CentOS AlternativesOperating Systems and other similar apps like CentOS

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, Windows, Self-Hosted, Raspberry Pi and Ubuntu apps. The best CentOS alternative is Linux Mint, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like CentOS are Ubuntu, Arch Linux, Manjaro Linux and elementary OS.

CentOS iconCentOS
  147
  • ...

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

More about CentOS
More about CentOS
CentOS alternatives page was last updated Jan 16, 2024
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
  1. Linux Mint icon

    Linux Mint

     1120 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Elegant Linux desktop OS based on Ubuntu and Debian, featuring unique menus, web-based package installation, full multimedia codecs, browser plugins, custom configuration tools, community feedback, robust updates, and approximately 30,000 available packages.

    176 Linux Mint alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • IE flagIreland
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Linux Mint screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  User friendly
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Windows-like
    2.  Based on Ubuntu
    3.  Support for Nvidia drivers
    4.  Cinnamon Desktop
    5.  Debian package compatible
    6.  Linux-based
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Out Of The Box
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Community-based
    12.  Built-in File Manager

    Linux Mint VS CentOS

     

    • Linux Mint is the most popular Linux alternative to CentOS.

    • Linux Mint is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to CentOS.

    • Linux Mint is Free and Open SourceCentOS is also Free and Open Source
    • Linux Mint is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedCentOS is not according to our users
  2. Ubuntu icon

    Ubuntu

     2347 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    160 Ubuntu alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Ubuntu
    Ubuntu 24.04 with Gnome 46

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  User friendly
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Linux-based
    2.  Based on Debian
    3.  APT package manager
    4.  Support for Unicode
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Support for .deb files
    7.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    8.  Kde support
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  OTA Updates
    12.  Debian package compatible

    Ubuntu VS CentOS

     
    Comments about Ubuntu as an Alternative to CentOS
    Guest
    Negative Feb 23, 2019
    5

    It's close, but not close enough

    Guest
    Positive Aug 12, 2019
    1

    Both are Linux based operating systems with package management tools.

    CentOS Icon
    Ubuntu icon

    • Most users think Ubuntu is a great CentOS alternative.

    • Ubuntu is Free and Open SourceCentOS is also Free and Open Source
    • Ubuntu is Customizable and LightweightCentOS is not according to our users
  4. Arch Linux icon

    Arch Linux

     764 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Arch Linux is an independently developed, x86_64 optimized 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.

    191 Arch Linux alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CA flagCanada

    Platforms

    • Linux
    arch with KDE 4.4 desktop

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Minimalistic
    4.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Rolling Release
    2.  Arch User Repository
    3.  Wiki documentation
    4.  Community-based
    5.  Linux-based
    6.  Bleeding edge
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Command line interface
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Package Control
    12.  Works Offline

    Arch Linux VS CentOS

     
    Comments about Arch Linux as an Alternative to CentOS
    make_void
    Negative May 5, 2022
    0

    ArchLinux is rolling bleeding-edge distro, when CentOS and CentOS Stream are rock stable.

    CentOS Icon
    Arch Linux icon

    • Most users think Arch Linux is a great CentOS alternative.

    • Arch Linux is Free and Open SourceCentOS is also Free and Open Source
    • Arch Linux is Customizable, Lightweight, Minimalistic and Privacy focusedCentOS is not according to our users
  5. Manjaro Linux icon

    Manjaro Linux

     326 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Manjaro is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on the independently developed Arch operating system. Within the Linux community, Arch itself is renowned for being an exceptionally fast, powerful, and lightweight distribution that provides access to the very latest cutting...

    173 Manjaro Linux alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    Manjaro 19.0 Kyria (Xfce)

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  User friendly
    4.  Clean design
    5.  Configurable

    Features

    1.  Rolling Release
    2.  Based on Arch Linux
    3.  Arch User Repository
    4.  Community-based
    5.  Linux-based
    6.  Simple installation
    7.  Out Of The Box
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  Support for Nvidia drivers
    10.  Live booting from usb
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Wiki documentation

    Manjaro Linux VS CentOS

     
  6. elementary OS icon

    elementary OS

     347 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    elementary OS is a free, fast and aesthetically pleasing operating system based on Ubuntu .

