Free enterprise linux distributions

Free enterprise linux distributions

This page lists the GNU/Linux distributions that are entirely free as in freedom. Non-GNU-based free system distributions are listed separately.

The Free Software Foundation recommends and endorses these GNU/Linux distros, although we do not try to judge or compare them based on any criterion other than freedom; therefore, we list them in alphabetical order.

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These distros are ready-to-use full systems whose developers have made a commitment to follow the Free System Distribution Guidelines. This means they will include, and propose, exclusively free software. They will reject nonfree applications, nonfree programming platforms, nonfree drivers, nonfree firmware “blobs”, nonfree games, and any other nonfree software, as well as nonfree manuals or documentation.

If one of these distros ever does include or propose anything nonfree, that must have happened by mistake, and the developers are committed to removing it. If you find nonfree software or documentation in one of these distributions, you can report the problem, and earn GNU Bucks, while we inform the developers so they can fix the problem.

Fixing freedom bugs is an ethical requirement for listing a distro here; therefore, we list only distros with a development team that has told us it will remove any nonfree software that might be found in them. Usually the team consists of volunteers, and they don’t make legally binding commitments to users; but if we find out a distro is not properly maintained, we will de-list it.

We hope the other existing GNU/Linux distributions will become entirely free software so that we can list them here. If you wish to improve the state of free distros, helping to develop an existing free distro contributes more than starting a new one.

Please note that not all hardware works in the free world; each distro’s site should say which hardware it supports. We suggest that, after reading the short descriptions below, you consult these sites as well as other available information, to judge which distro is most convenient for you.

This page is maintained by the Free Software Foundation’s Licensing and Compliance Lab. You can support our efforts by making a donation to the FSF. Have a question not answered here? Check out some of our other licensing resources or contact the Compliance Lab at licensing@fsf.org.

The Free Software Foundation is not responsible for other websites, or how up-to-date their information is.

GNU/Linux distros for PCs and workstations

The distributions that follow are installable to a computer’s hard drive and/or can be run live.

Distribution	Brief Description
	Dragora GNU/Linux-Libre, an independent GNU/Linux distribution based on concepts of simplicity.
	Dyne:bolic, a GNU/Linux distribution with special emphasis on audio and video editing. This is a “static” distro, normally run from a live CD. Since it will not receive security updates, it should be used offline.
	Guix System, an advanced GNU/Linux distro built on top of GNU Guix (pronounced “geeks”), a purely functional package manager for the GNU system.
	Hyperbola GNU/Linux-libre, a long-term support simplicity-focused distribution based on Arch GNU/Linux.
	Parabola GNU/Linux-libre, a distribution based on Arch that prioritizes simple package and system management.
	PureOS, a GNU distribution based on Debian with a focus on privacy, security, and convenience.
	Trisquel, a GNU/Linux distribution based on Ubuntu that’s oriented toward small enterprises, domestic users and educational centers.
	Ututo S, a GNU/Linux 100% free distribution. It was the first fully free GNU/Linux system recognized by the GNU Project.

Small GNU/Linux distros

Below is a list of small system distributions. These distributions are meant for devices with limited resources, like a wireless router for example. A free small system distribution is not self-hosting, but it must be developable and buildable on top of one of the free complete systems listed above, perhaps with the aid of free tools distributed alongside the small system distribution itself.

Distribution	Brief Description
	libreCMC is an embedded GNU/Linux distro for devices with very limited resources. While primarily targeting routers, it offers support for a wide range of devices and use cases. In 2015, LibreWRT merged with libreCMC.
	ProteanOS is a new, small, and fast distribution for embedded devices. Its platform configuration feature allows binary packages to be configured at build-time and run-time for different hardware and use cases.

How to get free GNU/Linux distros

In addition to their own sites, many of these distributions are available from mirror.fsf.org. Feel free to download or mirror the distributions from there, preferably using rsync. Free distribution maintainers can request a mirror for their project by mailing the FSF sysadmins.

