For most applications, any mainstream Linux distribution will do. What differs is how long each release is supported, how fast software versions move, and what your team and your software vendor expect.
Ubuntu LTS
Long-term support releases come every two years with five years of standard security updates. Huge community, excellent documentation and the default target for many tools and tutorials. A safe default for web applications, Docker hosts and developer teams. See which Ubuntu release to run.
Debian
The stable base that Ubuntu is built on. Conservative, predictable and lean, with a long track record on servers. A favourite for people who want minimal change and minimal surprises.
AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux
Community rebuilds compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux, created after CentOS changed direction. Each major release is supported for about ten years. The natural choice for software certified on RHEL, for teams used to the RHEL family, and for control panels that expect it. Our article on life after CentOS 7 covers the move.
How to decide
- Check what your software supports. Vendor documentation often lists specific distributions and versions.
- Use what your team knows. Familiarity prevents mistakes.
- Match support length to the project. A long-lived internal system benefits from a ten-year support cycle.
- Stay on supported releases. Whatever you choose, plan upgrades before support ends.
At IDX
IDX cloud VPS plans offer Ubuntu, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux and other images, and you can reinstall with a different one from IDX Panel in minutes. Our knowledge base explains how to reinstall the operating system.
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