Tech Support
Documentation
Login
Contact Us
Key Takeaways
- Ubuntu 20.04 EOL is in May 2025: After this date, no more security updates, patches, or fixes from Canonical.
- Ignoring EOL puts you at risk: Vulnerabilities, compliance issues, and unplanned downtime are inevitable without action.
- Extend Support with TuxCare: Get ongoing security patches for as long as you need, after the end date.
The clock is ticking for Ubuntu 20.04 LTS users. As May 2025 approaches, so does the End-of-Life (EOL), signaling the end of official security updates and bug fixes from Canonical. Ignoring this deadline leaves your systems exposed to critical threats and compliance risks.
In this article, we’ll show you exactly what EOL means for your environment, the security risks it introduces, and what you should do to secure your systems. If you’re managing Ubuntu 20.04 servers in production, you need to act fast.
When Is Ubuntu 20.04 EOL?
Ubuntu LTS versions receive five years of standard support after their initial release. Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, codenamed “Focal Fossa”, was released in April 2020. Consequently, it will reach the end of life (EOL) on May 31, 2025.
After this point, Canonical will cease providing standard security updates and bug fixes, leaving systems vulnerable unless you migrate or use extended support from Ubuntu Pro or a third-party provider like TuxCare.
What Happens Once Ubuntu 20.04 Reaches End of Life?
Once Ubuntu 20.04 hits EOL, the consequences of end of life are immediate and significant. You will no longer receive crucial security patches, kernel updates, or essential maintenance fixes.
This instantly increases your attack surface, leading to security risks, compliance failures, and potential instability within your environment.
Security Risks Multiply Immediately
Without security updates, any new Ubuntu vulnerabilities discovered after the EOL date go unpatched. That opens the door to zero-day exploits, privilege escalation, and remote code execution attacks. Unsupported systems quickly become easy targets for attackers. Even a single unpatched CVE can lead to full system compromise and data loss.
Compliance Failures Become Likely
Without active vendor support, your systems may fall out of compliance with HIPAA, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, and other regulatory frameworks. Auditors typically view unsupported software as a compliance violation, regardless of its current operational status.
Operational Overhead Increases
Your IT and security teams will face increased burdens. They may need to manually track emerging vulnerabilities, attempt to backport fixes (a complex and risky process), or undertake emergency upgrades of critical systems.
This reactive approach elevates the risk of downtime, adds significant overhead, and strains resources, particularly in complex enterprise environments.
What To Do Once Ubuntu 20.04 Reaches End of Life
The end of life is inevitable, however there are viable paths to secure your Ubuntu 20.04 workloads. Mainly, there are two options: upgrade to a supported version or extended security support.
Upgrade to a Supported Ubuntu Version
The most forward-looking approach is to migrate your systems to a currently supported Ubuntu LTS release, such as Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish) or the more recent Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat).
This strategy ensures you continue to receive Canonical’s official security updates and benefit from the latest features.
However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that upgrades can be complex, requiring thorough planning, comprehensive testing, and application compatibility checks — especially in enterprise environments.
TuxCare’s Endless Lifecycle Support
If upgrading isn’t possible right away, you can extend the security lifecycle of your Ubuntu 20.04 systems. TuxCare’s Endless Lifecycle Support offers ongoing vulnerability patches for Ubuntu 20.04, allowing you to maintain a secure environment without the immediate need for a full OS upgrade.
Ubuntu ESM vs. TuxCare’s ELS
With Ubuntu 20.04 standard support ending on May 31, 2025, there are two main solutions for extended support: Canonical’s Ubuntu ESM (part of Ubuntu Pro) or TuxCare’s Endless Lifecycle Support (ELS). Here’s how they compare side by side:
|
Feature |
TuxCare’s ELS |
Ubuntu ESM |
|
Availability |
Standalone, no vendor lock-in |
Only available as part of Ubuntu Pro |
|
Security Updates Duration |
As long as needed |
Up to 10 years post-EOL |
|
Kernel CVE Coverage |
Full CVE coverage with optional rebootless patching |
<10% of CVEs covered by Canonical Livepatch |
|
Support Access |
24/7 break/fix ticket support |
Available as a paid add-on |
|
Pricing |
From $42.50 to $92/year per server |
Starts at $225/year per server |
What Will Happen If You Do Nothing After Ubuntu Reaches EOL?
Doing nothing after Ubuntu 20.04 reaches its end of life, is a decision fraught with peril. The longer you delay, the more vulnerable, non-compliant, and unstable your infrastructure will become.
Here are the key risks of ignoring Ubuntu 20.04 EOL:
1. Exploitation by Known Threats
Attackers often exploit publicly disclosed CVEs long after their initial discovery. Without timely security patches, even older exploits can grant them complete root access to your systems.
2. Legal and Financial Penalties
Running unsupported software violates compliance standards like HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR. This non-compliance can lead to failed audits, regulatory fines, and legal liabilities, especially in sectors with strict data protection requirements.
3. Increased Emergency Costs
Lack of vendor support means that when problems occur, your team is on its own. Delaying action now typically results in more expensive fixes later, including urgent upgrades, emergency patching, and downtime that disrupts critical operations.
Recovering from a security incident is far more costly than preventing one.
Stay Secure, Stay Compliant Post Ubuntu 20.04 EOL
Ubuntu 20.04 is approaching the end of life and ignoring it puts your systems, data, and compliance status at risk. Whether you upgrade or extend support, having a concrete plan in place is essential.
For those seeking a seamless and long-term security solution without the complexities of immediate upgrades, TuxCare provides flexible and affordable Ubuntu 20.04 Endless Lifecycle Support. With ELS for Ubuntu 20.04, you’ll benefit from ongoing security updates for your Ubuntu 20.04 systems for as long as you need.
Ready to secure your infrastructure? Contact TuxCare today to discuss your specific needs or ask questions to our Linux security experts for further advice on navigating Ubuntu 20.04 end of life security.