Individual GNU packages (most of which are included in the free distributions here) are described separately.

See something we missed?

Do you know about a distribution that you expected to find on our list, but didn’t? First, check our page about why we don’t endorse some common distributions. That page explains the reasons why several well-known distributions don’t meet our guidelines. If the distribution isn’t listed there either, and you think it qualifies for a listing under our guidelines, then please let the distribution’s maintainers know about this page and encourage them to get in touch—we’d like to hear from them.

If you maintain a distribution that follows the Free System Distribution Guidelines and would like to be listed here, please write to with an introduction and a link to the project Web site. When you do, we’ll explain more about our evaluation process to you, and get started on it quickly. We look forward to hearing from you!

Historical

The distributions that follow were previously listed above, but are no longer recommended.

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The Best RedHat-based Linux Distributions

Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a hugely popular enterprise-level operating system that supports a diverse range of open-source technologies such as Ansible automation, Hybrid Cloud, virtualization, and containerization.

In this guide, we highlight some of the most popular and widely used Linux distributions based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

1. Rocky Linux

Rocky Linux is a free and open-source fork of CentOS 8 which is completely binary compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It was developed by Rocky Linux Foundation under the stewardship of Gregory Kurtzer, one of the co-founders of the CentOS Project. The name ‘Rocky‘ is a tribute to the late CentOS co-founder Rocky McGaugh.

Rocky Linux Desktop

Rocky Linux was developed to plug the gap left by CentOS 8 after the shift in focus from CentOS project to CentOS Stream which is a rolling release. Rocky Linux will now serve as a downstream release, just as CentOS had done previously. CentOS Stream will now act as the upstream release and serve as a preview of the changes to be incorporated in future RHEL releases.

The latest stable release is Rocky Linux 8.4, codenamed ‘Green Obsidian’. This is an enterprise-ready release that was developed to offer the stability and reliability required in production workloads.

Rocky Linux 8.4 followed the release of RHEL 8.4 on May 18, 2021, and takes over from CentOS 8. You can migrate from CentOS 8 to Rocky Linux 8.4 using an automated script or install Rocky Linux 8.4 afresh on your on-premise servers.

Rocky Linux is free and completely community-supported and you can now get free community support through Rocky Linux Mattermost and from online forums.

2. AlmaLinux

AlmaLinux is yet another CentOS 8 alternative. It’s 1:1 binary compatible with RedHat Linux and was originally developed by Cloud Linux to fill in the gap left by the sudden discontinuation of CentOS 8. It’s completely free and open-source and is currently community-developed.

AlmaLinux Desktop

The latest stable release of AlmaLinux is AlmaLinux 8.4 and will enjoy support until 2029. Just like Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux focuses on providing an enterprise-grade platform that can be deployed on data centers or on the cloud for production workloads.

CloudLinux has availed a migration script that you can download from the AlmaLinux Github page to help you migrate from CentOS 8 to AlmaLinux 8.4. Alternatively, you can start from scratch and install AlmaLinux 8.4 on your production servers.

AlmaLinux has vibrant community support with community forums on Reddit, Official Community chat, and discourse community group. Additionally, you can visit the AlmaLinux Github page to access the AlmaLinux source code.

3. CentOS

Built around the Redhat architecture, CentOS is a free and open-source community-developed Linux distribution that provides an enterprise-level computing platform. Initially released in 2004, CentOS is an excellent free alternative to the enterprise RHEL operating system. It comes recommended for users or small businesses that want to set up a server for file sharing, web hosting, and other enterprise-level tasks.

CentOS Linux Distribution

While it lacks the commercial support provided by RHEL, CentOS is well-renowned for its solid stability, corporate-level security, and other benefits thanks to its binary compatibility with RHEL. As such, it makes for an excellent choice for a web server. In fact, CentOS is a preferred choice in the web hosting industry particularly due to its stability and provision of the salient WHM/cPanel control panels that allow users to manage their domains.

