire server, launch a new server, and then restore the backup to the new server. We couldn't directly migrate. I think that was a bit of a problem. The setup and updates are not that new in CentOS.
Thomas Waltair - PeerSpot reviewer
Provides outstanding performance and resource savings with effective customer service
The solution works closely with the operating system kernel, which gives better performance in terms of multi-threading and a distributed database. We work based on Oracle specifications, and whenever there are critical patches and vulnerability tests, we update with the latest security patches. The collaboration with Oracle WebLogic and other Oracle tools enhances performance as well.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The vendor updates the tool regularly to solve vulnerabilities."
"It is a scalable and cost-effective product compared to public cloud solutions."
"The pricing is good. We pay a minimal fee."
"Its performance is most valuable. There is a performance boost as compared to when the applications are run on Windows OS."
"The scalability of CentOS is good. We can deploy the operating system in many hardware, laptops, and servers."
"The most valuable feature of CentOS is the speed and it is very easy to use."
"I like how you can alternate certain things and minimize admin features on there and just let it run on specific scripts. It's nice. Even if I had to put it in a container, I'd still do it. I prefer Linux over Windows any day."
"Setup is straightforward. You can complete it in about 30 minutes."
"Oracle Linux is very secure making it one of the most valuable features. Additionally, it is easy to manage."
"Oracle Linux is secure, and we have end-to-end support from Oracle, from the operating system to applications and ERP."
"When it comes to my favorite features of Oracle Linux, I have been impressed with its ability to facilitate a smooth and efficient workflow system. This system is responsible for gathering data from multiple cameras and transferring this information to the backend systems. The system comprises around 10 to 12 servers, all of which are integrated into a highly reliable and redundant cluster setup. Currently, we are using Red Hat Linux for our production needs, however, we have plans to switch over to Oracle Linux in the near future. The reason for this change is due to the specialized nature of our system which precludes the use of cloud computing capabilities."
"It is a stable solution. We rarely face any issues with the machine."
"The good thing about Oracle Linux is that it's free, as long as you don't want support."
"There are several valuable features in Oracle Linux. For example, it's very secure and stable. You don't have to reboot it frequently."
"Oracle Linux has fulfilled all my requirements so far. It has very advanced features, especially the latest product for this Oracle in a cloud infrastructure."
"I find the stability to be excellent as the system manages outages effectively."
 

Cons

"The security could be improved because the server system isn't very secure."
"There could be more integration features included in the product."
"There is no notification before updates are applied to the solution, which occasionally means that new functionality isn't compatible with how the product is currently being used, and causes issues."
"CentOS NetworkManager is an area of concern in the solution that needs improvement, and it is the same with other products from Red Hat."
"CentOS removed long-term support, and version releases every two to three years are not ideal for production environments because they necessitate frequent updates."
"It would be ideal if Red Hat would continue the CentOS versions in an open-source format. They seem to be moving away from that. Now only paid versions are available."
"It would be useful if reporting were included as part of the basic license."
"In the future, CentOS will no longer be compatible with Red Hat."
"There can be improvements to the documentation capabilities."
"Some applications supported by other operating systems are not supported, which is a pain."
"It could be more scalable."
"They could introduce the same level of remote capabilities, which are available with VMware applications to build distant environments."
"The solution needs to improve there their capability with most of the applications."
"They keep increasing their license prices, making it increasingly costly. So many banks and customers are moving away from Oracle Linux."
"The deployment is a bit complex."
"I would like Oracle Linux to have more frequent updates."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The solution is open-source and does not have any costs or licensing fees."
"We are using a subscription-based license option for CentOS."
"CentOS is cheaper compared to Windows."
"CentOS is a free solution."
"The price could be better. The cost depends on how the organization or a specific person licenses it. If you want the free version, there's Ubuntu which is supported by forums. You can pay for the license yearly or pay for a specific version."
"The product is free."
"There are no licensing fees. CentOS is a free solution."
"This is an open source solution."
"The licensing cost is expensive. It should be reduced by at least half."
"The solution has no fees."
"Nowadays, Oracle is very open toward price negotiation; they negotiate well with their clients"
"The product's pricing is cheap. The tool's pricing is yearly."
"The solution is less expensive than Solaris and allows for use of existing hardware."
"The solution is free."
"The licensing is expensive."
"This is an open-source product that can be used free of charge."
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Comparison Review

it_user281973 - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 24, 2017
It's improved our company's system environments that run Oracle databases.
Red Hat is mission critical to our environment Red Hat has improved the mission critical environments running Oracle databases, while CentOS has improved our web environment and MySQL. Oracle and SAP Environment and all HPC environments. 10 years No issues Very stable i don´t find any problem…
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
17%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Government
7%
Computer Software Company
14%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Government
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

Which would you choose - RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux) or CentOS?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux is fantastic. It is an inexpensive solution that has excellent security, performance, and stability, and also lots of features. I specifically like that the solution has fe...
What do you like most about CentOS?
CentOS is very easy to use, and all the commands are user-friendly.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for CentOS?
CentOS is a free product with free updates. There are third-party companies available for support, but they charge varying amounts for their services.
How does Oracle Linux compare with Solaris?
When comparing Oracle Linux and Solaris, I believe that Linux is more secure and more flexible. It is also very suitable for enterprises that are already Oracle solution users. I found Linux to be ...
Which would you choose - Ubuntu Linux or Oracle Linux?
Ubunto Linux is a complete Linux operating system that is freely available with both community and professional support. This solution is suitable for both desktop and server use. It has a very app...
 

Comparisons

 

Also Known As

No data available
Oracle Enterprise Linux
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
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Find out what your peers are saying about CentOS vs. Oracle Linux and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
851,491 professionals have used our research since 2012.