Linux servers are renowned for their robustness, enhanced security features, and ability to handle heavy traffic, making them an optimal choice for businesses and organizations. These servers offer dynamic versatility and scalability, allowing diverse customization options and the ability to adapt to varying load conditions. With a user-friendly interface and command-line accessibility, Linux servers provide a seamless experience, making it easier for administrators to manage and control server operations.
Furthermore, Linux servers stand out with their open-source nature, giving users the freedom to modify, distribute, and access the source code. This aspect fosters a collaborative environment, encouraging developers worldwide to contribute improvements and updates. Given its cost-effectiveness, security, and stability, Linux servers are indeed a solid foundation for setting up robust server infrastructures.
Linux servers come in a variety of different versions and each one has its own strengths and weaknesses. To help you determine which one is right for your needs, we’ve compiled this list of the best Linux server distros.
Best Linux Server Distros
This article presents a curated compilation of the Top 10 Best Linux Server Distros, catering to both novice and experienced users in selecting the most suitable one based on their requirements. Without further ado, let’s dive right in.
10. Slackware
Slackware is a long-standing Linux server distro that will ensure stability and simplicity. It was first released in 1993. Slackware mainly boots into a command-line interface, which is straightforward to use.
It is a very lightweight Linux server, so it brags mostly with Pentium systems. Slackware comes with the X Window System, a web server, a mail server, C and C++, and a news server. Now let’s see the useful features of it.
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Features:
- Best for seasoned Linux professionals.
- Various package managers such as package managers, pkg tools, and slack pkg is available.
- Provides a more advanced operating system.
- Fully Customized.
- Various Bugs Fixed.
9. Arch Linux
Arch Linux is a more flexible platform that is very popular with users. It is a fully customized Linux Distro that comes with some fantastic features. The administrators can quickly set up their server applications because it provides a flexible and stable environment.
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Features:
- Provides answers and comprehensive guides for complete Server Set UP.
- X86 and both X86-64 ARM architectures are fully supported.
- Easy to set up the server applications, which can be easily accessed.
- Offers intuitive package management system.
8. Mageia
If you are looking for a secure and stable Linux server, Mageia will be best for you. It was first released in 2010, and now it is a fork of Mandriva. It is the most dependable Linux Server distro at all. Mageia includes some best desktop environments, such as GNOME, KDE, LXDE, and Xfce.
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Features:
- Comes with MariaDB, 389 Directory, and Kolab Server.
- Provides a stellar Linux server operating system.
- Offers users a stable and secure environment at the same time.
- Various Bugs Fixed
7. Oracle Linux
Oracle Linux is one of the best Linux Server Distro proudly powered by Oracle. There are two Kernels available in Oracle. One is Red Hat Compatible Kernel (RHCK), and the other one is Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Both systems work well with different hardware, such as Lenovo, HP, IBM, etc. Oracle Linux is the best for its Kernel Security. Let’s have a look at its features.
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Features:
- Provides a stellar server operating system
- Offers the best Datacenters with OpenStack
- Provides Enhanced home server.
- Supported Oracle flexible theme containing an Oracle GUI.
6. Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Red Hat Enterprise Linux is the most popular Linux server OS. Almost all Linux components and various software are easily used on it. Moreover, 500 companies all over the world use their service. There are various servers available on it, such as production servers, enterprise servers, etc.
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Features:
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux comes with a conservative selection of packages.
- Offers bug-free and secure server environment.
- Available for various devices and protocols.
- Supported Architectures: X86, POWER Architecture, z/Architecture, S/390
- Provides some fantastic container applications and cloud services
- Ensures high-integrity systems.
5. Fedora
Fedora is one of the best Linux server distro containing experimental technologies developed for commercial distribution. It is a fresh Linux server OS for the new user of the Linux World. It supports various desktop environments, including Gnome, KDE, etc.
Features:
- Provided various Database services like PostgreSQL.
- Suitable for both New and Advanced users.
- Offers flexible Red Hat ecosystem
- Various architectures are supported, such as X86, ARMhf, Power, PPC64LE, ARM64, S390X, etc.
4. OpenSUSE
OpenSUSE is one of the most used Linux Server OS, first introduced in 1993. There are mainly two OpenSuse variants, and these are Leap and Tumbleweed. OpenSUSE Leap is the best for its stability. This server can be easily used as a web server, home server, and both. The versatility features will be very useful in any server distribution. Let’s have a look at its features:
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Features:
- Supports OpenQA for automated testing, YaST for Linux configuration, and Kiwi for image deployment.
- Best server for power users.
- Provides the best desktop environment.
- Offers up-to-date packages like the Linux Kernel and SAMBA.
