Linux is known as one of the leading server operating systems, which is more prevalent and wide-ranging. There are no Linux server distros, which vary depending on the users’ requirements. It generally offers you the best desktop environment for all sorts of use and machines like workstations, old laptops, powerful modern desktop, corporate office, personal desktop, server, gaming platform, and much more. Here we will be sharing our experiences only on Best Linux Server Distro. For setting up a server, Linux can quickly and effectively adapt to the various machine or devices.
Best Linux Server Distro: Top 10 Compared
This article will share a list of the Top 10 Best Linux Server Distros that will help both a newbie and advanced user choose the right one as per the needs. Let’s get started.
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 use.
It is a very lightweight Linux server, and that is why it brags mostly with Pentium systems at all. 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.
Read More:Â Top 7 Best Linux Distros That Will Boost Up Your Linux Experience
Features:
- Best for seasoned Linux professionals.
- Various package manager 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.
Read More:Â Best Linux Gaming Distros: 5 Shortlisted Recommendation
Features:
- Provides answers and comprehensive guides for complete Server Set UP.
- X86 and both X86-64 ARM architectures are fully supported.
- Easy to Setup the server applications, which can be easily accessed.
- Offers intuitive package management system.
8. Mageia
If you look 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.
Read More:Â Top 5 Best Looking Linux Distro We Recommend You To Use
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.
Read More:Â Most Popular Linux Distro: Explore Top 5 and Get The Best One
Features:
- Provides 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.
Read More:Â Most Stable Linux Distros: 5 versions of Linux We Recommend
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 the commercial Linux distribution. It is a fresh Linux server OS for the user who is new in 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 Leap
OpenSUSE would be one of the most used Linux Server OS, which was 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:
Read More:Â Best 5 Linux Distros for Developers and Programmers
Features:
- Supports OpenQA for automated testing, YaST for Linux configuration, and Kiwi for Linux 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 known as 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.
Read More:Â Top 5 Best Linux Distros For Laptop: Choose The Best One
Features:
- Easy to set up as a primary server.
- Provides a more stable server environment.
- Ensures high-integrity systems
- Compatible for power users.
2. CentOS
CentOS is one of the best Linux Server Distro used as 30 percent of all Linux servers worldwide. It is a derivative of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, which provides a stable server environment. It comes with some great features. Let’s have a look:
Features:
- Supported X86-64 Architectures.
- RPM Package System Added
- Ensures an easy and stable server environment.
- Available in GUI, KDE, and GNOME version.
- Major Bugs free.
1. Ubuntu Server
Ubuntu is popularly known as the best Linux Server Distro that will provide you the excellent user experiences. 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:
Read More:Â Top 5 Best Lightweight Linux Distros To Boost Up Your Old Computer
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 of all, you to know for what purposes you will use them. It also depends on your system architectures.
If you are new in the Linux world and wishing 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.