Best Ubuntu Server Alternatives in 2026
The top Ubuntu Server alternatives are Debian, AlmaLinux OS and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server: 15 server operating system our editors would look at instead of Ubuntu Server, in our ranking order.
Ubuntu Server: Free, multi-architecture Linux with five years of LTS maintenance and optional Pro services. Where it falls short: standard LTS security maintenance lasts five years without ubuntu pro..
Switching from Ubuntu Server? For most server operating system buyers the best Ubuntu Server alternative is Debian, built for stable, broadly compatible general-purpose servers.
Why People Look for an Ubuntu Server Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallDebian9.3
Stable, broadly compatible general-purpose servers
Visit Debian - Best free optionDebian9.3
Has a free plan
Visit Debian
All 15 Ubuntu Server Alternatives, Ranked
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Best forStable, broadly compatible general-purpose servers
A stable, broadly compatible server OS with APT, security updates and cloud images.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Debian -
Best forRHEL-compatible enterprise servers without license fees
A free RHEL-compatible Linux distribution for servers, cloud, containers and more.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit AlmaLinux OS -
Best forEnterprises needing supported, managed Linux infrastructure
A supported Linux server OS with live patching, rollback, and multi-cloud deployment.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit SUSE -
Best forFree RHEL-compatible servers across cloud and edge
A free, RHEL-compatible Linux OS with deployment images for servers, cloud, and edge.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Rocky Linux -
Best forAWS-native EC2 and container workloads
A free, AWS-focused Linux distribution with controlled updates and EC2 and container images.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit AWS -
Best forRHEL-adjacent systems tracking upstream development
A free RHEL-adjacent server OS for teams that want to follow upstream development.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit CentOS Stream -
Best forAutomatically updated container-focused servers
A free, container-focused server OS with automatic updates and Ignition configuration.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Fedora CoreOS -
Best forMinimal, security-conscious servers and containers
A portable, minimal Linux base for servers and containers, with stable and edge branches.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Alpine Linux -
Best forEnterprises maintaining legacy Solaris workloads
A long-supported Unix option for enterprises maintaining Solaris applications and systems.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Oracle -
Best forOrganizations running enterprise workloads on IBM Power
AIX pairs enterprise workload capabilities with a focus on IBM Power hardware.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit IBM AIX -
Best forHighly portable Unix deployments and unusual hardware
A portable Unix-like system with broad architecture support and flexible package management.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit NetBSD -
Best forReproducible, declarative Linux development environments
Nix makes isolated, declarative builds and reproducible project environments available for free.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Nix -
Best forEdge and container systems needing support
A rollback-capable, container-focused Linux OS for self-hosted edge environments.
- Commercial support
- Long-term support
- Container tooling
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit SUSE -
Best forOracle Linux KVM virtualization administrators
A self-hosted control plane for managing Oracle Linux KVM virtualization at scale.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Oracle -
Best forOrganizations maintaining legacy HP enterprise servers
A server OS for organizations maintaining existing HP 9000 and Integrity estates.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit HPE
Ubuntu Server Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Ubuntu Server?
Debian: #2 in our Server Operating System ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A stable, broadly compatible server OS with APT, security updates and cloud images.
Is there a free alternative to Ubuntu Server?
Yes. Debian, AlmaLinux OS, Rocky Linux, Amazon Linux and CentOS Stream have a free plan or a free tier (12 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Ubuntu Server alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from Ubuntu Server?
Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your Ubuntu Server server. Create the new server with the same operating system and size, and add your SSH key. Copy the data across (rsync or your backup tool) and reinstall your apps or containers. Move the DNS records or IP references to the new server, test it, then cancel Ubuntu Server.
How to Switch from Ubuntu Server
- Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your Ubuntu Server server.
- Create the new server with the same operating system and size, and add your SSH key.
- Copy the data across (rsync or your backup tool) and reinstall your apps or containers.
- Move the DNS records or IP references to the new server, test it, then cancel Ubuntu Server.
Ubuntu Server vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ubuntu Server | Yes | $25/device/yr | 9.4 |
| 1 | Debian | Yes | Free | 9.3 |
| 2 | AlmaLinux OS | Yes | Free | 9.2 |
| 3 | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server | No | $54/unit/yr | 9.1 |
| 4 | Rocky Linux | Yes | Free | 9.0 |
| 5 | Amazon Linux | Yes | Free | 8.9 |
| 6 | CentOS Stream | Yes | Free | 8.8 |
| 7 | Fedora CoreOS | Yes | Free | 8.7 |
| 8 | Alpine Linux | Yes | Free | 8.6 |
| 9 | Oracle Solaris | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 10 | IBM AIX | No | 8.4 | |
| 11 | NetBSD | Yes | Free | 8.3 |
| 12 | Nix | Yes | Free | 8.2 |
| 13 | SUSE Linux Micro | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 14 | Oracle Linux Virtualization Manager | Free | 7.9 | |
| 15 | HP-UX | 7.9 |
Head-to-Head
- Ubuntu Server vs Debian
- Ubuntu Server vs AlmaLinux OS
- Ubuntu Server vs SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
- Ubuntu Server vs Rocky Linux
- Ubuntu Server vs Amazon Linux
- Ubuntu Server vs CentOS Stream
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update