Overview
AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are enterprise-grade distributions providing 1:1 binary compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Both projects emerged as a response to the CentOS lifecycle change.
| Parameter | AlmaLinux | Rocky Linux |
|---|---|---|
| Governance | AlmaLinux OS Foundation (Non-profit) | Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation (RESF) |
| Main Sponsor | CloudLinux, Inc. | CIQ (Ctrl IQ) |
| Build System | AlmaLinux Build System | Peridot |
| First Release | March 2021 | June 2021 |
| Compatibility | ABI-compatible with RHEL | ABI-compatible with RHEL |
Performance
Since both distributions utilize RHEL source code, performance differences in CPU, RAM, and I/O operations are negligible (less than 0.5%). In Phoronix benchmarks involving kernel compilation and PostgreSQL/MariaDB workloads, both distributions show identical results to RHEL 9.x.
- Latency: Identical to RHEL due to the same kernel versioning.
- Throughput: Limited only by hardware and sysctl configurations.
Configuration & complexity
Administration for both systems is identical to CentOS/RHEL. Both use the dnf package manager and standard FHS. Migration from CentOS 8/9 is handled via automated scripts.
For AlmaLinux:
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/AlmaLinux/almalinux-deploy/main/almalinux-deploy.sh && bash almalinux-deploy.sh
For Rocky Linux:
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rocky-linux/rocky-tools/main/migrate2rocky/migrate2rocky.sh && bash migrate2rocky.sh -r
When to choose what
AlmaLinux: Optimal for cloud providers and web hosting. AlmaLinux typically releases security patches faster (often within 24 hours of RHEL). The ELevate project allows for major version upgrades (e.g., from 7 to 8 or 8 to 9).
Rocky Linux: Preferred for HPC (High-Performance Computing) and traditional enterprise environments. Gregory Kurtzer, the founder of the original CentOS, leads the project, ensuring high trust among veteran system engineers.
Cost / licensing
Both systems are distributed under the GPL license and are free of charge. Monetization occurs through paid technical support from third-party companies (CloudLinux for Alma, CIQ for Rocky). There are no licensing fees for OS usage.
Ecosystem & integrations
AlmaLinux has broader support among hosting control panels (cPanel, Plesk) and cloud platforms. Rocky Linux is actively integrated into scientific and governmental IT infrastructures, maintaining strong positions in supporting specialized hardware for supercomputers.
Verdict
- AlmaLinux: Choose for web servers, public clouds, and scenarios where patch release speed is critical.
- Rocky Linux: Choose for long-term enterprise projects, HPC, and if specific support from CIQ is required.