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Rocky Linux Reviews

Vendor: Rocky Linux
4.3 out of 5
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What is Rocky Linux?

Rocky Linux is a robust and secure enterprise-grade operating system designed as a drop-in replacement for CentOS. Its primary use case is to provide a stable and reliable platform for organizations to run their critical workloads and applications.

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Rocky Linux is the #4 ranked solution in top Operating Systems for Business. PeerSpot users give Rocky Linux an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Rocky Linux is most commonly compared to Ubuntu Linux: Rocky Linux vs Ubuntu Linux. Rocky Linux is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 54% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 14% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
Rocky Linux
September 2025
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Rocky Linux mindshare

As of October 2025, the mindshare of Rocky Linux in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category stands at 14.3%, up from 12.2% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Operating Systems (OS) for Business Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Rocky Linux14.3%
Ubuntu Linux11.5%
Windows Server10.0%
Other64.2%
Operating Systems (OS) for Business

PeerResearch reports based on Rocky Linux reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryOperating Systems (OS) for BusinessOct 5, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersOct 5, 2025Download
ComparisonRocky Linux vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)Oct 5, 2025Download
ComparisonRocky Linux vs Ubuntu LinuxOct 5, 2025Download
ComparisonRocky Linux vs Oracle LinuxOct 5, 2025Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Ubuntu Linux4.311.5%95%149 interviewsAdd to research
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)4.48.6%97%365 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

Valuable features of Rocky Linux include extensive package availability, strong community support, and ease of integration, which enhance adaptability and reliability. Its stability, compatibility with CentOS, and effective user interfaces streamline workflows. Free and open-source nature, low maintenance, and security features are advantageous for organizations. Rocky Linux also offers RHEL compatibility, extended maintenance, and improved performance, leading to cost savings and independence. Clustering and security improvements align with enterprise requirements, making it a reliable choice.
  • "The experience of working with Rocky Linux is the same as with other Linux distributions; there was no difficulty for me in learning how to work with it."
  • "Rocky Linux has impacted my organization very positively because we migrated everything from CentOS and Windows servers to Rocky Linux, everything is clear, with good packaging, and now it's version 9.6, which is very important for us due to security problems since we are in Europe."
  • "In my opinion, the best features Rocky Linux offers are stability, compatibility, and community support, all of which I think are extremely necessary and essential for the distribution, and I find that all three pillars are very supported by Rocky Linux."

Room for Improvement

Rocky Linux requires improvement in software availability and component integration compared to CentOS 7 and better documentation for ease of use without relying solely on community support. Users find audio integration in virtual environments challenging, and improving compatibility with Windows systems, especially Active Directory, is needed. Enhancing package versions to align closer to those in Ubuntu distributions and incorporating better Kubernetes integration are essential. Clarifying marketing strategies and target audience could strengthen its position.
  • "To be honest, Rocky Linux is almost similar to each Linux distribution, so I have no specific reason why it should offer me its features."
  • "Rocky Linux could be improved by having more integration with Kubernetes."
  • "I see some performance-related issues, but we are still checking on that, and we don't know if it is related to the OS or the resource; that is something still to be checked from our end."

ROI

Users have praised the stability, security, and reliability of the operating system, which has resulted in increased productivity and reduced downtime. The seamless transition from CentOS to Rocky Linux has also been appreciated, saving users time and resources. Additionally, the active community support and regular updates ensure that users have access to the latest features and security patches, further enhancing the ROI of using Rocky Linux.

Pricing

Rocky Linux is praised for its competitive and affordable pricing, attracting businesses seeking cost-effective solutions. Users report spending minimal amounts, sometimes as low as $10 per year, and taking advantage of free versions. Purchasing through platforms like AWS Marketplace often incurs no additional licensing costs. Some users may find the pricing less favorable, but many choose Rocky Linux to avoid higher expenses associated with other solutions, making it an appealing option for cost-conscious enterprises.
  • "The product is expensive. I rate the pricing a three."
  • "Compared to the market prices of other tools, the solution has a very competitive pricing."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations use Rocky Linux for a range of applications, including experimental infrastructure, network management, virtualization, and automation. It's employed in high-performance computing tasks, cloud server deployment, and as a web server platform. Rocky Linux supports various tools like Ansible, Terraform, and Docker and serves in big data environments with Apache Spark. Users appreciate its seamless transition from CentOS, cost-effectiveness, open-source nature, compatibility with different hardware, and adaptability to complex configurations.

Service and Support

Rocky Linux users report minimal need for customer service or support, indicating system reliability and ease of use. Many have not contacted technical support, relying instead on community resources, forums, and available documentation. Some users experience challenges with third-party or custom software but find sufficient assistance in online spaces. They appreciate Rocky Linux's stability, allowing them to remain self-reliant without engaging official customer assistance channels.

