Tech Support
Documentation
Login
Contact Us
TuxCare BlogAlmaLinux vs. Rocky Linux: Comparing Enterprise Linux Distributions
by Rohan Timalsina
October 8, 2024 - TuxCare expert team
- AlmaLinux is backed by CloudLinux, Inc., while Rocky Linux is fully community driven under the Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation.
- AlmaLinux focuses on Application Binary Interface (ABI) compatibility with RHEL, while Rocky Linux maintains exact 1:1 binary compatibility.
- AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are two of the most popular options, each aiming to provide a direct replacement for CentOS.
The discontinuation of CentOS Linux in December 2020 by Red Hat caused a significant shift in the enterprise ecosystem, leaving organizations that relied on CentOS without a stable, long-term support system. To address this, two new Linux distributions were created: AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux. Both distributions are based on the same source code as Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and aim to provide long-term support for mission-critical environments. However, there are some key differences between these distributions that should be considered before selecting one for your organization.
This article will explore the AlmaLinux vs. Rocky Linux comparison, including their origins, community support, enterprise features, and long-term support options.
Overview of AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux
AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are two popular open-source community-driven distributions that emerged as direct replacements for CentOS. Both projects were born out of the need for a community-maintained RHEL-based distribution after the announcement that CentOS Linux would no longer be positioned as a direct competitor to RHEL. This decision, influenced by the growing popularity of CentOS Stream, caught many users by surprise and forced developers to seek alternative options.
Rocky Linux was a one-to-one rebuild with a transparent build infrastructure, while AlmaLinux was initially backed by CloudLinux, a commercial provider of RHEL-based operating systems. Both distributions have gained significant traction within the open-source community and are actively maintained and developed.
AlmaLinux vs. Rocky Linux: Key Differences
Origins and Community Governance
AlmaLinux was developed by CloudLinux shortly after Red Hat’s announcement to discontinue CentOS Linux in favor of CentOS Stream. The goal of AlmaLinux was to provide a free, 1:1 binary-compatible fork of RHEL, just like CentOS before the shift.
However, after the restriction of public access to RHEL source code, AlmaLinux decided to shift its focus from strict 1:1 RHEL compatibility to Application Binary Interface (ABI) compatibility. This means that applications built for RHEL should run seamlessly on AlmaLinux without modifications.
Rocky Linux, on the other hand, remains committed to its mission of being a 1:1 drop-in replacement for RHEL, while also striving for constant system optimization and improvement. Rocky Linux was created by Gregory Kurtzer, the original co-founder of CentOS. It also aims to be a community-driven, RHEL-compatible distribution, and has been positioned as the spiritual successor to CentOS.
Release Cycles and Stability
Both AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux follow RHEL’s release cycle, ensuring compatibility and timely updates. When RHEL releases a new version, both distributions work rapidly to rebuild and release their versions. However, slight differences in timing may appear.
AlmaLinux typically has a slight edge in terms of faster release time for updates, patches, and security fixes. This might be due to its strong backing from CloudLinux, which can allocate more resources to ensure quick delivery.
Rocky Linux has a similarly reliable release cycle, though it sometimes lags behind AlmaLinux by a few days. (Source: OpenLogic)
Enterprise Adoption and Use Cases
Both AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are increasingly being adopted by enterprises seeking a reliable CentOS replacement. However, certain enterprises may prefer one over the other based on their specific needs.
AlmaLinux has seen broad adoption in cloud environments and organizations that value corporate-backend support options. It’s particularly popular in environments where quick updates and security patches are critical to maintaining operations. Its early release after CentOS’s shift helped AlmaLinux capture a significant portion of users transitioning from CentOS.
Rocky Linux’s association with Gregory Kurtzer, a founding figure of CentOS, helped build credibility among users loyal to the CentOS Project. Rocky Linux is favored by enterprises that prioritize community-driven development and support. Organizations that previously relied on CentOS may find Rocky Linux’s lineage and philosophy more aligned with their expectations.
Similarities Between AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux
Despite their differences, AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux share several key characteristics that make them viable alternatives to RHEL and successors to CentOS:
RHEL Compatibility
Both distributions are designed to maintain compatibility with RHEL, ensuring that organizations running applications on CentOS or RHEL can migrate seamlessly to either distribution without modifying their workflows.
Package Management
Both AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux utilize the Red Hat Package Manager (rpm) and the Dandified Yum (DNF) package manager. This ensures compatibility with RPM-based software packages, allowing users to continue leveraging the same tools, repositories, and updates as they did with CentOS.
Long-Term Support
Both distributions offer long-term support with a lifecycle of approximately 10 years, mirroring RHEL’s support timeline. AlmaLinux offers long-term support for its releases, with AlmaLinux 8 supported until 2029 and AlmaLinux 9 until 2032. Similarly, Rocky Linux provides long-term support and bug fixes, with version 8 supported through 2029 and version 9 until 2032. This makes both distributions a dependable choice for enterprises looking for stability and extended security updates.
For enterprises seeking a comprehensive and reliable support solution for AlmaLinux, TuxCare offers Enterprise Support for AlmaLinux. With a 16-year support lifecycle, a commercial repository, and extended security updates, TuxCare provides peace of mind and ensures uninterrupted operations. Additionally, their break-and-fix support and affordable pay-as-you-go application support make it a compelling choice for businesses of all sizes.
Learn more about Enterprise Support for AlmaLinux in this comprehensive guide.
Security Features
Both AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux prioritize security and provide robust features to protect enterprise systems. These features include:
SELinux: Both distributions enable SELinux by default, a mandatory access control security kernel module that helps prevent unauthorized access to system resources.
Secure Boot: Both support Secure Boot, a security feature that verifies the authenticity of software during the boot process, helping to prevent unauthorized access and malware.
Vulnerability Management and Patching: Both distributions receive regular security updates to address known vulnerabilities.
Final Thoughts
Both AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux have emerged as strong contenders to replace CentOS in enterprise environments. Their shared commitment to RHEL compatibility, long-term support, and robust security features make either a viable choice depending on organizational requirements.
For further enhancing system security and uptime, consider implementing live patching as part of your security strategy. Live patching allows you to apply security updates to a running kernel without requiring a reboot.
TuxCare’s KernelCare Enterprise offers automated live patching for all popular enterprise distributions, including AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian, Oracle Linux, CloudLinux, and more. KernelCare ensures continuous operations while safeguarding against critical vulnerabilities, eliminating the need for system reboots after kernel updates.
Want to know more about KernelCare live patching? Ask our security experts today.
Further Reading
How to Upgrade from Centos 7 to AlmaLinux 9
How to Upgrade from Centos 8 to AlmaLinux 9
The Risks of Running an End Of Life OS – And How To Manage It
Navigating TuxCare’s Enterprise Support for AlmaLinux
Securing AlmaLinux: A Practical Guide for IT Security Teams
