CentOS and Ubuntu stand out as prominent operating systems in the Software Operation Market, particularly for web servers. CentOS, a Linux distribution rooted in the Linux framework, serves as a community-supported platform aligned with Red Hat Linux. On the other hand, Ubuntu, an open-source Linux distribution based on Debian, is widely recognized for its versatility, spanning from desktop environments to cloud applications, making it a preferred choice for a variety of internet-connected devices.

What is CentOS?

CentOS (Community ENTerprise Operating System) is a Linux distribution that provides a free, open-source, and community-supported computing platform. CentOS is known for its stability and reliability, and it is designed to be compatible with the corresponding upstream source, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). CentOS aims to provide a free alternative to RHEL by offering a binary-compatible distribution that can be used for various computing needs, including server environments.

CentOS is widely used for hosting web servers, and it is a popular choice for businesses and individuals seeking a robust and secure operating system. It benefits from the support of a dedicated community of developers and users who contribute to its ongoing development and maintenance.

What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is a popular and widely used open-source Linux distribution. It is based on Debian, another well-known Linux distribution, and it is developed and maintained by Canonical Ltd. Ubuntu is designed to be user-friendly, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced users. It offers both desktop and server editions, making it suitable for a range of computing environments. Ubuntu has gained popularity for its ease of use, versatility, and the strong community support surrounding it. It is used in various contexts, from personal desktops and laptops to servers and cloud infrastructure.

5 Key Differences of CentOS & Ubuntu

A notable aspect of both is their cost-free availability. You can freely download and install either distribution on an inexpensive dedicated server. Each edition can be distributed or loaded onto a USB drive, enabling you to initiate it without committing permanent modifications to your operating system. This bootable drive facilitates a trial of the system before committing to a full installation.

Now, let’s examine the distinctions between CentOS and Ubuntu based on the following criteria.

System

• CentOS is based on the source code of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It aims to provide a free, open-source alternative with binary compatibility with RHEL.
• Ubuntu, on the other hand, is based on Debian, and it has its own development path and release cycle.

Package Management

CentOS: It uses the Red Hat Package Manager (RPM) for package management. Key package management tools include:

1. yum (Yellowdog Updater Modified): yum is a package manager that automates the process of installing, updating, and removing RPM packages. It resolves dependencies and manages repositories.
2. dnf (Dandified YUM): In newer versions of CentOS (starting from CentOS 8), dnf has replaced yum as the default package manager. Dnf is a modernized and improved version of yum.

Ubuntu: It uses the Debian package management system, and the primary tool for managing packages is the Advanced Package Tool (APT). Key package management tools in Ubuntu include:

1. apt (Advanced Package Tool): The apt command is used to handle packages and supports functions such as installation, upgrading, and removal of software packages. It automatically resolves dependencies.
2. dpkg (Debian Package): While apt is the higher-level tool, dpkg is the low-level tool that handles the installation and removal of Debian package files directly.

Both package management systems are powerful and efficient, but they have different commands and workflows. Users familiar with CentOS would typically use “yum” or “dnf“, while Ubuntu users would use “apt” or “dpkg“.

Updates

Ubuntu, CentOS does not have frequent updates due to the extensive testing on each component before release. New versions are developed and tested for extended periods, which is why some developers consider it to be more stable and secure. On the other hand, this implies the operating system may be running more mature software versions than Ubuntu would. Also, the slow release cycle means a lack of access to third-party software updates. You may need to manually install third-party software or updates if they haven’t made it into the repository.

Ubuntu allows you to maintain the latest software with its frequent updates. Because of the frequent updates, Ubuntu often includes newer software into newer releases. That can be fun for playing with new options and technology, but it can also create conflicts with existing software and configurations.

Security

• In the case of CentOS, it is based on the Linux framework and thus is much more secure and goes through 3 layers of security patches. It is also less prone to web security threats.
• In the case of Ubuntu, the security patches also perform well, but sometimes due to frequent updates, it is more prone to web threats. Also, sometimes it needs to be downgraded to lower versions due to recent buggy updates.

Support

• There is a good amount of Community Support for CentOS and its end users. However, it is a bit lower than that of Ubuntu support.
• Ubuntu server has extensive community support for cloud deployments and also toward its end users, and thus it is superior to CentOS from the support perspective.

Conclusion

After comparing CentOS vs Ubuntu over a range of factors, it can be concluded that the two major operating systems simultaneously have their pros and cons while setting up the webservers for application development. Thus, based on the type of project need, time of work, and other discussed aspects, any of these two should be selected to reach the desired goal.