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SUSE Linux Enterprise vs Ubuntu 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

SUSE Linux Enterprise
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
7th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
32
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Ubuntu Linux
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
2nd
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.8
Number of Reviews
147
Ranking in other categories
OpenStack (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category, the mindshare of SUSE Linux Enterprise is 7.1%, down from 8.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Ubuntu Linux is 13.4%, down from 22.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Operating Systems (OS) for Business
 

Featured Reviews

Dominique Locksley - PeerSpot reviewer
Has good kernel modules and upgrades
I like how the tool handles kernel modules and upgrades - we rarely have issues after upgrades, unlike with other Linux distributions like Oracle Linux or Ubuntu. The kernel module management is excellent. Changes made in one version typically work the same in other versions too, which isn't always the case with other distributions. There's also lots of information and community support available if you run into any problems, both on the official website and in forums and user groups. I know many people who use it specifically, so it's easy to get independent support if needed. I've been working with the tool for a long time, since 2003, before they became SUSE Linux Enterprise. It's always been one of the most admin-friendly Linux versions.
Kevin Haury - PeerSpot reviewer
Linux's advanced terminal empowers versatile usage and ongoing secure development
Initially, there was nothing complicated. It's easy since I have many years of experience with it. However, if I were a beginner with Linux, it could be completely disruptive compared to Windows. So, I would have to spend some time practicing with Linux to understand how it works and how I can accomplish the same tasks compared to Windows. Maybe one month, at least.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The most important feature is the automatic kernel lifecycle subscription, which is critical for us because the server cannot go down once we start offering any services on the cluster."
"The initial setup for most modern Linux distributions is normally straightforward. Most of the common distributions use an ncurses or GUI install."
"The tool’s idempotency ensures all configurations are in place at all times."
"The product's initial setup phase was easy."
"The most valuable features of the solution are patching and the BTRFS file system."
"The solution offers a secure operation system."
"SUSE Linux Enterprise is easy to configure for those who are not hardcore command-line driven."
"YaST simplifies the server management of SUSE allowing for a centralized utility to control most of the server functions."
"It's offered as open-source, and therefore does not cost anything to use."
"Ubuntu Linux is flexible because it has a lot of new features, so you can use it without any problems."
"There is a lot of freedom and flexibility to install it really quickly. It is just very powerful in the sense that it doesn't take up as many resources to run as some of the other operating systems. It is open source, so it is free. There is no licensing fee. There is flexibility and freedom to do whatever you need to do. If you are familiar with the command line, you can jump on the command line and configure almost any part of the operating system that you want. If you are not comfortable with the command line, the graphical user interface has really improved ever since I started using Linux back in high school. It is really very simple to manage your settings and other things. You can also try out multiple desktop environments. As a matter of fact, on one of my laptops, I have installed five different desktop environments, and I can switch between them. If you don't like one, you can easily just install another one with a few commands, and you have got a whole new desktop right there, whereas, in Microsoft Windows or a Mac, you are just stuck with whatever they give you, and you have to wait until they sell you something else."
"It is scalable. I can customize it based on what I want to do."
"The initial setup is simple."
"If there is a virus going into the network, it has to pass through an Ubuntu server, which can't be infected by the virus. So, there are less viruses on our systems."
"It is fast and easy to install. It also supports containers and all kinds of libraries. I can do almost everything with it."
"Ubuntu is great because you get most of the packages or software you need. You get the latest updates and stuff fairly fast."
 

Cons

"I would appreciate the product's future releases being lighter and operating more efficiently on smaller systems."
"SUSE Linux could provide more information about cost and the details of how clustering works."
"They should provide chatbot support for customers to open the troubleshooting cases directly."
"SUSE could make more APIs available."
"The initial setup could be simplified."
"The solution has to be fine-tuned with better documentation."
"They should probably just make clustering a bit simpler and also provide more descriptive log files for cluster services."
"The product must improve its UI."
"Could be better support for graphic drivers and support from the hardware lenders."
"The user interface could be improved."
"While Ubuntu Linux offers flexibility, it can lack support, especially when utilizing new versions."
"There is room for improvement, particularly in the GUI aspect of the product."
"Developing more applications for businesses could work better, but that is not part of the OS piece. Let the developers work on other apps, therefore the needs for consuming less memory do not affect the performance of this OS version."
"We'd like to have a bit more of a friendly user interface."
"The solution is a little complicated to customize and could be made easier."
"The solution should have more personal use applications for this platform."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The product is expensive. We purchase its yearly license."
"I would advise others to download the free or strictly open source versions, then test them in their environment before committing to a purchase. This will allow for testing suitability for applications that they want to run."
"Regarding pricing, everybody would want it to be cheaper."
"Anyone can use Linux because it is open-source."
"The tool is expensive compared to Red Hat. I rate its pricing a nine out of ten."
"There is no license for this solution, there is only a subscription of support available."
"As far as licensing goes, there is nothing unusual here. The price and model have worked fine for my organization."
"There is a free tier and a paid support tier. If you do not need support, then the solution is free to use. If you need support then there is an option for that as well."
"The solution is free."
"There is no licensing cost for the product."
"It is 100% free."
"The product is cheap compared to Windows."
"There is not a license needed for the solution. You only have to pay for technical support."
"The main advantage of Unix is that it's free."
"Ubuntu Linux is free for personal use, including business use."
"We are using Ubuntu Linux free of cost, and there is no licensing."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
15%
Manufacturing Company
12%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Government
8%
Computer Software Company
14%
University
11%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Educational Organization
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about SUSE Linux Enterprise?
The initial setup is simple and takes five minutes for deployment and if you have automation in place, it will take four minutes.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SUSE Linux Enterprise?
I used the open-source version, so there were no setup costs.
What needs improvement with SUSE Linux Enterprise?
The software management side was a bit difficult, especially compared to Ubuntu. The software manager was different, making it challenging to install certain applications. Additionally, I encounter...
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...
What do you like most about Ubuntu Linux?
It has a good support system for loading databases.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Ubuntu Linux?
The cost is not much, and I am not sure about the licensing cost because a separate team handles it.
 

Also Known As

No data available
Ubuntu
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Air India, Akademicki Szpital Kliniczny (ASK), Allone, Altran, Apollo, ARCHIVA, Asia Innovatory Management School, ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GmbH, AutoData Norge AS, Baldor Electric, Business Connexion, CASIO, Ciclum Farma, Delta Lloyd, Edumate , HPE,  SAP SE,  Lenovo, BMW, T-Systems, UCX, Turners & Growers, Shenzhen Development Bank, Bosch Group, JK Tyres & Industries, IOCL, European Space Agency, Daimler AG, China Minsheng Banking Corp, Café Coffee Day, Unisys,  Petrochina Company Ltd, Fitch Ratings, ABeam Consulting Co Ltd, Tyro Payments, Rackspace, Pacific Textiles, ...
Samsung, eBay, AT&T, Walmart, Cisco, Time Warner Cable, Bloomberg, Best Buy, Dell, Intel, Microsoft, Ericsson, Orange, Wells Fargo
Find out what your peers are saying about SUSE Linux Enterprise vs. Ubuntu Linux and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
851,491 professionals have used our research since 2012.