CentOS Alternatives

CentOS is described as 'community-supported, free and open source operating system based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It exists to provide a free enterprise class computing platform and strives to maintain 100% binary compatibility with its upstream distribution' and is a very popular operating system in the os & utilities category. There are more than 100 alternatives to CentOS for a variety of platforms, including Linux, BSD, Self-Hosted solutions, Windows and Mac. The best alternative is Ubuntu, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like CentOS are Debian, Arch Linux, Fedora and Tails.

CentOS alternatives are mainly Operating Systems but may also be Linux Distros. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of CentOS.

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CentOS

145

Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux

CentOS is a community-supported, free and open source operating system based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It exists to...

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Ubuntu
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No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
Ubuntu
200 alternatives to Ubuntu
Ubuntu is a community developed, Linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need - a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more.
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Ubuntu Features
1. Support for scriptingUbuntu supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
2. PortableUbuntu can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. LightweightUbuntu consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsUbuntu can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Linux-based
Customizable
Based on Debian
User friendly
APT package manager
Support for Unicode
OTA Updates
Kde support
KDE
X server
Ubuntu vs CentOS opinions
Some users think Ubuntu is a great alternative to CentOS, some don't.
Guest
Both are Linux based operating systems with package management tools.
Positive comment•
1

Guest
It's close, but not close enough
Negative comment•
5
Debian
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Windows
Linux
Windows S
BSD
Self-Hosted
229 alternatives to Debian
The Debian Project is an association of individuals who have made common cause to create a free operating system. This operating system that we have created is called Debian.
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Debian Features
1. Rolling ReleaseDebian supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. No TrackingDebian will not track you or use your personal data.
3. LightweightDebian consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Privacy focusedDebian is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Ad-freeDebian doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Customizable
Low memory usage
Package Control
Based on Debian
Debian vs CentOS opinions
Arch Linux
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
215 alternatives to Arch Linux
Arch Linux is an independently developed, i686- and x86_64-optimised GNU/Linux distribution targeted at competent Linux users. It uses pacman, its home-grown package manager, to provide updates to the latest software applications with full dependency tracking.
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Arch Linux Features
1. Rolling ReleaseArch Linux supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. LightweightArch Linux consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. No TrackingArch Linux will not track you or use your personal data.
4. Ad-freeArch Linux doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. Privacy focusedArch Linux is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Customizable
Arch User Repository
Wiki documentation
Minimalistic
Community-based
Bleeding edge
Linux-based
FOSS
Package Control
ARM support
Arch Linux vs CentOS opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
make_void
ArchLinux is rolling bleeding-edge distro, when CentOS and CentOS Stream are rock stable.
Negative comment•
0
Fedora
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Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
221 alternatives to Fedora
Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.
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Fedora Features
1. No TrackingFedora will not track you or use your personal data.
2. Privacy focusedFedora is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeFedora doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Rolling ReleaseFedora supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
5. LightweightFedora consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Out Of The Box
Linux-based
Customizable
Wayland Support
Unix-like
Multiple languages
Support for BTRFS
FOSS
Separated workspaces
Key rebinding
Tails
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
Electrum
Tor Browser Bundle
GNOME
Tor
VeraCrypt
Thunderbird
116 alternatives to Tails
The Amnesic Incognito Live System (Tails) is a Debian 9 based live CD/USB with the goal of providing complete Internet anonymity for the user. The product ships with several Internet applications, including web browser, IRC client, mail client...
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Tails Features
1. Privacy focusedTails is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
2. No TrackingTails will not track you or use your personal data.
3. Ad-freeTails doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. LightweightTails consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
5. PGP EncryptionTails supports PGP, an encryption system used for sending encrypted emails and files.
6. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Tails without registration.
Tor
Booting from USB
Online Anonymity
Security focused
Based on Debian
Compatible with TrueCrypt
Support for TOR
RAM Scraping Protection
Lock screen controls
Cold Boot Protection
elementary OS
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
228 alternatives to elementary OS
elementary OS is a free, fast and aesthetically pleasing operating system based on Ubuntu .
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elementary OS Features
1. Lightweightelementary OS consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Distraction-freeelementary OS has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
macOS-like
Based on Ubuntu
Debian package compatible
Configurable
Flatpak
App center
Consistent UI
Out Of The Box
Unix kernel
openSUSE
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
218 alternatives to openSUSE
openSUSE is a free and Linux-based operating system for your PC, Laptop or Server.
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openSUSE Features
1. Rolling ReleaseopenSUSE supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. Ad-freeopenSUSE doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. No TrackingopenSUSE will not track you or use your personal data.
4. Privacy focusedopenSUSE is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Kde support
Customizable
User friendly
Linux-based
Community-based
Pop!_OS
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Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
218 alternatives to Pop!_OS
Pop!_OS is an operating system for STEM and creative professionals who use their computer as a tool to discover and create. Unleash your potential on secure, reliable open source software. Based on your exceptional curiosity, we sense you have a lot of it.
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Pop!_OS Features
1. Ad-freePop!_OS doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Privacy focusedPop!_OS is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. No TrackingPop!_OS will not track you or use your personal data.
Customizable
Based on Ubuntu
User friendly
Linux-based
Automatic window tiling
Content creators
Configurable
ReactOS
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Windows
FreeDOS
191 alternatives to ReactOS
ReactOS™ is an Open Source effort to develop a quality operating system that is compatible with applications and drivers written for the Microsoft® Windows™ NT family of operating systems (NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Seven).
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ReactOS Features
1. LightweightReactOS consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Windows XP Compatibility
Run Windows software
Nt kernel
Windows-like
Support for BTRFS
Community-based
Qubes OS
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
Fedora
Xen
207 alternatives to Qubes OS
Qubes is an open source operating system designed to provide strong security for desktop computing.
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Qubes OS Features
1. Container VirtualizationQubes OS can make use of isolated user spaces called "containers" to run applications.
2. Privacy focusedQubes OS is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Command line interfaceQubes OS either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
4. Rolling ReleaseQubes OS supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
5. Dark ModeQubes OS supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. LightweightQubes OS consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
7. No TrackingQubes OS will not track you or use your personal data.
8. Two-factor AuthenticationQubes OS supports two-factor authentication (2FA).
9. PortableQubes OS can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Security focused
Software Compartmentalization
Domain isolation
Tor
Customizable
No registration required
Linux-based
Hypervisor
Based on Fedora
Ad-free