The shift of CentOS from a traditional, stable release model to CentOS Stream left many users and businesses searching for reliable alternatives. Two of the most popular options that emerged are AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux. Both distributions offer RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux) compatibility and provide long-term support, making them strong contenders for users looking to replace CentOS in their environments. However, the choice between AlmaLinux vs Rocky Linux is not always straightforward, as both have unique strengths and development models.
Origins and Background
Both AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux were born in response to the CentOS community's need for a stable, enterprise-grade alternative after the discontinuation of CentOS in favor of CentOS Stream.
AlmaLinux was created by CloudLinux, a company with a strong track record in the Linux ecosystem. CloudLinux developed AlmaLinux as an open-source and community-driven project but with the stability and security that commercial support provides. Released shortly after the announcement of CentOS’s shift, AlmaLinux aimed to offer a quick, stable replacement for those seeking a production-ready system.
Rocky Linux, founded by Gregory Kurtzer, the original co-founder of CentOS, aimed to restore the community-led project that many users loved. Named after Rocky McGaugh, another co-founder of CentOS who had passed away, Rocky Linux has focused on maintaining the original spirit of CentOS by being fully community-driven and transparent. This has resonated well with users who prefer open-source projects without corporate backing.
Development Models: AlmaLinux vs Rocky Linux
One of the key differences between AlmaLinux Rocky Linux is their development model.
AlmaLinux, although community-driven, benefits from the backing of CloudLinux. This means that while it is free and open-source, it also receives commercial support and professional development resources from a dedicated company. This makes AlmaLinux an attractive option for enterprises that need stability, security, and regular updates. The involvement of CloudLinux ensures that the development process is more structured, and critical patches or updates are delivered swiftly.
On the other hand, Rocky Linux is entirely community-driven. This means that every decision regarding the distribution—whether it be new features, updates, or security patches—is made by the community itself. The Rocky Linux Foundation was created to ensure that the project stays true to its community-centric roots, and all development efforts are coordinated by volunteers. This approach appeals to users who value transparency and the open-source ethos. However, it also means that development may rely more on the pace of the community, rather than a structured commercial entity.
Stability and Performance
Both AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux offer RHEL compatibility, meaning they share the same core features, updates, and performance characteristics as Red Hat Enterprise Linux. As they are both downstream from RHEL, they follow RHEL's release schedule, making them virtually identical in terms of performance and feature sets. Whether you're running a web server, database, or enterprise-level application, both AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux will perform equally well.
In terms of stability, AlmaLinux’s corporate backing from CloudLinux gives it an edge, especially for businesses. The guarantee of professional support and a faster response to security vulnerabilities can make AlmaLinux a safer bet for organizations that prioritize stability and reliability.
However, Rocky Linux has not shown any signs of lagging in this area. Despite being community-led, Rocky Linux has maintained a solid release schedule and has addressed security patches and updates promptly. The Rocky Linux community is active and passionate about maintaining the high standards users expect from a RHEL-compatible distribution.
Migration and Support
For users still using CentOS or considering switching from another Linux distribution, both AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux offer easy migration tools that help facilitate the transition with minimal downtime and disruption. These migration tools are well-documented and designed to ensure that businesses and individuals can switch without major configuration changes.
AlmaLinux has the added benefit of being supported by CloudLinux, which offers commercial support options. This makes it appealing to enterprises that need guaranteed service-level agreements (SLAs) and technical assistance in critical situations.
Rocky Linux, while not offering paid support, has a strong and active community. Users can find help in community forums, documentation, and chat rooms. For those who are comfortable relying on community-driven support, Rocky Linux offers an equally solid option.
Conclusion:
Both AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are excellent alternatives to CentOS, and either would be a great fit for users looking for RHEL-compatible distributions.
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