Rocky Linux
Rocky Linux: A free, RHEL-compatible Linux OS with deployment images for servers, cloud, and edge. Ranked #5 of 29 in Server Operating System by our editors (9.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free RHEL-compatible servers across cloud and edge.
At a glance
- Editor score9.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree RHEL-compatible servers across cloud and edge
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Facts checked23 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on Rocky Linux
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 machines, cloud instances, containers, Raspberry Pi, or Windows Subsystem for Linux. It is available for physical installation and cloud deployment, with architecture support depending on the release.
Deployment options are a notable strength: downloadable DVD, boot, and minimal installation images sit alongside cloud images for AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and generic environments. The project also publishes Docker OCI images, desktop and workstation live images with multiple desktop environments, Raspberry Pi images, and WSL images. A migration script supports moving from other Enterprise Linux distributions. DNF provides package management and upgrade commands, while the RHEL-compatible software environment uses RPM packages. This breadth makes Rocky Linux a fit across varied infrastructure, rather than a server-only choice.
Major releases have a published 10-year lifecycle, divided into 5 years of active support and 5 years of security support. However, only the latest minor release is supported, so teams need to keep their systems on that release line. Support channels are community and documentation, which may be a mismatch for organizations that require a vendor-provided support channel. Rocky Linux is a sensible choice for those who value a free, RHEL-compatible OS and can manage updates through its published channels; teams needing a different support arrangement should consider alternatives.
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Rocky Linux pricing
Rocky Linux fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| License model | Not verified |
| Architecture support | Not verified |
| Management interface | Not verified |
| Long-term support | Not verified |
| Live kernel patching | Not verified |
| Container tooling | Not verified |
| Commercial support | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | rockylinux.org |
| Facts checked | 23 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Rocky Linux
- Ubuntu ServerFree, multi-architecture Linux with five years of LTS maintenance and optional Pro services.9.4
- DebianA stable, broadly compatible server OS with APT, security updates and cloud images.9.3
- AlmaLinux OSA free RHEL-compatible Linux distribution for servers, cloud, containers and more.9.2
See all Rocky Linux alternatives →
Rocky Linux vs the competition
- Rocky Linux vs Ubuntu Server
- Rocky Linux vs Debian
- Rocky Linux vs AlmaLinux OS
- Rocky Linux vs SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
- Rocky Linux vs Amazon Linux
- Rocky Linux vs CentOS Stream
Compare Rocky Linux with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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