AlmaLinux vs CentOS: Which One Should You Choose for Your Linux Server?

Well now, if you’re here lookin’ to figure out what’s what with AlmaLinux and CentOS, you come to the right place. I’m gonna tell ya straight what I know, so listen close, alright? Now, you might be wonderin’, “Why the fuss ’bout these two?” Well, it’s all ’cause of a big ol’ change in the world of Linux, and it’s all about CentOS. Y’know, that ol’ familiar friend that lots of folks used before. But, now it’s goin’ away, or at least it’s changin’. So, let’s break it down simple-like.

What’s AlmaLinux then?

AlmaLinux, that’s a new fella on the block, ’cause CentOS, well, it ain’t what it used to be. CentOS used to be the free alternative to Red Hat, right? You could use it for all kinds of things without spendin’ a dime. But in 2020, Red Hat, the big boss of CentOS, decided they was gonna change things up and stop the regular CentOS you knew. Instead, they came up with CentOS Stream. Now, that Stream thing is more like a preview of what’s comin’ in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), and it ain’t as stable as the old CentOS.

Why do we care about AlmaLinux?

Well, AlmaLinux was made to fix that mess. It’s a free alternative that gives ya the stability that CentOS used to have, but with a bit of a twist. AlmaLinux is based off RHEL, just like CentOS was. Only difference is, AlmaLinux don’t mess around with all those new updates comin’ in CentOS Stream. It sticks to what’s tried and true, what works. So, if you was usin’ CentOS before and you don’t want no surprises, AlmaLinux might be your new best friend.

How is AlmaLinux different from CentOS Stream?

Now, you might be askin’, “What’s the difference between AlmaLinux and CentOS Stream?” Well, let me tell ya. CentOS Stream, like I said, is more of a test run for future Red Hat updates. It’s like a sneak peek. Some folks might like that, but if you’re the type who likes things steady and reliable, like the good ol’ days of CentOS, then AlmaLinux is what you want. AlmaLinux sticks close to the RHEL release schedule, so you ain’t gonna get surprises too soon. Everything’s stable and solid.

Is AlmaLinux really free?

Yep, sure as eggs is eggs, AlmaLinux is free. And it’s open source too, just like CentOS was. So, if you ain’t got no money to spend on fancy software, you can get AlmaLinux and use it for whatever ya need, no cost. That’s why so many folks are flockin’ to it. It’s like gettin’ the good stuff without payin’ a cent, which is always nice, ain’t it?

What about the community?

Now, if you’re thinkin’ AlmaLinux ain’t got a good community like CentOS did, you’re wrong there. AlmaLinux has built a strong one. The folks behind it have made sure there’s good support, and if you run into trouble, you’ll find folks ready to help out. They even got a fancy website where you can ask questions and find answers. It’s like a big ol’ neighborly chat where everyone’s willin’ to lend a hand. Ain’t that the way it should be?

AlmaLinux and CentOS Stream – Which one to choose?

So, if you’re stuck between choosin’ AlmaLinux or CentOS Stream, I’ll tell ya this: if you want something that works steady like the ol’ CentOS, go with AlmaLinux. It’s got your back, just like CentOS used to. But if you’re the adventurous type, who don’t mind seein’ what’s comin’ up next, and you can handle a bit of instability, maybe give CentOS Stream a go. But remember, it’s like jumpin’ into a river—you don’t always know what’s downstream!

What else should you know ’bout AlmaLinux?

• It’s backed by a solid team and community.
• It’s got long-term support, so you don’t gotta worry ’bout it disappearin’ any time soon.
• It works real well with RHEL-compatible software, so ya know it’s good for business.

In the end, it’s all ’bout what you need. If you miss the old CentOS and want somethin’ that works like it, AlmaLinux’s your go-to. Ain’t no need to worry, it’s here to stay and it’ll get ya where you need to go. So, give it a try, I reckon you won’t be disappointed!

Tags：[AlmaLinux, CentOS, Linux, RHEL, CentOS Stream, Open Source, Stable Linux, Linux Alternatives]