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Operating Systems · head to head

AlmaLinux vs Ubuntu

AlmaLinux logo

AlmaLinux

Operating Systems

RHEL-compatible Linux from a non-profit foundation that chose interface compatibility over an exact rebuild

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ubuntu logo

Ubuntu

Operating Systems

Enterprise Linux distribution with 15-year support options.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: AlmaLinux it is deliberately not identical to RHEL, so any validation, certification or compliance process that assumes matching package contents needs re-examining before you standardise on it.; Ubuntu free version supported only by community; no official Canonical support without Pro subscription
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AlmaLinux and Ubuntu actually diverge.

Attributes where AlmaLinux and Ubuntu differ
AttributeAlmaLinuxUbuntu
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feefreemium
Platformsx86-64, x86-64-v2, ARM64, ppc64le, s390x, Cloud images, ContainersDesktop, Server, Cloud, IoT, Edge, WSL

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Operating Systems).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in AlmaLinux

  • ABI compatibility
  • x86-64-v2 build
  • ELevate
  • Restored hardware support
  • Elected governance
  • Frame pointers enabled

Only in Ubuntu

Nothing recorded that AlmaLinux does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

AlmaLinux

  • Keeping pre-2015 x86 servers in production past the point RHEL 10 will install on themnot Ubuntu
  • Hosting providers and control panel users, where CloudLinux lineage means cPanel and similar stacks are testednot Ubuntu
  • Teams that want faster security patching than a strict downstream rebuild can offernot Ubuntu
  • Migrating CentOS 7 estates in place using ELevate rather than rebuilding every machinenot Ubuntu

Ubuntu

  • Individual developers and small teams using free Ubuntu for laptops and serversnot AlmaLinux
  • Cloud and data centre deployments requiring certified, supported Linux operating systemnot AlmaLinux
  • Organisations needing FIPS-certified or DISA-STIG-hardened Linux for government and regulated environmentsnot AlmaLinux
  • AI and machine learning teams using Ubuntu Desktop with pre-optimised toolchainsnot AlmaLinux
  • IoT and edge computing deployments using Ubuntu Corenot AlmaLinux

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AlmaLinux

  • It is deliberately not identical to RHEL, so any validation, certification or compliance process that assumes matching package contents needs re-examining before you standardise on it.
  • Shipping security fixes ahead of Red Hat means running code Red Hat has not published, which some regulated buyers treat as unvalidated rather than as an advantage.
  • No ISV support contract names AlmaLinux, so escalations with database and application vendors can stop at the operating system question.
  • Funding is concentrated in CloudLinux and a few cloud sponsors, so the elected board governs a project whose engineering capacity still depends heavily on one company.
  • Divergence from RHEL accumulates across a ten-year lifecycle, and the further into a release you are, the harder it becomes to argue that a RHEL test result predicts AlmaLinux behaviour.

Ubuntu

  • Free version supported only by community; no official Canonical support without Pro subscription
  • Ubuntu Pro required for enterprise compliance certifications (FIPS, DISA-STIG); free version does not include these
  • Ubuntu Pro pricing is proprietary and varies based on cloud deployment (AWS, Azure, GCP); no published per-machine or per-user pricing
  • Ubuntu Pro + Support adds 24/7 support costs on top of base subscription; total cost for enterprise-grade support not transparent
  • Personal/free tier limited to 5 machines; any larger deployment requires paid enterprise subscription

Pricing, plan by plan

AlmaLinux

Free
  • AlmaLinuxFree
    • No subscription or registration
    • Unlimited installations
    • All architectures including x86-64-v2

Ubuntu

Free
  • Ubuntu (Free)Free
    • Desktop, Server, Core and Cloud editions
    • Community support
    • Standard security updates (5 years LTS)
  • Ubuntu Pro (Personal)Free
    • Extended Security Maintenance (10 years)
    • Kernel Livepatch
    • Landscape management
  • Ubuntu Pro (Enterprise)$undefined/variable
    • 10 years Extended Security Maintenance
    • FIPS 140, DISA-STIG, CIS compliance
    • Kernel Livepatch
  • Ubuntu Pro + Support$undefined/variable
    • All Ubuntu Pro features
    • 24/7 break-fix and bug-fix support
    • Expert assistance for infrastructure and applications

Which should you pick?

Choose AlmaLinux if

  • You need abi compatibility.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on x86-64, x86-64-v2, ARM64, ppc64le, s390x, Cloud images, Containers.
  • You also want x86-64-v2 build.
AlmaLinux review

Choose Ubuntu if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Desktop, Server, Cloud, IoT, Edge, WSL.
Ubuntu review

Questions people ask

Is AlmaLinux or Ubuntu better?
Neither clearly leads. AlmaLinux starts at Free and Ubuntu at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AlmaLinux or Ubuntu?
AlmaLinux starts at Free and Ubuntu at Free.
Does AlmaLinux or Ubuntu run on more platforms?
AlmaLinux runs on x86-64, x86-64-v2, ARM64, ppc64le, s390x, Cloud images, Containers. Ubuntu runs on Desktop, Server, Cloud, IoT, Edge, WSL.
Can I use AlmaLinux for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is AlmaLinux best used for?
AlmaLinux is most often used for keeping pre-2015 x86 servers in production past the point rhel 10 will install on them, hosting providers and control panel users, where cloudlinux lineage means cpanel and similar stacks are tested, teams that want faster security patching than a strict downstream rebuild can offer, migrating centos 7 estates in place using elevate rather than rebuilding every machine. Of those, keeping pre-2015 x86 servers in production past the point rhel 10 will install on them and hosting providers and control panel users, where cloudlinux lineage means cpanel and similar stacks are tested are not what Ubuntu is typically brought in for.
What can AlmaLinux do that Ubuntu cannot?
AlmaLinux covers ABI compatibility, x86-64-v2 build, ELevate, Restored hardware support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

AlmaLinux: What does ABI compatible mean in practice?

Binaries and kernel modules built for RHEL load and run. Package versions, patch sets and hardware support may differ. If your software only calls interfaces, you will notice nothing; if it inspects versions, you might.

Ubuntu: Is Ubuntu free?

Yes. Ubuntu is free to download and use in all editions. Community support is also available at no cost. Ubuntu Pro subscriptions are optional and provide extended support and compliance tools.

Source
AlmaLinux: Which should I choose between AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux?

Rocky if a third party certifies against exact RHEL package versions or you want the closest possible copy. AlmaLinux if you need older CPU support, faster patches, or a foundation with an elected board.

Ubuntu: How long is Ubuntu LTS support?

Standard Ubuntu LTS releases receive 5 years of security maintenance. Ubuntu Pro extends this to 10 years, expandable to 15 years with the Legacy add-on.

Source
AlmaLinux: Is there paid support?

Yes, but not from the foundation. CloudLinux and TuxCare sell support and extended lifecycle services, quoted rather than published.

Ubuntu: What compliance certifications does Ubuntu Pro provide?

Ubuntu Pro provides compliance tools for FIPS 140, DISA-STIG, CIS, FedRAMP and PCI-DSS standards.

Source
AlmaLinux: Can I convert an existing RHEL or CentOS machine?

Yes. almalinux-deploy converts same-version RHEL and CentOS installs, and ELevate handles major version jumps, including from CentOS 7.

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