Today we will discuss AlmaLinux vs CentOS. It’s been over a year since CentOS touched the end of its life. Since then there have been whispers of choosing a suitable replacement. Although Alma Linux is the most preferred, AlmaLinux vs CentOS is what we are going to discuss in this article. As an administrator or organization, you may have many concerns about the best way to migrate your servers and IT infrastructure from CentOS to your newly considered OS. Also, there are some operating systems that have been announced as CentOS replacements such as Rocky Linux, Oracle Linux, Springdale Linux, ClearOS Linux, and Amazon Linux 2.
But if you are thinking of migrating to AlmaLinux, then you are advised to use this guide as the last available article that has collected all the necessary points for users who need to know whether AlmaLinux is an alternative to CentOS or not.
If you are planning to migrate to AlmaLinux, you need a virtual machine to install your new operating system and test how it works. On the other hand, if you are running your own Linux VPS with CentOS, it is reasonable to explore the best option for it.
What is CentOS?
CentOS is a Linux distribution, it provides a free & open-source community-supported computing platform, functionally compatible with it is the upstream source, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). As the CentOS project will cease updates and releases of CentOS Linux® between 2021 and 2024, administrators and organizations are concerned about the best replacement to ensure a safe and sound transition. To read everything you need to know about CentOS, read our article and review what makes it popular.
What is AlmaLinux?
AlmaLinux is a free and open-source Linux distribution focused on long-term stability, providing a robust production-grade platform. AlmaLinux OS is a 1:1 binary-compatible clone of RHEL® directed and built by the community. Previously, you have read all its benefits and reviewed what exactly AlmaLinux is. It is an enterprise-grade server OS and a stable Linux distribution with regular releases.
When converting from CentOS and other RHEL® derivatives to AlmaLinux OS, there is neither cost nor time involved, unlike the way distributions are often migrated.
AlmaLinux vs. CentOS: Are they the same?
The similarities between CentOS and AlmaLinux outweigh their differences. So yes! We can say that they are overall similar in structure. Although CentOS and Almalinux have 10 years to receive software updates, they are both downstream distributions of RedHat Enterprise Linux. Both of these operating systems are free and community-driven. Also, CentOS and AlmaLinux follow the RPM format for package management which increases the level of compatibility.
Is AlmaLinux an ideal alternative to CentOS?
The CentOS project is supported by RedHat, and the AlmaLinux Foundation is supported by CloudLinux. But, as we mentioned, there are some differences between CentOS and AlmaLinux. If you’re worried that AlmaLinux is new, you should know that AlmaLinux is not only off to a great start, but it’s similar to CentOS and the current stable release of RHEL. So, AlmaLinux is a fantastic alternative to RHEL and a solid replacement for CentOS.
Stay with us to review why AlmaLinux is considered a good replacement for migrating from CentOS.
1. AlmaLinux: A harmless replacement for CentOS
Your current CentOS and RHEL systems can be easily switched to AlmaLinux. System administrators can migrate their existing CentOS installations to AlmaLinux using the migration tool AlmaLinux-deploy, which was developed by the AlmaLinux community.
You can simply switch an entire operating system, including applications and customizations, from CentOS or RHEL to AlmaLinux with AlmaLinux-deploy. Your server will only need to reboot twice during the entire migration process.
For businesses running hundreds of CentOS-based servers, the ability to quickly switch to AlmaLinux with little downtime is essential for business continuity.
2. AlmaLinux: Fully funded and supported
AlmaLinux is free, but users will pay software developers and system admins according to developer software costs. Although Amazon, Microsoft, CloudLinux, Equinix, AND, etc. are supporting AlmaLinux, it is not difficult to say that it is well-funded.
Apart from funding, AlmaLinux has a large community of programmers, testers, and enthusiasts who contribute to the growth and success of the operating system.
3. AlmaLinux: Powers massive cloud infrastructure
Despite its youth, AlmaLinux already powers significant cloud infrastructure and data centers around the world. In CloudLinux and other government organizations, it is often used. Additionally, you can run AlmaLinux virtual machines on cloud providers like Azure and AWS.
4. AlmaLinux: Available on both Server and Desktop
AlmaLinux has desktop and server versions. As a result, businesses can build and test software on the same server operating system foundation. Additionally, if most of the company uses the same operating system, system administration and other IT management decisions are considerably easier.
AlmaLinux vs. CentOS: Which one meets your needs?
Before deciding which operating system to use, you need to determine your priorities. If you are currently using CentOS, then you will feel right with AlmaLinux as the user interface of the two operating systems is essentially identical.
RHEL or CentOS users will immediately recognize their similarity with the AlmaLinux desktop and they will not feel weird using it. However, as a CentOS user, you still have time to think about switching to AlmaLinux or another Linux distribution since the last supported version of CentOS provides support through 2024.
Since AlmaLinux is binary-compatible with RHEL, it is a great alternative to CentOS and due to their similarities, the migration process will be easy. Read our related article on Migrating from CentOS to AlmaLinux mentioned in this guide to learn more.
Conclusion
In this article, CentOS vs AlmaLinux was discussed to help you answer the question of whether AlmaLinux is an alternative to CentOS or not. As you know, the answer is yes! According to the DistroWatch website, compared to other RHEL derivatives, AlmaLinux is more widely used and well-liked.
Share your migration experience with us and even if you believe there is a better alternative for CentOS, launch your alternative.
