When it comes to choosing a Linux distribution for your servers, two names keep coming up: AlmaLinux (the RHEL-compatible successor to CentOS) and Ubuntu Server (the most popular Linux distribution worldwide). Both are excellent — but they target different philosophies, ecosystems, and use cases.
In this guide, we compare them across every dimension that matters for production infrastructure.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | AlmaLinux | Ubuntu Server |
|---|---|---|
| Based On | RHEL (1:1 compatible) | Debian |
| Current Version (2026) | AlmaLinux 9.x | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS / 26.04 LTS |
| Package Manager | DNF / RPM | APT / DEB |
| Release Cycle | Follows RHEL (every 3 years) | LTS every 2 years + interim |
| Support Lifecycle | 10 years | 5 years (10 with ESM/Pro) |
| Default Firewall | firewalld | ufw (iptables/nftables) |
| SELinux / AppArmor | SELinux (enforcing by default) | AppArmor (enabled by default) |
| Init System | systemd | systemd |
| Default Shell | bash | bash (dash for scripts) |
| Container Runtime | Podman (rootless by default) | Docker (official repo) |
| Cloud Images | AWS, Azure, GCP, OpenStack | All major clouds + most VPS |
| Package Count | ~6,000 (BaseOS + AppStream) | ~60,000+ (Universe) |
| Software Freshness | Conservative | Newer packages |
| Enterprise Compatibility | Full RHEL compatibility | Canonical enterprise support |
| Community Size | Growing (CentOS migration) | Massive (largest Linux community) |
| Best For | Enterprise, RHEL shops, hosting | Cloud, DevOps, general purpose |
AlmaLinux — The Enterprise-Grade RHEL Clone
Best for: Enterprise environments, web hosting companies, RHEL-certified software, cPanel/WHM servers, organizations migrating from CentOS, and environments requiring 10-year support cycles.
AlmaLinux was born in 2021 after Red Hat killed CentOS Linux as a downstream RHEL rebuild. Created by CloudLinux (a major hosting-focused company), AlmaLinux quickly became the most popular CentOS replacement. It’s binary-compatible with RHEL, meaning any software certified for RHEL works on AlmaLinux without modification.
Key Strengths:
- 1:1 RHEL compatible — Run RHEL-certified software, pass RHEL compliance audits, use RHEL documentation and training
- 10-year lifecycle — AlmaLinux 9 is supported until 2032. No forced upgrades for a decade
- Rock-solid stability — Packages are thoroughly tested before release. Zero surprises in production
- SELinux by default — Mandatory Access Control enforced out of the box. Superior security posture
- Podman (rootless containers) — Run containers without root privileges. No Docker daemon dependency
- FIPS 140-3 compliance — Cryptographic module validation for government and regulated industries
- cPanel/WHM support — Official support from the most popular hosting control panel
- RHCSA/RHCE exam practice — Perfect environment to prepare for Red Hat certifications
Limitations:
- Older package versions compared to Ubuntu (prioritizes stability over freshness)
- Smaller package repository (~6,000 vs Ubuntu’s ~60,000)
- Fewer tutorials and community resources than Ubuntu
- EPEL needed for many common packages
- SELinux can be challenging for beginners
Recommended AlmaLinux Books:
- AlmaLinux for Beginners — €12.90
- AlmaLinux Hosting Mastery — €12.90
- AlmaLinux 9 for Web Hosting Beginners — €13.90
- Secure Web Hosting with AlmaLinux 9 — €13.90
- SELinux & AppArmor Guide — €16.90
Ubuntu Server — The World’s Most Popular Linux
Best for: Cloud deployments, DevOps/CI-CD pipelines, containerized workloads, development environments, startups, and teams that want the largest package selection and community support.
Ubuntu is the most deployed Linux distribution on public clouds and the most used Linux distro overall. Backed by Canonical, it offers a balance of stability and modernity that appeals to both beginners and experienced sysadmins. Its LTS releases provide 5 years of free support, extendable to 10 years with Ubuntu Pro.
