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Head-to-head · Server Operating System

Ubuntu Server vs AlmaLinux OS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Ubuntu Server #1 in Server Operating System 9.4/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Ubuntu Server
AlmaLinux OS #3 in Server Operating System 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit AlmaLinux OS

Ubuntu Server leads on 0 checks, AlmaLinux OS on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreUbuntu Server · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Ubuntu Server

Ubuntu Server scores higher on our rubric for server operating system: 9.4 against 9.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

Ubuntu Server is the better fit for broad server deployments needing low-cost enterprise Linux. AlmaLinux OS is the better fit for RHEL-compatible enterprise servers without license fees.

  • Ubuntu Server fits best

    Broad server deployments needing low-cost enterprise Linux

  • AlmaLinux OS fits best

    RHEL-compatible enterprise servers without license fees

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Side by side

Feature Ubuntu Server 9.4/10 Visit ↗ AlmaLinux OS 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.2
Ranking #1 in Server Operating System #3 in Server Operating System
Best for Broad server deployments needing low-cost enterprise Linux RHEL-compatible enterprise servers without license fees
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $25/device/yr Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Self-hosted, Cloud Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Linux Linux, Windows
Support Docs, Community · 24/7 Docs, Community
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Ubuntu Server 0/4 · AlmaLinux OS 0/4
Long-term support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Live kernel patching Not checked yet Not checked yet
Container tooling Not checked yet Not checked yet
Commercial support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
License model Not checked yet Not checked yet
Architecture support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Management interface Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free LTS releases include five years of standard security maintenance.
  • Supports six architectures and physical, virtual, cloud and edge deployments.
  • Pro adds Landscape management, Livepatch and wider package security maintenance.
  • About 10 years of support for each major version
  • Official images cover cloud providers, containers, WSL and live media
  • ELevate supports migrations between major versions of RHEL-derived distributions
Cons
  • Standard LTS security maintenance lasts five years without Ubuntu Pro.
  • Ubuntu Pro Server with unlimited VMs costs $500 per machine per year.
  • Landscape and Livepatch are part of the Pro offering, not the free OS.
  • Minor versions reach end of life when the next minor version is released
  • Support channels are documentation and community
  • Cloud-provider infrastructure may still incur charges
Our verdict

Ubuntu Server is an open-source Linux operating system for running workloads on physical servers, virtual machines, cloud instances and IoT or edge devices. Its deployment options include a server ISO and cloud images, and it supports…

Read the review →

AlmaLinux OS is a free, open-source Linux distribution for servers, workstations, virtual machines, cloud deployments and containers. Maintained by its community and nonprofit foundation, it aims for compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise…

Read the review →
  1. Ubuntu ServerServer Operating System 9.4Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. AlmaLinux OSServer Operating System 9.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Ubuntu Server — where it wins

    • Free LTS releases include five years of standard security maintenance.
    • Supports six architectures and physical, virtual, cloud and edge deployments.
    • Pro adds Landscape management, Livepatch and wider package security maintenance.

    Where it doesn't

    • Standard LTS security maintenance lasts five years without Ubuntu Pro.
    • Ubuntu Pro Server with unlimited VMs costs $500 per machine per year.
    • Landscape and Livepatch are part of the Pro offering, not the free OS.

  • AlmaLinux OS — where it wins

    • About 10 years of support for each major version
    • Official images cover cloud providers, containers, WSL and live media
    • ELevate supports migrations between major versions of RHEL-derived distributions

    Where it doesn't

    • Minor versions reach end of life when the next minor version is released
    • Support channels are documentation and community
    • Cloud-provider infrastructure may still incur charges

More comparisons

All server operating system comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update