CentOS is mostly recommended for advanced users given its long learning curve, unlike distributions such as Ubuntu which make it easy for beginners to get around and manage their software packages. There are vibrant community support and several forums that help users in case they get stuck. However, there’s less hand-holding as it is already assumed that users are at an intermediate or advanced level. Be that as it may, desktop enthusiasts can still download and install a CentOS image that provides a GUI desktop which mostly provides the GNOME environment.

Worth mentioning is CentOS Stream which is a rolling release version of CentOS that provides the latest software packages. It’s mostly used for research and testing and not recommended for production environments due to stability issues.

The latest version of CentOS, at the time of writing this guide, is CentOS 8.2.

4. Fedora

Fedora is the upstream community distribution for RedHat Linux. It’s a general-purpose distribution developed and maintained by the Fedora Project which is Redhat sponsored. It has a massive community and is mostly used by developers as a hub for developing and testing software packages before they are made available to RHEL or CentOS.

In fact, Fedora is considered a bleeding-edge distribution since it always rolls out the latest software packages, drivers, and utilities. So if you are going to opt for Fedora, rest assured that you will end with the latest software versions.

Fedora Linux Distribution

Fedora is well known for its ease of use and customization. It comes with a simple UI and ships with out-of-the-box applications for everyday day use. This makes it a popular distribution of choice among beginners who are looking to try out a Redhat-based distribution.

Fedora also holds security as a top priority and in fact ships with SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux) which is a kernel security module that manages access rights. IT also goes a step further to include a firewall that is already enabled by default.

With a very diverse application, Fedora comes in 3 main editions: Fedora workstation for desktop and home users, Fedora Server, and Fedora IoT for IoT ecosystems such as Raspberry Pi.

The latest Fedora at the time of publishing this article is Fedora 33.

5. Oracle Linux

Oracle Linux is an enterprise-level operating system that is 100% binary compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It combines the stability and enterprise-grade security of RHEL with the flexibility and added security from Oracle’s development team to provide a formidable and robust low-cost Enterprise option.

Oracle Linux is free to download with absolutely no subscription fees and provides all security updates & patches at no cost. Perhaps the only cost involved is that of support, which is considerably lower than that of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Additionally, Oracle Linux provides more support options than RHEL. Of notable mention is the Ksplice zero downtime patching service that helps you update your system with critical updates without the need for rebooting your server.

In terms of usability, Oracle Linux is extremely easy to set up and easier to learn for users not familiar with Linux. This is because most of the required packages are preloaded by default and can be enabled during installation.

With built-in integrations and optimizations from Oracle’s team, Oracle Linux is considered the perfect choice for enterprises running Oracle systems such as Oracle databases. It also goes without saying that Oracle Linux runs Oracle Cloud.

In comparison to Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Oracle Linux provides a more flexible and secure option for enterprises using or planning to make a switch to Oracle solutions.

The latest Oracle Linux at the time of publishing this article is Oracle Linux 8.3.

6. ClearOS

A common challenge facing many small businesses is complexity in deployment. Granted, Linux has made tremendous strides with regards to providing easy-to-use and user-friendly distributions. However, it’s quite a challenge looking for a low-cost data center solution. If you are looking for a server OS that leverages an open-source model to deliver a low-cost and simplified IT experience for small businesses, then ClearOS is one of the options to turn to.

ClearOS is described as a simple, secure, and affordable operating system based on both CentOS and RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux). It provides an intuitive web-based interface and an application store with over 100 apps to select from.

ClearOS is available in 3 main editions: Home, Business, and Community Edition. The home edition is ideal for small offices. The business edition is tailored for small and medium businesses that prefer the benefit of paid support, while the community edition is absolutely free.

The latest ClearOS at the time of publishing this article is ClearOS 7.

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