Which Linux distribution should you choose for your VPS?

When you order a Linux VPS, you pick a distribution, or distro: a complete Linux operating system with its own package tools, release schedule and community. Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are the most common server choices, and all four are solid. This guide compares them on what matters for a server so you can choose with confidence.

Before you start

Check two things:

• Your software's documentation. Many apps list supported distros. Control panels are strict: cPanel, for example, supports only certain distros and versions. Check the vendor's current requirements before you order.
• Your own experience. If you or your team already know one family, stay with it.

The two families

Server distros mostly come from two families:

• Debian family: Debian and Ubuntu. Packages use the .deb format and the apt tool.
• Red Hat family: AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux, both rebuilt from Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) sources. Packages use .rpm and the dnf tool.

Commands differ between families, so guides usually show both. Installing Nginx, for example:

# Ubuntu and Debian
sudo apt update && sudo apt install nginx

# AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux
sudo dnf install nginx

Ubuntu LTS

• Releases: a long-term support (LTS) release every two years, such as 22.04 and 24.04.
• Support: each LTS gets several years of free security updates, with longer coverage through Canonical's Ubuntu Pro. See what LTS means.
• Strengths: the largest pool of tutorials, recent software versions, wide support from app vendors, Docker and cloud tools.
• Good for: beginners, web apps, Docker, Node.js and Python projects, most general servers.

Always choose an LTS release for a server, not an interim release.

Debian

• Releases: a new stable version roughly every two years. Debian 12 is a common server choice.
• Support: each stable release receives security updates for several years, extended by the Debian LTS project.
• Strengths: very stable, minimal and conservative. Uses few resources. Ubuntu is built on Debian, so most Ubuntu guides apply with small changes.
• Good for: people who want a lean, predictable system and do not need the newest package versions.

AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux

• Releases: major versions follow RHEL, such as 8 and 9, with minor updates along the way.
• Support: each major version has a long lifecycle, around ten years, which suits servers you want to run for a long time without a major upgrade.
• Strengths: binary-compatible with RHEL, so software certified for RHEL usually works. Includes SELinux and firewalld by default.
• Good for: cPanel and other panels that target RHEL-based systems, enterprise software, teams used to CentOS or RHEL.

AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are very similar. Both were created after CentOS Linux ended. See AlmaLinux vs Rocky Linux if you need to pick between them.

Quick decision guide

• New to Linux? Ubuntu LTS.
• Want lean and stable? Debian.
• Installing cPanel or software made for RHEL? AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux, after checking the vendor's supported list.
• Following a specific tutorial? Use the distro and version it was written for.

Whatever you choose, pick a version that still has years of support left.

Check it works

After the server is ready, confirm which distro and version it runs:

cat /etc/os-release

Look at the PRETTY_NAME line, for example Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or AlmaLinux 9.

Troubleshooting

• A guide's commands fail with "command not found: apt": you are on AlmaLinux or Rocky. Use the dnf equivalent.
• A package is missing on AlmaLinux or Rocky: many extra packages live in the EPEL repository, which you enable separately.
• Your app needs a newer version than the distro ships: use the vendor's own repository, or a newer distro release.
• You picked the wrong distro: reinstall with another one from your VPS provider's control panel. A reinstall erases the disk, so back up first.

Next steps

• Check what you are running: check your Linux version and distro.
• First tasks after install: Linux VPS first steps.