Top 7 CentOS 8 Alternatives for 2025: Choose the Best Server OS

Preface

CentOS 8 Linux reached end‑of‑life at the end of 2021 and is no longer community‑supported. Its rolling‑release successor, CentOS Stream, serves as an upstream branch of RHEL, continuously addressing vulnerabilities to keep the upstream version stable and secure.

If you are still using CentOS 8, what alternatives are available in 2025? Migrating server applications can be challenging, but several options can replace CentOS.

Best Alternatives to CentOS 8 Linux

1. AlmaLinux

AlmaLinux is based on the CentOS operating system and is primarily used by hosting providers and VPS users.

It aims to provide a free, open‑source, community‑driven, 1:1 binary‑compatible RHEL® 8 branch (and future versions), with a dedicated community governance model.

AlmaLinux 9.5 is currently released, offering enterprise‑grade features, development tools, and enhanced security.

2. Ubuntu/Debian

Ubuntu LTS versions are the first choice when looking for a CentOS replacement. Ubuntu’s package manager (APT) installs packages quickly, and its large community provides extensive tutorials and guides.

The current LTS release is 22.04, supported publicly until 2025, with optional paid extensions to 2030.

Ubuntu releases an LTS version every two years, while standard releases appear every six months with nine‑month support.

3. Oracle Linux

Oracle Enterprise Linux is the closest RPM‑based alternative to CentOS 8. It is free and open‑source, but paid support is required for official assistance.

Compiled from RHEL source code, it offers early security updates and allows seamless migration of applications from CentOS 8.

4. openSUSE

openSUSE is a versatile Linux distribution that receives less community attention than Ubuntu or CentOS but is backed by SUSE Software Solutions Germany GmbH.

It uses Delta RPM and the ZYpp package manager (with YaST as a front‑end) and follows a release cycle similar to Ubuntu.

5. Rocky Linux

Rocky Linux was created by CentOS co‑founder Gregory Kurtzer as a 100% binary‑compatible RHEL clone.

Provides regular updates and a ten‑year support lifecycle, all for free.

Strong community backing from sponsors and partners.

Easy migration with provided scripts.

6. VzLinux

Virtuozzo uses VzLinux internally for containers and VMs; it is based on Red Hat Linux like Alma and Rocky.

VzLinux is a free, multi‑purpose distribution optimized for bare‑metal servers, virtual machines, or containers, supporting enterprise‑grade workloads and offering a “no‑downtime” migration path from CentOS.

Interested users can download the ISO from Virtuozzo’s official page.

7. Springdale Linux

Formerly PUIAS Linux, Springdale Linux is built from RHEL source packages and includes additional repositories maintained by the University of Illinois and Princeton University.

It offers a stable alternative for administrators needing reliable updates without the issues faced by CentOS.

Conclusion

If you are on Amazon Cloud, Amazon Linux is available, and GCP offers all major options. Since CentOS 7 reaches end‑of‑life in 2024, it is urgent to find and switch to a suitable replacement, especially for servers.

In the next four years, more reliable choices will emerge. Users of older CentOS 6 can consider Ubuntu, Debian, Oracle, or openSUSE. Desktop users can simply migrate CentOS 8 repositories to AlmaLinux for regular updates.