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Head-to-head · Server Operating System

Ubuntu Server vs Rocky Linux

  • 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
Rocky Linux #5 in Server Operating System 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Rocky Linux

Ubuntu Server leads on 0 checks, Rocky Linux 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 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

Ubuntu Server is the better fit for broad server deployments needing low-cost enterprise Linux. Rocky Linux is the better fit for free RHEL-compatible servers across cloud and edge.

  • Ubuntu Server fits best

    Broad server deployments needing low-cost enterprise Linux

  • Rocky Linux fits best

    Free RHEL-compatible servers across cloud and edge

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Side by side

Feature Ubuntu Server 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Rocky Linux 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.0
Ranking #1 in Server Operating System #5 in Server Operating System
Best for Broad server deployments needing low-cost enterprise Linux Free RHEL-compatible servers across cloud and edge
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
Support Docs, Community · 24/7 Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Ubuntu Server 0/4 · Rocky Linux 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.
  • Free, open-source OS designed for RHEL compatibility
  • Images cover physical systems, cloud, containers, WSL, and Raspberry Pi
  • Major releases have a 10-year lifecycle with active and security support
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.
  • Only the latest minor release is supported
  • Architecture support varies by release
  • Support channels are community and documentation
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 →

Rocky Linux is a community-developed, open-source enterprise operating system designed for compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It suits teams and individuals seeking a no-cost Linux environment for servers, workstations, virtual…

Read the review →
  1. Ubuntu ServerServer Operating System 9.4Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. Rocky LinuxServer Operating System 9.0Free 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.

  • Rocky Linux — where it wins

    • Free, open-source OS designed for RHEL compatibility
    • Images cover physical systems, cloud, containers, WSL, and Raspberry Pi
    • Major releases have a 10-year lifecycle with active and security support

    Where it doesn't

    • Only the latest minor release is supported
    • Architecture support varies by release
    • Support channels are community and documentation

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