3. Debian Stable
Debian Stable is the king of Linux distributions and the most popular Linux Server Distro. It was first launched in 1993. It is the most used Linux server; even Ubuntu is Debian-based. It provides various package managers, Various API tools, etc. You will notice a secure and more stable server using it. Now let’s see the useful features of it.
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Features:
- Easy to set up as a primary server.
- Provides a more stable server environment.
- Ensures high-integrity systems
- Compatible for power users.
2. Rocky Linux
Rocky Linux is a Linux distribution that has gained popularity as a reliable and stable option for server environments. Created by the co-founder of CentOS, Rocky Linux aims to fill the void left by the discontinuation of CentOS’s stable release. With its focus on compatibility and providing a free, community-driven alternative, Rocky Linux has quickly garnered attention from enterprise users.
As a Linux server distro, Rocky Linux offers a robust and secure operating system for hosting a wide range of applications and services. It inherits many of the features and benefits of CentOS, such as long-term support and a strong emphasis on stability. With its reputation for dependability, Rocky Linux is an excellent choice for organizations looking for a reliable platform to run their servers, whether it be for web hosting, database management, or other server-related tasks.
Important Features
- Binary compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux: Rocky Linux is designed to be binary compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux, making it easy to migrate from one to the other.
- Stable and reliable: The project is backed by a team of experienced developers and contributors who are committed to maintaining a high level of quality and security.
- Easy to use and customize: Rocky Linux is designed to be easy to use and customize, making it a great choice for organizations of all sizes.
- Free and open-source: Rocky Linux is free and open-source, which means that organizations can use and modify it without any licensing restrictions.
- Active community: The project has an active community of users and contributors who provide support and updates, ensuring that the distribution remains up-to-date and secure.
1. Ubuntu Server
Ubuntu is popularly known as the best Linux Server Distro to provide an excellent user experience. If you are new in the Linux world, choosing Ubuntu as your server Distro, will be best. Using this server, you can do anything like spinning up web servers, deploying containers, etc. It is excellent as a media server, email server, or game server. Let’s have a look at its features:
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Features:
- Supported by large corporations and related technologies.
- Offers a smooth and stable server environment.
- Compatible with the most used public clouds.
- Various architectures are supported, such as X86, ARMhf, Power, PPC64LE, ARM64, S390X, etc.
- Works well on various devices and protocols.
Final Thought
In this article, I have made a shortlist of the Top 10 Best Linux Server Distros. There are a lot of Linux server OSs also available in the market. However, choosing the best Linux server is not so difficult for you. First, you need to know for what purposes you will use them. It also depends on your system architecture.
If you are new to the Linux world and wish to use a Linux server, you can use the Ubuntu server for the first time. I suggest you analyze the features of a Linux server that fulfills your requirement. Please share it with your friends interested in using the Linux server distro if you like it.
Good article, thank you.
For other commentators: If you came to Ubuntupit, it was obviously going to have a Ubuntu pitch, dahhh.
I use Fedora, but doesn’t mean it is the best, rather the one I’m most familiar with and know the best.
As for GUI: Well, another obvious reason is that the article is mainly to assist those new to linux servers and would prefer to use a gui till properly setup, then make it headless, if need be. However, for a home server, why not keep the gui?
After all, if you are such a respectful admin, what are you doing here anyway? Where is the respect for the opinions of other admins. Not everyone is a born linux genius that looks after hundreds of servers and tracks/criticizes articles to boost their own ego.
An Ubuntu-centric website listed Ubuntu as #1? That’s a surprise.
Debian first.
CentOS second
Ubuntu third.
in production i have deployed over 100k CentOs CLI only server and about double that for RedHat
Centos so easy not funny.
Looking for a linux based web server that can be set up with php and perl scripts in ‘/cgi-bin/. Apache2 etc are such a pain to set behind the scenes. They deliver web pages ok but that’s just about all. For anything else you need to be 100% nerd brain
Why do all the pictures have GUI’s? Fairly sure most of us run headless servers, GUI is a waste of resources.
I believe it is because they are trying to show us all the differences between the distros. Since most CLIs all look the same.
Nice answer, best logic!
Exactly why I tough… this is not a serious article… NO respectful admin would run a GUI on its server except for a good reason… I have more than 700 Linux servers and only 2 have GUI installed and I never use the desktop I only start the app I need directly in my windows desktop (forced unto me by the company….)
So this is pure publicity for their ubuntu overlords ( Dont take me wrong ubuntu is great I dont particuliarly like it but thats just me still we use it on a lot of our server )
But it doesnt help me choose a new distro to replace CentOS.