    193 elementary OS alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Boot Screen

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Configurable
    3.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  macOS-like
    2.  Based on Ubuntu
    3.  Debian package compatible
    4.  Flatpak
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Consistent UI
    7.  Out Of The Box
    8.  App center
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Works Offline

    elementary OS VS CentOS

     
  7. Windows 10 icon

    Windows 10

     412 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Versatile OS with universal app architecture, free first-year offer for Windows 7 and 8.1 users, redesigned mouse-touch UI, virtual desktop, Microsoft Edge, upgraded security, and enhanced graphics for gaming, supporting fingerprint and face recognition login.

    177 Windows 10 alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Windows 10 screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    After October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will no longer receive free software updates, technical support, or security fixes. Microsoft suggests to upgrade to Windows 11 icon Windows 11 : https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2024/10/31/how-to-prepare-for-windows-10-end-of-support-by-moving-to-windows-11-today/

    Windows 10 Features

    1.  Auto Update
    2.  Usability
    3.  PowerShell Scripting
    4. Microsoft OneDrive icon  Onedrive integration
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Tablet support
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Xbox Streaming
    10.  Binary packages

    Windows 10 VS CentOS

     

    • This alternative is disputed. Windows 10 is a legitimate CentOS alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Windows 10 is the most popular Windows alternative to CentOS.

    • Windows 10 is the most popular commercial alternative to CentOS.

    • Windows 10 is Paid and ProprietaryCentOS is Free and Open Source
  9. Kubuntu icon

    Kubuntu

     276 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Kubuntu is an official "flavor" of Ubuntu that uses the KDE Plasma desktop environment. This gives it a completely different look and feel.

    195 Kubuntu alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Kubuntu 19.10 "Eoan Ermine"

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  User friendly
    4.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Based on Ubuntu
    2.  KDE
    3.  Based on Debian
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Rolling Release
    7.  Desktop Application

    Kubuntu VS CentOS

     
  10. Zorin OS icon

    Zorin OS

     124 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Zorin OS is an easy to use, Linux-based operating system designed to make your computer faster, more powerful and secure.

    179 Zorin OS alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • IE flagIreland
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Windows 10 layout

    Properties

    1.  User friendly
    2.  Intuitive Interface
    3.  Customizable
    4.  Lightweight
    5.  Gaming-focused
    6.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Windows like desktop
    2.  Linux-based
    3.  Windows-like
    4.  Out Of The Box
    5.  Run Windows software
    6.  Printer compatibility
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Based on Ubuntu
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Debian package compatible
    11.  No Tracking
    12.  Works Offline

    Zorin OS VS CentOS

     
  11. Xubuntu icon

    Xubuntu

     290 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Xubuntu comes with Xfce, which is a stable, light and configurable desktop environment. It is based on Ubuntu Debian Linux.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Xubuntu 19.10

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Based on Ubuntu
    2.  XFCE support
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Based on Debian
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  No Tracking

    Xubuntu VS CentOS

     
  12. NixOS icon

    NixOS

     56 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    NixOS is a GNU/Linux distribution that aims to improve the state of the art in system configuration management. In existing distributions, actions such as upgrades are dangerous: upgrading a package can cause other packages to break, upgrading an entire system is much less...

    183 NixOS alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    NixOS screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Configurable
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Rolling Release
    3.  Portable
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Unix-like
    6.  Linux-based

    NixOS VS CentOS

     

    • NixOS is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to CentOS.

    • NixOS is Free and Open SourceCentOS is also Free and Open Source
    • NixOS is Lightweight and Privacy focusedCentOS is not according to our users
10 of 141 CentOS alternatives