Key Strengths:
- Largest package repository — Over 60,000 packages available. If it exists for Linux, it’s in the Ubuntu repos
- Freshest packages — LTS ships with newer software versions than AlmaLinux. Interim releases are even more current
- Cloud dominance — Default image on AWS, GCP, Azure, DigitalOcean, Linode, Hetzner, and virtually every VPS provider
- Snap packages — Sandboxed, auto-updating applications. Controversial but convenient for some workloads
- Massive community — The most tutorials, Stack Overflow answers, and community forums of any Linux distro
- Ubuntu Pro — Free for up to 5 machines. Extends security updates to 10 years and covers Universe packages
- Livepatch — Kernel security patches without reboot. Critical for high-availability servers
- Developer-friendly — First-class support for Docker, Kubernetes, Python, Node.js, Go, and modern development tools
Limitations:
- Snap packages can be controversial (auto-updates, performance overhead, confinement issues)
- Not RHEL-compatible — can’t run RHEL-certified software directly
- AppArmor is less granular than SELinux for advanced MAC policies
- Canonical’s business decisions sometimes conflict with community expectations
- Full 10-year support requires Ubuntu Pro subscription (free for 5 machines)
Recommended Ubuntu Books:
- Ubuntu Server Administration — €12.90
- Ubuntu Desktop for Windows Users — €9.90
- Debian Linux for Absolute Beginners — €17.90
- Debian System Administration — €12.90
- Linux Security Hardening — €14.90
Package Management Comparison
| Task | AlmaLinux (DNF) | Ubuntu (APT) |
|---|---|---|
| Update package list | dnf check-update | apt update |
| Install package | dnf install nginx | apt install nginx |
| Remove package | dnf remove nginx | apt remove nginx |
| Upgrade all | dnf upgrade | apt upgrade |
| Search package | dnf search keyword | apt search keyword |
| Package info | dnf info nginx | apt show nginx |
| List installed | dnf list installed | dpkg -l |
| Auto-remove unused | dnf autoremove | apt autoremove |
| Add 3rd-party repo | dnf config-manager --add-repo | add-apt-repository |
Security Comparison
| Security Feature | AlmaLinux | Ubuntu Server |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory Access Control | SELinux (enforcing) | AppArmor (enabled) |
| Firewall | firewalld (zone-based) | ufw (simplified iptables) |
| Security Updates | dnf-automatic / ERRATA | unattended-upgrades |
| FIPS 140-3 | Available | Available (Pro) |
| Kernel Livepatch | kpatch (limited) | Livepatch (Pro) |
| CVE Response Time | Follows RHEL (fast) | Canonical security team (fast) |
| Crypto Policies | System-wide crypto-policies | Per-application config |
Real-World Use Cases
Choose AlmaLinux if:
- You’re running a web hosting business with cPanel/WHM or Plesk
- You need RHEL compatibility for enterprise software (SAP, Oracle, IBM)
- You want 10-year support without any subscription
- Your team has RHEL/CentOS experience
- You need SELinux for strict security compliance
- You’re preparing for RHCSA/RHCE certifications
- You’re migrating from CentOS 7 or 8
Choose Ubuntu Server if:
- You’re deploying on public clouds (AWS, GCP, Azure, DigitalOcean)
- You need the latest software versions without manual compilation
- You’re running Docker/Kubernetes workloads
- You want the largest community and most tutorials
- You’re building CI/CD pipelines and DevOps infrastructure
- You need AI/ML workloads (best NVIDIA driver and CUDA support)
- You’re a beginner setting up your first Linux server
Web Hosting Performance
For web hosting workloads (PHP + Nginx/Apache + MySQL/PostgreSQL), both distros perform nearly identically. The difference comes from configuration and tuning, not the distro itself:
| Hosting Metric | AlmaLinux 9 | Ubuntu 24.04 |
|---|---|---|
| PHP 8.3 (req/s) | ~2,800 | ~2,850 |
| Nginx static files | ~45,000 req/s | ~45,500 req/s |
| Memory Usage (idle) | ~180 MB | ~210 MB |
| Boot Time | ~8s | ~10s |
| Disk Footprint | ~1.2 GB | ~2.5 GB |
Note: Performance differences are negligible. Choose based on ecosystem fit, not benchmarks.
Sysadmin Salary by Distro Expertise (EU, 2026)
| Level | AlmaLinux / RHEL | Ubuntu / Debian |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Sysadmin | €32,000 - €42,000 | €30,000 - €40,000 |
| Mid-Level Sysadmin | €45,000 - €62,000 | €42,000 - €58,000 |
| Senior Sysadmin | €65,000 - €90,000 | €58,000 - €82,000 |
| With RHCSA/RHCE cert | +15-25% premium | N/A (no equivalent cert) |
RHEL/AlmaLinux expertise commands slightly higher salaries due to enterprise demand and RHCSA/RHCE certification premiums.
Migration Paths
CentOS 7/8 → AlmaLinux: Near-seamless. Use almalinux-deploy script. Same packages, same configs. Takes ~30 minutes per server.
Ubuntu → AlmaLinux: Full migration required. Different package manager, different config paths, different firewall tools. Plan 2-4 hours per server.
AlmaLinux → Ubuntu: Same effort as above. Requires relearning APT, ufw, AppArmor, and Debian-style config file locations.
Further Reading on Dargslan
- Ubuntu Server vs Debian: Which Linux Distribution Should You Choose?
- Mastering Midnight Commander on AlmaLinux
- Linux Server Hardening: The Complete Security Checklist
- How to Set Up a Production-Ready Linux Web Server
- Book of the Week: Linux Security Hardening
- RHCSA vs LFCS vs LPIC: Which Linux Certification Should You Get?
Final Verdict
Running a hosting business? Go with AlmaLinux — cPanel support, 10-year lifecycle, RHEL compatibility, and rock-solid stability for production servers.
Building for the cloud? Go with Ubuntu Server — largest community, freshest packages, best cloud support, and the most DevOps tooling available.
Not sure? If your employer uses RHEL, go AlmaLinux. If you’re starting fresh or deploying on cloud VPS, go Ubuntu. Both are excellent choices — you can’t go wrong.