Deployment

Rocky Linux's initial setup is simple and efficient, often completed in about an hour. Companies deploying it on-premises or cloud find it straightforward with minimal manual intervention. Many teams utilize USB drives or network installations with ease. They also appreciate its compatibility with CentOS, making it a preferred choice over alternatives like AlmaLinux. Organizations with numerous workstations benefit from cloning repositories for swift configuration and updates, ensuring a seamless deployment process.

Scalability

Many organizations find Rocky Linux's scalability efficient. Most entities appreciate its good performance when scaling, rating it quite high. Users highlight that initial setup is simple and effective, with no issues during implementation. Some customers note its scaling flexibility, especially when adjusting instances, without complications. Though a few encounter minor challenges, most experiences with scaling are positive.

Stability

Rocky Linux demonstrates stability and reliability according to user experiences. It operates efficiently on low-resource systems and is not resource-intensive. Users rate stability highly, ranging from eight to ten. Although some users work in non-complex environments without encountering major difficulties, they suggest possible future challenges and consider support beneficial. Users utilize simple applications and specific hardware, indicating potential for complexities in more elaborate infrastructures. Stability is consistently mentioned in positive terms.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our Rocky Linux Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business4
Large Enterprise7
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business487
Midsize Enterprise290
Large Enterprise914
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
14%
Comms Service Provider
11%
University
11%
Educational Organization
8%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Government
7%
Financial Services Firm
6%
Retailer
4%
Media Company
3%
Healthcare Company
3%
Hospitality Company
3%
Insurance Company
2%
Non Profit
2%
Energy/Utilities Company
2%
Real Estate/Law Firm
2%
Outsourcing Company
2%
Aerospace/Defense Firm
1%
Construction Company
1%
Wholesaler/Distributor
1%
Performing Arts
1%
Pharma/Biotech Company
1%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
1%
Transportation Company
1%
Legal Firm
1%
Consumer Goods Company
1%

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Learn more about Rocky Linux


The most valuable functionality of Rocky Linux lies in its compatibility with CentOS, ensuring a seamless transition for organizations already using CentOS. It offers long-term support, regular security updates, and a predictable release cycle, providing stability and reliability for mission-critical systems.

Rocky Linux helps organizations by offering a free and open-source alternative to CentOS, which was discontinued by Red Hat. It allows businesses to continue using their existing CentOS-based infrastructure without the need for costly migrations or vendor lock-in. With its strong community support and active development, Rocky Linux ensures a sustainable and community-driven future for CentOS users.

Moreover, Rocky Linux is built with security in mind, providing robust features like SELinux and secure defaults. This helps organizations protect their data and systems from potential threats and vulnerabilities.

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Rocky Linux Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Linux architect at European Commission4.5I've used Rocky Linux for two years in our big data environment after migrating from CentOS, and it’s been reliable, secure, and feature-rich, though I’d like to see better Kubernetes integration in future versions.
CloudOps Engineer at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees4.5I've used Rocky Linux for over a year with AWS EC2 and find it stable, scalable, and cost-effective, especially for transitioning from CentOS, though we're still assessing performance issues unrelated to the OS.
Network Infrastructure Manager at SAGEMCOM4.0We switched from Red Hat to Rocky Linux due to licensing costs, and it's met our experimental infrastructure needs well. It's stable, easy to set up, integrates smoothly, and serves as a reliable CentOS alternative for our Linux systems.
System Engineer at clusterkit4.0I have used Rocky Linux for high-performance computing, online assessments, and Ceph storage over the past few years. While it is free and open source, I find its package versions older than Ubuntu, which affects my project's adaptability to customer requirements.
IT / IAM Senior Specialist at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees5.0I migrated internal web servers from CentOS to Rocky Linux for better stability and compatibility, saving on licensing costs. It's been reliable, easy to implement, and well-supported by the community, making it my recommended CentOS replacement.
Linux Administrator at Magna International4.0I use Rocky Linux in my company for automation and managing on-premises machines, appreciating its stability akin to CentOS. However, I encounter issues with the DNS part. I've used CentOS, Red Hat, and Fedora as well.
Senior Network Engineer at KLC bvba4.0I use Rocky Linux mainly for backend scripting and network management; it's stable, similar to other distributions, and easy to deploy. I haven't explored AI features and don't see any standout advantages, but overall, I'm satisfied.
Linux System Administrator at Adapt IT5.0I am using Rocky Linux at home to learn various Linux flavors, recommending it for users with older machines. Its user interface on GNOME and KDE is intuitive, though audio integration in virtual machines needs improvement, especially in Oracle Virtual Box.