Best Linux Server Distro
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 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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Features:
- Easy to set up as a primary server.
- Provides a more stable server environment.
- Ensures high-integrity systems
- Compatible for power users.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Features:
- Provides stellar server operating system
- Offers the best Datacenters with OpenStack
- Provides Enhanced home server.
- Supported Oracle flexible theme containing an Oracle GUI.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.